After doing more reading and more discussions, here’s part three of our Toy Fair Coverage. This post will focus on several lesser known blasting toy companies, or at least ones that don’t always come to mind. Why not start with Marshmallows?
Marshmallow Fun Company – A Blaster Redesign
The Marshmallow Blaster is known for reliably shooting giant marshmallows up to forty feet. It’s now being replaced by the Extreme Blaster, which goes for a one-handle design that ends up using less plastic and can have a slightly lower price. In the marshmallow version, loading is performed via a break action mechanism. I’m sure some modders would be thrilled at the idea of a powerful air blaster with easy reloading.
MFC has already begun selling giant marshmallow slingshots. This will be applied to other ammo types as well.
World Tech Toys
If anything, it wad nice for them to have a presence at Toy Fair.
Paper Shooters
For those of you who don’t know, Paper Shooters is a product that has been on a development roller coaster ride. It began with a crowdfunding campaign, but has seen multiple bids for funding after reengineering efforts. In addition, small biodegradable ammo that isn’t always felt on impact can be a turnoff for diehard blaster fans. Nevertheless, Paper Shooters are at Toy Fair for the second year running, with new products in tow.
Marky Sparky
It should be noted that, while I didn’t get a chance to compare the versions to each other, I have several Faux Bows at home, modified with RSCBs and homemade darts, and they have competed with plenty of NIC blasters both in the United States and Canada, So while most Nerf fans may initially pass, there is plenty of raw power available in the Faux Bow line.
Finally, there was a “Pro” version on display, with new toy safety arrows designed for use with a regular bow and distances of up to 200′. Granted, it is proprietary ammo, but that much distance with foam-padded projectiles would be hilarious to see at a war if the user hit their targets.
End of the Post. Move Along Now…
Inevitably, for the sake of not overloading with info, not everything I’ve seen so far has been written up. There was the Rival ball-shooting robot from New Bright, and Chinese manufacturers that were recycling old designs or making terrible translation mistakes in their promotional flyers. When I do my future “Best of Toy Fair” post, I’m fairly certain those will be in the running for “Biggest Fail”.
In the meantime, Blasterhub has meetings scheduled with Hasbro in the morning, and an event with Buzz Bee Toys in the afternoon. You’ll have our take on the news then. In the meantime, feel free to peek at a few other Nerfers who have been wandering Toy Fair and giving their thoughts!
Lord Draconical with the Nerf Modulus Regulator