To play Mattel's Mindflex game, you use the power of your mind to levitate a small ball.

And, gee whiz, the game has levitated right off store shelves.

The runaway board-game hit of the season has retailers saying "out of stock," with no idea when they'll get more. A Mattel spokesman couldn't say if Mindflex would be available for Christmas or not. Some online stores are taking orders for February.

But not to worry. It'll be just as good -- probably better -- next year and beyond. Because the technology that revolutionized telephones and mailboxes is doing the same to toys -- and we're not talking video games here. It's creating toys today that seem right out of the Jetson household.

Here are five toys of tomorrow that you can buy today -- or next year -- depending on supplies.

INTRODUCING JOEBOT

Joebot is a walking, talking robot with attitude and a sense of humor. "Did somebody call for a hero?" he says. He also dances and bangs out a rhythm you desire, and responds to 20 different voice commands such as, "robot forward'' or back, or right.

Tell him to "patrol" and he'll announce "I'm on patrol," and roam about, inspecting and making comments about his surroundings. If he falls over, he'll ask for help and say thanks when he gets it. In "guard" mode, he watches for intruders.

Put him into battle mode, and he shoots objects with the LEDs in his hand; you can "fight" him using a standard TV remote controller.

By WowWee, about $100, at Discoverystore.com.

HOUSE OF THE FUTURE?

Power house is a playhouse, but it's not your Barbie Dream House. It's more like a house of the future, complete with solar panels, wind generator and greenhouse. A kit lets you build a model house of rigid foam that's powered by sun and wind energy. Conduct 30 different sustainability experiments and building projects such as solar cooker, hot water tank and desalination system.

Ages 10 and up (with adult supervision). By Thames & Kosmos, $90 to $160, depending on the version, at toy and hobby stores and www.discoverystore.com.

ATTENTION ALL JEDIS

The Star Wars Force Trainer: Put on the wireless headset. Look at the ball (remote sphere) in glass column (Jedi training tower). "Concentrate," urges Master Yoda's voice. Slowly, eerily, the ball spins, rises and hovers, just as you imagined it. A trick? No. Using brain scan technology, the headset detects brain waves and transmits them to the tower, which activates a fan. The fan lifts the ball.

Using the "Star Wars" story line, Master Yoda guides you through 15 trials of increasing difficulty, from novice to Jedi Knight. What it's really teaching is relaxed concentration. If users are tense, the ball remains lifeless. But relax, tap into beta brain waves and the ball springs to life.

The headset is easy to use and comfortable for anyone older than 7. By Uncle Milton Toys, $100 to $150 at toy stores such as Creative Kidstuff, or www.amazon.com.

HOT TOY ALERT

Zhu Zhu pets: Another "gotta have" toy this year is the robotic hamster that sells for less than $10. Four different hamsters with distinct personalities scoot and zip about their habitat, making appropriate teeth-brushing or snoring sounds, depending on where they are. In "loving mode" they like to be petted; they coo and chatter. In "explore mode" they nose around and play, motor their little car out of the garage and around your house (no kidding), and frolic on their slide, in their rolling adventure ball and, of course, on a hamster wheel. (The latter items are sold separately for $15 to $60.)

Ages 4 and up. By Cepia LLC, at toy stores when they have them.

IF YOU WILL IT ...

Mindflex: The game console sits on a table. As with the Star Wars Force Trainer, you wear a headset, and think about the ball going up. Your mind controls the speed of a fan that makes the ball go up and down. Your hand operates a knob on the console that moves the fan and ball left and right, forward and back. Together, they move the ball around the obstacles on the game console. Do freestyle play or one of the games outlined in the manual, such as Mental Marathon. The game measures the time it takes each of four players (they take turns with the headset) to go around the course and announces the winner.

By Mattel; about $80 at toy stores and online, if you can find it.

One Mindflex problem bound to be addressed in the future: The headset is a headache factory. Even after adjusting the tightness, it can leave a dent in your forehead for awhile.

Technology isn't perfect ... yet.

Karen Youso • 612-673-4407