Back at last year’s Toy Fair I posted this winner of a video –
and it took… a long time to get to the U.S. It was out overseas at first (due to the popularity of Dart Tag in those areas as opposed to the lukewarm reception here) and only recently did I finally spot one in a Toys R Us. Approximately $19.99, it’s that semiauto manual pistol some of us have wanted for a long, long while. Personally, I remember this old video by SGNerf:
AND FINALLY…. FINALLY….. I got to take a look at a production version Snapfire 8 up close!
More after the break>>>>
Stats:
Toys R Us exclusive ($14.99 or so)
Front-loading, 8 shot turret
2 settings, “Power” & “Speed”
Twist the dial in order to go to either “speed” or “power”
Fires streamlines and taggers
No tac rails (as this is Dart Tag)
Ranges: 50′ on “Power” (flat) and 30′-40′ on “Speed”
Annnd, size comparison:
Now to the task at hand:
“Does switching between Power and Speed do anything?”
As has been noted by other owners, the trigger pull on the Snapfire 8 feels a little weird. It’s a bit longer of a pull than I initially expected, most likely to both prime and release the catch the mechanism. The “Power” setting makes the trigger harder to pull (not unexpected) while the “Speed” setting is a lot easier to pull the trigger but at significant drop in range. Gives the impression of using versatility and modular play, but I think I would just keep it on the “Power” setting as pulling the trigger a little harder isn’t a big deal to me. “Power” might be tough for a 6 year old though, so parents be aware that you might have to help a little to fire on the “Power” setting.
Other than the trigger, the Snapfire 8 was decent. It got decent range on either setting and while the trigger was weird, it just took a little practice for me to get the hang of it. The big sell to me is the true semiauto one-handed operation- no pumping needed (like a Blastfire) and no batteries (pick one, there are tons of flywheel blasters to name out there.) This feature is also why I needed to dual-wield them, in spite of the risk of reloading both at the same time.
The Snapfire 8 handles well and with taggers it is pretty accurate. I personally got a kick out of it because I’m a big fan of semiauto pistols (lots of John Woo films growing up), although the trigger is weird. The round turret makes holstering/pocketing one a little tough, but nothing a good pair of cargo pants can’t fix. I suppose the lack of any sling points isn’t terrible either, but it would have been nice have some place to clasp one on in case my pockets get full of darts. The handle seemed a good size, it didn’t feel like I had to hold it weird or that I was enveloping the blaster with my hand, which was a good touch as well.
I think the speed/power setting was a bit unnecessary except for a few select occasions, but it’s a gimmick and needed to bring some different functionality to the table in addition to the true semiauto firing. Now and again I did have a hiccup with pulling the trigger and a dart not firing, but that could be either poor dart fit or user error. The same thing happened with the barricade, that if you didn’t pull the trigger correctly, darts jammed. With the Nerf Dart Tag Snapfire, you have take the same care when firing, as the blaster has to move all its parts correctly to fire properly.
Overall, I give the Snapfire a middle of the road. On the one hand I love love love the semiauto action, but the weird trigger pull holds it back a little as that affects the reliability of the blasters. For folks who don’t like carrying a lot of n-strike magazines on them, this is another good addition based on the mobility you have with this vs. a Swarmfire, or even a Speedswarm (not to mention a Speedswarm has that split-second rev time and suffers a bit on the rate of fire). Is it a must-buy? Depends on how much you want that semiauto electric free experience. Personally, I needed to try it and here I am.
While the price is a bit high even for this (much less 2 of them like I got) if you want that flywheel-free semiauto experience, this is your chance to get it, though it takes some practice. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go watch some 80s era Hong Kong action flicks 🙂
Wowsers! Amazingly enough, I can now say I’ve been to the New York International Toy Fair 2 years going. Insane. I’ve taken this little blog o’mine and managed to rub shoulders with people from the New York Times, Wired magazine, and The Toy Spy. Not too bad.
In any event, you’re not here to read me wax philosophic. You want to read about toys, all the cool things I saw, and what to expect in cool ways to play from 2012. There was a lot, so over the next few days this week I’ll be putting up showroom summaries and galleries, and we’ll go from there, yeah?
First up, HASBRO. Nerf. One of my favorite companies, and why wouldn’t they be? My blog is based on Nerf primarily but with other companies with similar products thrown in to keep things fresh (and for mad toy street cred. Not those kinds of toys, and this isn’t that kind of street.) Hasbro also has Transformers, Star Wars, and a myriad of other great licenses. Their showroom certainly didn’t disappoint.
Nerf! Of course, Nerf. They had on-hand the Lumitron and Rayven, which should be out in stores, as well as the Speedswarm. Basically, if it’s out now, they had it there. The Lightningstorm and Electrostorm were available as well, but being indoors and water+electronics being a bad idea, no test firing of the Super Soakers.
As you can see, the newest offering we COULD see (besides video showing the Elite line) was the Snapfire 8. 8 shots, turreted blaster for the Dart Tag line, with an adjustable power setting between range or rate of fire. Best thing about it was the blaster was primed by pulling the trigger, so it was the truest semiauto from Nerf without use of flywheels. it was a prototype though, so we’re hoping to get another look later on.
Nerf did in fact release the Nerf Elite (complete with obscured silhouettes!) sizzle video from Toy Fair – here it is fresh from their youtube:
Info:
NERF DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 Blaster (HASBRO/Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Fall 2012) The NERF DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 blaster features one-hand firing, an essential element when players are on the move during competition battle. This semi-automatic blaster allows competitors to load darts into the front and then cock and fire darts as the front barrel revolves with each trigger pull. The DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 blaster also enables players to adjust the tension level for increased speed and distance. Includes 8 Velcro tipped DART TAG darts. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
Nerf did show some of the licensed products like shirts, bags, notebooks, etc. I even spotted a pair of Pumas! But blaster-wise, the coolest thing was this bike with a blaster holder:
I say blaster wise because Nerf sports is coming back with a vengeance… FIREVISION. The press kit tidbit:
NERF FIREVISION SPORTS 2012 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS
The NERF brand brings fans a completely new way to play with its sports gear in 2012 with the introduction of FIREVISION technology, an innovative enhancement featured in the debut FIREVISION SPORTS collection which allows for play in both daytime and dusk. To turn up the heat on throws, catches, and dunks, users simply put on the FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear and flip the switch on the bridge to see reflective graphics and skins on the FIREVISION SPORTS products. Only those wearing NERF FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear will be able to see the action once the lights are out, so whether fans want to enter into casual games with friends or test their skills in competitive challenges one thing is for certain: You don’t want to get left in the dark.
NERF FIREVISION SPORTS Football (HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $19.99/Available: August 1, 2012) No sunlight? No problem. Put on the FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear and turn on the switch to see this awesome football soar. Set includes one FIREVISION SPORTS football and two pairs of FIRE FRAMES eyewear. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF FIREVISION SPORTS NERFOOP Basketball Set (HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $14.99/Available: August 1, 2012) Convert your room into the coolest court with the NERF FIREVISION SPORTS NERFOOP basketball set. Hang the set’s oversized backboard over almost any door, put on the FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear, and turn down the lights. The darker the room, the brighter the reflective graphics on both the backboard and basketball glow, setting you up for a serious slam-dunk! Set includes one mini NERF FIREVISION SPORTS basketball and one pair of FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF FIREVISION SPORTS HYPER BOUNCE Ball (HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $9.99/Available: August 1, 2012) The NERF FIREVISIONL SPORTS HYPER BOUNCE BALL ball shines new light on the game of catch. Wear the FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear to see the ball’s reflective skin glow in green or red and track how far and fast throws fly when the sun goes down. Includes one HYPER BOUNCE ball and one set of FIRE FRAMES eyewear. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES Eyewear Assortment (HASBRO/Ages 6 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $5.99/Available: August 1, 2012) Give everyone a chance to get in your FIREVISION SPORTS game and stock up on FIREVISION SPORTS FRAMES eyewear. The new assortment includes one pair of FRAMES eyewear (choose from green or red). Players place on the FRAMES eyewear and flip the switch on the bridge to see FIREVISION gear in a whole new light. Each sold separately. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.
Essentially, you wear some sweet frames (either green or red lights) and they illuminate a sport ball that has been given a reflective treatment. The tape then glows whatever color shines on it, allowing the person wearing the frames to see it. Sadly, this didn’t translate well to film or photography, but the effect was astounding. Supposedly you have visibility up to 100′, and this kinda tech makes me think of limitless alternative applications. If only Nerf would put the same reflective bit on their darts, or on the Nerf jerseys. Think, a bunch of zombies wearing red light sets, seeking out humans wearing the reflective tape? Night missions would finally be proper… and go!
Unfortunately, there was no Vortex Pyragon to look at and demo, but hopefully later this year we’ll get a crack at that, too.
And that was just Nerf. Kreo, G.I. Joe, Transformers, KOOSH, Lazer Tag, and even the Hasbro board games are getting a new look. Clue: Elimination implements the Nerf Jolt into gameplay, mimicking the “Assassin” gametype that has been on college campuses for year.
CLUE Elimination Game Age: 9+; Players: 2-4; Available: Fall 2012; Approximate Retail Price: $19.99 Get out of your seat and up on your feet for an active game of CLUE that sends players on a mission to seek and eliminate their opponents using CLUE blasters in a thrilling showdown to become the last player standing. Elimination takes CLUE gaming to a whole new level by marrying the thrill and adrenaline rush of blaster play with the intrigue of the CLUE brand. The game comes with 4 uniquely designed blasters, 8 darts and a deck of mission cards. CLUE Elimination: Will you be the last one standing?
CLUE ELIMINATION Refills Game Available: Fall 2012; Approximate Retail Price: $7.99 Each refill pack includes 16 colored darts and additional mission cards.
Yep, nunchuks just to the right of the GI Joe shirt. Foam!
G.I. Joe got a redux of the Furyfire, and it looks like a new katana is going to come out to coincide with the movie. There was a foam and an electronic version, so people can choose their poison when it comes to how they fight. The above figure has a “quick-draw action” where you put the pistols on magnetic mounts on the back, hit a button, and the figure’s hands swing backward and magnets in the hands pull the guns out. In Snake-Eyes’s case, he draws swords.
The Transformers toys didn’t have any new blasters, but here are some highlights of the coolest of the cool from the Robot in Disguise:
Battleship is going to be a big push, with a KREO line and some new editions of the classic board game. New features (like air strikes and recon planes) and some wicked KREO sets. Here’s a few looks at those as well:
Please check out the rest of the pics here! Shots from the Marvel products, Star Wars, and more! Sadly, there weren’t any new Star Wars foam shooters, or anything for Transformers like the Cyber Blaster from last year.
“NERF DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 Blaster (HASBRO/Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Fall 2012) The NERF DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 blaster features one-hand firing, an essential element when players are on the move during competition battle. This semi-automatic blaster allows competitors to load darts into the front and then cock and fire darts as the front barrel revolves with each trigger pull. The DART TAG SNAPFIRE 8 blaster also enables players to adjust the tension level for increased speed and distance. Includes 8 Velcro tipped DART TAG darts. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com. “
Still getting through pics and vids, so… here’s what you get for now!
Hey all! Back from the Nerf/Hasbro showroom, and while I have plenty of photos, wifi in the hotel = not so good.
I can do a few photos at a time, and for now here’s some of the good stuff. Most notably, the only new blaster on hand was the Snapfire 8. 8 shots, Dart tag line, and a trigger pull primes the blaster, rotates the turret, and there is a bottom dial on the handle to determine range vs. rate of fire. Videos to follow, once I get a better connection!
In the meantime enjoy some of the new photos. Also notable, a new Snake Eyes foam sword, The Furyfire GI Joe redo, and the BBB and Captain America blaster for The Avengers. We also saw new Hulk hands, that had no sound, but were foam, not the pillow versions previously out there.
Foam From Above 
