Dart Zone Max Stryker Review
August 8, 2021With the wild success of the Adventure Force Nexus Pro (and subsequently the Aeon Pro), it was only a matter of time before Dart Zone had high performance blasters on the shelves of other retailers. Target had previously carried the Dart Zone Pro line on their website. Now, however, they have Dart Zone Max blasters and darts on shelves, starting with the Stryker.
If you’ve used a Nexus Pro, then the Stryker isn’t, well, strikingly different. But a different flavor of a great blaster is still a great thing!
Nerf Roblox Pulse Laser Review
August 1, 2021Adapting video game models to real life is always a challenge. Even more so when the IP involved is famous for being, well, blocky. The Nerf Roblox Pulse Laser is a great example of this. Based off a weapon in the “Arsenal” game within the Roblox experience, it’s been adapted into a semi-auto dart blaster.
It’s not the most ergonomic of blasters for regular use. But if you’re looking for a fun project blaster, then it’s the blaster for you.
Adventure Force Equalizer Review
July 30, 2021Buzz Bee has quite a few blasters appearing at Walmart this fall. As always, Buzz Bee is doing a great job with the sidearms, and the Adventure Force Equalizer is no exception. This year’s replacement for the Wizard/Clash Combat, it aims for a thinner blaster for the same performance and price (two blasters for $10), and succeeds. If you need blasters to holster, or spares to loan at stock wars, this set will equalize the playing field.
The (OLD) Adventure Force Thundershot Review
July 28, 2021EDIT: The review has been altered after a severe issue led to two blasters breaking. Until future runs are fixed, I won’t be rating this above zero – further explanation below.
EDIT 2: The old version, which shouldn’t have hit shelves, has been taken off shelves and replaced. To see the new review, go here!
There’s something about cartoonishly large blasters that makes me happy. In that regard, the Thundershot SHOULD be a standout. Sure, the size means you can’t dual wield them effectively (like you would a Hammershot), but with eight rounds in the cylinder, it has plenty of capacity by itself, all for $10.
Even so, ergonomic and performance issues keep it from being the blaster it could have been. If only those weren’t the only issues…
Adventure Force Triggerfire Review
July 25, 2021Double action blasters aren’t common; the Nerf brand itself has only done it four or five times in its history. So when another major label tries to tackle the subject, it’s worth noting.
These blasters are never going to be the top dog in terms of performance. However, they’re lots of fun, and the Triggerfire is no exception. However, it has what the others don’t: endurance. Assuming your dominant hand is strong enough to keep firing over an extended period of time, it’ll be a great blaster to use. Just be aware of a few quirks…
Adventure Force Matrixfire Review
July 14, 2021Prime Time Toys hasn’t been one to shy away from unique blaster mechanisms. The dart hopper seen in the Adventure Force/Dart Zone Commandfire and Destroyer has been a unique success, allowing for high capacity without magazines. At the same time, though, loading the dart hoppers in battle can be tedious, especially when you don’t have time or cover to do so.
This year, we have the Matrixfire. It changes the formula, mounting the hopper to the side of the blaster and making it fully removable. The overall mechanism is still a bit inconsistent compared to magazine-fed blasters. However, combined with ergonomic improvements and the ability to essentially swap ammo boxes, the dart hopper has (in my opinion) become just as competitive an option as the magazine.
Nerf Ultra Select Review
July 11, 2021With the absence of Toy Fair and other press events, releases on the Nerf front have been relatively quiet, aside from new lines like Rival Curve Shot or Hyper. However, other blaster lines are still chugging along, including Ultra.
To that end, a new entry has come along, appearing on some Walmart shelves without warning. It’s odd – Ultra released with lots of fanfare, but initially failed to live up to the PR promises. Now, the Ultra Select is silently releasing, but (within reason) meeting those expectations, two years later.
