Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3: Packs a punch x3

There have been a LOT of rumours about this lil' puppy since the N-Strike Elite series were announced; the priming handle of the Triad EX-3 was so similar to the existing N-Strike Jolt, that we were lead to believe it WAS the Elite version of the Jolt. The Triad EX-3 however is somewhat bigger, and while following similar design cues, is a different blaster in itself. And it fires three darts. Cool! More after the jump.

Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe: Impressive. Very Impressive.

I've never really been certain about flywheel blasters- on one hand they are pretty noisy and obviously give away your position almost immediately (especially in an indoors sneaking-around-the-apartment kinda environment) but on the other they seem to have sort of fallen into the "SMG" class of the Nerf blaster world with their compact size but relatively powerful semi automatic firing (in the Barricade, Rayven and Stockade) which I do like as far as the 'tacticicool' tilt is concerned. Nerf have addressed both of these elements in the form of the new N-Strike Elite Stryfe and after playing with it for a week or so, I have to say it's definitely now become one of my real favourites. 

Here's why:) More after the jump.

Tactical Tag: N-Strike Elite RoughCut 2x4 and Stryfe Reviews

It's going to be a while till we Aussies get the new N-Strike Elite gear, but at least for now we can drool over the pics and videos produced from the other side of the pond. Our man Mike from Tactical Tag has picked up pretty much all of them, and has started the review process. Check out the vids after the jump, or hit up Tactical Tag for more info:)

Tactical Tag: N-Strike Elite RoughCut 2x4 Review
Tactical Tag: N-Strike Elite Stryfe Review

Arctic Shock box art

Just saw this today- box art for the upcoming Super Soaker Arctic Shock. I love the aesthetics of this water gun but the issue of the lack of trigger still grates me. Ice cubes were also a novel idea but I dunno if they EVER really took off- even back in the old days of the original Arctic Shock- but at least you've got a large capacity water tank!

Cheers Neil for the heads up:)

N-Strike Elite Stryfe: Power up with.. Duracell?

Courtesy of  the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart Tag crew. have a look at this close up of the N-Strike Elite Stryfe battery tray:) Endorsed by the coppertop !:D

Amazon: Firefly gear for Vortex and N-Strike Elite



And also spotted on Amazon by Nerf2Me2 are a whole lot of Firefly clip and dart packs for your Elite and Vortex blasters. Images after the jump!


N-Strike Elite Firefly Mission Kit via Amazon
12 Go Darts Refill via Amazon
Nerf Firefly Tech Vortex Kit via Amazon

Amazon: Nerf N-Strike Elite 12 Special Edition Elite Darts Pack

You can never accuse Nerf of just sitting on their hands and enjoying their success. Spotted on Amazon.com, check out these mad 'special edition' digital camo N-Strike Elite darts- in blue and grey. Aesthetically schmick, in my opinion:) More pics after the jump. Cheers Dustin for the lead!

Nerf N-Strike Elite 12 Special Edition Elite Darts Pack (blue) via Amazon.com
Nerf N-Strike Elite 12 Special Edition Elite Darts Pack (grey) via Amazon.com

YouTube: Nerf2Me2 N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 unboxing

Probably the first unboxing video of the new Nerf N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 I've seen, courtesy of YouTube channel 'Nerf2Me2'. Check it out after the jump- will you get one?

YouTube: Nerf2Me2 Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike has been spotted around the US at various locations, and we've been sent a great unboxing video courtesy of YouTube channel Nerf2Me2. He also compares it to the Nitefinder, and subtle features that we wouldn't have known before, like the little light up bar on the side:) Video (and also another vid for the modders out there) after the jump or check it out on the channel.

Nerf Nation: official release of N-Strike Elite Rayven + Stryfe

Nerf have put up an official release regarding the upcoming N-Strike Elite Stryfe, and the updated Rayven CS-18 on their Nerf Nation Facebook page. We are noticing the time between when we start reporting on new blasters and the official release info is becoming shorter these days:)

From the Facebook page:

"It may be about a month away, but around here the countdown to 2013 has begun. Hitting shelves around the world in 2013, the brand new N-Strike Elite Stryfe blaster and newly updated N-Strike Elite Rayven blaster will add serious power to your collection in the new year. 

The N-Strike Elite Stryfe blasters’s semi-automatic firing action makes one-handed blasting easy while being able to unload up to 6 darts in just 3 seconds! 

The N-Strike Elite Rayven blaster has been newly updated to feature Elite styling and long-distance performance. Like this post if you plan on adding one of these blasters to your Nerf collection next year. (Please note: availability and timing will vary by country/state/city)"

N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4 single shot slamfire

Another lucky dude post a YouTube video of the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4. This one's courtesy of 'Yeoh Ray Mond" and I'll guess from the early Malaysian release. It shows him using the slamfire function to fire off single darts, with the Barrel Break IX-2 dart holder attachment. Video after the jump:)

In any case, it's just Rough Cut eye candy:D Thanks Than for the heads up!

N-Strike Elite Strongarm and Super Soaker Arctic Shock

Just a few more images sent through to me of the upcoming N-Strike Elite Strongarm - I like how it's sleeker looking than the Maverick.

There's also an image of it next to the upcoming Super Soaker Arctic Shock- you can see the over sized clip/tank lid is to allow you to add ice cubes. You can see there's no trigger though:( Thanks to AC again for the intel!

Tactical Tag: N-Strike Elite Stryfe

Our man Bazookafied checked out his local Toys R Us in Omaha Nebraska and lo and behold, the N-Strike Elite Stryfe's are available there too! He's put together a pretty sweet vid on the blaster- check it out over at Tactical Tag or you can view it after the jump!

N-Strike Elite Stryfe Internals via Tactical Tag

N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 4x2: an in depth review

Our pal PsyK in Singapore has gotten his hands on the much anticipated Nerf N-Strike Rough Cut 4x2; check out his detailed review including the internals after the jump. Pretty sweeeeeeeet:D

Rant: Super Soaker.. I want you back

Water guns these days are considered to be the projectile blaster's poor cousin but the funny thing was it wasn't always the case- you could almost say it was the other way around.  Water guns used to be very popular and probably the 'ammo' of choice for most outdoor battle enthusiasts. While the lightweight casual user would just annoy the popular girl in school with his 2 buck squirt pistol bought at a newsagency, whenever there was a water fight to be had, it was like an arms race to get the biggest, highest capacity, furthest shooting blaster one could find. Any dart guns normally were single shot and weren't that exciting.

And while, things are very different now, there's still a part of me that wonders- what happened and can we ever bring back the epic water fight to it's former glory?

More Super Soaker gear

Spotted on Soundmedia.ch the same site as the Nerf N-Strike Elite gear we've been talking of are a few more additions to the Super Soaker line up- a small pistol style blaster called the Flash Blast that neither looks electric, air pressure OR piston, and the "Domination" drum, which looks like the one that comes with the Lightning Storm.

Rant: Offence is the best defence: whatever happened to the shields?

Browsing through the German website Soundmedia.ch, I was once again looking at the image of the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage; it was an old early image of the blaster that was to come with a detachable shield (and a Retaliator stock?!). It really is a shame that Nerf decided to leave the shield out of the final release, as personally I found the Rampage in box to be a tad underwhelming- it provided LESS than the original Raider kit, and the shield just made a whole lot of sense. 

The thing is, shields HAVE existed on other blasters, so what makes them decide to include them on some production models and not others?

Nerf Nation: Officially.. Finally!

You have to wonder if whether the increasing amount of news available on the upcoming line has forced Nerf's arm a lil' into releasing this info NOW, or whether they were always planning on it, but Nerf themselves officially released info on the new Strongarm and Firestrike blasters today on their Facebook page, with upcoming details coming out next week.

"Nation, today we are officially revealing two new N-Strike Elite blasters that will be hitting shelves in 2013 (please note: availability and launch timing will vary by country/state/city): the N-Strike Elite Strongarm blaster and the N-Strike Elite Firestrike blaster! The Strongarm blaster features a six dart revolving barrel and both rapid-fire and single shot capability, while the Firestrike blaster has a red light targeting beam built for precision. BOTH blasters will feature cool N-Strike Elite styling and long-distance performance. More details to come on additional Elite blasters headed to stores in 2013, so check back here next week!"

Nerf Nation via Facebook

N-Strike Elite Rayven Box Art

Spotted on German site "Soundmedia.ch" was a boot load of upcoming Nerf gear- much of which we've covered but I thought this was something cool- box art for the upcoming Elite version of the Rayven-CS-18- updated colours for the blaster and clip.

I find Nerf's product strategy a tad... confusing. While the Retaliator was essentially the Elite version of the Recon CS-6, and the Rampage was the Elite Raider, here we've got an Elite version of the Rayven... called the Rayven, AND featuring essentially the same box art imagery only with the Elite branding layer over it. I assume the original N-Strike Rayven will be replaced by this, as if it's not, I'll guarantee toy stores are going to get very confused very quickly. Given it's an Elite Rayven, I'd assume it'll have a similar spec to the Stryfe.

In any case, I do like the Elite colour palette so bring it on!

Basic Nerf: dual wielding N-Strike Elite Stryfes

One of Basic Nerf's mates got himself two N-Strike Elite Stryfes yesterday and posted a video of his dual wielding exploits:D There's also an unboxing video to have a look at- head over to Basic Nerf for a look see!

Swedish catalogue goes gender neutral

I saw this on Nerfenstein's FB page- I wonder if this could/would ever happen here in Australia, but apparently in Sweden, 'Top Toy' (a toy store with the licence to the 'Toys R Us' name) was reprimanded for gender discrimination in their previous catalogue and therefore have changed things to feature... SHOCK- girls holding Nerf guns.

I actually am surprised this hasn't happened earlier, nor does it look at all out of place. I've always thought the terms 'boys toys' and 'girls toys' were grossly out-of-date (I actually had a collection of first gen Bratz dolls when they first came out I'll sheepishly admit!) so I welcome the change.

Swedish toy firm forced to become ‘gender neutral’ for Christmas catalogue via Daily Mail

Nerf N-Strike Stryfe does California..

No sooner than I posted the Reddit info on the N-Strike Elite Stryfe hitting MN, Basic Nerf gives us the heads up that his mate in California just picked one up too! MADNESS!:D Check out more of the pics below.

Cartaya's Revenge : The New Nerf Stryfe, in living Color!:

Reddit: N-Strike Elite Stryfe makes it to the shelves

Images courtesy of Reddit user Brstieren

Word has it on Reddit that the N-Strike Elite Stryfe has already been spotted on shelves in a Toys R Us in Minnesota (similarly the eBay dude selling his Stryfe is from MN too) - even if it was an accident, that does suggest the Stryfe is comin' real soon:D One of the contributors 'Brstieren' posted some photos of with different attachments. More pics after the jump.

Stryfe spotted in Burnsville MN via Reddit

Hasbro Australia: Official release dates for N-Strike Elite gear

Well, official word from Hasbro Australia has come in on official dates for all of the upcoming Nerf N-Strike Elite gear we've been discussing. For most of us, this stuff can't come soon enough. The general trend is they normally do start popping up a month or two at least before the official release, so here's hoping:D

Nerf N-Strike Elite Firestrike : Feb 2013
Nerf N-Strike Elite Strongarm : Feb 2013
Nerf N-Strike Elite Stryfe: Mid 2013
Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4: May 2013
Nerf Vortex Diatron : Mid 2013

SG Nerf: Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4 in Malaysia!

Image courtesy of CJ Kaj Id S /Facebook

Oooh, Rough Cut 2x4 buzz a plenty circulating the net this morning; we've received bootloads of emails and msgs but most of which I saw on SGNerf.  Apparently the Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut IS available retail in Malaysia! Alongside the video we posted earlier, pictures have surfaced on Facebook of the Rough Cut 2x4 in Malaysia from various sources. 

Image courtesy of CJ Kaj Id S /Facebook

Even complete with internals:

Image courtesy of Phang Kuok Sing/Facebook

SG Nerf's got a pretty good round up of the N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4 intel. Check it:)

SG Nerf: Nerf N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4 in Malaysia!:

eBay: N-Strike Elite Stryfe spotted

One of our readers Cal spotted an N-Strike Elite Stryfe now for sale on eBay!! Somehow I don't think it's going to stay on zero bids @ $40.00 for long... :P The fact it is in box does hopefully mean release is very soon...

YouTube: N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2X4 firing video

You can find intel from anywhere- here on YouTube channel 'Wan Zafirzan' , Some kids in Malaysia have posted a firing video on the upcoming N-Strike Elite Rough Cut 2x4. Looks bigger than I was expecting, and slam fire is now confirmed! Thanks Laurens for the heads up!

Amazon UK: Upcoming N-Strike Elite AND Vortex for preorder

 Amazon UK just put the Nerf world into a tailspin this morning by listing most of the upcoming N-Strike Elite blasters on their site, complete with glorious images; we're loving the fact the new round of N-Strike Elite blasters are all totally new designs and all VERY cool indeed.

On top of this, a first look at the much speculated Vortex Diatron, sporting the same colour schemes as the Pyragon. Also shows this new "Multishot MADNESS" feature logo on the packaging that's also featured on the Rough Cut.

So now the question remains: Which one(s) are on your hot list for the new year and why? More images of the N-Strike Elite gear and official blurb after the jump.

Thanks to all the emails we got on this, we'll give it to L Corijns for being the first:)  

YouTube: N-Strike Elite Jolt range tests

YouTube channel "RandomShadow09" has a comparison video of the original N-Strike Jolt and the upcoming N-Strike Elite version. Check out the vid after the jump:)

YouTube: N-Strike Elite Firestrike range tests

Another from RandomShadow09, this time the upcoming N-Strike Elite Firestrike gets a range test.. Vid after the jump.

YouTube: N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3 range tests

Posted on YouTube, "RandomShadow09" has a great video on the upcoming N-Strike Elite Triad EX-3. Looks pretty sweet... Thanks Greig for the intel! Vid after the jump.

Baidu/UK Nerf- More Elite goodness

Brought to our attention by Nerffan, and spotted originally on Baidu and then UK Nerf are some N-Strike Elite pics. You can see up the top there's a Firestrike, but with a GREY trigger- however below is another Firestrike with the blue pinpoint sight. You can also see up top the size difference between the Jolt and the Triad- so all of those who were saying "No, the Triad IS the Elite Jolt"- well you can see it's kinda bigger..

Blue Pinpoint Sight availability

Pinpoint sights? You know I LOVE Pinpoint sights:D Neil from the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart Tag crew got the official word from the horse's mouth- being Hasbro Australia regarding the upcoming much discussed Elite colourschemed Pinpoint Sights:

"...We will have the new blue Pinpoint Sight available in Au and NZ though in really small numbers. They will be tied to a gift with purchase promo in early 2013. We only have 2400 pieces available for AU and 1000 for NZ...."

N-Strike Elite Retaliator: Range tests

Soooo.. our man Neil (from the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart Tag crew) and I several weeks ago were in the unique position of being able to do some comparative range tests with the new N-Strike Elite Retaliator - in it's many guises, from the original stock N-Strike Recon, the Australian grey trigger version, the US orange trigger version, and an orange trigger version with it's AR removed. First orange cone is 10 metres for reference (32ft)

It has been an absolute SAGA getting these up- we had to actually shoot these videos multiple times as the blue darts are a @$%#! to come up on video; we finally got a decent-ish view after 3 sessions of doing these range tests.  Then, youTube was causing me grief with the video format.. all and all.. almost a month later.. here we are:)

The plus side, is we can now say we've tested it to death so can really say results shown here ARE pretty consistent. We'll leave you to make up your own mind for now. Videos after the jump:)

Baidu: Elite Triad Internals

Spotted on Baidu, here's what the inside of the upcoming Elite Triad looks like; I thought it might just be a single shot with two dart holders, but this does suggest it shoots from all three barrels? I could be wrong though, internals mean not a whole lot to me:P

Cheers J.B for the lead!

Twitter: Brandon Perea- Nerf commercial actor

Just to make it official, the news we posted below all can be traced back to.. well everywhere:) Model/Actor Brandon Perea tweeted from the set of a Nerf Evolution (what is this?!) commercial with links to instagram and to his own personal website. No need for conspiracy theories or lawyers here folks, it's ALL good and found online for the general public to see:)

brandonperea.com
thebrandonperea via instagram
@brandonperea via twitter

Instagram: More Strong Arm and WTF goodness:P

Soo... here's what you can find on Instagram:) Spotted by no other than our main man Neil from the Canberra and Southern NSW Dart Tag crew...

Rumours: Strong Arm and... WTF!

This is some pretty cool intel; one of our readers was browsing Tumblr and stumbled across some photos of an actor who apparently does Nerf commercials... the first image, we can identify as the much anticipated N-Strike Elite Strong Arm..

 Here's a pic montage of the dude.. but hang on.. have a look at the blaster in the right hand image... Ok let's zoom in..

Oooh.. I'm thinking that's a pump action grip? Whoo hoo it's speculation time!

Cheers Collin for the lead!

Sly Dev- for those who like to accessorise

So the Pyragon has definitely been my favourite Nerf blaster of the year and I've loved the way it looks with the black painted stock and Pinpoint sight, but sometimes you just get greedy and want..more. The whole "it'd be really cool if there was a tactical rail on the SIDE.."

I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world to have thought this, and this is where our friends at Sly Dev come in. In case you haven't heard of them, Sly Dev is a nifty lil' Australian company that sells very reasonably priced attachment pieces made from a 3D printer that you can glue onto your blaster, allowing you to add more attachments. They come in a variety of colours and are really well made and designed. Check out some of the pics after the jump or visit their site.

Arts + Crafts: Aliens style ammo counter kit

This is just awesome- our local hero for mods, Mr Wolfe from Combustible Props kindly helped us (and by help I mean did it all himself)  install a VERY cool Aliens style ammo counter kit, courtesy of  our friends at German site Blasterparts.de.  We were pretty impressed-it's a very polished, well made piece of kit- the counter can be configured to countdown any sized clip, and resets on removal. And check out the flashing of the muzzle.. imagine this with some firefly darts..

I asked Mr Wolfe to mount the counter to the side of the stock Stampede ECS to show you how it looks and works in raw form; but it could be integrated in a variety of different ways on your blaster depending on your own tastes and amount of time you want to put into it. Check the kit out on Blaster Parts or hit up Combustible Props on Facebook if you have any questions on the install. 

Ammo Counter kit via Blasterparts.de