N-Strike Elite Darts:Multitasking like a boss

To those who've already got themselves some of the new N-Strike Elite gear this might be old news, but one thing I am really impressed with is the performance of the Elite darts in non-clip system blasters. In the past streamlines were pretty rubbish in such guns, but it's very cool that the new Elite darts work in both the clips and in blasters like the Quick 16, and my beloved Barrel Break IX-2.

And not just work, but work with gusto, outperforming the stock whistlers that came with the 'Break in the first place:)

Nerfenstein: Nerf Rayven Madness

We can credit Australian props builder Nerfenstein as being probably the first aesthetic modder in the world to paint the Nerf N-Strike Rayven CS-18, given we were the ones who sent her ours for our Christmas giveaway. Well, we LOVED what she did with that one, but she's definitely come a looooong way since then and we just thought we'd give props (hehe) where props are due.. check out some of her latest work with the Rayven after the jump.

Nerfenstein Props and Mods via Girlygamer

Nerf N-Strike Elite 18 Dart Quick Reload Clip

New Nerf guns means new accessories; the updated Tactical vest comes with two 6 round clips, and now you can also pick yourself up a separate 18 round clip, complete with 18 elite darts. It's the first time an 18 round clip has been available to buy without a blaster (ie Stampede)to go with it. It's not just a rebadged 18 round Stampede clip though, there are SOME slight differences to these Elite series clips..

Engadget: Hasbro Lazer Tag hands-on (video)

Interesting that it sounds like they've dropped the 'Nerf' branding off these, but they're Hasbro nonetheless and more importantly, designed by the dudes who did the original Lazer Tag gear so they look SWEET. Engadget have gotten themselves some of the new LTARs and posted a hands on vid- Check it:)

Hasbro Lazer Tag hands-on (video) -- Engadget

Laser Tag: Captain Power- 80s cheese

When I was a wee tacker, one of the first real introductions I had to the world of laser tag was an 80s television show called "Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future". It's more or less a forgotten part of 80s pop culture, but at the time it was some seriously advanced stuff that sort of.. well never got off the ground. But as lil' kid, it definitely had me hooked on light guns.

Never heard of it? Well let me school you...

Tactical Tag: LTAR: Basic Blaster Review

I admit I was initially sceptical of the new LTAR line, but Bazookafied over at Tactical Tag's review has made me a believer and I'll be looking to get some units to try out when they're released. Have a read of this great review; although I do think a new paint job is in order... :D

Tactical Tag: LTAR: Basic Blaster Review:

Amazon: LTAR available for pre-order

Amazon.com now has the new upcoming Lazer Tag Augmented Reality line available for pre-order- $39.95 US for the single tagger pack which comes with the gun and  the interchangable iphone/ipod touch cradle. Overseas shipping seems to be in order, although for some reason (at least for me)  "Lazer Tag 1" is set up to ship overseas, whereas "Lazer Tag 2" is not:P

Lazer Tag Blaster 1 : Toys & Games : Amazon.com
Lazer Tag Blaster 2 : Toys & Games : Amazon.com

Random: STAR WARS Episode 1 - Lazer Tag Naboo Assault Set

Doing an Amazon sweep, I stumbled across these very cool looking Star Wars licenced laser tag blasters from 1999 which I thought looked tough- apparently it SAYS it's compatible with the Tiger Electronics laser tag line so I thought perhaps it looked like perhaps an LTTO blaster in a Star Wars Episode 1 casing.. But looks like no. 

Doing more research, I ended up finding a nifty video by no other than Bazookafied from Tactical Tag:

Turns out these Episode One laser tag blasters are NOT compatible with the LTTO line. But they ARE compatible with the older Star Wars laser tag blasters:

Han Solo blasters with X-wing pilot chest plates:D

Given the price, truly only for laser tag/Star Wars collectors, but I admit I WAS tempted:D

Amazon.com: STAR WARS Episode 1 - Lazer Tag Naboo Assault Set / 2 Lasers (1999 Tiger Electronics)

Star Wars Rebel Infantry Deluxe pack via eBay

Tactical Tag: Pyragon drum loading and slamfire insanity

Bazookafied from Tactical Tag goes through the workings of the new Pyragon's 40 disc drum.. and proceeds to quickly unload it:D Slamfire madness! 

Tactical Tag: Slamma Time:

Tactical Tag: Pyragon Internals!

Nerf have really shaken up their line up this year, and while the N-Strike Elite series is the one being flagged the most, the other lines seem to be getting performance upgrades too, even if they are a tad more modest. We already saw the Dart Tag blasters get their improvements with more powerful springs, and it seems the Vortex series seems to be getting the same treatment .

 Bazookafied from Tactical Tag got himself a Pyragon, and naturally cracked it open to see what makes it 'tick' :D Makes me wonder if the rumoured new Nitron will also be 'upgraded'... Check out the rest below.

Tactical Tag: Pyragon Internals!:

Slamfire test: Quick 16 vs Raider vs Rampage

A very cool vid from Laser Gnomes, we've got a range test from a modified Quick 16 vs a modified Raider and a stock Elite Rampage. Given it's stock, the Rampage does seem to hold it's own, but what's very impressive is how well the Quick 16 does with Elite series darts.. check out the vid:)

Slamfire showdown via YouTube

Mod Works: Elite Foam Darts - Comparison & Internals Guide!

Now we're really getting into the details- SG Nerf have done a pretty decent analysis on the new N-Strike Elite darts in what looks like a lighter dart but heavier head. We bloggers cut open darts in the name of research so you guys don't have to:D

More at the link below.

Mod Works: Elite Foam Darts - Comparison & Internals Guide!:

Nerf Revolution - Elite Stockade Review

N-Strike Elite Stockade- images courtesy of Nerf Revolution

From Nerf Revolution, a good write up on the new Nerf N-Strike Elite Stockade. It's good to see more than just aesthetic changes on these Elite series blasters, with much speculation on 'HOW' the new Barricade RV-10 successor was going to be better now being answered. Check the review out below.

NerfRevolution - View topic - Elite Stockade Review:

YouTube: Nerf Elite Stockade Review and demo

UK YouTube'r "DWlam97 got his hands on the upcoming N-Strike Elite Stockade. So far it's only been spotted in the UK, and even then it's not supposed to be officially out JUST yet. Checkit:)

Nerf Elite Stockade Review and demo - YouTube:

Tactical Tag: 40 Disk Drum = Epic

Bazookafied from Tactical Tag got himself the new Nerf Vortex Pyragon and has been having quite the time with it and other Vortex blasters. Check it out on the Nitron- nuts! 

More on his blog:)

Tactical Tag: 40 Disk Drum = Epic:

Amazon.com: N-Strike Elite Hailfire available

Get ready Nerfers, cos on 9-9-12 you're going to be absolutely blown away by the sheer awesomeness of the all NEW N-Strike Elite Hailfire!

Unless you already got one on 21-7-12 from Amazon.... Meh:P

49 bucks WITH shipping to Australia works out to be not a whole lot of change from a hundred bucks. That being said, the Stampede came out at 120 bucks when it first came out here (Remember that Neil?)

More images after the jump- just cos they're pretty higher res ones:)

N-Strike Elite Hailfire via Amazon

Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage: Juiced up Raider

A Raider for the new era; that's exactly what the new Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage is. Streamlined down to a leaner, meaner, more powerful package, with a more manageable dart drum, sans stock and revamped internals, any lover of the original CS-35 will take to this with open arms. Neil from the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart tag crew was generous enough to lend us his unopened Rampage to give the UT treatment; how'd we find it? Our thoughts after the jump.

Rant: Lazer Tag Augmented Reality: Jury's out

The new Lazer Tag Augmented Reality line was due to come out any time now, but has been pushed back to late August, according to our pal Bazookafied over at Tactical Tag. It's big news, this LTAR release- Laser Tag has been the poor lil' brother of the toy blaster world and there's a boot load of potential for it to really capture the imaginations of blaster fans everywhere in a way that could hopefully bring it back to the glory days of home laser tag in the 80's.

 In case you've been stuck under a rock for the good part of the year, the big feature that the new LTAR line boasts is the use of iphone/ipod touch app support to give the tagger an all new augmented reality HUD. What this means is you can 'see' all sorts of cool stuff appearing- the targeting/lock on system, actual blaster bursts, even air strikes which also means you can essentially play on your own against the app's AI.

 This is all very cool, and I am quite intrigued, but I have to be honest with you, I myself am not quite sure this is the laser tag game for me. Happy to be proved wrong. My thoughts after the jump.

Rant: N-Strike Elite: Domestic retail gets shafted

Image courtesy of Basic Nerf. 

Traditionally, the 9-9 launch date has been around for Nerf to bring out something very cool. We've seen the Raider, the Stampede, a WHOLE line in the Vortex series, and now this year we're officially waiting on the new N-Strike Elite series. Something that has been occurring quite frequently these days is the premature release of new products well before the launch date.

Forget the product leaks that we got our hands on in the past, I'm simply talking of what's occurring in stores. This year we've already had sightings of the Retaliator and Rampage blasters readily available to buy more than 2 months before launch. More importantly, e-tailers are getting in on this, with giants like Amazon already making them available to buy online, AND with international shipping.

 I have no doubt that in the past few days, Amazon.com would have gotten a significant spike in Nerf orders from overseas. Given the US models are apparently the ones that boast the higher performance ranges than the detuned Australian versions, I can imagine Nerf gun early adopters all over the country would have slapped down their credit cards and picked themselves up a piece of the full strength N-Strike Elite pie and will be shooting much further and in turn much sooner than the 9-9 date. This might be great news for the US market, but it's gotta be a kick in the pants for the already flailing domestic retail one.

Basic Nerf:The N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire with High Ammo Capacity (Photos)

As posted earlier, Basic Nerf received some mad gear from Hasbro US- here are some pics of the upcoming N-Strike Elite Hailfire. More mad images over at Basic Nerf; Hailfire high capacity craziness:)

The N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire with High Ammo Capacity (Photos) via Basic Nerf

N-Strike Elite Tactical Vest Kit: Upgrades all round

Everything in the Nerf world is being overhauled it seems- Thanks to Neil from the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart Tag crew, we've gotten our hands on the new N-Strike Elite Tactical Vest Kit. There are a few overhauls to the vest though it still doesn't fit me (geez duh). Not a whole lot one can say, so this'll mostly be pics, but have a look see after the jump:)

Basic Nerf: Vortex Pyragon Unboxing

The blaster I really really want, but have turned down all opportunities to get early, so I'll just live vicariously through Basic Nerf:) More Eyegasm goodness over at the blog:)

Vortex Pyragon Eye Candy (Photos) « Basic Nerf:

Basic Nerf: Hailfire and Pyragon Kit

Jason, our pal at Basic Nerf was lucky to get some mad swag from Hasbro- this time the upcoming Nerf N-Strike Elite Hailfire and the Vortex Pyragon. Check out more images, including his unboxing vid of the Hailfire after the jump- schmick stuff:)

Random: Stampede Light Up?

Pic courtesy of HK Nerf via Facebook

I just saw this pic for a Lumitron promo box on shelf, and just thought to myself..

"why is there a pic of a Stampede there?"

Speculation time please:D

Nerf promo vehicle in Hong Kong: Mr Whippy it ain't

Pics courtesy of Nerf HK via Facebook

Spotted on the streets of Hong Kong is a Nerf promo vehicle in what looks like is all about spreading the good word of Dart Tag to the public. Packed with bootloads of Dart Tag gear and some promo models with custom dart tag shirts (I don't think they normally come that short), it's true "Urban Taggers" style bringing the game to the streets:D

More pics after the jump. Thanks Jason for the link!

Nerf HK via Facebook

N-Strike Elite Retaliator: Internals

Soo, further on the Retaliator, Neil from the Canberra and Southern NSW dart tag crew sent through a few more pics on the internals; dem boys removed the air restrictors to see what would happen... more pics and Uncle Neil's thoughts after the jump. (Thanks fellas!)

N-Strike Elite Retaliator: UT Style

So it's constantly suggested that Urban Taggers is about new, unreleased toy blasters, left stock and played with by the masses and..err.. my friends. 

Sooo.. a pictorial that represents all of that:D More pics after the jump!

Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator: Retaliate this!

With so much buzz regarding the upcoming N-Strike Elite series, we can't help but want to get our hands on a blaster to see what all the fuss is about.  You've seen all the pics, reviews and our friends in the US are already enjoying them well before official launch, but we down here in Australia probably won't be getting them till official launch date (and then likely to be after). Oh what to do? 

It just so happens our good pal Neil from the Canberra + Southern NSW Dart Tag crew picked a new Retaliator up recently, and graciously brought it to UT HQ for us to give it a whirl. It's a US model and therefore boasts the 75ft ranges as opposed to the detuned performance proposed for our shores.

So how good is the new Elite series? Is it all that it's cracked up to be? Personally? I think It's pretty damn cool:D

YouTube:Hands Free Wrist Mounted Nerf Speedswarm

Well finally a good use for the Speed Swarm:D

Hands Free Wrist Mounted Nerf Speedswarm - YouTube:

Deviant ART: NERF Stampede 12.6v SMG 'The Hammer' by ~MarcWF

I've always been a big fan of the SGNerf SMG mod for the Nerf N-Strike Stampede and 'MarcWF' on Deviant ART has taken it one step further; it just looks absolutely tough with the foldable front grip. You know what would really look awesome on it too? A pinpoint sight:D

It's also found on Etsy.com under 'Apex Weapon Systems' and I quite liked their other work too- they do do some pretty nice looking modded Nerf guns with performance and aesthetic alterations. Check out some of their other stuff, including the mad Dart Tag Quick 16 conversion to accommodate clips:D

I had my credit card out and was actually ready to buy this SMG but alas they don't ship to Australia...

NERF Stampede 12.6v SMG 'The Hammer' by ~MarcWF

Apex Weapon Systems via Etsy.com

Dark Knight Rises Triple Barrel Grapnel: Errrr

Mattel, is one of the biggest toy companies in the world, but to date I've never seen them recently embrace the toy gun market. Having the rights to the DC super hero market, and more importantly the movie tie in to the upcoming "Dark Knight Rises" Batman movie, Mattel have released the "Triple Barrel Graphel" gun that shoots three shots at once (!!!) which is ridiculously expensive at around 35 bucks- as most licenced products tend to be (like Star Wars gear)  I picked one up for 15 (still over priced in my opinion) to see just how good it was.. 

Not very it seems. More after the jump.

Blaster Review: Nerf Elite Series Retaliator - YouTube

Nice and pretty comprehensive review by 'Bobololo' of the N-Strike Elite Retaliator.

Blaster Review: Nerf Elite Series Retaliator via YouTube

Sonic Series Vortex Praxis

pSyk, a well respected member of the community who hails from Singapore recently picked himself up a Sonic Series Praxis. As always, Sonic Series reshells are just that- reshells, so I'd assume functionality and performances are still the same as the traditional Praxis, but now.. you can see inside:)

I think we've said it before that it's in interesting move by Nerf- we now have a re-shell colour scheme that crosses over to both lines of blasters of N-Strike and Vortex. I would have assumed they could have changed the colour of the translucent plastic for the Vortex at the least- but perhaps they had a boot load of translucent green around they thought they'd use. Still, now it means the Praxis stock is aesthetically in line with all of the other Sonic Series blasters now. Coordinate!  It turns out the orange used in the N-Strike Sonic Series differs from the Vortex Sonic Series... which means... there's still going to be clashes:(

With Firefly Lumitron clip

Uh oh.. different oranges. muddabichas!

I was about to get all creative and say "ooh can u imagine White Out series Vortex blasters? But then I guess.. that's not THAT different to a Pyragon:P

Thanks pSyk for the photos!

Nerf Vortex Ammo Belt Kit

This sorta came outa nowhere- found on the Big Bad Toy Store Website:

Load up big-time for any VORTEX mission with the Ammo Belt Kit! When you strap on this Ammo Belt with its 10-disc magazine, you can stay heavily armed even while you’re on the move. Load the magazine with 10 of the 15 included VORTEX discs and attach it to your Ammo Belt, and you’ll still have room for a second magazine (sold separately)! With all the ammo and firepower you can fit in your Ammo Belt and your blaster in your hand (sold separately), you’ll be ready for any battle situation!

• Ammo Belt Kit lets you carry along lots of extra firepower!

• Belt features clips for 2 magazines!

• Includes 1 magazine and 15 discs!

• Magazine holds 10 discs!

• Load your magazine, then store up to 25 extra discs in the ammo pouch.

Cheers to Mr K from Adult Fans of Nerf for the heads up.

Nerf Vortex Ammo Belt Kit - Nerf Nerf Weapons:

Toys R Us: Nerf N-Strike Elite Stockade

Listed on the UK Toys R Us website is the lesser known Elite version of the N-Strike Barricade. As mentioned before, it's called the "Stockade"- (perhaps because it comes with a.. stock?) and is listed for the rather exi price of 24.99 UK pounds, though I'd be guessing it'd be cheaper in the US.

Wondering if there are any changes to the internals or if it's just the elite darts that give it its performance increases?

Cheers Kevin for the heads up:)

N-Strike Elite Stockade via Toys R Us UK