Tag: gadget

The Walking Dead Abraham’s M16 Zombie Blaster

The Walking Dead Abraham’s M16 Zombie Blaster Clip-fed dart blaster

Basics:
  • Includes: Blaster x 1, 12 Long Distance darts, 8 round magazine
  • Blasts Darts up to 72′
  • Carrying handle and extended stock
  • MSRP: $32.00 – Ages 6+ 

Abraham! A character from “The Walking Dead” but not quite the character you might be thinking of. There’s the Survivor played by Michael Cudlitz on the hugely popular TV show, and then the character on the hugely popular longrunning “The Walking Dead” comic. This blaster references the latter. Here’s a look at them both (images used from The Walking Dead wiki:    

As played by Michael Cudlitz

The Buzz Bee blasters in general really stepped up in the last year. Revealed at New York Toy Fair last year, the new “The Walking Dead” was a real surprise to me in terms of licensed blasters to any degree. Up to this point, the only licensed weaponry was from Thinkgeek (non-projectile, non-foam) or a pretty poor performing Daryl crossbow that shot large foam darts.

BUT WAIT NO MORE.

These “Walking Dead” blasters are not only in a $30 and less price range, but they also are marketed at hitting 72′. Given the rising price of blasters, this adds some much needed relief for comic fans, collectors, and blaster enthusiasts.

Let’s talk colors.

Once again, the blasters draw inspiration from “The Walking Dead” comic book universe, in packaging and font, so if you’re a fan of just the AMC show the aesthetics might seem different to you. Also, Daryl wasn’t originally a character in the comic book, so no crossbow (yet…?)

The colors are a vibrant yellow/red/white, which is common to keeping cosplay enthusiasts and players from being identified as using anything dangerous. It’s not exactly some of the first colors you think of with a black and white comic or the zombie apocalypse but I like them and think they work in the space of making easily identifiable toys. (Yes, Toys! Remember, these are toys.)

The blasters are also a bit on the larger side, some folks may say this has a lot of empty space in the shells. Personally, I like the dimensions of the Abraham blaster, as it feels the most comfortable of the bunch to me, even without the adjustable stock. The mag release button is in an intuitive location, and resistant enough that I won’t accidentally hit the release at some point and dump my ammo. The priming slide/carry handle is a familiar motion for me from past blasters, so it’s not a pain to use, and the handle actually helps keep my hand from sliding off for some reason, such as dirt, sweat, or rain. I haven’t had a horrible jamming problem at all, whether that’s to the design or the fact I use fresh darts regularly is anyone’s guess. But finding a comfortable hand position on the blaster is definitely not an issue, the only real problem for me is carrying enough magazines to keep myself blasting 🙂

The carrying handle did come in handy to use while running, oddly enough. It’s one of those neat touches to a blaster that while it doesn’t affect performance, it adds to the feel and look of it to a huge degree. Otherwise, the blaster’s length isn’t super problematic in close quarters either, and aiming at targets wasn’t obstructed (as you can see in the video). The Buzz Bee darts need some further testing, but I like where they’re going so far.

In all, I feel it’s a really solidly built toy. The cost is right, and the biggest boon for parents is the magazines and darts will work with Nerf branded toys. Through some alchemic reaction the Buzz Bee and Nerf mags and darts are cross-compatible from what I’ve seen so far, so having to reinvest in a new ammo type or mag type (while preferred) is not a necessity. Keep in mind that stock blasters are built for their own proprietary accessories, and while they work together it may not provide full range and may lead to jamming some of the time.

Whew! So is this on your to-buy list? Will you use it for a costume? I have more reviews on the way, if you have any questions make sure to comment below! The blaster is available now, at a suggested retail price of $32. Fight the dead, but fear the living!

Edit: Sample provided by Buzz Bee toys, opinions remain my own.

SPOILER:

RIP Abraham, in both comic and tv show universes.

Nerf Spring 2017 Release info! Pricing and additional details

Thanks Nerf for sending along the price and press release information on the Spring 2017 Blaster reveals! Missed out on images on new blasters? Make sure to follow Nerf on Snapchat!

*Having some trouble adding photos from my phone, will update this post with pics later.
NERF SPRING 2017 Prices and Release info! (Pictures taken from Nerf’s Snapchat – check it out!)

NERF MEGA DOUBLEBREACH Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Deliver double the blast with this breach-load blaster that fires two darts in a row. Open the breach door on the NERF MEGA DOUBLEBREACH blaster to load the darts, then unleash fury one MEGA dart at a time. Pump-action blasting sends darts flying up to 90 feet! Includes six MEGA whistler darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com. 

NERF DOOMLANDS NEGOTIATOR Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Defend justice in a post-apocalyptic wasteland with the DOOMLANDS NEGOTIATOR blaster. This hammer-action blaster fires eight darts in a row for ultimate domination. A transparent area on the blaster reveals the inner firing mechanism. Includes eight ELITE darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com.
NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE OUTBREAKER Bow
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2017)
The zombies are getting stronger, but so are the survivors battling them. Defend humanity against the hordes with the NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE OUTBREAKER Bow. Experience crossbow action as you fire from the 5-dart rotating drum. Includes five ZOMBIE STRIKE darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com.
BarrelStrike on Top, Stockshot on the bottom
NERF MODULUS BARRELSTRIKE Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Upgrade your blaster for any mission with the NERF MODULUS BARRELSTRIKE blaster! This four-shot blaster fires one dart at a time and can also convert into a barrel attachment for endless ways to battle. Use on its own or attach it to the barrel of any NERF MODULUS blaster when the mission calls for long-range blasting! Includes four ELITE darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com. 
NERF MODULUS STOCKSHOT Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Get double the advantages with the NERF MODULUS STOCKSHOT Blaster! This four-shot blaster can be used on its own or be converted into a stock attachment. Pull out the front end of the blaster to extend it in stock mode for extra stability, or keep in blaster mode and blast away the competition! Includes four ELITE darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com.
And certainly don’t forget about the Nerf Accustrike line also due out later this year (hopefully as early as December if you have enough Nerf Perks points!)

 NERF RIVAL ARTEMIS XVII-3000 Blaster
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $44.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Experience ultimate precision and power in battle with the NERF RIVAL ARTEMIS XVII-3000 blaster! Available in red or blue (each sold separately), the ARTEMIS XVII-3000 blaster features a spring-action cocking mechanism, easy-load internal magazine, and boasts slam-fire capability firing NERF RIVAL foam rounds at a velocity of up to 100 fps.  Compatible with NERF RIVAL tactical rail accessories (sold separately). Includes 30 NERF RIVAL foam rounds. Available at most major toy retailers and at HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF RIVAL Red Dot Sight Accessory
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2017)
In the heat of battle, take aim with the NERF RIVAL Red Dot Sight accessory. Players simply look through the lens and align the red dot with their target for precision battling. The sight features die cast details, is adjustable and is held securely in place with a quick-release camlock mechanism. Compatible with NERF RIVAL blasters, sold separately. Requires 2 AAA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers and at HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF RIVAL Flashlight Grip Accessory
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Spring 2017)
Illuminate NERF RIVAL blaster battle with the LED Flashlight Grip accessory. The light features die cast details, a removable grip, and quick-release camlock that holds it in place. Attach the Flashlight Grip accessory to any compatible NERF RIVAL blaster (sold separately) and light up the action! Requires 3 AAA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers and at HasbroToyShop.com.
NERF RIVAL Rechargeable Battery Pack
(Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 2016)

Amp up your battle with the NERF RIVAL Rechargeable Battery Pack! The first rechargeable battery in the NERF RIVAL line, fans can use this lightweight battery pack with the NERF RIVAL KHAOS MXVI-4000 blaster (sold separately) instead of batteries to increase the blaster’s rate of fire. Includes wall charger. For use with NERF RIVAL products only; not compatible with the NERF RIVAL ZEUS MXV-1200 blaster. Includes rechargeable battery and wall charger. Available at most major toy retailers and at HasbroToyShop.com.

Blaster Test Tuesday! Taking aim at the Grossery Gang

Target Practice: Testing blasters on The Grossery Gang!

Thanks to the folks at Moose Toys for the samples! They sent along some members of The Grossery Gang, a new collectible mini set of toys. For those who don’t know, if you’ve seen the Trash Pack or the The Ugglys, you’ve seen Moose. They specialize in collectible sets like this, most recently the phenomena known as Shopkins.

And they let me take the the Grossery Gang (some of the set of 150) down the sight of my barrel. I tried a variety of blasters, from the Precision RBS Hyperion, the Nerf Recon MK II, the Reflex Tk-6 Revolver from Zuru, the Dart Zone Covert Ops Enforcer…. and a special friend from the past. Naturally, given the Grossery Gang toys measure 1″ x 1″ (besides the containers), aiming at them was a challenge. Even moreso trying to hit them from 20′, perhaps the saying “bull’s eye a womprat come to mind here?

These eyes, mocking you when you miss. Don’t miss. Don’t bink.

Toy blasters tend to be inaccurate enough as it is, because of ammo quality and a litany of other reasons why torsos are easier to tag than small precision targets, but consider the Challenge Accepted!

I feel like the Precision RBS blasters might have had the edge and lived up to their name by taking out 3 targets, while foam darts tried to go every which way but toward where my sights were. But maybe YOU, dear reader, will have better success? Take a look at the video, and don’t forget to Like and Subscribe!

Dart Zone LegendFire Powershot Blaster: Review!

Dart Zone LegendFire: Triggerless blaster, but I like it!

Basic Stats:
MSRP: $14.99
Includes–
Legendfire x 1
Dart Chambers x 2 (9 shots each)

I want to update this post with some actual gameplay testimonial, that will have to wait! In the meantime, here are some quick first impressions.

I really wasn’t sure if I was going to like this blaster. Triggerless offerings in the past were often disappointing, uncomfortable, or made firing more complicated than it had to be, simply because there was no trigger. Other times, because the blaster required you to constantly shift it through motion your aim sights were constantly moving and you were always shifting… that’s one reason I always want a slamfire enabled blaster to have a stock, for just that slight bit of stability while you have to keep priming the blaster.

The LegendFire is basically in a constant state of slamfire. You pump the blaster and that primes it/fires it. Dart Zone admitted this was because the blaster would have been made out of the price point they set and in order to keep costs down they had to sacrifice a traditional trigger. While unfortunate, the blaster is a pump-action, which already gives it a different feel from other triggerless blasters. Like I said, the blaster is in a constant state of slamfire so you could easily throw your aim off a bit shifting the pump handle, but with a little practice you could steady it a bit more. The length of the blaster also helps in that regard. You might find yourself spraying ammo more than surgical pot shots, as it starts to almost feel like more of a shotgun, regardless of the barrel length. I was getting pretty decent range out of the blaster too, the 80′ claim (angled) isn’t too far from the truth. From the looks of the video, it hit even farther than that. Now, accuracy wise? That’s a whole different tune. The video shows the spread was pretty wide on the shots I took, and given the foam medium that’s nothing terribly new to see. But how much of that might have been solved with a stock to brace against or a trigger, maybe some day we’ll get a different version. It’s my continued belief that a stock is a necessity if your blaster has slam fire, unless it’s a pistol like the Strongarm.

Second cylinder included! Extra ammo reload for a unique magazine type! Thanks Dart Zone!

The thing that really got me about the LegendFire is that it reminds me of any number of Borderlands sniper rifles that use revolver style chambers – (I can’t seem to remember any at the moment…) and breaking the blaster in half to get to the revolver cylinder to swap it out is a neat feature. Even better because Dart Zone includes a SECOND CYLINDER to store on the integrated ammo holder and swap out, in incredibly satisfying (for me) fashion.

And…. it’s $14.99. For that price, given all the high-end blasters coming out this year, this can give you a much needed break on the wallet. For parents, here is a very interesting low-cost option for your kid’s upcoming holiday gifts. It’s an engaging design with the reload mechanism and just the look of it, has a slim profile (for easy storage!) is compatible with Nerf darts, and pretty good range for under $20. If you haven’t looked at Dart Zone blasters before, this is definitely something you should consider!

Product provided for review: opinions still remain my own.

Firing Demo: Adventure (Dart Zone) Zone Enforcer – 140′ angled?

Assembly/Firing video of the Adventure Zone (Dart Zone) Enforcer Blaster – it gets 140′ (angled)?

 

Thanks to Dart Zone for the sample! As always, my opinion remains my own.

STATS:
Enforcer: (Dart Zone/Adventure Zone) – Wal-Mart Exclusive!
MSRP: $29.99
Capacity: 40 Darts (belt-fed)
Includes: Blaster, belt, darts, instructions
Requires: 6 AA Batteries (not included)
Range claim: 80′ (box)

I want to get some game time with this blaster before coming up with a proper review, but right off the bat the Adventure Zone Enforcer belt-fed blaster from Dart Zone got AT LEAST 140′ right out of the box. That’s pretty impressive for a freshly opened blaster. That being said, reloading this beast would be a moderate pain since I don’t think there are plans to sell the ammo belts separately. And to head off another question, yes, this blaster is branded “Adventure Zone” but that’s to identify the Wal-Mart specific brand of action toys associated with this and other blasters undoubtedly coming out as Wal-Mart exclusives. It’s a Dart Zone blaster, same as the LegendFire and Magnum. It unloads its ammo payload pretty quickly, and should give any rushing team a reason to pause but the groupings are pretty wide the farther out you shoot. For $29.99 though you are getting good power, good ammo capacity, and a really satisfying shooting experience feeling the chains move and hearing the blaster chug through darts. Kids are gonna love the gatling feel of this blaster, and older users are going to like the power. And for $29.99, the price is just right compared to other blasters out there that shoot either less ammo or slightly shorter max ranges. I don’t say this often, but if you have to spend on any blaster, definitely give this a look. I’ll update this review with some gameplay thoughts once I actually field test it, but until then, color me impressed for now.

Des Plaines Nerf Tournament, 2016

Des Plaines Park District in Illinois Beats the Heat to host 4th annual Nerf Dart Tournament
Vas The Stampede

https://photos.gstatic.com/media/slideshow.swf

Over the weekend, I dropped in at the Des Plaines Park District for their 4th (pretty sure it was their 4th) annual Nerf tournament! Nerf was nice enough to send along prizes for the players, thanks so much to them for that. Players braved the heat and humidity for a few hours of foam slinging fun, and got a blaster for their efforts. I sincerely hope everyone had a great time! This park district is consistent at their love of the hobby, and is one of the few Park Districts I know of that implements blaster games in their events. Their rules are a little different from the usual NIC rules obviously, using stock blasters and ranges, but given the size of the playing field and the layout, it still makes for some fast-paced gameplay. Keep it going, Des Plaines, and looking forward to the next one!

Full Gallery is HERE

Nation Vs Zombies: The Pictures!

500 Players Descend on Missouri State University for Nation Vs Zombies: An Invitational
Vas The Stampede

https://photos.gstatic.com/media/slideshow.swf

THE GALLERY

600 Registered. Approximately 400-500 players. That was this past weekend at Nation Vs Zombies… the first (I think?) attempted event of this scale where players from all over North America (and beyond) were invited to come to Missouri State University and play a game of “Human Vs Zombies”, mixing roleplay gaming elements, tag, and Nerf/toy blaster games in a two-day test of survival, planning, and cardio. More on the game later, but for now enjoy the gallery posted above!