The Zombiestrike Slingfire - 2014's Underdog!

The dart-slingin' underdog

I did a post a couple days ago about  all of 2014's new (and publicly KNOWN) blasters. I briefly discussed their pros and cons, but didn't really go into detail. That's what this post is for. Today, I'll be discussing the new Zombiestrike Slingfire. What are the features of this new blaster? Why is it a great addition to the Zombiestrike lineup, and furthermore, the Nerf brand? Why is this blaster getting overshadowed by the fairly unimpressive Elite Demolisher? (More detailed thoughts on the Demolisher to come later this week.)

First off, if you haven't already seen the official product info for the Slingfire, here it is:

NERF ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE Blaster
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 UDS (@29.99GBP)/Available: Fall 14)
Zombie hordes are no match for the ZOMBIE STRIKE SLINGFIRE blaster! The blaster’s lever-action allows for quicker reloads on the run and DIY-style designs lend an authentic feel to any NERF zombie attack. Blaster comes complete with one six dart clip and six ZOMBIE STRIKE darts which can be fired up to 75 feet. Features the NERF Tactical Rail System customizable with NERF N-STRIKE scopes and accessories, each sold separately. Available at most major retailers nationwide and HasbroToyShop.com.

Okay. So.

I'm doing this post mostly because I've seen a lot of hate and disappointment for this blaster since it's been revealed. I realize it's no standard Nerf fair, but I'm surprised folks aren't stoked just to see a new type of blaster than we're used to seeing. It's a new design for the Zombiestrike line and it's got a new priming system never before seen on a Nerf blaster (and it's guaranteed to be better than BuzzBee's awful reverse-plunger-air-redirection-system).Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's set the facts straight first.

What we know so far is that it's:

• Lever-action primed (...via the lever below the handle...)
• Lever action priming uses a gear system internally (ala the Roughcut 2x4)
• Clip (mag) compatible
• About the size of a Sledgefire
• Gets Elite Ranges

Those are the basics.

This little bugger is a pioneer. Its the first blaster of the Zombiestrike lineup to be mag-fed (ie it uses magazines/Nerf clips), which pretty much means it's paving the way for mag-fed Zombiestrike blasters in the future. It's also the first Nerf blaster EVER to use a lever-action priming system. Those two things in themselves are enough to merit a *win* for this blaster from me. But there's more.

Let me start off with why I love the blaster, and why I think this is one of the more interesting one's to be revealed to the NIC so far (in comparison to the other three).

The lever-action priming is something of a personal favorite of mine -- and with good reason. Not only is it one of the easiest, most convenient ways to cock a manual/single-action gun (Nerf or not), it's also pure badassery. All the cool kids use lever-action weapons. Duh.

Booker DeWitt from BioShock Infinite
and the China Broom Shotgun

The Scout from Team Fortress 2 and his
Scattergun

The famous scene from Terminator 2

It's also GREEN. My favorite color is green. I also think the shade of green fits the zombie theme quite well, and it matches up with the Hammershot and Sledgefire well cosmetically as well as aesthetically. The bandage wraps (however novel) and mish-mash of mechanical parts and rustic wood stock fit that "Do-It-Yourself," cobbled-together, post-apocalyptic look the Zombiestrike line should strive for.

The blaster, being the first in it's line to use the Nerf clip system, is unique in the sense that it's making way for future blasters in the Zombiestrike line to use the ammo system already popular with the Elite line. This also creates cross-compatibility between lines - the potential for accessories to be used interchangeably between Zombiestrike and Elite!

Like I mentioned earlier, the lever action serves another purpose besides aesthetic and functional awesomenss. It's internals are also fairly new -- they'd have to be, with a new priming system and all. Modder's should be at the least CURIOUS to see how it works and what could be done to improve it. I am. It's internals are also trailblazers -- we could see more lever-action-ers in the future (woo-hoo!).

All in all, I think it's a great addition to any Nerfer's arsenal. A little pricey, but I'm sure, well worth it.

Next post, I talk about why the upcoming Elite Demolisher is second on my list to the Slingfre, and how the Demolisher may end up like the Centurion -- a sheep in wolf's clothing.
(ie it looks cool, but essentially nothing special.)


And as always, thanks for reading.

2014 New-ness -- Should I buy [blaster]?

A zebra in lion's clothing..

So a new year brings new toys.
And boy, do they get better every year.

What am I talking about? Well if you've been keeping up (which, I'm sure you have), then you know about all of the crazy new Nerf blasters that'll be hitting shelves later this year. It started out with the Zombiestrike "Slingfire" which Hasbro revealed to the US Nerf blogs a couple of weeks ago. Then came along the MEGA Thunderbox-- erm, bow. I mean ThunderBOW. And not soon after, the (strangely) anticipated Elite Demolisher. Just recently the Rebelle Agent Bow was revealed.

That's FOUR new blasters Hasbro revealed for us, one for each current line of blasters. That's great for every fan, no matter what line(s) they prefer.

Now there's a lot of rumors and facts getting shot into the wild blue NIC, and I'm here to both
(A) Set fact from fiction.
(B) Throw my opinion on all this into you face.
Leap across the jump, and read on!

New 2014 Product Info Compiled

For those of you not completely caught up, I thought I'd compile a place for you to find all of the information on new blasters. Woot! More after the jump!

Introduction and Hello!

Hi.

Thanks for visiting!

I'm not so sure why you'd be reading this right now when you could be reading some actual Nerfy content. Maybe you're reading this because it's my first post and I have nothing else on the blog yet. If that's the case, welcome! And thanks? I guess.

I'd like to say a few things, since this is supposed to be an introductory post.

1. The blog's design is not final. At least, not at the time of this post, so: sorry about the mess.
2. I'm new to the NIC -- at least as far as actually being an active online member.
3. I have other stuff to say, so I'll say that next. More after the jump.