Tag: nerf war

Manchester-based NERF Action Xperience (NAX) kick-starts UK rollout

Been sitting on this news for some time, but there’s still plenty to talk about! Nerf has a number of initiatives out there, from the mobile tour in North America, a Nerf theme park in Brazil, and a Nerf Action Xperience in Singapore, Nerf is putting another theme arena in Manchester!

This isn’t the first time that Nerf has had a UK based experience, there was/is a setup at Quest arena from years ago, but this is new and looks to be a more standardized setup as this would mark the second location called a “Nerf Action Xperience”. The full press release/article follows:


“Having successfully entered a licensing agreement with global branded entertainment company HASBRO, Rocafella Leisure have recently secured the investment to commence work on the first NERF Action Xperience family entertainment centre (FEC) in the UK.

Each NAX centre provides guests with a multitude of NERF fuelled indoor activities to explore, exhilarate and excite. It consists of three different zones to activate those ultimate NERF adventures in a purpose-built and immersive environment.

The competition zone allows groups to battle it out with different NERF blasters in three immersive themed arenas.

The sports zone features a huge atrium of NERF-related sports challenges including basketball and football volley. Finally, there is a dedicated training zone to hone players targeting skills, truly providing something for everyone.

The inaugural FEC will open in the recently rebranded Trafford Palazzo (Manchester) in Summer 2023, marking the start of a UK-wide rollout which will see two further locations added within the coming years.”

“The NERF Action Xperience in Manchester embodies Hasbro’s Brand Blueprint 2.0, our strategic approach to bringing Hasbro’s iconic brands to life, for fans of all ages,” said Matt Proulx, VP Location Based Entertainment at Hasbro, Inc. “As we expand the NERF franchise into new categories, we will continue to introduce innovative experiences for consumers – and we’re excited to partner with Rocafella Leisure to bring the NAX experience to fans throughout the UK.” 

Working alongside Peel L&P, who now own and successfully manage Trafford Palazzo, Rocafella Leisure shared the same vision to create a unique and rich blend of IP-led entertainment within the venue, which adjoins one of Europe’s largest retail and leisure destinations, the Trafford Centre.

The new Nerf FEC being introduced by Rocafella Leisure will join Trafford Palazzo’s growing tenant mix as it continues to elevate its offering whilst becoming a rivalled destination for retail, leisure and entertainment for families of all ages. The tenant mix currently includes Primark,

Merlin operated LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE, Silentnight, Homesense, Natuzzi, newly opened Italian restaurant, Matterello and the newly announced forthcoming addition, King Pins which is due to open in the Spring of 2023.

Work has already begun on altering the current layout and infrastructure of the ground-floor unit, located just inside the main entrance of Trafford Palazzo, installing a mezzanine floor and preparing the mechanical and electrical infrastructure in readiness for the main contractor to start the first phase of building works.

Mark Whittaker, Executive Director Property Investment & Management for Peel L&P said:

“We are really excited to welcome Nerf Action Experience to Trafford Palazzo. The brand aligns perfectly with all existing operators and will I’m sure be extremely popular with visitors, old and new.

“Over the past year, we have focused on developing an activations and events strategy within our mall space which has attracted significant interest and demonstrates the power of creating experiences for customers within a retail space. We are excited to develop our strategy and offering further to bring some spectacular collaborations to Trafford Palazzo.”

Rocafella Leisure have agreed an exclusive partnership with Archie’s, the Manchester based American-inspired diner to be the operator of the food and beverage (F&B) offer within the FEC.

The team–up with Archie’s seemed a logical fit, helping deliver a first-class F&B offering that is grounded in quality and service, and where both brands can use similar values and positioning to attract like-minded customers.

This relationship presents Rocafella Leisure with a trusted ready-made F&B proprietor with appropriate menus, that can organise and deliver children’s parties and have the added advantage of attracting passing footfall to boost their sales.  

Amer Rafiq, co-founder of Archie’s said: “We are hugely excited to be partnering with NAX on such a high-profile attraction coming to Manchester.

“The decision to work together was an easy one, as our overall brand proposition and american-inspired menu has great appeal with the intended audience coming to NAX.

“Working with NAX has enabled us to take a huge step in our growth plans, providing a route into new markets where entertainment and dining are possible under one roof. A sector that both organisations are well-equipped and eager to capitalise on through this successful partnership. 

“We look forward to opening our doors next summer as we welcome battle-ready NERFers to experience the high-quality food and drink from our menu as they refuel after a fun and energetic time at NAX.”

As the build takes shape, investments into local services to launch the new centre, provide a positive contribution to local economic growth. Once up and running, 45 new jobs will be created, offering opportunities to kick-start a career within the leisure and hospitality sector.

A curriculum is being developed to help schools and colleges utilise the facilities for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning as key STEM topics can be demonstrated through the gameplay and operations within the venue.

Chris Hayes, Chief Executive of Rocafella Leisure Group said: “This is a momentous moment for Rocafella Leisure as we establish, what we believe, a world-renowned destination that personifies the brand values of NERF within an entertainment setting.

“HASBRO have been extremely supportive of the vision we have proposed and like us are extremely excited to bring this venue to life; continuing to enable and inspire the use of their IP in pioneering ways within the LBE (location based entertainment) sector.

“Not only are we creating a place for families and adults to experience NERF beyond their own homes, we will transport them to an immersive space where they can play with the freedom to challenge, compete, and take home bragging rights – if they wish!

“The industry needs new entrants, those that look to disrupt and strengthen the family entertainment offer, and through NAX we firmly believe we will do that. Creating an experience that is backed by long-standing and well regarded IP and brings together families under one roof, supported by forward-thinking landlords who share the same outlooks on the future of the sector.

“Through NAX we also blend fun-fuelled active play with learning, providing an interactive and innovative STEM focused programme that helps young people understand certain areas we offer. They may look at the trajectory of darts from a blaster; the mechanics of how the games work or the digital and technical complexities that run our venue.

“I can’t wait to finally get this open and provide a beacon destination that cements the North West as a leading light in family entertainment. I hope to see many of you there!”

Fit-out work is due to be completed in Summer 2023, with an official opening to follow soon after. To keep up to date with potential opening dates keep an eye on the NAX website www.nerfax.co.uk“

Notes:

●      Rocafella Leisure Group are the official licence holders for the delivery of the NERF Action Xperience in location-based entertainment within the UK

●      NERF is a trademark of Hasbro and is used with permission. © 2022 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro

Dart Zone Pro Tournament – It’s BEGUN

Dart Zone PRO TOURNAMENT

#Only1Pro and #DartZoneProTour

Dart Zone is a sponsor of the Foam Pro Tour this year, here’s what you need to know to participate! Thanks to them for sending a sweet swag box AND a Dart Zone Pro Mk III to get the word out!

Qualifier rounds are already underway with the next event taking place on April 23, in Moorestown, New Jersey. The top two teams from each Foam Pro Tour qualifier will advance to the finals and compete for cash prizes in the ultimate Dart Zone Pro Tournament end game in Rochester, NY, July 2022. You must compete in the Foam Tour to advance to the DartZone Pro Tournament. 

Register here: https://dartzoneblasters.com/dart-zone-pro-tournament/ 

Prizes!

1st Place Team: $10,000 ($2,000 per player)

2nd Place Team: $4,000 ($800 per player)

3rd Place Team: $1,250 ($250 per player)

You will tag and use the #Only1Pro and #DartZoneProTour

The competition is only open for ages 14+

More about the Final:

As part of the finals, Dart Zone® will supply the top 8 teams exclusively with their pro line of blasters leveling the playing field and ensuring gamesmanship and ability determine who comes out on top. There will be #Only1Pro. 

I’ve seen a couple of different tournaments in the past, but this is going to be very different from any of that. I imagine the field layouts for each Qualifier are going to be the same, and there’s an actual larger blaster company backing this tournament, which is not something I see all the time.

I wish all the players luck, since not a single Qualifier is not really near me, but maybe this will expand in the future. I know a lot of you out there are chomping at the bit to test your skills, if you are near one of the Qualifiers go ahead and give it a try!

Good job to the folks at Dart Zone for being a part of something like this, it’s not often one of the main companies does the amount of outreach to the niche fandom that Dart Zone has. But they have painstakingly carved out their niche in this blaster population, and deserve all the recognition and accolades. The Foam Pro Tour may not be in my state this year, but hopefully I’ll find some of you on the field elsewhere.

NERF CURVE SHOT – WHAT IS IT?

  • Nerf Curve Shot Sideswipe
  • Nerf Rival Curve Shot Flex
  • Nerf Rival Curve Shot Helix
The New Nerf Curve Shot line!

NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT FLEX XXI-100

(HASBRO/Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: 3/1/2021) 

Select your curve to fire rounds left, right, straight, or down and take the competition by surprise with the NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT FLEX XXI-100 blaster. Fire around corners, barriers, and obstacles with this blaster that unleashes rounds in a curved trajectory, giving you the ultimate strategic competitive advantage! Turn the rotating muzzle to choose whether you want the round to go straight, left, right, or down. Your opponents may be out of your line of sight, but with this NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT blaster, they can still be within range, so take aim and curve your shot! Includes 5 Official NERF RIVAL rounds and has integrated onboard round storage. Pull down the priming handle to open the breech, load 1 round, and close the breech. Then select your curve, and press the trigger fire. Includes trigger lock. Eyewear recommended (not included). No batteries required. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide.

NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT SIDESWIPE XXI-1200

(HASBRO/Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/Available: 3/1/2021) 

Select your curve to fire rounds left, right, straight, or down and take the competition by surprise with the NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT SWIDESWIPE XXI-1200 blaster. Fire around corners, barriers, and obstacles with this blaster that unleashes rounds in a curved trajectory, giving you the ultimate strategic competitive advantage! Turn the rotating muzzle to choose whether you want the round to go straight, left, right, or down. Your opponents may be out of your line of sight, but with this NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT blaster, they can still be within range, so take aim and curve your shot! Includes a 12-round side-loading internal magazine and 12 Official NERF RIVAL rounds. The bolt attaches to either side for right-handed and left-handed battlers. Load the magazine, move the priming bolt, and press the trigger to fire 1 round. Includes trigger lock. Eyewear recommended (not included). No batteries required. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide.

NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT HELIX XXI-2000

(HASBRO/Ages 14 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: 8/1/2021)

Select your curve to fire rounds left, right, straight, or down and take the competition by surprise with the NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT HELIX XXI-2000 blaster. Fire around corners, barriers, and obstacles with this blaster that unleashes rounds in a curved trajectory, giving you the ultimate strategic competitive advantage! Turn the rotating muzzle to choose whether you want the round to go straight, left, right, or down. Your opponents may be out of your line of sight, but with this NERF RIVAL CURVE SHOT blaster, they can still be within range, so take aim and curve your shot! The high-capacity HELIX XXI-2000 blaster features an easy-load hopper for quick reloading. Pump the handle to prime and press the trigger to unleash 1 round at a velocity of 90 feet per second. Includes 20 Official NERF RIVAL high-impact rounds and trigger lock. Eyewear recommended (not included). Available exclusively at Target.

Keep an eye on this entry! Bookmark it! Or better yet, follow me at tiktok.com/@foamfromabove for video as soon as the samples arrive!

Dart Zone Pro MK II is listed! Where to buy it.

The Dart Zone Pro MK II is piquing the interest across the community. At high 100+ FPS, pistol aesthetics, and promised quality from Dart Zone blasters, this is certainly a compact high powered blaster to think about.

It comes with:

(1) Pro MK-2 Dart Blaster

(18) Short-Length Pro Darts that shoot up to 120 feet

(2) 6-Dart Speed Loaders(1) Speed Loader Holster (holds 2 speed loaders)

(1) Blaster Belt Holster

(1) Muzzle Brake”Available only on Target.com

[Review]: Nerf Ultra One – Latest in Blasting, with an Important Caveat

Nerf Ultra One

  • MSRP: $49.99
  • Ammo: Nerf Ultra Aerofin darts
  • Capacity: 25 darts
  • Batteries: 4 C batteries
  • Range: Claim is 120’, observed 50’-60’ BUT, angling of course would increase.
  • Features: Semiauto firing
  • Mechanism: Flywheels
  • Available: Now
  • Ages: 8+

SUMMARY:

When I first heard about the Nerf Ultra One I wasn’t sure what to think. 120’ (Rival style ranges? Higher “power” than Elite? What?) but being around blasters for so long I know not to buy 100% into the marketing. And when I saw the Ultra One press copy read that the blasters were for “8+”, that told me how to dial in my expectations. Honestly, Rival is designed for 14+. What would you expect?

The Nerf Ultra One to me doesn’t seem that revolutionary. I reliably hit my target (which you can hear in the video), the Ultra darts don’t seem to have the same wacky flight patterns as Nerf streamline darts, and it achieves better range than Nerf Accustrike.

But it’s a semiauto blaster with a drum you load. Nothing we haven’t seen from Nerf or other brands, and for a first blaster it’s underwhelming. I remember not a lot of people too impressed with the Apollo in the beginning, so the naysayers with Ultra isn’t surprising. Maybe future designs will be more innovative to that end, but that remains to be seen.

Controlling Dart Usage

The “dart DRM” as it’s been called is discussed in the video. I don’t really like that Nerf went with this kind of mechanic to enforce using Nerf darts only, but outside the fandom I don’t think it matters to consumers. I’ve seen a number of non-hobbyist posts about the Ultra One (not just the sponsored ads) that like the blaster. And more casual consumers don’t have a hoard of ammo that won’t work or the myriad of other complaints about the DRM. Hobbyists, arena/mobile party owners, game groups with a communal supply will be affected. I will hazard a guess that most consumers will be outside those populations, buy the Ultra One and an extra pack of ammo, and call it a day.

I had this very conversation in the toy aisle. A mom and her child were trying to find a Nerf blaster to buy. They looked at the Ultra One and remarked at how it was a new blaster. I informed them that the Ultra One would only work with the darts it comes with, so the mom told her child that they would get it on his birthday, with extra ammo. No remarks about how unfair it was, Hasbro market share, stock quotes, nothing. Just a promise to get it as a gift and a pack of ammo.

Different Darts Happens

In addition, PUT THOSE TORCHES AND PITCHFORKS DOWN. Yes, You too. And you. STOP.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HASBRO HAS INTRODUCED NEW AMMO.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HASBRO HAS MADE AMMO THAT FITS ONLY IN CERTAIN BLASTERS.

Back in the 90s, you had micro darts, old school megas, Arrows of Unusual Size, and all sorts of other stuff. Let’s look at some history.

Even before Nerf Ultra, Nerf released streamlines, the original mega darts, rip rockets, whatever the darts were that came with the SM 3000, arrows, Dart Tag Darts (of various incarnations), whistler darts, suction darts, Vortex discs, Mega darts, Elite Streamlines, Accustrikes, Mega Accustrikes, Rival rounds, the list goes on. Every few years they release something new to fire. In the case of Vortex, Mega, and Rival those only fit their specified brands unless otherwise noted. Not just any dart into an n-strike magazine and make it work, and you definitely couldn’t cross other brand ammo in other blasters unless they were front-loading. If Nerf were taking existing ammo off the market, that would be another story. As it stands, the Ultra ammo segment is an addition, not a whole paradigm shift leading to the elimination of everything we already have.

Nerf Rival is also not sold everywhere in the world. I don’t work for Hasbro, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nerf Ultra satisfies demand for a “higher range” blaster in areas where Rival cannot go, such as Australia. Now the range is questionable, but as long as Nerf can make it to other areas with a new segment, that may not matter to most consumers. They’ll just be happy to see the latest Nerf blasters in their stores.

The Ultra One, Where to Next?

Again, I’m glad that Hasbro sent me a sample and saved me the trouble of buying one. The blaster features aren’t revolutionary and the dart type is interesting for something new, but past the first pack of ammo I am not sold on this line yet. Yeah, you can snap the ammo in half and some of it even got gouged by my Dart Rover but it’s not super brittle and in your pocket it’ll keep shape better than current Nerf darts. My favorite segment from Nerf is still Rival, but that’s a different market from Ultra, ultimately.

I recognize that the blaster is made for 8+ and is intended for younger users, like everything else in this hobby. My biggest complaint is the drum and the trigger working with the new dart recognition mechanism. It’s pretty uncomfortable to slam my finger against the trigger when a dart isn’t correct or loaded properly, which happens a noticeable amount of times. When in the thick of a blaster battle or trying to shoot targets, that jolt against your finger from a missing/jammed dart really sucks.

In the end, I can’t give the Ultra One a high recommendation like the Nerf Perses. It looks cool, but needing C batteries, the annoyance of the Nerf-only dart mechanism, and the overall cost are problematic. There are a lot of other great, more reliable blasters out there worth your money, Nerf or not Nerf brand. I would suggest waiting for the Nerf Ultra One to drop in price as a sale (probably Black Friday) before dropping your money on it. And you may not want an Ultra One for any number of reasons, THAT IS TOTALLY OK.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! Totally appreciate your coming by and getting through my rambling. Make sure to check me out on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for continued updates, reviews, and other content! Thanks again to Click Click BAMF as well for putting in some work on the video.

 

Parting Shot (middle comment):

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XShot Glitters in Gold with the Chaos Orbit & Meteor Blasters

BASIC STATS:

    • XShot Meteor: $12.99 & XShot Orbit: $19.99
    • Meteor: Slide action/ Orbit: Pump-action
    • Integrated clip (14 shots with the Orbit, 6 shots for the Meteor)
    • Safety button on both blasters, jam doors
    • Orbit has sling points
    • Orbit has a sight

XShot Chaos Counters Other Brands with Low Price and Comparable Performance

XShot made some major moves this week. From Toy Fair 2019 to today, they finally released their own entry in the 14+, advanced range blaster market with the XShot Chaos line, looking to “disrupt” the current market as they claim to have done with dart blasters.

I don’t know if this line will turn the market on its head, but XShot makes a very compelling case with these blasters. At under $20, that is the sweet spot for many purchases, promising performance on par against other blasters that cost considerably more, and with more budget friendly ammo, parents may not want to drop $40 on a Nerf Hypnos, which is the most current pump-action Nerf Rival blaster at this time. (The Helios and Jupiter are bolt/side knob, the Hades is last year and not readily on shelves from what I’ve seen, and the Artemis is mostly out of circulation on store shelves as well.)

As far as a manual blaster to buy goes, the Orbit and Meteor have very strong factors working in its favor to get bought. XShot is certainly working to get the blasters visible to consumers.

It is a bit of a shame that there are only two blasters in this line right now, but the Orbit and the Meteor are a fine start. The Meteor is a fun pistol to handle and use, and as far as I am concerned a pump action blaster is always the way to go.

Loading the Meteor through the handle offers a very different pattern than other brand pistols, and is a welcome change of pace. The Orbit has some questions for me as far as design goes, but firing from the hip with it works just fine for me.

Looking Ahead to the Market and XShot vs…. Everyone Else

In the realm of high impact rounds, the XShot Chaos is a strong contender against Nerf and Dart Zone, strictly speaking on performance. Nerf I would say still has the advantage in marketing, but XShot certainly is taking steps to address that. All this talk of XShot as a low price brand, but Dart Zone Blasters has had mostly comparable/if not better items at competitive prices to XShot and Nerf. They are still chugging away making new product, as XShot is doing, and keeping prices on blasters and ammo low. Buzz Bee is remaining strong in their section of the market with dart blasters thankfully, possibly content to let the other companies battle it out and leave the dart market open just a bit.

Kudos to XShot for their accomplishment at making the Chaos line a reality, and for giving budget-minded folks another choice in the market. It’s still incredibly interesting to see what happens next, and I hope you tune in here to get my take on things.

Thanks, XShot for the samples, and Click Click BAMF for the editing work on the video!

Find me on Facebook and Instagram

Thanks as well to Wicked Ball Chicago for letting me use your arena! If you are looking to hold a party and live near Lombard, Illinois, check them out!

[REVIEW] Nerf Rival Perses

BASIC STATS:

  • MSRP: $99 (approximately)
  • Fully automatic
  • Hopper fed
  • Flywheel/rev trigger set up
  • Capacity: 50 rounds
  • ROF: Supposedly 8 rounds/sec
  • Removable hopper
  • Ammo used: Nerf Rival Rounds
  • Batteries: Proprietary Nerf battery (new design, included with charger)

 

Looking at the Nerf Rival Perses. I dug it. $99 is a hefty tag, but sometimes it’s worth it. And just because the Prometheus is the same price currently, you get a much more mobile blaster that’s easier to move with, aim, and did I mention maneuver? The convenient release on the battery is a super nice piece of design, even though it’s a shame the old Nerf battery packs do not work with it. Thanks for reading this far, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube for more videos!

Thanks, Nerf for the sample, and Click Click BAMF for the editing work on the video!

Find me on Facebook and Instagram

 

 

Nerf Dart Rover! In [Review]

Price: $29.99
Available: Now apparently!
Does it accommodate Mega darts? POORLY
Sample Provided? NOPE. I bought this!

Reviewed the Nerf Dart Rover, a new accessory from Jazwares under the Nerf license.

Overall, not a terrible price for the product, but only good on smaller scale occasions. I wouldn’t recommend for meetups or arena owners to use this for dart sweeps and cleanup. I also don’t see this doing very well outside in parks so I didn’t record any data from out there.

Ultimately, it is built for kids (not surprising anyone) and will work on small cleanups. Don’t expect this to revolutionize your dart sweeps for larger games, but if you want to try it to at least pick up ammo for yourself, I suppose that’s an option? I would not suggest using it outside either, considering extra debris that can get caught up in the mechanism.

It was an easy assembly and didn’t require any tools, which is a huge plus for parents and kids. The rubber tires ensure you can drive over the darts and do your best to pick them up. The design of the dart sweeping “teeth” may poke holes in your ammo, especially when it comes to mega darts. For Rival rounds it seemed to really work the best, but as I mention in the video ammo sometimes jumps from the outlet and away from the collector bag.

It’ll be helpful to someone, I would recommend this as a gift in the future or at least wait until sales happen to buy for yourself.

Not the best fit with Mega darts.

Battle Royale: Las Cruces! (New Mexico)

Below is a press release! If you’re in New Mexico, maybe take a look at this event? I know about Battle Zone primarily from Instagram, but they have been operating for some time and this is the first I’ve heard of an event in New Mexico. Best wishes to Battle Zone and success on this event!
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LAS CRUCES NERF BATTLE ROYALE
Largest public Nerf battle in New Mexico history

PUEBLO, July 5, 2019 – Battle Zone will host the Las Cruces Nerf Battle Royale on Friday,
July 12th, 2019 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event which will be held at Young Park in Las Cruces, NM will feature 100 players ages 5+ in four hours of action-packed Nerf battles.

Event is open to public.

During the event, players will engage in games of team versus team competitions including missions such as Team Elimination, Capture the Flag and Protect the VIP. Battle Zone will provide all equipment for the games, but players are welcome to bring their own favorite dart blaster for the games.
Admission is $10 per player and includes 4-hours of game play and rental of all equipment for the games to include safety eyewear, team jersey, dart blaster and foam dart ammunition. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.bznerf.com/events. The game will have a maximum of 100 players.
“The Las Cruces Nerf Battle Royale will be the largest public Nerf battle in New Mexico
history and is expected to draw a large crowd to watch these fun and exciting games”, said Duane Gurulé, founder of Battle Zone.

About Battle Zone

Battle Zone was founded in 2015 and is Colorado’s only mobile Nerf dart tag entertainment company. For more information about Battle Zone, visit www.bznerf.com or www.facebook.com/bznerf.

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