Nerf News, Reviews, Related Blaster Products
Nerf just put up a video a blaster from their upcoming Elite line, debuting Fall 2012! Say hello to the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator.
Key points:
– 75 ft.
– New dart style (supposedly)
– Removable/interchangeable stock, barrel; tactical rails, and 12 round mag
– Kinda reminiscent of a Recon, honestly
And there you have it! One reveal down, a couple more to go.
The Nerf brand’s been busy this year, releasing a whole bunch of things. The N-Strike line had a couple of repaint offerings, in the Gear Up and Whiteout series
along with additions to the transparent green Sonic Series (Barrel Break, Barricade, Longstrike, and Stampede)
Ultimately, if you know someone who HAS GOTTA catch’em all, then go nuts on the repaints. Performance-wise I didn’t notice much difference from the original releases so there’s nothing new feature-wise here. The real draw is following Nerf’s “it looks cool!” policy because I’ll admit, the neon green and whiteout paint jobs look pretty darn cool.
Main event: the new Nerf Vortex line as the centerpiece!
Find prices and more on my previous post here: NERF VORTEX BREAKDOWN
“XLR” disc technology = increased ranges and a new clip system. The discs are made of a plastic disc with a foam rim. The discs fly pretty well, but they do carry in a high wind outside. Honestly, so do darts. How much of this is a problem for you is up to you.
Yes, this also means yet ANOTHER ammo type to start collecting in large quantities, but for what it’s worth the discs are not only soft, but they seem pretty durable. The guys at Adult Fans of Nerf did an informal “stomp test” at the release party, and the discs did not squish very badly at all. The clips with the Praxis and the tactical kit have a 10 round capacity, but the Nitron comes with a 20 shot clip (2 of them if you can find the special Wal-Mart only package.)
The increased ranges are pretty awesome considering previous Nerf offerings, albeit there have been reports of some user issues. Some key points to keep in mind are to not be a spaz when using the blasters. Make sure you perform a complete motion manipulating foregrips, triggers, slides, or other priming mechanisms when using the blasters. Moving too fast is what causes mechanisms to grind. It’s a new dimension to add to gameplay, and maybe worth your time this holiday season. Aesthetically and ergonomically speaking, I really enjoy using the Praxis. The stock is a little flimsy compared to the Raider’s, but the pump-action and general feel of the blaster is very comfy. The pump-action makes aiming a little more consistent than with bolt-action or pull-back blasters for me, so this works for my playing style. The only problem is what I have with N-Strike blasters, reloading the clips can slow down the action at a game when you run out. Little details like the thumb-release on the Proton and the Praxis are those indicators that Nerf did go the extra mile in designing the blaster’s exterior.
Questions? Comments? Let me know, otherwise see you next time for my overview of the N-Force line! Also find me on twitter: @vasthestampede!
Wal mart exclusive
Alright, the N-Strike Rev-5 has been out for a good long while now and I’ve finally gotten my hands on it. Looking at this thing right out of the box, you’re looking at somewhere between 20-35′ range so there’s that question. However, the bread and butter of this thing is the streamlining between this and the maverick as you’ll see in the photos.
Now, the Rev-5 functions just like the Maverick Rev-6 and the Recon CS-6 as far as the priming mech, there’s a slide on the top of the blaster that you pull back, and it readies the shot. HOWEVER, unlike the Maverick the Spectre rotates every time you prime the blaster, not every time you pull the trigger. The action feels a bit tighter as a result and dare I say it I think it shoots farther than the maverick as a result.
The whole blaster feels more streamlined, between losing one chamber and everything in general it’s a smaller feel, even with the stock and silencer on it. Don’t think for a second though that fitting into the holster of the Nerf Tactical vest probably didn’t play some role in this little piece of ingenuity.
The stock and the silencer; don’t bother. The stock’s super flimsy (although the flip-out motion is cool) and the silencer’s just another faux barrel. But it looks cool too, so if that’s your thing then don’t let this reviewer stop you. In fact, here’re some shots to show you how other things look on it:
I have a minimalist perspective on these matters though… so I like this:
But yeah, I definitely dig the feel of this blaster in its stripped-down configuration and the range is right where I think a sidearm (especially one that doesn’t need extra mags) should be. Even if you have a maverick and a recon, this just might offer enough from using each to be worth your while. Minus the extra round, the mobility and range offered is enough to tilt my opinion of the blaster towards yes. Too often I find my mags run out, but then I have a Firefly handy, or when it was on me, the Spectre.
Now, about the barricade…? ANOTHER TIME!
How about a size comparison photo?
Spectre vs. Crossfire vs. Maverick vs. Triple Torch
Word from Nerf finally happened, and although SG and Kevinericon broke the news months ago, I’m finally allowed to discuss and comment on the NEW NERF BARRICADE REV-10 BLASTER!
NERF N-STRIKE BARRICADE RV-10 Blaster
· Motorized, semi-automatic Nerf blaster
· Revolving barrel
· Holds up to 10 sonic whistle darts
· Compatible with the Tactical Rail System and alternate N-Strike stocks.
· Will be available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com
So the word is it’s flywheel, but suprisingly good for a flywheel! I’m going to reserve judgment on it until I have one in each hand (yes, I’m going to dual-wield) but until I have one that’s all I can do. I’m excited for this blaster, as it enables me to not need both hands to operate the blaster. More when I finally get one!
-VasTheStampede
HASBRO ANNOUNCES TOP TEN FINALISTS
IN POPULAR NERF “BATTLE OF THE ADS” VIDEO CONTEST
Fans Compete to Win $10,000 and a Chance to Have Their NERF Video Air on Prime-Time TV
PAWTUCKET, R.I. – October 21, 2010 – For the first time in the history of Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE: HAS) NERF brand, fans were able to showcase their passion for NERF gear and game play in front of a national audience. Today, the NERF “Battle of the Ads” contest, which received nearly 1,500 submissions to its website www.NerfBattleoftheAds.com revealed the top ten finalists whose videos will be considered to receive $10,000 and air during prime-time television next month as part of the NERF brand’s official TV campaign.
“The quality and creativity of the over 1,000 videos we received for the “Battle of the Ads” contest made it incredibly hard to narrow it down to just ten,” said Kelly Stone, U.S. marketing director for NERF at Hasbro. “Entries were sent from fans of all ages from all over the country. The submissions were as diverse as the NERF brand itself, but there was one underlying theme connecting the top ten finalists: IT’S NERF OR NOTHIN’!”
Throughout the summer, fans and amateur film-makers were encouraged to submit their videos featuring one or all of the brand’s N-STRIKE, N-FORCE, DART TAG, SPORTS, and SUPER SOAKER segments. A montage of the top ten NERF “Battle of the Ads” entries will air during “American Dad” on FOX, November 14 at 9pm EST. Fans will have to tune into FOX again on November 21 at 8pm EST to see the winning video during “The Simpsons.”
Videos were judged based on factors including public vote, creativity, enthusiasm, and use of NERF products. The top ten NERF “Battle of the Ads” finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
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Ben Boutwell – The Chase – Winnsboro, LA
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Benjamin Radford – Elevator Ambush – Hendersonville, NC
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Charlie Heller – Super Awesome NERF Showdown – Princeton, NJ
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Dylan Bitton – Operation Overboard – Vista, CA
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Gerhardt Slawitschka – N-STRIKE The Movie – Stone Mountain, GA
(more…)
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Jeremiah England – It’s Ageless – Olathe, KS
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Ryan Summersett – The Alleyway – Austin, TX
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Stephen Pfeil – Lock N’ Load – Hammond, LA
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Steven Mee – NERF Perfect – Yucaipa, CA
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Spencer Lowery – The Evolution of Play – Chatsworth, CA
To view the top ten NERF 2010 “Battle of the Ads” contest finalists and learn more about official rules and conditions, log onto www.NerfBattleoftheAds.com. Keep up with all the latest action going on in NERF NATION by following www.Facebook.com/NerfNation, www.YouTube.com/Nerf, and www.Twitter.com/NerfNation.
Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is http://www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.
Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
-VasTheStampede
More video! This time with a bit more Stampede action.
– VasTheStampede
p.s. – Thanks Monique!
Alli Sports, organizer of the Dew Tour finally announced the dates for the Summer Dew Tour, where the Nerf Dart Tag League takes place. Word is that the League is coming back this summer and running concurrently in Festival Village at each Dew Tour stop.
Anyway…. BACK TO THE ANNOUNCED DATES:
Alli Sports
**SUMMER DEW TOUR STOPS ANNOUNCED** June 25-26 Skate Boston; July 23-24 BMX Chicago; Aug. 12-15 Portland; Sept. 16-19 SLC; Oct. 14-17 Vegas
Being in Chicago, I’ll be there!
– Vas The Stampede
Foam From Above 