In New York next month the toymakers of the world will be showing off everything the kids in your life will be begging you for later this year. But ahead of Toy Fair 2018, Nerf has given us a sneak peek at a couple of new blasters it’s introducing, including one that helps solve the most annoying part of waging a dart battle – having to stop to reload.
The N-Strike Elite Infinus. All images: Nerf
The new N-Strike Elite Infinus blaster, which Nerf will release sometime in spring for $US70 ($88), is all about keeping the blaster perpetually ready to unload a barrage of foam darts. In addition to a removable drum with a 30-dart capacity, the N-Strike Elite Infinus also features a funnel on the back that, according to Nerf, can quickly ingest darts, one by one, automatically reloading the drum without having to first remove it.
The Nerf N-Strike Elite Infinus is also one of the company’s first blasters to feature red, green and yellow LED status lights letting you know when it’s ready to fire, ready to reload, or if a jam has occurred. That sounds cool, but all of those motors and electronics come at a cost: The need for four heavy D-sized batteries to keep the blaster powered.
The Nerf MEGA Thunderhawk.
If you prefer patience and precision in the heat of battle instead of a steady stream of darts, Nerf has taken the upgraded design of its Accustrike darts, which feature a redesigned tip improving airflow, aerodynamics and accuracy, and have applied it to the brand’s oversized MEGA darts in a new dart sniper rifle.
The Nerf MEGA Thunderhawk blaster, which will also be available sometime this spring for $US50 ($63), is meant to use the newly redesigned MEGA darts to hit your friend in the head with new and improved accuracy. The blaster itself features an extending barrel to make it look more like a sniper rifle. It probably doesn’t actually add to the accuracy at all, but a pair of retractable bipod legs will help steady your aim. And should you find yourself in the heat of battle without a safe place to camp, the MEGA Thunderhawk is also fed with a side-loading, 10-shot clip so you can resort to a quick barrage of darts until you find cover.
We’ll know more about both blasters when Nerf shows them off at Toyfair next month.
[Nerf]