ATLANTA -- The season's hottest video games and big-ticket toys could break the budgets of many Christmas shoppers, but the toy that tops the annual list of best buys is affordable and fun.

Let the Toy Testing Begin!

The toy test took place in the studios of WSB-TV early one recent Saturday morning. It is an annual attempt to match toys that kids will love at a price their parents can afford.

The kids counted down the seconds before they were allowed in the room with all the goodies. Once they were in, many of them found toys that they liked right away.

But what are the top five toys this year?

Little Nicole smiled when she saw a basketball toy.

"I really want to play some more," she said. "I have a hoop (outside) but if it's raining I could have this inside and practice!"

The No. 5 game on this year's list of top toys is the ESPN Shot Block Basketball Game. Many parents may cry foul, however, because the toy must be assembled and it will set parents back $85.

The other popular toy among the child testers was a dollhouse. The girls -- and even some boys -- adored the Loving Family Twin Time Dollhouse.

It was easy to assemble, but pricey at $60.

Another traditional girl's toy takes the third spot on the list. Dora's Talking Kitchen, which costs $80, was a big hit for many of the youngsters.

A miniature Cadillac Escalade SUV was hard to drive for some of the tots, but it was also hard to resist.

"It's fun to play with at the toy test, but I would never buy it," one parent said.

The Power Wheels Escalade may be No. 2 on the list, but it is the most expensive item on this year's list.

The average retail price for the hot toy is $290, but it has been advertised for $260.

The top toy on this year's list is a much better buy.

Most of the girls and all of the boys played with the Shake 'n Go Race Track over and over.

"You see all the kids shaking," one parent said. "They love the track."

"My favorite thing is the cars!" one kid said.

"You get to shake them, and they're really fast!" another tot said.

At $40, the race track toy was the least expensive toy on the list and crosses the finish line as this year's top toy.

This Year's Top Toy Bargains

For parents whose toy budget is tight this year, there are several toys to be had this year.

This year, our toy testers put store brand bargain toys to the test to see if they would generate the same kind of enthusiasm as the name brand toys.

The kids liked the big-ticket items, but they also liked the bargain toys.

"It's called electronic car racing (and) it's pretty good," one tester said.

The comments were good but not good enough to make the top five bargain toy list.

Two dolls that were bought at Wal-Mart cost less than $10 each. Another inexpensive fun toy was the Robot Combo. It is number four on the affordable toy list and is priced at $9.88.

The toy in the No. 3 spot was even cheaper. It cost less than $5, but not everyone was sold on its fun quotient.

"The remote control wire is not good, and (it) would break too easily," said the father of one of the young testers.

If expensive toys make some parents queasy, the cure is the toy that is No. 2 on the list: a doctor's kit that costs under $10.

The toy that was the top best affordable buy was a little shopping car.

Several children gravitated toward the cart, loading it with food and toys. Meanwhile, parents loved the $9.22 price tag.

"We like to shop," said the father of one tot who liked the car.

Some parents whose children participated in the toy test said the event is helpful.

"I think it lets me know I don't need to buy a lot of extravagant toys for him to have a good time at home," one parent said.

One parent said the toy test allows her to find out what children are thinking.

"We'll be getting some of these things that they're playing with," the mother said. "I'm not a big shopper so I'll go straight for these" toys.

Wal-Mart and Target carry their own line of discount toys, and many of them resemble the higher priced, name brand toys.

Parents should not ignore those store brand goodies because they can be good buys.