Nerf News, Reviews, Related Blaster Products
STATS:
Price: $49.99
Includes:
Blaster x1
Barrel extension x 1
Mega Magazine x 1
Mega Darts x 6
Bipod x 1
AVAILABLE: FALL 2013
So, thanks to Nerf for this sample! I’ll definitely have a review/firing up this week, but in the meantime check out these pics.
Thanks to Jakks Pacific for the samples! I saw these pop up in Toys R Us a few months ago, and they looked interesting to try out, so here we are.
Slugterra is a new cartoon, and this set of toys is based around it. Here’s a commercial:
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| What is included in the set |
Stats:
Price: $32.99
Pull & release blaster; trigger is fake
Includes: See photo
Demo video:
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| Size comparison |
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| Shield Comparison |
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| Dart comparison (without canopies) |
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| Shield may be hanged. |
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| SlugTerra darts w/Open canopies |
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| How to Play |
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| Joules figure sold separately, hood ornament deco. |
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| Burpy figure sold separately, attaches as a hood ornament of sorts. |
REVIEW:
Whew! Right off the bat, this isn’t a typical blaster set. It is priced and geared around a target shooting game, not tagging your opponents personally.
And yet, I was pleasantly surprised at the power this thing had. Don’t let the dart with the canopy shot deceive you, these little blasters have a bit of power in them. I was hitting around 30′-40′ with regular darts (Nerf Elite, Buzz Bee, Dart Tag, etc) and just under 30′ with the darts the blasters came with without the canopies. The canopies, being parachutes, of course limited the darts to 10′, just enough range for a target shooting game for kids. And that’s just fine. Getting the darts INTO the barrel was a bit of a struggle for some darts, but in that case barrel tightness probably helped in the range department.
The darts that the blasters come with, even without the canopy aren’t very good for distance, but they look cool and fit the theme of the show. The blasters looked cool and futuristic, good for any kid to pretend they’re Eli or any of the other characters in Slugterra, and the little slug dudes are fun to look at and even engaging to a degree.
Per the show, the little “slugs” sold in 2 packs attach to the top of the blasters. My niece and nephew (8 & 10 years old, respectively) thought this was a nice touch and that it was super cute. Personally, I thought Burpy makes a great iron sight though this might adversely affect holstering.
The Slugterra blasters don’t have triggers, but considering Jakks Pacific is the same company that brought out the recent Max Force line, I wasn’t entirely put out by this. Considering this had the other kiss of death of being a licensed property, the range being near 40′ nearly blew me away considering how small the blasters are.
If you consider this as a game for your kids, then you get a huge set of stuff in box and ready to go (with the exception of some slug guys to mount on the blasters) for $32.99, which isn’t too bad for an interactive licensed board game with a lot of different items included. If you’re looking for a new sidearm, these are a great size with good range, but as a dart tag player you might find the pull and release mechanism a little awkward (especially if you’re bigger than an 8 year old) and maybe check out the bigger versions of these blasters. Although, if you really need the trigger action you may want to pass on this.
Overall, I thought they looked pretty cool and for a parent looking for a simple game for their kids to play and maybe do some dart tag when the mood strikes, these aren’t a bad way to go for a starter set of blasters and darts. Again, I think the power level of these rivals some relatively similar 2 player sets and for a close if not identical cost. I’d chalk this being a touch more expensive due to the licensing involved.
In any event, hope this was helpful!
Saw this teaser on Facebook for Tek Recon –
5 PM! I think EST (their HQ in Toronto, Canada, after all) so plan accordingly!
They’re at 41k now, so the kickstarter campaign with 10 days to go is ALMOST THERE! Here’s hoping this contests puts it over the top.
EDIT:
THE RULES
“Tek Recon Troops, we’ve raised over $42K which means we’re 82% funded on Kickstarter (http://kck.st/ZLhk9x). If we reach $50K by Sunday night (11:59PM). We’re going to GIVEAWAY 2 FREE Limited Edition Black Chrome Havoks! These are worth $250 each!
All you have to do to enter is:
1) Share this post on your wall and encourage your friends to check us out and buy a blaster. Tag a friend you think would like our page!
2) Tell Kickstarter on Facebook or email (press@kickstarter.com) what you love most about Tek Recon (be sure to tag us).
Monday morning we’ll announce the 2 random winners so make sure we know you’ve entered and done the above!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4m1fKSd0M“
So head on over there and get entered! Don’t forget to tag Tek Recon!
The Toy Industry Association Facebook page posted a Flashback Friday about the Nerf N-Strike Raider CS-35, and the man behind it, Robert Victor (his company is named “Kite and Rocket”)
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| Saw this posted on the Toy Industry Association Facebook page… |
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| Photo taken from the New York Daily News, 2011 |
Featured for a TAGIE (Toy and Game Inventor Expo) Award in 2011 for the Nerf Vortex Vigilon, Robert Victor’s Raider gave us the 35 round drums that gave us an out of the box ammo capacity that had been unheard of in recent years. The rest of the info about him can be found in the New York Daily News Article here – but it sounds like he’s still busy at work, and hopefully working on Nerf blasters still!
Thanks, Robert!
P.S. – My favorite part of this story is how he was inspired by spring-loaded grocery store racks that ultimately might have been the basis for the Raider’s drum design, as well as the other N-Strike mags (possibly?)
Tek Recon released a first look at the beta of their gaming app today, showcasing how the devices will interact in gameplay and a peek at some of the powerups, scopes, sound effects, gametypes, AMMO COUNTER, etc. I’m really curious how the Medic and Drone powerups are going to work, as I’m assuming hits and removal from gameplay is still on the honor system.
The other question is will players have to use their data plans when wi-fi isn’t available. And if the “host” of the game’s device freezes up, I assume the game drops out?
All in all though, the Tek Recon line is looking sharper and sharper with each update, and on top of that they are now just under $20,000 of their goal! (As of this writing, they are at $34,000.)
Some other quick notes – if the original metallic green isn’t your color, check out the “Agent Orange” pack (as suggested by a backer, showing how Tek Recon once again is taking early feedback very seriously)!
Don’t forget, continue to email/tweet/Facebook kickstarter to get Tek Recon on their weekly email blast! It’s going to need all the help it can get to hit goal to finish the race!
Fresh update from Tek Recon. Pretty much says it all right there. And holy crap. A proper semi-auto trigger pull OR pump-action fires the blaster, you can use either mode. The pump-action works a bit better for rapid fire, while the trigger I guess allows for that steady shot.
What I wonder is if there is a range distance between either mechanism, as that is what it sounded like in some earlier updates. No priming the blaster like a shotgun then pulling the trigger as I initially reported/thought, but just straight up semi-auto action. No flywheels, no priming, no additional steps. Just point and shoot. Havok or Hammer Head, take your pick.
Well done, Tek Recon. Well done.
KICKSTARTER STATUS:
$19,000+ raised with 24 days to go! Not too shabby at all.
And from their FAQ:
“I have had a number of questions as it relates to the NRG Rounds with there performance and safety. First off know that the product will meet all the safety requirements for CPSIA, CHPA and EN protocols. The NRG Rounds not only describes the shape and performance of the product but stands for: N – Non Marking R – Reusable G – Gaming They make a firm impact but are safe
There will be refills available and they will retail for $4.99 for a pack of 25 units.”
Fired a few darts from my original Nerf N-Strike Alpha Trooper CS-18 and the new Nerf N-Strike Elite Alpha Trooper CS-12, and here’s what I got. From where I was standing, the original shot about 30′, while the Elite Alpha Trooper hit around 50′, at a pretty flat angle. Full review is being worked on!
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| Where the blasters lay denotes the cluster; original closer to camera than the Elite. The one Elite dart near the original was a ricochet that bounced back. |
KICKSTARTER LINK IS HERE:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/graemebissett/tek-recon-the-first-real-life-video-game
Got word of this from the fine folks at Tek Recon – they’re launching a little early, and ON KICKSTARTER. I’ll let them explain in the press release below.
“TEK RECON: BRINGING VIDEO GAMES TO LIFE!
One of the most anticipated product launches of 2013 hits KICKSTARTER on May 9th
TORONTO, May 8, 2013 – TEK RECON, one of the most anticipated new product launches of 2013 will be available for the first time through KICKSTARTER.COM on May 9th @ 8am eastern standard time.
The goal of the KICKSTARTER campaign is designed to further enhance the development of the TEK RECON blaster and free app, and to get the product into the hands of early adopters and key influencers helping to create the first real life online video game. Through the course of 31 days fans will be able to fund the project through purchasing product, exclusive rewards, and bid on great prizes that include appearances in the television commercial and an all expense paid trip to present at E3; all contributing towards our KICKSTARTER funding goal of raising $50,000.
“Bringing TEK RECON to market through this KICKSTARTER project is the most ambitious and exciting launch in our company history,” stated Brad Pedersen President and CEO of TEK RECON Inc. “Two years ago we set out on a mission to bring video games, online connectivity and social interactive play together through innovation and great product design. The outcome, TEK RECON has come to life and created a phenomenal play experience that has exceeded our expectations.”
Gamers, adventure seekers and fans of technology, we need your help to create a revolutionary new way to connect and play video games with your friends IN REAL LIFE! Get off the couch and into the game with the newest and most realistic way to blast away on the field or anywhere. TEK RECON Blasters feature a first of its kind design with real trigger action and specially designed reusable “NRG Rounds” that blast up to 75 feet.
To optimize the battle and team experience TEK RECON developed a free “Real-Life Online Gaming” app to enhance blaster battles. Simply connect your mobile device to the blaster to bring video game styled play to life through mobile and GPS technology. The free TEK RECON App will be available for iOS and Android devices, enhancing real battle experience through an interactive heads up display, live chat, vision modes, and more.
The time is now to be one of the first to experience Real Life Online Gaming and change the way you play. For more information on this product and KICKSTARTER campaign please visit TekRecon.com.”
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| A look at the OS of the Tek Recon app |
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| The Tek Recon Havok blaster, pump-action. Approx. $34.99 as of the listing I saw at Toy Fair. 90 round capacity last I saw. |
So there you have it. On May 9th Tech4Kids (makers of Tek Recon) is willing to let fans endorse the product, assist in the development, and in return you can get the blaster early, or any number of other bonuses, including possibly a trip to E3? Interesting, indeed!
Tek Recon wants to make sure they get the blasters done properly, so here they are opening up to the wonderful world of crowdfunding. Their kickstarter page launches May 9th, so if you’ve been yelling “TAKE MY MONEY” since news on Tek Recon first came out, here’s your chance.
Between the interactivity of the mobile app, the new ammo type, and some of the neatest touches when it comes to aesthetics and user experience, I’m intrigued to try it out and see how it all works. I’ve been itching to get a more in-depth look at this since New York Toy Fair, and it looks close, so, so close.
I’ll post the link once the kickstarter goes live and definitely keep an eye on Tek Recon’s Facebook Page.
Onward, to May 9th! And good luck to Tek Recon in making this work!
Mega Bloks were awesome enough to send along a couple of samples from Toy Fair – Trigger Happy’s Blaster and Ignitor’s Flame Sword.
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| Trigger Happy’s Dart Blaster |
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| Ignitor’s Flame Sword (size comparison to a Nerf Marauder) |
What wonderful intellectual property are these devices for destruction from? The Skylanders Giants game, where a player uses a figure on a platform to connect to the video gaming device of their choice and play that character IN THE GAME.
Now, my past experience with licensed blasters is not very positive. At all. The Jango Fett blasters I have weren’t anything special, nor were the clone trooper dart blasters I picked up. On top of that, this is Mega Bloks’s first foray into making roleplay toys, so I was a little curious how these would stack up against past experience.
Thankfully, the stats spoke for themselves:
STATS:
Price: Approx. $14.99 depending on the store
Range: Anywhere from 30′-40′ (with darts NOT the ones included. The darts it comes with decreased the range to about just under 30′)
Ammo: Foam darts with a hard plastic, thin tip
Ammo Capacity: 6 darts before reloading
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| Darts that come with the blaster |
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| Versus Nerf Elite Streamlines and current Dart Tag darts |
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| Shot of the chamber |
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| Air restrictors inside (and no, the cylinder does not pop out to reload.) |
Annnnd the video:
So how did I like it? Sure, it was similar to Nerf Maverick but in a case like this it’s the aesthetics that are important because of the licensing. Folks who love the game (or have kids who love the game) are going to like this, as well as anyone (like me) who likes a gold-colored blaster (I played A LOT of Goldeneye on the N64). The cylinder not popping out was a surprise, but the side divots are nice touch to get around that. As you can see in the video, the divots don’t line up with the chambers on the cylinder. It would be nice if the holes had lined up WITH The divots, instead of trying to load the darts in on an angle, but the blaster would look a little odd and a little less symmetrical. I get that. The lack of a trigger guard bothers the showman in me as I can’t spin the blaster on a finger. But, that’s a nitpick.
Unfortunately, the included darts don’t do the blaster any justice. They drop the range and the heads are unforgiving if they did hit their target. Granted, a toy like this isn’t INTENDED to be shot at others, but things happen and I would have liked to see suction cups or something softer at the heads of the darts, if anything so the blaster would hit the ranges it does with regular Nerf ammo.
And the ranges are THE most surprising thing about this blaster. Once I loaded proper darts it got comparable range and performance to any Maverick I had (Strongarm doesn’t count, it’s internals are ahead of the Maverick curve but I had to include it for argument’s sake.) I was pleasantly surprised to say the least!
After being burned so much with licensed blasters in the past, I would take this into any stock blaster game as a good sidearm confidently. Per the usual rules around here, I won’t be modding this so I won’t write about possibilities.
Ultimately, I think it works as a sidearm if you’re into stock blaster games and the golden aesthetics remind me of sneaking around in my video game days. It’s not exactly the Golden Gun, but it’s closest I’ve gotten 🙂 Skylanders fans might get a kick out of the blaster as well, as the license is HUGE and the game is really popular. Trigger Happy looks like a fun character to play as well (judging from the videos, maybe an actual Skylanders player can sound off on him) so if you’re hurting for a unique looking sidearm or want to live the adventure with Spyro and friends, pick this up.
These are only the beginning too, at Toy Fair there was plenty more on the way, as shown below:
’til next time, chummers! Got a question? Post below.
Foam From Above 
