Category: nerf

PRESS RELEASE

Hot off the internet:

HASBRO’S NERF BRAND DOMINATES TEEN SPORTS IN 2010 WITH INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED N-STRIKE BLASTERS AND MORE

Special Edition NERF N-STRIKE Blasters Clear the Way for Much-Anticipated
N-STRIKE Blaster Launch on 9.9.10

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – February 25, 2010 – Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE:HAS) NERF brand continues to provide fans with the ultimate in exciting, high-action gear for competitive play in 2010. To celebrate and lead up to the 9.9.10 launch of the newest top secret N-STRIKE blaster, NERF will be transforming five of its most popular N-STRIKE products into Clear Series Special Edition Blasters featuring clear, deco styling.
“This year, NERF fans will experience great product advancements across all of the NERF segments and we’re especially excited about the introduction of the collectible Clear Series Special Edition Blasters,” said Jonathan Berkowitz, director of global marketing, Hasbro. “This new, unique series of blasters is the perfect way to honor some of our most popular N-STRIKE products and to clear the way for the newest blaster landing on 9.9.10!”
In addition to the brand’s N-STRIKE line advancements, the NERF brand will make waves this year by merging with the hydro-powered action of Hasbro’s SUPER SOAKER line to create NERF SUPER SOAKER water blasters. By combining top elements of both brand’s high-performance blasters, the new NERF SUPER SOAKER line will redefine and accelerate warm weather play this spring. The brand will also be launching a redesigned NERF SPORTS line featuring new product additions specially designed for competitors of all ages providing all the intensity, performance, and innovation that the NERF brand is known for.
Fans can also get in on all the NERF action by following us at, http://www.Facebook.com/NerfNation, http://www.YouTube.com/Nerf, and http://www.Twitter.com/NerfNation. With so many ways to rush the field this year, remember IT’S NERF OR NOTHIN’!

The 2010 N-STRIKE collection includes:

“CLEAR THE WAY FOR 9.9.10”
(Ages 8 years & up /Available: September 9, 2010)
Clear the Way for the newest N-STRIKE blaster coming on 9.9.10! First there was the NERF N-STRIKE VULCAN EBF-25 blaster, 25-dart, belt-fed, and fully automatic. Then the NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS-35 blaster hit the scene with its new, interchangeable drum magazine able to hold 35 darts. Now, continuing the incredible evolution of NERF blaster technology, the brand has created the most impressive NERF N-STRIKE blaster yet. NERF fans around the world will have to wait until 9.9.10 to see the unveiling of one of the most awesome and exciting blasters released in the NERF brand’s 40 year history!

NERF N-STRIKE Clear Series Special Edition Blasters
To Clear the Way for the latest and greatest NERF N-STRIKE blaster launch on 9.9.10, five of the most popular NERF N-STRIKE blasters in history will be showing fans, and their successors, exactly what they’re made of! Make sure to get your hands on these special edition, clear deco N-STRIKE blasters, including the NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS-35 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE RECON CS-6 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE MAVERICK REV-6 blaster, the NERF N-STRIKE DEPLOY CS-6 blaster, and the NERF N-STRIKE NITE FINDER EX-3 blaster, before the clear disappear! Each sold separately.

The 2010 DART TAG collection includes:

NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR Eyewear Assortment
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Get your head in the game with the NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR eyewear assortment! For the first time, the VISION GEAR eyewear is sold separately, in three unique colors. It’s never been easier to replace or upgrade your eyewear and get back in the game. NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR eyewear offers 99.9% protection against UVA and UVB rays, as well as eye protection during DART TAG competition. The NERF DART TAG VISION GEAR assortment includes one pair of VISION GEAR eyewear (Navy Blue, White, or Charcoal Grey) and 16 DART TAG darts, for use with NERF DART TAG blasters. Each sold separately.

NERF DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve Accessory
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Reload faster with the NERF DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve accessory. This flexible, comfortable sleeve allows you to store extra DART TAG darts right at your fingertips giving you a competitive edge over your opponent. Comes complete with one DART TAG Fast Load Sleeve and 20 DART TAG darts for use with NERF DART TAG blasters.

NERF DART TAG HYPERFIRE One-Player Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $12.99/Available: Spring 2010)
For the first time ever, NERF is offering a stand-alone DART TAG blaster for true DART TAG athletes. The HYPERFIRE One-Player Set includes an all new look for the popular HYPERFIRE blaster plus one pair of super cool translucent VISION GEAR eyewear and 10 DART TAG darts for use with all NERF DART TAG blasters.

The 2010 NERF SPORTS collection includes:

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Welcome to the next generation of flag football, NERF style! Forget fumbling with traditional “flags” and footballs that can’t keep up with your game. The NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flag Football Set comes complete with a NERF WEATHER BLITZ junior football and 16 clips which act as “flags,” offering 4-on-4 play in almost any condition. The new NERF Flag Football clip system is convenient and easy to use, letting you and your teammates stay focused on the winning play.

NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Want to throw trick pitches like the pros? Make this season a homerun with the NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set. A unique felt patch located on one side of this specially designed “curve” ball creates a drag effect that, depending on how it’s held and thrown, will assimilate a specific pitch. Complete with a bat featuring a rubberized grip, the NERF CURVE PITCH Baseball Set is a fun way to help knock your stats out of the park.

NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $5.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Keep your friends on their toes and engage in fast, competitive field play with the new NERF WEATHER BLITZ Flyer Disk. Featuring NERF WEATHER BLITZ technology for enhanced grip, this weather-resistant competitive flying disk helps you hold on to your game and take the lead in all outdoor conditions. Weighing 175 grams and with a 10 ¾-inch diameter, this official sized competitive flying disk not only allows for better catching and throwing, but is built tough by NERF for everything from casual play to hard-core competition.

NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set
(Ages 8 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2010)
Take casual “over the door” basketball play to the next level with the new NERF NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set. Because the backboard of the NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set is designed to hang over almost any door, you can enjoy a game of NERF basketball with your friends or solo, anywhere at anytime! The backboard’s ultra durable rim invites endless slam dunks and a new basketball design means you can dribble the ball on almost any surface, from college dorm room carpet to your cubicle’s floor. The NERFOOP PRO Basketball Set comes with everything you need to amp up your indoor basketball game!

NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER Football
(Ages 5 years & up/ Approximate Retail Price: $8.99/Available: Now)
Go long! The NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER football is a sleek, tailed football perfect for that long distance pass. When this high-flying football is thrown it makes a cool whistling sound as it sails through the air. The NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER football features finger grips for easy throwing and catching. VORTEX – THE FARTHEST FLYING FOOTBALLS!

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2010 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Thanks to the nice folks who passed this along!

– Stampede!

http://www.facebook.com/NerfNation?ref=nf

Another video from Merzlin!

Just because we’re (and by that I mean “I”) all about fostering future Nerfers here at FFA, Merzlin’s put up another vid he’d like to share. The kid paints, mods, and makes breeches. Check out his youtube page if you have a chance and get to know him. I actually admittedly still feel bad for shooting him in the face at one of the first Nerf skirmishes we were at. Luckily, I was using a stock blastfire and I think stock darts.

– Stampede

And while I’m at it… Have you met Merz? He paints and mods things.

Hey there! So this entry’s feature is a Nerf enthusiast/modder who calls himself “Merzlin.” Merz has done some quality paintjobs for the Nerf internet community on commission, so if you want a blaster painted and have some extra scratch, check out his stuff! Feel free to contact him on Nerfhaven or the Youtube channel I linked in the blog title. In the meantime, here’s a video of his past works:

Ch-ch-ch-checkitout!

-VasTheStampede

Two-fer! Milestone+product news!

Breaking development:

Kevinericon posted the following on Nerfhaven:

Pics of the Longstrike:

Along with a previously unheard-of blaster, the Deploy CS-6! No details, just pics. ❤ controlled information dissemination!

Now, I don’t know much at all about either blaster, these are things Kevinericon posted about and found himself. Any details are pretty much either from him or pure speculation on my part. Enjoy, and hope to see these stateside later this Spring!

-VasTheStampede

A Year Under the Barrel, Nerf 2009-2010

Down to it, 2009 was a good year for Nerf blasters and a growing Nerf enthusiast community. I’ve had a Nerf blaster as far back as I could remember, probably my ballzooka or blastfire being the first blasters in the armory. In 2005, I joined a site called Nerfhaven which focused on discussion and resources to modify and improve the performance of Nerf blasters as well as organize wars. Since then the internet made the world smaller and there has just been a much larger open channel of communication.

First off, let’s look at the blasters. While off-brand competitors have had their own share of new releases, Hasbro and Nerf haven’t exactly been sitting on their laurels. The N-Strike line has been jamming along, with the Raider CS-35 being released September 09, 2009. It joined the ranks of the Longshot, Secret Strike Pocket Blaster, Buzzsaw, Nitefinder Ex-3, Maverick, Firefly, Recon, Eliminators (REFLEX IX-1), Element/Disk Shot and Switch Shot already released. The N-Strike line prides itself on the tactical rail system that allows attachments on its blasters. So far there’s been a tactical light kit, a red-dot sight, scope set, and most recently a bandolier for all lines that holds blasters, ammo, and even melee weapons.

Yes, melee weapons! The N-Force line started this year with the release of the Thunder Fury and Shadow Fury swords, followed by the Marauder longsword and Warlock battle axe . It’s safe to assume that the N-Force brand is Nerf’s hand-to-hand weapon line which is a long way from the 90’s-era Nerf fencing sets.

Then there’s the Dart Tag line. It is the more sport-focused line of Nerf, using velcro-headed darts in order to assist in seeing hits. Where N-Strike’s streamlines and sonic darts just hit and bounce, the Dart Tag line uses velcro vests to open up different game types based on points and adding one more level to knowing when a player is hit. The Furyfire isn’t the only blaster in the Dart Tag line. There’s the Hyperfire (a repainted Dart Tag Blaster), the Strikefire (originally released as the Crossfire), and the Stormfire. There’s also the targeting set, which is an off-shoot of the Nerf Tech Target system, only this time packaged with an Eliminator.

Naturally, all these different brands means different ammo. In addition to normal micro suction darts, there are micro sonic, whistler, tagger, and streamline darts available, along with ammo boxes to hold everything.

Need a peek? Make sure to check out http://hasbro.com/nerf for a look at their online store to see what’s up!

In the meantime:

In my opinion probably the largest-scale development was the birth of the Nerf Dart Tag League (NDTL). In June 2009 the Nerf Dart Tag League was an event that coincided with ever stop on the 2009 Mt. Dew Action Sport Tour as part of their Festival Village. Here, people were allowed a look at a new release for Fall 2009: the Nerf Fury Fire blaster and Capture the Flag systems. There was also a larger competition, where teams of four participated in rounds of capture the flag (using the new electronic flag sets) in two different age groups (8-12, 13-17) to become regional champs, travel to Orlando, Florida, and compete against the other regional champs to become the first-ever NDTL National Champions for $25,000 at the final Mt. Dew Action Sport Tour stop. Being outside of both age groups it was a shame I couldn’t throw my own hat into the ring for $25,000. However, I was able to participate in a non-tournament scrimmage or two, and that was a lot of fun to get out there with normal, stock blasters. It was different to the usual Nerf cup of coffee I have with modified blasters and it was great. No technological advantages, just you, the dart, the same blaster as everyone else, and whatever skills you brought to the table.
Since then, Nerf’s on twitter, facebook, and even youtube:

http://twitter.com/nerfnation
http://www.facebook.com/NerfNation
http://www.youtube.com/user/nerf

So much to pump and blast, so little time. While the blaster modification internet community continues to grow East, West, Midwest, and beyond the stock blasters from Nerf and the other brands are where we all start and where the fun begins.

Ready, Aim, FOAM!

-VasTheStampede

Product Review: Nerf N-Strike: Elite!

Just in time for the holidays, I’ve been taking a look at Nerf N-Strike: Elite. This is a sequel to Nerf N-Strike, released back in 2008. It comes bundled with the Nerf Switchshot EX-3 blaster for approx. $59.99.

Well, before we take a look at the game let’s look at the blaster. The first version was a yellow blaster, this time around the blaster is blue. It’s still a pistol, and if you have a nitefinder it is roughly the same size. The plunger/barrel assembly is still removable to make space for the wii-mote in the shell, and yes that means if you feel like combining the parts to make a blue-yellow blaster, that’s available too. There is also a new accessory, the Red Reveal, but that’s more for the game than the actual performance of the blaster. Unmodded, I’d say it maybe gets about 20′. I haven’t removed ARs or replaced the barrel on it yet, but it’s pretty decent all the same.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7953672&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

Nerf Switchshot User Video from Video Ninjas on Vimeo.

Alright, the game. The first N-Strike game was kind of an on-the-rails-shooter and more a series of gallery shooting/puzzle games. It was alright, but lacking. The blasters were selected for you. The levels didn’t really offer a lot of reason to go back, and unlocking stuff wasn’t particularly earth shattering. No matter what blaster you did, all you had to do was point. Disregarding the outlandish story (we don’t exactly expect Shakespeare in most rail shooters and House of the Dead I’m looking at you), the simplistic artwork, and the questionably-stereotypical ethnic characterizations of some of the characters, the havok-style physics of the puzzle levels, simple mechanics, and unlockable blasters (they were still unlockable!) made the game worth a go-through, even for me.

In the first game you assumed the role of Shane, a kid who beat an arcade game secretly designed to be an aptitude test for asskickery and earned a spot in the secret Nerf N-Strike force, a group of preadolescents who fight the good fight with a stash of top-secret Nerf blasters. He was recruited by B.O.B.(yes, 80s reference), a robot servant for the N-Strike program. Along the way, you competed against other kids: Raven, Komodo, Jackal, and Tango. Ultimately you took on B.O.B in a final showdown and stopped a Robot Uprising.

This new incarnation plays out a little differently. Gone is the static comic art, replaced with full 3D models of the characters. They’re cartoonish, but the mouths move and thankfully they give the characters a bit more personality. Each character specializes in a special class of blaster; Shane has the rounded selection between shotgun-type blasters and a Nerf Recon, Tango specializes in heavy type blasters, including the Nerf Raider CS-35 and a huge RPG, Komodo is all about high ROF which includes a maverick, and Raven is the sniper with long-range blasters like the Longshot CS-6.

Each character with four blasters, each blaster is customizable in a variety of ways. ROF, Damage, color, ammo type, and magazine type are among the choices, so unlike the first game there is a vast number of ways to affect your gaming experience on multiple playthroughs. You have to shoot energy canisters during the course of each level in order to pay for the modifications (yes, internet community I mean YOU) so be warned, it will take some time to afford everything. And multiple playthroughs.

The interface is on-the rails shooter, point and shoot according to the crosshairs on the screen. You select the character you want to play, and you can cycle through your blasters using the d-pad on the wiimote. The A button activates a scope (if your blaster has it) and you reload by shaking the blaster. Don’t let the presence of your comrades fool you though, the shooting is still all you. They won’t cover your butt, but the voiceovers add a nice bit of humor through a level. The voice acting is decent, and I definitely laughed my fair share at the intentional jokes in the voice track.

A new addition from the first game is the red reveal. It’s an attachment to the back of the blaster, and during certain parts of the game you flip up the little red screen to show against your tv. Certain colors come out against the red and you pick out the particular bits that show up, shooting them with your darts. The red reveal can also indicate weaknesses on the enemies you encounter, so kudos to EA for making it work and integrating it so well. I will admit, I tried a couple of times to see if I really needed the red reveal, and definitely did. Sometimes the shading is just too close to be sure. And if you don’t get the puzzles right, be ready for a fresh volley of missiles to come after you.

Not gonna lie, I wish aiming was more like “Duck Hunt” and didn’t require the crosshair to follow on the screen, but the blaster definitely doesn’t lag and is appropriately responsive. And don’t let the Nerf name fool you, there are three difficulty settings and on the highest one I am not afraid to admit I was yelling at the screen due to the difficult time I was having at certain points. Not because the blaster wasn’t reading my shots, there were just so many dang enemies on the screen!

So is it worth it? I’m a fan of nerf blasters and a fan of shooters, so that’s already a selling point for me there. As simple as this game is, it was still a lot of fun and between certain plot points the story’s got a good “wtf” moment I didn’t really see coming, mainly because I didn’t expect that from a kid’s game.

I had fun with it, and thankfully the game wasn’t a rehash of the first, as sequels end up. There’s a blasting range to test out other blasters, but no extensive puzzles like the last time. And if you get lonely bring along a friend or just use the 2nd player as an excuse to take on the robot horde with a blaster in each hand. And seriously, can you really go wrong with shooting hordes of robots? I don’t think so.

I don’t have a vidcap setup, but it looks like there’s already plenty of video out there on the gameplay. Here’s one from http://www.thesportsgamer.com

Give it a go, and when you’re done blasting stuff indoors don’t forget to reinsert the barrel assembly and play outside! Clearly, when choosing a way to play in and outdoors, it’s Nerf… or nothin’.

– Stampede

Special thanks to my extra eyes, ChicagoJo and Crystal Burke!