Nerf News, Reviews, Related Blaster Products
As shown, zombiestrike sledgefire, hammershot, machete, zbomz, and nerf blazing bow are up at Target. Nerf mega dart refills as well, and a Nerf Elite target pouch and a an elite utility pouch. No product on shelves yet.
So, first saw Atamaii‘s video pop up on Urban Taggers and here we are, ZOMBIESTRIKE. FROM NERF. At least through 2014. Here’s the video followed by some screencaps of interest from the video (edited to properly link Atamaii’s web site in addition to the youtube channel and clarify screen caps came from Atamaii’s video) –
And he’s not the only one there! Jet of Nerf Mods & Reviews has her own blog, Blaster By My Side, where she chronicled what she saw.
Alright, so what have we got here?
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| The ZombieStrike Sledgefire |
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| Unsurprisingly, reminiscent of the triple shot. Obviously, the “shell” isn’t in. |
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| Hammershot, I imagine it would fit in the SWEET REVENGE holster as well, but only one way to know for sure. |
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| SIDEstrike/holster. Accomodates the Firestrike as well apparently. |
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| CROSSFIRE CROSSBOW |
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| It… well, fires darts and has dart holder storage. No surprises. Still want one. |
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| Fuse Fire. Jury is out until I can try it. |
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| Ricochet. Small sidearm, supposedly a new Scout for people to use. |
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| Targeting set (that’s the Vantage/Srike Blade in the front) Look! A new Jolt, and it has ammo holders! Sweet! |
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| Targets. Zombie Targets with the Targeting Set. |
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| Z-Bombs. Looks like they were taken after the water bombs from Super Soaker but retooled a bit. I see a saw blade(?), a brick, that rocket looking thing and what could be a proper football. Also, you see the pouch to hold them. |
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| Z-Bombs. Word. |
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| The pouch for Z Bombs. |
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| A “Starter Kit” and the bandana. |
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| NERF MACHETE |
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| NERF MACHETE (AGAIN) |
Unfortunately, it looks like everything is under glass. A few more Target exclusives it looks like beyond the Hammer Shot and Sledge Fire, and I’m pretty sure I saw “Jan ’14” as a release date for some of those things above. There’s a very good chance that this stuff will be out even before the New York Toy Fair, so cross your fingers that a good amount of this will be ready in time for the holidays even!
TL; DR –
SledgeFire – I’m wary about how the shells are going to work and play, but I’ll be able to judge better once I actually have it. I just hope the shells will also be sold in a mission kit.
HammerShot – Now, please.
Crossfire Crossbow – See above.
Nerf Machete – See above and above.
Z bombs – So, instead of socks…? But I like the idea of a foam brick to toss around.
Sidestrike/FuseFire/Ricochet/Targeting Set – I’m a little eh, but will reserve excitement for seeing them firsthand.
ZombieStrike Blade – It’s…. a Vantage. While I do like seeing N-Force ideas are not entirely out the window just yet (they did say it would be supported at last year’s party, so nice to see them come through in a way.)
Also….. NERF MACHETE.
Overall, I’m really looking forward to the line and can’t wait to try them out. Between the Hammer Shot and the SledgeFire, that’s a good amount of innovation from the start. If the Crossbow is comfy and the Machete robust, I will be a happy camper.
A PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF THE NEW BLASTER RELEASES UP TO ZOMBIESTRIKE (click this link).
Compiled by a few redditors, including Bobololo from the HvZ Forums & Mr. K of AFON this is a pretty good list of what’s coming out and how much it will cost. They’re planning to update as necessary, but if you’re going to start setting aside $$$ or making a list to give to pertinent family members… this gives you an idea of what the amount you’re looking at is.
The comprehensive total?
Elite & Zombiestrike $276.89
Rebelle Only $129.92
All Blasters & Accessories $406.81
All Blasters $322.87
(In USD) Go check the link at the beginning of the article for the full breakdown. I will say, keep in mind this doesn't total in the new paintjob Vortex blasters or any other redone color schemes, just new blasters. Enjoy!
Well, it is now the Day After the annual release/Media Big Bash for Nerf. Starting in 2009 with the release of the Nerf Stampede, myself and a number of other U.S. bloggers are lucky enough to be invited to this event.
Members of the Hasbro/Nerf design team and marketing chain of command are on hand for us to discuss/inquire about the products on display as well as some elements of the design process. It is s usually pretty eye opening affair, and this year was pretty fantastic as well.
The focus this year was a “Bash at the Beach” themed event where some major releases such as the Nerf N- Strike Elite Mega Centurion, Nerf N- Strike Elite Rapidstrike, Nerf Vortex Revonix 360, the Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow, Nerf Rebelle Guardian Crossbow, and Nerf Cybershot Hoop were alll on hand to play and get a first-hand feel for them. Also a prime moment to give some feedback before the blasters go into full production if necessary.
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| ALL THE NERF BLASTERS. |
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| Super Soakers and the Nerf Firevision Disc Flyer |
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| The Nerf Sweet Revenge blaster with the holster attached. Sadly, not up for demonstration. |
The crown jewel of all the blasters for me over the evening was the Nerf Rapidstrike. It definitely felt lighter and overall more maneuverable than the Nerf Stampede. It fired faster and found it very easy to either do 3 round bursts or rock and roll at full auto. Dual wielding did not feel cumbersome either, so I am definitely looking forward to getting these on the field. It had the clear 18 round magazines and an adjustable stock. There’s also a flip-up iron sight, multiple tac rails, and a good amount of sling points.
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| The Nerf Rapidstrike – yes, it’s awesome. Fall 2013, $39.99 THE ORANGE MAGS WERE ONLY THERE FOR DEMO PURPOSES. THE RELEASE OF THE RAPIDSTRIKE WILL HAVE FULLY CLEAR MAGAZINES. |
One interesting bit: there was some kind of thin rubber piece leading into the barrel and flywheels. I do not believe I have seen this before, so I am intrigued what it purpose it serves. Guide? Stabilizer? I have to check my Stampede to be sure.
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| I forget who photobombed me. Nerf Vortex Revonix 360 Fall 2013, $39.99 |
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| In case you don’t like the pink of the Heartbreaker, have a different version! |
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| A familiar face, the Rebelle spokesperson still hard at work! |
The Nerf Mega Centurion was there as well, but my review of that is already HERE:
The most info I did get was about the incoming app(s):
There will be TWO separate ones, one for Nerf Rebelle and the other for the Nerf N-Strike Elite blasters. I’ll have to make a follow up inquiry to see if there’s any interaction between the two apps. Functionally, they will be similar.
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| The App Cradle |
With the app, players can (at least for now):
They recognized all the duct tape magic going on out there mounting cameras, so they finally decided to provide a product (and no, the EPPS was not there. Basic Nerf brought one, but that’s the only one there.) Also, Droid fans… don’t worry. They’re working on it but just want to get it right.
Word has it the N-Force and Nerf Dart Tag lines are currently not the focus of the team, so nothing new to report on that front right now (thanks, AFON)
We couldn’t really get a lot of answers about stuff NOT on the show floor (though AFON got some info on the Elite Spectre, go check!) and that makes sense to focus on the here and now. If you’re in the woods, you’re worried about the bear 2′ away, not the bear that’s on the next mountain. So, let’s embrace the 2013 bear for what it is, and I’ll be back to revisit these blasters once they hit shelves.
And let’s not forget about Click Click BAMF who has now made 2 shows, and Shining Foam in his rookie year (along with Basic Nerf) at this event. Nice putting faces to the pages, always. Class acts from these guys this year, and hopefully get to see them again at the next event!
That’s about all I can think of for now… if I find I forgot anything I’ll update the post later. Until then, I still have plenty of more reviews to do, so check in later this week! Thanks all for traveling with me, keep on Nerfin’!
Questions? Comments? Let me know!
Edit: My mistake, Basic Nerf did not make it last year; hopefully he will be able to this year, if it happens.
Basic Nerf is following this story as well, check his updates!
Commentor, you were right. This is a tester that is out.
So way back in October, I ran across the story about Paragon Entertainment striking a deal with Hasbro/Nerf to create Nerf Arenas. Well, the project came to fruition in a Place Called Quest:
Merryhill, I am jealous.
So the arena opens this Friday, but a pro shop of sorts and target range started up a few months ago. So, what does this mean? The UK’s planning to have a bunch more locations like this set up, and anyone who might remember 2009-2011 might remember the Nerf Dart Tag League.
Old video of mine (before I had my current cameras, obviously)
Quick history lesson – from 2009-2010 the Nerf Dart Tag League was an event that ran/traveled alongside the Dew Tour Action Sport Tour, going to a number of cities and holding events in BMX, Skateboarding, whatever. I was fortunate enough the BMX tournament stopped in Chicago, so of course I went (it was actually going to this event that got me on Nerf’s radar, and the rest is history.)
A pro video of the event:
Some of the stats on the original battledome (the original NDTL was run by a different company, and the stats of their battledome follow):
“…100-square-foot inflatable dome for the NERF Dart Tag Tournament games. Measuring a monstrous 40 feet wide by 20 feet high by 76 feet long, the dome featured an interior maze of obstacles, home bases, and recharge centers.”
The Quest version looks WAY BIGGER, judging by the relative size of the people inside vs. where the walls, doors, obstacles, and so on. Count on it, I studied as much of the original dome as I could back then and burned it to memory.
EDIT: The new arena is “…25m x 10m. That’s 250 sqm or 2500 square feet!” (quoted directly from Paragon Entertainment)
Quick aside: Visit Quest’s Facebook page so you can have a chance to be one of the first to play in the arena, win passes, or qualify as the Biggest Nerf Fan they’re looking for! Good luck to all of you!
Games inside the dome were fast-paced, frantic, and awesome. Darts bounced off walls, people vaulted (and often crashed) into cover, and lord knows I hurdled a step or two in order to cap the flag. However, this was also with Nerf Furyfires, and the tech has changed a lot since then. The larger dome helps with the longer ranges, but I also wonder… in the promo shots those are clearly Dart Tag blasters, but I imagine Nerf Elite and other non-velcro ammo might be allowed? (Going to necessitate a follow up here, will update on my Facebook page.) While Capture the Flag and Elimination might be the order of the day, I am curious as to what other game types might evolve from this whole setup.
EDIT : Vortex, Elite, Dart Tag, all will be available for use at the arena! (Which they will provide on loan, you don’t have to bring anything they have it all for you. Try before you buy!)
While venue sizes might differ, the UK is going to see a few more of these pop up, and then hit other markets from there. As for the U.S. goes, no word on that yet but bet I’m following that news very carefully. But I think it’s safe to say that Nerf’s going international in a big consistent way. And if that happens, then the possibilities are endless!
In any event, enjoy the arena, England. Make it successful, that way they see there’s a proper market out there just waiting for this.
Cheers!
PPretty sure these dropped in stores, but what’s a little more info out there?
NERF SUPER SOAKER ARCTIC SHOCK Water Blaster
Outlast and outsoak your friends with the Xtreme capacity of the NERF SUPER SOAKER HYDRO PACK. Featuring a three liter water reservoir, this water backpack connects to any SUPER SOAKER clip system blaster, keeping players fully stocked and ready for action. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
Not really a proper review video, but I was wearing a GoPro on my chest and here’s another perspective of firing the Nerf Alpha Girl Blaster that comes with the Mission Kit in the Rebelle line –
Of all the Rebelle stuff, I am pretty sure this is my favorite.
New York Toy Fair ended and that leaves a hole in my schedule and a LOT of material to run through. But as always, I’ll do my best.
Nerf-wise, the biggest news to come out of the showroom this year wasn’t some super secret video with a mysterious silhouette. This year Nerf was upfront about where they’re going by revealing their new line with girls in mind, the Nerf Rebelle.
For years, I’ve been running the “Foamme Fatale” gallery on my blog to show that in fact, girls are interested in and play with Nerf toys too. This isn’t, nor should it be a new or surprising development. From Amazons to Samus Aran, females are into the action toys as well. It’s good to see that for a couple of years, Nerf did the research and is now getting this initiative in gear. 1200 girls surveyed to see what it is they wanted out of Nerf blasters, and the Nerf Rebelle line is evidence of that.
Now, I don’t remember, but did anyone see girls in the running for the last user-submitted NDTL? Just putting that out there.
First off, I’m a big fan of the line. I love the functionality, the streamlined feel of the blasters, and the call back to older weaponry (Nerf Crossbow, Bow N Arrow) with some of them. The “Rebelle” (and I think even that’s a bit smart, I believe playing off “reveille”) line will get the same performance as the Elite blasters, and the only difference then is the outside aesthetics, kinda like how boys and girls are different on the outside, but on the inside we’re all able to reach 75′. (Or something like that).
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| Nerf Rebelle Heartbreaker Bow |
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| Nerf N-Strike Blazin’ Bow |
The performance is there for the Rebelles, for sure. And handling the blasters I can tell you the function matches the form. They are sleek, streamlined, feel pretty mobile, and are very eye-catching. All good ingredients for success. Now, at first I was wondering about the pink trim, and “why does the girls stuff have to be pink?” but… it’s what my niece has been looking for. And this is why I say it will sort of challenge gender stereotypes. Sure, pink is a stereotypically feminine color, but remember the original Bow And Arrow(s?) And as cool as some of these blasters are (I refer to the Nerf Alpha Girl) the boys are going to HAVE to get used to a pink blaster.
So, failed argument bemoaning the coloring. Nerf researched high and low for 2 years figuring out what girls wanted, and they wanted pink blasters, accessories, social interaction, the works.
One more note on the pink… the packaging and everything is going to stand out on the shelves. Think about it. You walk down the toy blaster aisle, as a young girl you see aisles and aisles of shooting toys in a sea of blues, greens, yellows, oranges, and all with serious-faced boys firing blasters…. and there it is:
Something different. A pink box, a couple of girls looking like they’re ready to have some fun with blasters. And not just blasters where it’s “oh, these are for boys, but hey girls can play too” it’s FOR you, a female, speaking TO you in the advertising. Images mean everything, and this might be what it will take to get most (remember, research of over 1200 girls for 2 years) girls to give the blaster aisle a 2nd look for something directed at them.
Marketing theories aside, the Nerf Rebelle line is only one hint of a trend to bridge a gap between boys and girls in the active toy department. Not just Nerf, but Zing Toys made a pink bow called the Huntress:
As well as included some female characters into their marketing collateral.
What does this mean? Attempts to appeal to the association to characters such as “Katniss Everdeen” from The Hunger Games and “Merida” from Disney’s Brave. No joke, a number of the pitches I heard during Toy Fair drew correlations to creating strong female empowerment imagery to associate to one’s toys. Or it was applying technology for existing “Boys'” toys to “Girls'” toys.
What does this mean for our blasters? Nothing alarming, don’t get me wrong. What this means is that girls have been recognized as a missed opportunity in the action toy department, and Nerf’s Rebelle and Zing’s Huntress are the start. We might see more of this female-oriented development from other companies in the future should these particular initiatives succeed.
The OTHER point, is with the social climate being what it is right now in regards to firearms, bows and arrows and weaponry of that category are the 2nd trend I’m wondering about. That’s why you see a Blazin’ Bow after a series of triggered blasters from Nerf, the Rebelle line is bows and crossbows (for the most part), and why Zing is what I believe is the dark horse of the category with their bow-centric toys. Sure Rebelle has the revolver, but unlike the Nerf Elite series, between the aesthetics and the color scheme, Rebelle seems like it is trying really hard to shake the image of a modern firearm, with all the smooth aesthetics and bow-type functions in spite of the triggered system (that’s why the Heartbreaker is the big item from the Nerf Rebelle line; it’s a non-triggered toy I think and thus less of a firearm. And Katniss.)
POINT #2:
My Last Dart has already spread the news that Nerf is going to make discs that serve different functions, one of which is to get the discs to fly faster and farther. Knowing that they are already pushing the envelope with the blasters themselves, this makes sense that they decided a back door way to try and get higher performance with the ammo. The Elite darts were only the start (essentially modified stock streamlines). Now you have what could be a precedent for different dart types as well.
Other companies do this now. Zing has two versions of arrows; the long-range version and a suction cup version. Each gives a player a choice on how they want to play, so I would not be surprised to see more of this, with different types of ammo that might fall within safety regs but are different from foam darts. See: the TekRecon, Vapor blasters, and Xploderz ammo. Heck, Marshmallowville is out there with Marshmallow shooters too. Rubber bands, water pellets, marshmallows… smaller ammo than darts, flying farther, and higher ammo capacity than Nerf. (TekRecon’s Havok is going to boast 90 shots per reload, and similar with Vapor and Xploderz.)
Head spinning yet? Girls are a new market, look for new innovations in ammo types more than the blasters, Max Force and the first round of water pellet blasters was the start. Possibly blasters are going to start looking crazier and crazier, so they look less like real firearms. Ultimately though, Nerf still has one more (or 3) trick up its sleeve…. the as-yet unrevealed blasters that are under NDA right now, but being hinted at. Nerf’s still THE brand to contend with, and we’ll just have to see what happens next. Lock and load.
Foam From Above 