Nerf Loadout Arctic Zerostriker Review

Author’s note: big thanks to Hasbro for sending out a free blaster for review!

The “sniper” of the Loadout series is the Arctic Zerostriker, available only at Target. It’s a fun blaster to use, with a bolt-action prime and a six dart internal magazine. And while it’s perhaps not the best blaster for battle, it’s certainly fun for the backyard and trying to hit those targets in the backyard.

Long Cat is Long

The Arctic Zerostriker has a fun aesthetic to it. Like the rest of the Loadout line, there’s a paint pattern printed on both sides. In this case, the elements range from a topographical map to a blue circular pattern (which the long thin shell can only show a slice of) to what looks like streaks of fire coming from the front “vents”. It’s a really cool design, specifically trying to evoke those classic movie images of spies and snipers in the mountains, dressed in white ghillie suits. How many of those movies have been seen by kids is another matter, of course, but for the rest of us, it’s a great touch.

The Zerostriker is long, even when you omit the barrel attachment and the stock. With everything attached, the blaster is just over three feet long. It’s a bit absurd, but that’s part of the charm.

The blaster comes with the removable faux barrel, a faux scope, and a stock that mounts at the bottom of the grip. The stock can’t adjust, but it does have molded bits for the cheek rest and butt to complete the look. It also holds up to ten spare N1 darts for reloading.

Operation itself is pretty simple. The blaster has a bolt-action prime (with a knob that can screw in either side based on preference), and an internal magazine way up front that holds six darts. Prime the blaster, load the magazine as needed, move the bolt forward, and fire.

The blaster feels sturdy, in the same was as the Galactic Commander. If there’s any shell flex at all, it’s due to the absurd length, and even then it’s minimal.

Performance and Gameplay

The Arctic Zerostriker meets basic N Series standards, averaging 85fps and being pretty consistently within 2fps of that number. Due to the bolt-action design and no slamfire, you’re realistically only getting two darts per second out of this blaster. The six round magazine helps in that regard – you can sustain fire as needed…but when you reload, you’ll have to reorient the blaster to access the magazine. It’s pretty hard to keep the thing pointed forward toward another player and reload at the same time, thanks to how long it is.

Also, between the rate of fire and the flight pattern of N1 darts…you’ll see darts curving away from the target. It’s unfortunate, but that’s how it is.

Inside the Blaster

The Arctic Zerostriker is long, and it has long internal parts to match. I’m having a hard time thinking of another blaster where the bolt sled extends this far back!

I’m not planning on doing anything to this blaster, but the pictures are there in case someone else does, and needs to see where individual parts go.

Last Thoughts

The Nerf Loadout Arctic Zerostriker is a fun blaster to use, but perhaps not to wield in a Nerf war. Still, if you want to pretend to be a sharpshooter, you have everything you need right here for $30.