Xshot Fast Fill Motor Soaker Turbo Stream Review
January 26, 2026Surprisingly, despite the Motor Soaker sub-line being out for over a year, I haven’t really reviewed any of them. I’ve played around with them, but last year the actual reviews just didn’t happen. Let’s change that, starting with this year’s newest entry!
Xshot’s Motor Soaker Turbo Stream is relatively inexpensive, and looks amazing. Practically, however, its deficiencies make it inferior to its larger siblings. But it’s still plenty of fun for smaller kids who might not be lugging around large amounts of water.
Saturday Vacation Post: Patent Updates!
January 24, 2026Here I am, on a cruise ship thanks to my wife and friends who booked something months in advance…and then by chance we escaped before a massive winter storm hit the majority of the United States. Yay serendipity!
While I’m in port with a free signal, let’s do a post about some fun patents that have been popping up on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s website, ranging from obsolete vaporware to possible upcoming products!
Xshot Fast Fill 80s Super Splash Review
January 19, 2026The Xshot Fast Fill line has utterly dominated spring toy shelves in recent years, combining sheer capacity and ease of use with Zuru’s ability to inexpensively manufacture blasters with near-total automation. And each year, we’ve seen more additions to the line, from new size variants to versions with custom paint skins. This time around, however, Xshot is aiming to evoke old childhood memories.
The 80s Super Splash works the same way the other Fast Fill blasters. But Zuru is molding it specifically to look like old Super Soakers. And while this one isn’t a pressurized monstrosity, it’s still a lot of fun to use.
Nerf One Piece Going Merry Blaster Review
January 17, 2026It’s our first 2026 tie-in blaster! Netflix has Season 2 of One Piece coming in March, and that naturally means merchandising. In the case of Hasbro, it means a Nerf blaster collaboration.
The Going Merry blaster fits the pirate theme well, being a cartoonish, single-barrel blaster with a hammer prime. It’s also, interestingly, *still using Elite darts in 2026*. In any case, the value is more in the pretend play than in its usefulness in a Nerf war.
And, as you can see, it gives me an opportunity to use ChatGPT on pictures of my cats!
Nerf Super Soaker Bottle Burst Review
January 16, 2026At the low end of Nerf Super Soaker’s offerings this spring is the Bottle Burst. It’s small and unassuming, and comes in its own display packaging. It’s also made to adapt to the most common PET beverage containers you’d find on store shelves or within your refrigerator. This isn’t as effective as it could be…but the end result is still a fun toy that can be thrown in your pocket until it’s needed.
2026 Soakers Everywhere! Nerf Super Soaker, Xshot, and More!
January 15, 2026Before I get to reviews, here’s an overview of what I’m seeing in my area. Thankfully, I have a few stores that tend to update spring shelves early, so I can peak at what’s appearing on shelves. Not *everything* is here yet, given what I know from various websites, but here’s a good idea of what to expect as the weather warms up!
Nerf Announces Netflix “One Piece” Collaboration Blaster and Swords!
January 13, 2026I’m FINALLY back from a fun winter vacation that unfortunately ended with four days of airport cancellations, delays, and other mishaps. To that end, I’m (at least for the moment) relaying press release info from Hasbro about the release of One Piece merchandise, including a blaster and three melee variations!
In case you didn’t know, Netflix has a new season of their live-action One Piece series coming soon, and a successful series is bound to have merchandise! (Insert Mel Brooks voiceover here)
