Nerf Cycloneshock & Zombie Strike FlipFury from Nerf

Nerf 2015 Blasters – Zombie Strike FlipFury & Mega CycloneShock.

By: Vas The Stampede

2015 is coming! Nerf provided the following images on the Zombie Strike FlipFury and Mega CycloneShock, and more importantly, the “ok” to publish!


The full details are out on Amazon, and following soon on the Nerf social spots – keep your eyes open!
Much as I would love to comment on the pictures, I am going to relent. I prefer to save my observations for a blaster I actually own and judge by my own experience with it. But, enjoy the pics and see you again soon!

BREAKING UPDATE: Nerf Rhino-Fire Press Release! Full info!

Nerf Blaster Tops 100…. Dollars! Say Hello the Elite Rhino-Fire
By Vas Stampede
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rhino Fire. 90′ range. MSRP: $100.00 Available Fall 2014.

UPDATE: Here’s the full press release straight from Nerf:

NERF N-STRIKE ELITE RHINO-FIRE Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $99.99/Available: Fall 14)
Dominate the competition with the biggest, baddest NERF blaster yet! The N-STRIKE ELITE RHINO-FIRE blaster is the first fully automatic NERF blaster featuring rapid-fire, double barrel blasting, an amazing 50 dart capacity and two N-STRIKE ELITE dart drums, turning ordinary battles into extraordinary ones. The epic RHINO-FIRE blaster sends darts soaring impressive ELITE distances of up to 90 feet, and features both a front handle for mobility and tripod to ensure awesome accuracy. Includes 50 N-STRIKE ELITE darts.  Six “D” batteries required, not included. Available exclusively at Walmart.

Nerf Rhino images came off Amazon Spain, but nothing really solid to go on yet except the name and box art (which might change as well.)
Have fun!
  Whew! Ok, so if I may chime in… holy carp.
Back at the Nerf All Access event (videos are posted at click click bamf and AFON so far) we were informed there was one more big blaster coming. I’m guessing this is it. If anyone experienced a letdown with the Cam CS-12 being revealed, hopefully this is more your speed?

The story so far:

Available Fall 2014 (most likely around the holidays)

Wal-Mart Exclusive
MSRP: $99.99
Range: 90′
Includes 50 Darts, a tripod (I’m assuming 2 x 25 round drums)
Requires 6 D batteries (!)
While I’d prefer to wait for the actual product, here’s some of the chatter:
Flywheels
Pistoning barrels (like the Pulsator)
Tac-Rails (of course)
I’m sure it’s only one trigger, but the early speculation also says maybe selective firing capabilities.
I already thought $80 was a bit high for the Cam, but this one tops out at $99.99, definitely for the holiday shopping frenzy. With dual barrels and who knows what else by release, this is a huge gambit to see just how much people are willing to pay, especially around holiday splurging. For the cost and the range, and the ultimately big bad feeling to come with a blaster like this, I wonder how fast it will be snatched up. If the Centurion sales (lots of people DID buy them, regardless of the performance) this just might be a big beast during the holiday season. Personally, I’m very interested to see the final product, as impressed as I am with this hype and promise at the moment. Only one way to be sure!
Anyway, thoughts?

Nerf All Access Event: Year 2014 & beyond!

Nerf All Access – Google Hangout with the Nerf Team
By Vas Stampede
Whew! Finally recovered, and on Thursday, June 26, myself, Mr. K from Adult Fans of Nerf, CJ from Click Click BAMF, and Blaster Labs arrived in NYC for the annual meetup/media event with the Nerf team to go over the new products for the coming Fall. 
Hard to believe this was my 5th year. Wow. Anyway, a lot of this I saw at New York Toy Fair but months later, here we are. There was a LOT of info with garnered from the design team, so I am  getting a little help from at least CJ and Mr. K to put it together.
– I can tell you this though, the Nerf Double Strike is still in the works! It will fire a single dart per prime, no multishot madness here.
– The development cycle is still about a year to a year and a half from drawing board to production, so at Toy Fair what I saw was halfway through.
– Some designs are actually held back in anticipation of doing them better, the upcoming Nerf Elite Cam CS-12 is one such instance.
There was a lot more! Coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy the pics! Still working on the gallery but these should tide you over in the meantime.

Toy Fair Preview: N-Strike Elite NERF Cam ECS-12 Blaster – Coming Fall 2014

“Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war…” – Julius Caesar: Act 3, Scene 1, page 13
 
 And Engadget sure did.  They posted Yet Another Nerf Exclusive and it was the N-Strike Elite NERF Cam ECS-12 Blaster.  No press release, but as discussed on my Facebook page (join the conversation!  “Like” me!) here is the story so far:

  • Integrated camera (!) – 0.3 megapixels (urk) at 20 fps(urkx2), comes with 4 GB SD card (ok).
  • MSRP: $75 (?!)
  • 8 (!?!) AA batteries (4 for the camera, 4 for the blaster)
  • Flywheels (dat accelerator trigger)/semiauto (but looks like a Rapidstrike, no?)
  • Allegedly hits up to 90′ (probably angled)

 

 Nerf Cam ECS-12 (prototype to Engadget)
Photo courtesy of engadget.  Opted for this one because it’s the real life prototype they used.  Final will have a clear magazine and blue trim.      

That being said, let’s get some quick thoughts down:

Holy carp, $75?  The biggest complaint I’ve been receiving is that is just too much $$$ for a camera that isn’t even a single megapixel.  Furthermore, even if it is for kids (which it is), that’s a lot for an 8 year old’s toy who either has a mobile device of some sort or some other camera in this day and age.  Even if it is integrated, that price is so darn high against other tech toys with better resolution.  Regardless of the blaster hitting 90′ (the Elite line originally touted 75′ ranges) I can’t see telling anyone to pay for the camera AND blaster when the camera is of such low quality.  Engadget’s piece also has a video, and…. well, I hope the camera gets an improvement from this prototype to the final version.  The flywheels and camera each require 4 AA batteries, so there’s an additional cost right there.

Also, the proximity of the camera to the motors.  The engadget video illustrates it perfectly: “VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR” is what I heard. 

Otherwise, the aesthetics and power boost (hopefully) are the better parts I can see about this blaster.  While I can’t advocate strapping an expensive iPhone or iPod Touch to the top of your blaster (personally, I use a GoPro, but that’s me.  Yes, maybe the camera will provide a tactical advantage cornering and yes, the camera integrated into the shell is more streamline, but a Rapidstrike is considerably less and full auto.  If you need practice with trigger control, then this is more your style unless you would rather get a Stryfe.

So I’m ambivalent about this blaster.  I want to love the way it looks, but I don’t know if that’s enough for me.  For $75 I could buy a Rapidstrike or Stryfe and extra darts.  I can remove whatever camera I’m using to put on other blasters or for a project unrelated to Nerf.  But for the Nerf Cam?  Thumb middle of the road until the final version.  Hopefully this will be available at New York Toy Fair, and I’ll get a better look then.

G’luck in your struggles!

New Nerf for 2014: Nerf N-Strike Elite Demolisher 2-in-1

NERF N-STRIKE ELITE DEMOLISHER 2-IN-1 Blaster

(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99/Available: Fall 14)

Got a bunch of messages about this Popular Mechanics post, but I see Basic Nerf, The Prop Weapon Co Op, Adult Fans of Nerf, Click Click Bamf and Awesome Nerfer posting about it as well. 

Grabbed from Popular Mechanics

Also grabbed from Popular Mechanics, illustrating the size.  Uhm, dang.

Here is the product description:

“Take NERF shots to the next level with the 2-IN-1 blaster that dominates both MEGA and ELITE missions! The DEMOLISHER 2-IN-1 blaster is impressive in size and power firing up to 100 feet, featuring semi-motorized blasting, a 10 dart banana clip, and all new missiles. Connect NERF scopes and lights to the blaster’s top Tactical Rail System and set sights on some of coolest NERF shots performed. Blaster includes two missiles and 10 N-STRIKE ELITE darts. Four AA batteries required, not included. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyshop.com.”

2 missiles, 10 darts…. the banana mag that so many folks have been asking for over the years, an undermounted missile launcher, swappable stock (though I may have to run with the given to have that missile storage.)

This LOOKS great, sure.  I won’t get a look at this until February for New York Toy Fair (though UK Nerf looks to be on a collision course with the UK Toy Fair, who knows what goodies they’ll reveal.).  The F2A Facebook page is wondering about flywheels (pretty sure that’s an accelerator trigger), I’m wondering if the undermount is going to get 100′ (crossing fingers).  Anyway, enjoy the pics and onward to the Toy Fairs!

New Nerf Blasters for 2014 – Nerf Zombie Strike Slingfire

New Nerf blaster for 2014 is announced!  Just before the UK Toy Fair begins, here we go!

UPDATE: Here’s a video of the blaster I took from New York Toy Fair:

NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 14)

Zombie hordes are no match for the ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE blaster! The blaster’s lever-action allows for quicker reloads on the run and DIY-style designs lend an authentic feel to any NERF zombie attack. Blaster comes complete with one six dart clip and six ZOMBIE STRIKE darts which can be fired up to 75 feet. Features the NERF Tactical Rail System customizable with NERF N-STRIKE scopes and accessories, each sold separately. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

Interesting look, lever action, and supposedly going to get the 75′ Elite ranges.  I wonder how a drum mag is going to look in there.  1 tactical rail, 2 sling points (the barrel and the buttstock), and…. there you go!  The UK Toy Fair is going to see this first, and I do believe I’m going to get a crack at this next month at the New York Toy Fair.  How do you feel about that $30 price tag though?

Don’t forget to check out some of the other U.S. Nerf bloggers that receive info like this for their unique spin (their might be others by this point, I am not sure) –
Basic Nerf, Adult Fans of Nerf, Click Click BAMF, Shining Foam

Also, New York Toy Fair 2014 is next month!  I’m all booked and set to go, now it’s just the waiting game until I get there.  Coverage begins February 16, and I’ll be in the Hasbro/Nerf Showroom at 9 AM.  Just a quick reminder – this trip is out of pocket for me, no company flies me out (unlike the Nerf summer gathering/release parties) nor do they sponsor me so I’ll visit/give their products additional coverage.  But as long as I have a press pass, I’ll make sure to head out so I can get what info I can to share.  It is one of the first looks I get up close and personal with the blasters for 2014, so I have some direct experience with what you might expect.  There are also prototypes and toys which may not make it to market, but that’s the risk in the toy industry!

Nerf ZombieStrike Rises at San Diego Comic Con! (SDCC)


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?

The ZombieStrike Sledgefire

Unsurprisingly, reminiscent of the triple shot.  Obviously, the “shell” isn’t in.
Hammershot, I imagine it would fit in the SWEET REVENGE holster as well, but only one way to know for sure.

SIDEstrike/holster.  Accomodates the Firestrike as well apparently.

CROSSFIRE CROSSBOW

It… well, fires darts and has dart holder storage.  No surprises.  Still want one.

Fuse Fire.  Jury is out until I can try it.

Ricochet.  Small sidearm, supposedly a new Scout for people to use.

Targeting set (that’s the Vantage/Srike Blade in the front)
Look!  A new Jolt, and it has ammo holders!   Sweet!

Targets.  Zombie Targets with the Targeting Set.

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.

Z-Bombs.  Word.

The pouch for Z Bombs.

A “Starter Kit” and the bandana.

NERF MACHETE

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.