NPD logoThe NPD Group reports that the recent holiday shopping season saw U.S. retail sales in the game and puzzles category up a healthy 9 percent. Still, that lagged somewhat behind building sets, which grew 13 percent, and youth electronics, which grew 11 percent.

Annual sales in the overall toy industry grew 4 percent to $18.08 billion in 2014, compared to $17.46 billion in 2013.