Nerf News, Reviews, Related Blaster Products
Amazon, Target, and Walmart Deals are now live on their respective pages!
There are some Nerf deals on the Nerf Elite Commander 2.0 (one of the better blasters that came out of that line) and other brands across Hasbro. Make sure to check them out and get started early on your holiday gift shopping. (I know, I know, we’re not even past Halloween. We’ll get there!)
Game time with the Milwaukee Area Nerf Outings club!
Wilder®, a leader in innovative play experiences, and HASBRO, a leading games, IP and toy company, are excited to unveil their newest collaboration: NERF® Battle Play Experience Targets and Accessories Line, set to launch in July 2025. The innovative product line reimagines target play- through immersive gaming that combines real-world action with video game-inspired experiences. The line encourages players to use their favorite NERF blaster for single and multiplayer play, and offers themes including zombies, robots, and more.
Unlike traditional targets focused on linear play and scoring points, Wilder®’s new line introduces new dynamic and interactive target elements with:
● Surround-sound ambush scenarios, where enemies attack 360 degrees around the player.
● Zombie swarm attacks that require players to fend off hordes of zombies, but be sure to watch out for granny.
● Arcade-style modes, offering exciting multiplayer tag-team matches and real-time versus battles.
“We’ve had a blast – no pun intended – working with Wilder to take the NERF play experience to
exhilarating new heights with video game-inspired battle targets and accessories to complement
Hasbro’s NERF blasters. Innovation, fun and heart-pounding adrenaline are core aspects of NERF’s
DNA. Pair that with Wilder’s creativity and high energy play, and we have a recipe for success,” said
Bradley Bowman, Senior Director, Licensed Consumer Products, Global Toy of Hasbro.
The Collection
The collection will include the following items:
New York Toy Fair 2025 is this week! I’m traveling to New York with a schedule full of appointments, ready to see what toy companies are lining up for 2025 and maybe a little bit of beyond. This is a pretty big show, and I’ve been attending since 2011. It’s at this event that I get to speak in person with teams at Hasbro, Dart Zone, and Zing about what to expect for 2025. We see a lot of new product, some product that never gets to store shelves, and rub shoulders with buyers from toy stores and other sectors across the toy industry.
Some interesting notes for New York Toy Fair 2025:
Exhibitors not at this show (according to the Toy Fair website)
Who WILL be in attendance –
PREDICTIONS:
Hasbro already sent out their preview email, so some stuff to expect would be more Minecraft (some new products are already out on shelves), Super Soakers (because this time of year is usually when water blasters get pushed), and tons more licensed/apparel/lifestyle items. With Hasbro’s new “playing to win” strategy, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some midrange/mid cost blasters at this point of the year, and a focus more on sports equipment and other Nerf products licensed out to Franklin Sports and other more general play segments. The visit to Rhode Island last year showed that the blaster space has a lot of rules and regulations in different countries, so why not pivot to more general items that are easier to sell in more countries? Nerf was a ball before a blaster, after all. I have some thoughts on the new strategy, and I’ll go over that on my YouTube.
Nerf Predictions:
More sports/general play toys. We’ll see more N-Series of course, and a few streamline blasters but the focus going forward will be N-Series. I think we’ll see a new license, in addition to the Minecraft and Fortnite blasters.
Dart Zone I feel is gonna continue to carve out their niche for the direct to consumer crowd, if not improving on already available blasters like the Venom and Stryker, adding more Pro level blasters to the mix. The Buccaneer and the Renegade are already available in Australia, and word has it there’s more on the way still for the non-Pro crowd. Dart Zone does offer some of the best prices on quality blasters that you can get, so I’m excited to get the full rundown and to see what’s next.
Dart Zone Predictions:
A new license, they’ve done Jurassic World, Stranger Things, what’s one more? They’re due. It looks like they’re teasing an update to the Venom as well. I think the mk III might be the next candidate for an update as well, so a new motorized rifle style blaster could be on the horizon. They were still working on TAG darts, so that hasn’t left the discussion either.
Zing Toys has the license to make Cyberpunk replicas, and BOY DID THEY. Skippy is already available, but they will be BRINGING THE ICONIC ERRATA AS WELL. I believe it was already seen at SDCC, but I’ll be sure to find it at NY Toy Fair as well! Of course, I expect to see more of their bows, the Stik Bots, and other outdoor play toys, but their foray into blasters has been one of my favorite stories to follow. Hope we get an update on Guts as well. I think Hog Wild also falls under their brand now as well, so it’ll be nice to see some kid-friendly products as well.
Zing Predictions:
Maybe they’ll announce new blasters in the works under Cyberpunk, but it’s unlikely as the Errata seems to be the main focus. It’s possible new licenses may want to work with Zing, as they have Cyberpunk now, they did Avatar, and if anyone did a Witcher crossbow, I wouldn’t be mad if it were Zing.
Of course, we’ll find out soon enough. New York Toy Fair starts March 1, 2025.
Note – If it looks like I have no idea what I’m talking about, it’s because I’m not on any special leak groups or discord servers. Sometimes, I just like to be surprised.
Nerf HQ Visit 2024 – Reviewing the Nerf N Series
The focus of this trip was to learn more about the Nerf N Series. It’s new, thoroughly researched, studied, and even put through an air tunnel. All in the last 2-3 years.
And why? To eventually become the new norm of Nerf blasters. No more “full-length” or “streamline” business, in the 8+ category N Series will become the main focus. The 14+ areas like “Pro”, “Rival”, and “Gelfire” will still be around as they are, but the main younger lines are going to change.
WHAT
The N Series. The N1 darts. New ammo, tested to be more accurate and fire at faster speeds than any previous Nerf dart. Nerf showed the extensive heads, material, and even the air tunnel they used. The dart had to be safe enough to pass a choke test while also surpassing the performance of previous darts. Accuracy and speed (from the FPS view) were the main hallmarks here. And I can understand that. Most of the games I’ve played end up within 50’ or less. I prefer staying at that range. And yes, we can get those long ranges but between objectives and making sure we get our tags or can see where our shots go, being out a hundred feet isn’t a great user experience for me. To call hits, you need to be able to see where you are shooting and who you’re tagging. Faster and more accurate, that’s what will be noteworthy about Nerf N Series N1 darts and blasters.
There is a second part to the creation of the new dart as well. It’s to make Nerf distinctly identifiable. Protect the brand. Nerf, Xerox, and Kleenex are all related in one way, they are brands that have become synonymous with their segment. Toy blasters, whether they shoot arrows or foam, tend to get called “nerf guns”. When Nerf made the Rival line, how long was it until other companies made similar products? Or darts and accessories that were compatible with the “major brand?” Maybe this cut into the bottom line, maybe Nerf would be the ones in trouble when someone had a magazine that broke or darts that came apart from bad glue, or got injured because the darts they used were tipped with solid plastic. All of that would still be referred to as a “Nerf gun did that”. With total adoption of the N-Series and N1 darts, Nerf can always point out if something is their product or not, and no longer be conflated with products not made to their specifications. Sure people can still name every blaster a “nerf gun” in their YouTube videos, but it’ll be less applicable as time goes on.
NEW NERF DARTS AGAIN???
When the Nerf Elite line launched in 2012 (or around then?) the blasters at the time used orange streamlines (which had HUGE inner stems attached to the dart head), sonic darts, some suction, and dart tag darts, which all had bigger dart heads that couldn’t fit in magazines. It was chaos! Mixing in different darts from Buzz Bee and Dart Zone further complicated things. Nerf Elite gave us elite streamlines with longer distances, and shorter dart stems, and led to ammo supplies that began to look less orange and more blue (yes, still orange dart heads, but let’s not be picky). The Stampede and Longshot could still use streamlines, but the new blasters would be optimized for Elite dart usage, and the new ammo outshot the original streamlines, so why use the old stuff anymore? Soon, more and more kids that showed up to meetups were bringing elite blasters, new to Nerf games, or just got a new blaster as a gift and wanted to try it out.
Twelve years later, here we go again.
Hello, Nerf N Series, and your N1 dart.
WHY (Let’s get the knee-jerk reaction first)
That’s a popular question!
WHY –
Make new ammo for seemingly “new ammo’s sake”?
Make your old blasters unusable going forward.
Did they not use already existing darts or bring back darts you have made (I see you, Accustrike fans)
Repeat mistakes you made with Ultra?
And while those are valid concerns, the Nerf team had some pretty solid answers, at least that’s how it sounded to me.
Performance. The N Series darts are said to have higher FPS than streamline ammo, and fire more accurately meaning better groupings. Distance isn’t as much of a factor, because more battles happen in close quarters at home, and that’s where the blasters are getting used. The Nerf team let us test the blasters through a chronograph and in my experience I can attest that FPS numbers for the N Series blasters I tried were improved over the FPS numbers for current stock Nerf Elite blasters. To be more specific, Elite clocked in at 70-72 FPS while the N1 darts hit 85-90 FPS.
And the groupings are definitely closer, too. I liked the Accustrike line because while I did give up some distance my darts all stayed in the same time zone compared to streamlines that would fly in large sweeping arcs. In a way, the Nerf team said they took aspects of Elite, Accustrike, and Ultra, all to influence the N Series darts. They wanted the best firing dart they could manage across the widest audience.
Global availability. Nerf is sold in A LOT of areas worldwide. Singapore, Austria, Germany, Australia, and more. This means that they have a lot of different safety regulations to adhere to to sell blasters, and it’s not just about Kinetic Force or FPS. NOISE is another determining restriction. And Ultra wasn’t just expensive, it was loud. Why don’t blasters have slamfire? They’re too loud. When designing blasters, they need to make what has the broadest appeal across all their US and international markets.
It was always my belief that lines like Ultra (which was 8+) were designed to fill up shelf space where Hyper and Rival couldn’t go, and I wasn’t too far off the mark. Even Mega and Mega XL had difficulties being sold overseas, which is why we’re going to see this shift towards a dart with improvements but is still targeting the 8+ market. Even better, Nerf took some lessons from Ultra and worked to get the prices down. The most expensive blaster of the line is $39.99, and 100 darts in a pack will go for $9.99, more darts will also be included with each blaster.
“Nerf” and everyone else. As someone who’s compiled his own pile of blasters and ammo, a transition period is pretty rough, and that’s what we’re seeing here. But while this looks to be Nerf forgetting about the longtime fans, I don’t see it that way. As I mentioned, this isn’t the first time Nerf has introduced a new ammo type that eventually became the main supply. The transition affects those who have lots of blasters that use streamlines currently, but at the moment there are already so many third-party sources for that type of ammo. I don’t think that particular design is going away any time soon in general, Nerf focuses more on N Series blasters and N1 darts, and other brands will still make full-length darts. But again, this isn’t happening overnight.
There are still a lot of unreleased full-length dart blasters in the market right now. One day we’ll look around toy shelves and Elite streamline dart packs will be gone, the same as what happened with the original N-Strike ammo and mission kits. But that day isn’t here yet. But the N Series is here, and we’ll see it for a while.
WHO
I’ve already touched on who will benefit from the Nerf N Series and N1 Dart. New players and folks who get Nerf for the first time in the 8+ group. They’re going to have one Nerf dart that’s for 8+ (Nerf Rival, Pro, Hyper, and Gelfire are 14+, Mega, Mega XL, and Ultra, are most likely discontinued or greatly reduced in presence) and all across all of Nerf’s global markets there will be one dart that is within regulations for sale. No worrying about grey triggers, or sending only certain products. Every place that sells Nerf will have N1 darts and Nerf N Series blasters. Nerf can reach so much more of their target market than they do now.
WHEN
June 2024
WHERE
Where blasters are sold!
And yes, Hasbro flew me out, put me up in a hotel, and had me tour their headquarters (with some other folks from the internet) to get this First-Look at the N Series. But if I didn’t honestly think this was worth a look, I’d say so, and I would have mentioned it directly to the Nerf team as well. That being said, we’re looking at a new world of Nerf coming up, and between the lower costs per blaster, the increased ammo, the better accuracy, and faster dart flight, I’m here for it. Thanks to the team at Nerf and Hasbro for having me along, I’ll see you all on the field.
It’s been a pretty big year for blasters, I think. In recent weeks, layoffs at Hasbro, MGA hiring blaster designers, the increasing number of products on Amazon, Etsy, and beyond, and increasingly compelling products from direct competitors shows a vastly shifting blasterscape than existed a few years ago. It’s a wild time to be into toy blasters right now, Nerf or otherwise.
The Favorites
This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the blasters that came out in 2023. I’m going over some of my favorite blasters from 2023 that I actually tried or got info from. If you don’t see it listed, I either didn’t purchase anything from that company, or they didn’t send me samples. I only have so much I can buy, unless I start crowdsourcing or get views for ad revenue.
Gel Blasting Forward
The past year saw a lot of expansion in different segments. Gel ball firing blasters definitely are a much bigger presence now than they were 10 years ago. Gel Blaster, Faction Battle System, Nerf Gelfire, GelZone, XShot, and so many other Amazon products comprise the number of selections you have. And a couple of products really stood out to me. The Faction Battle System Sentinel and the Nerf Gelfire Raid are two of my favorites this year. The Raid offers a proper scattershot of gel ammo, and the Sentinel is a REMOTE OPERATED turret styled blaster. The Setinel you can place on the ground, leave alone, and control with a remote to aim and fire, as long as you’re within range. I’ve seen so many gravity hopper gel blasters over the years, but I have not seen anything like the Raid and the Sentinel yet. I have seen milsim style gel blasters, ones with a magazine, even select fire and adjustable FPS. But the scattershot (shotgun) function and the remote operated features are what really caught my attention.
Nerf and Other Foam Darts for 2023
Even with gel blasters blastin’, foam blasters are still one of the more accessible mediums. You can play indoors with arguably the least risk to your home, and aside from finding darts in a couch you don’t have to worry about water residue, high FPS related injuries, and so on. That being the case, there were some amazing foam dart blasters this year.
Dart Zone Blasters and Dart Zone Pro
Dart Zone really pushed some amazing boundaries this year. They not only continued product for their high FPS pro line but also delivered the Thunderbolt. The blaster is an amazing piece of kit for under or about $20, fires straight, and has good power out of the box without being a pro labeled blasters. Accessible for all ages.
Dart Zone’s Pro main event was the Omnia Pro. It had a slight hiccup at initial release, but the blaster is only around $60+ and offers high powered firing, rechargeable battery, a choice from single, burst, or fully automatic firing, and is pretty compact. Between the price, the functionality, and the overall less cost of ammo from Dart Zone, the Omnia definitely stands tall in 2023.
Nerf
Nerf had a rough year. The reported sales were down, hence many layoffs in 2023, but the House of Potato still cooked. The Nerf Double Punch was a lot more fun to use than I expected, even with the gimmicky barrel action and dual mag setup. It had decent range stock, and the trigger action was pretty speedy. Yes, it was a free sample but of Nerf’s fulll length dart releases this year it was my favorite.
That’s right, full length. Nerf also finally entered the short dart segment with the Nerf Stryfe X. Upwards of 150+ FPS, USB-C charged battery, and a familiar but revamped Stryfe profile. It’s a good blaster, but the approximately $120 price tag is pretty hefty for what you get. All in all, it’s progress, and the blaster is pretty fun to use. One of the major highlights for Nerf from 2023 for sure.
Buzz Bee Toys
Buzz Bee Toys continues to chug along, and I am HERE FOR IT. Last year the Alpha Auto 72 was definitely one of my favorite overall blasters, and this year the EZ-Fire is another great product. Between including TWO magazines, a ton of (new style) darts, and being a solidly built blaster, the EZ-Fire is incredibly priced to be easy on your budget. Smooth lever action and slamfire, I had no complaints about the blaster at all and it is definitely one worth checking out if you haven’t tried it yet.
Blasting Ahead to 2024
Licensing is going to continue to be HUGE for blasters in 2024. Nerf is still churning out Fortnite, Minecraft, and Roblox blasters, their in-house brands like Star Wars, Transformers, Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Marvel, and GI Joe are always a possibilty as well. If Nerf LMTD continues to 2024, that opens the field even wider (seeing as how we’ve gotten an Aliens, Star Trek, and League of Legends blaster, just to name a few.)
Not to be outdone, Dart Zone and Buzz Bee Toys each released Stranger Things blasters this year. Before, Dart Zone released a Jurassic World pro blaster. Nerf may have plenty of licenses to choose from right now, but the other brands are definitely attracting attention now. Speaking of Nerf, they used to have the Halo license and before that, it was Mattel. The most recent licensee for Halo now will be Gel Blaster.
And while I mention them last, they are definitely not least, Zing, makers of StikBots and a variety of bows, are producing Cyberpunk 2077 gel blasters. And to say I’m EXCITED for those is a SEVERE UNDERSTATEMENT.
Most recently, Zing made Avatar themed bows, so licensed properties are not new to them. And from what I’ve seen, Cyberpunk is in great hands with them.
One other item that’s incredibly interesting but in a fledgling state, MGA is hiring blaster designers. Hasbro’s recent layoffs means a lot of talented people are on the hunt for a new job, and MGA, the makers of minibrands, LOL Surprise, Little Tikes, and many other brands, posted about hiring some of the recently available talent, including blaster designers. It’s still very early to see what this might mean, but ideally a new contender with MGA’s resources would be a very large ripple in the blaster space.
2024 Wish List for Toy Blasters
So with all this new stuff on the way, I can only speculate about the future. A few things I can see coming, but clearly only the toy industry people make more informed guesses. So in 2024 I am kinda hoping for….
Clearly, more licensed products are in the future, but this might also mean more repaints of older blasters just under new IPs. What licenses would I like to see? C’mon Hasbro, give us an actual GI Joe blaster that looks like something from the cartoon, or Optimus Prime’s Cannon.
Functionality wise, I’d like to see a return to multishot features, from any brand.. The Raid is a brilliant step in the right direction. More Mega XL, please! I believe in it!
Foam blasters continue to expand “pro” levels, maybe we finally get a shotgun multishot style in short dart pro level stylings?
A return to more animal shaped blasters. Seeing dinosaurs was great, I wouldn’t mind something like the Manta Ray (I say this practically every year).
Blasters start to adopt a retro style, like Flash Gordon
And that’s all for now, congrats on making it another year with me, let’s goooooooo!
Faction Spectre Gel Bead Blaster
Faction Havoc Gel Bead Blaster
Faction Sentinel Turret Gel Bead Blaster
The Faction Gel Bead Blaster line is new to projectiles, but the line comes from Skyrocket toys, and if you remember Recoil, you’ll remember a solidly, built laser tag blaster system that had some amazing app features. Skyrocket made that.
Recoil wasn’t perfect and didn’t catch on, but Faction is pretty close! There are three blasters to choose from, and a targeting drone to keep things automated and interesting. There is a pistol, a long rifle, a versatile REMOTE CONTROLLED TURRET all to cater to your play style. Each feels very different, whether you’re using one with a gravity hopper, a magfed underside orientation, or setting up a trap for your opponents. Each blaster features a switch to move between single shot, three round bursts, or full auto, and buttons to function with the app.
Yes, the app is what takes gameplay to the next level. In the app you can custom the blaster light color, brightness, blaster name, and the type of game you’ll play. Playing solo, you can use the included beacon target to target shoot and compare scores with other friends on the app, andwhen playing in groups you can make teams while also choosing different game types and rules settings.
hile the app is great, you don’t need it to play. But you will need the app to “unlock” the blaster. When you buy a Faction blaster, you have to connect to the app (with an account) and connect the blaster to download the latest firmware. Past this though, the app is optional for play, and your blaster will still fire after being activated in the app.
There are some sales for Faction going on right now, and the prices for blasters are between $40 & $70. But considering you get the blaster, glasses, ammo, glow in the dark ammo, an integrated glow ammo function, targeting beacon, and charging cords, the cost is on par what I’d expect from a premium product with a lot to offer. You’re paying up front for a gel ball experience unlike a few others out there.
Definitely give these a look while the Faction blasters are on sale, there are content plans and game ideas com for the future, and I’d like to see what else is planned!
Hey all! In preparation for shopping this weekend, I’ve compiled some products you should know about, and maybe some deals that might reduce the drain on your wallet.
And make sure to check back, or bookmark that page. I’m working on adding to it as often as i can until the holidays are over.
NERF Mania will feature new, exhilarating attractions and is considered the biggest investment in the history of Beto Carrero World.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 – Calling all NERF fans! Beto Carrero World is about to make every adventurer’s dream come true with the opening of the first ever NERF-themed land: NERF Mania! The grand opening is set for October 12th, Children’s Day, and as a gift, kids will be able to dive into and revel in the new attractions, which are just the first phase of the spectacular NERF Mania.
Get ready to get wet and spin with the Super Soaker Splash!
For those who thrive on challenges and enjoy a splash of fun, the Super Soaker Splash is the perfect choice! Get ready to get wet, and showcase your sharp aim as you spin non-stop within this thrilling aquatic attraction. If you think it’s a breeze, think again, as the fun spins wildly!
Spin, scream, and thrill with the Spin Blast Adventure!
There’s no stomach-churning thrill quite like the Spin Blast! Picture a giant disc for 40 people spinning frantically atop a wave-shaped track. Are you ready to embark on an adventure full of exhilarating moves and infectious laughter? If so, you’re next in line for this exclusive attraction in Brazil, designed to accommodate over 600 people per hour!
‘Curious Fact: The Spin Blast and the Super Soaker Splash are imported attractions from Italy and took about 30 days by ship to arrive in Brazil.
Digital Aim at the NERF Arcade!
For the digitally-savvy enthusiasts who love a challenge, the NERF Arcade is your spot. Test your concentration and aim with digital blasters while you have fun with your friends to see who can rack up the most points. It’s the classic NERF experience in an amazing new dimension!
Refuel at the themed Restaurant and bring the fun to your home with the NERF Shop!
Even adventurers need to refuel! The themed Restaurant is the perfect place to savor mouthwatering snacks that will make your taste buds tingle. Don’t forget to drop by the NERF Shop, where fans will find exclusive NERF Mania products to take home as incredible mementos from this thrilling journey!
An Incredible Collaboration for an Unprecedented Experience
1NERF Mania is a collaboration between Beto Carrero World and Hasbro Inc., a leading toy and game company. Here’s a c #ool tidbit: the expansive themed area of over 14,000 square meters was designed by a design studio based in Singapore and New York, known for their expertise in creating amazing parks. So you know what that means – guaranteed fun with an international flair!
A Historic Investment in Entertainment
“This marks the largest investment in Beto Carrero World’s history. It took us 31 years to reach this level of international entertainment standard. It’s a source of immense pride, as my father always drew inspiration from the magic of overseas parks. And I can confidently say, there’s much more to come,” commented Alexandre Von Janke Murad, President of the Administrative Board of Beto Carrero World.
“We cannot wait for consumers of all ages to experience the first-ever NERF themed land at Beto Carrero World, and this opening is just the start of whats to come,” said Matt Proulx, Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro. “This fully immersive experience really leans into the social, active play lifestyle that NERF has been known for over its nearly 55-year history, all while encouraging friendly competition between family and friends.”
The fun has only just begun
Hold onto your Blaster, because the fun doesn’t stop here! More exciting updates are in the works for a second phase of NERF Mania.
ABOUT BETO CARRERO WORLD:
Beto Carrero World is the largest theme park in Latin America. Inaugurated in 1991, the enterprise that placed the city of Penha on the tourist map of Santa Catarina, Brazil and the world, arose from the childhood dream of João Batista Sérgio Murad, the Beto Carrero, which brought Brazilians a fantasy world. For seven years, Beto Carrero World has been recognized as the largest theme park in South America by Travelers’ Choice™, and is also among the best in the world rankings. There are more than 100 attractions that delight, amuse and offer unique and unforgettable moments in the family.
… by looking at 2022.
It’s here, the end of the year. 2022 brought A LOT of different things to blasters and related toys, and the field is bigger than ever. I’m going to focus on the “main” blaster brands you can find in US big box retailers, but Amazon sellers and direct to consumer vendors, I see you too.
2022 Blaster Brand Power Rankings
Top of the Power Rankings this Year is Nerf.
I’ll say it. Nerf and Hasbro can be criticized for their prices, their designs, the barrage of new ammo types introduced, etc., but the main event in blasters I still have to say is in Potato Head’s house. Nerf had A LOT of lines come out this year. Rival isn’t dead. Ultra had new models. I couldn’t even keep up with all the Nerf Elite 2.0 releases, Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, Dino Squad, and everything in between. Hyper got new releases, and Gelfire is new to the Nerf line but another segment for them to put a foothold in. (There’s even more on the hroizon, and the future predictions will be on another post,)
That’s a lot of blasters. Not even mentioning Nerf LMTD. And there’s the rub. Nerf LMTD opens the doors so much wider than I think anyone but the people at Nerf understand (and their lawyers). If you had told me 5 years ago I would own a Nerf Aliens Pulse Rifle, I’d have called you a liar. And… I now own a foam dart firing blaster from Aliens. With more on the way, the Halo Needler certainly is grabbing attention even now. Technically, Nerf Ball was announced as well, it’s just more Nerf to go around.
So Nerf is not only claiming a lot of real estate on toy shelves, but on literal land too. They have campaigns and marketing all over the place with deep pockets to go along with it. From potentially having limitless IPs to make legendary blasters for, to having a wide variety of blasters and lines to choose from, and experiential attractions, Nerf has the spread and the reach to easily claim being the strongest brand even now.
Fave Nerf blaster from 2022 –
TIE: Aliens Pulse Blaster & Nerf Elite Moto Blitz
Tied for 2nd –
Dart Zone & Buzz Bee Toys
Dart Zone – Fortifying their Position
Dart Zone had HUGE year. They’ve taken the niche of “pro” level blasters and games and really carved a piece of it for themselves. They offer a variety of darts but the darts are usable in other blasters for the most part. The Tomcat can’t use full length darts, but the 1.2 and Nexus Pro are compatible to use both half and full length ammo. The only drawback was I couldn’t use a majority of the pro blasters at some nerf wars I attended. The blasters shoot pretty strongly and a majority of the attendees were kids of other players.
However, I’d be remiss not mentioning the whole tournament Dart Zone held as well. Across multiple states, even attracting players from Singapore, it definitely made noise. The other grumblings I heard are a story time for another day, but as I wasn’t an attendee everything I heard is hearsay. All the same, well done on them for even doing it.
Getting the license to use Jurassic World on blasters was fantastic for Dart Zone too. I know I always wanted a dino hunting blaster from watching Jurassic Park, and their Jurassic Pro fulfilled an age old want.The other non pro blasters like the Pyroraptor and Blue Blaster were fun too, but the real theme came out with the Pro. I also really liked the Vulcanator, the wacky design reminded me why silly blasters are great to own, and not to take this hobby too seriously.
Fave Release: Dart Zone Vulcanator
BuzzBee Toys – Not Just Bolt Action
Buzz Bee Toys is never to be counted out. Typically they have a few solid performers every year, but they don’t have the production output that Nerf has. Abraham’s M4 blaster, the Thermal Hunter, and other past releases from other years were great,
This year was no exception. the Alpha Auto 72 is one of my favorite blasters this year, no doubt about it. It has high capacity, drum fed, good range, and I definitely managed to get tags with it. And it was still a regular strength blaster, so I could use it anywhere I played. Buzz Bee also released fun looking blasters like the Pixelator and Tornado, but the Alpha Auto hits so many positive notes for me. Cost, Capacity, Functionality, and aesthetics are all there. Well done this year, Buzz Bee.
Fave Released Blaster: Alpha Auto 72
ZING
I love the Zing brand. Marshmallow Blasters is under their label now, they make a consistently good product, them being at this spot on the list isn’t a knock on them. Someone had to go here, and the other lines had so much going on in comparison.
The new Dominator bow and battle packs are great for outdoor play, and their continued efforts to capitalize on archery tag continued this year, and I’m here for it. But, that’s about all I have to say blaster/launcher wise this year. Zing makes so much more than bows, but it’s not a lot I can factor into this list. That being said, I look forward to what they have coming up and will definitely get my bows and arrows out once the weather warms up for me.
Fave Release: Dominator Bow
XShot
I don’t have a lot to say about XShot this year. I haven’t heard from their PR team since the Faze Clan blasters dropped, and all I know is they released a new Skins line since. But like every year, XShot has multiple color refreshes (in the Skins line this time, the Faze Clan blasters were the third recolor of the Orbit and Meteor I’ve seen). One year the new model was the Crusher, this year I think there are two new models? Maybe one? Everything else I already have in last year’s color.
Sure, everyone does it but they also have multiple new products. I haven’t seen that from XShot yet. The entire line is budget friendly and has impressive power from what I know in past experience, but this year I just don’t have much more to report on them and I don’t have the budget to buy more of the Same Thing.
Honorable Mentions
And there really is SO MUCH MORE available on the internet! Amazon, Direct to Consumer, and Amazon make all these other different toys available. Foam blasters that no one else is making, gel blasting toys that are super realistic, and so on. Buyer beware on safety, because there’s no guarantee these toys adhere to the same strict US toy safety guidelines but there is definitely some impressive product out there.
To 2023!
Foam From Above 