Nerf announced a slew of new blasters and even product lines last weekend, but let’s start with the basics. Shall we? N-Strike Elite is the main brand line of blasters on the Nerf roster. It is the evolution of the original N-Strike and it is the foundation of all current blasters on the market. Let’s go!

N-Strike Elite Blasters 2015

Cross the Bolt.

First things first, let’s get the most anticipated out of the way. The Nerf N-Strike Elite CrossBolt was on full display, allowing all of the Nerf media bloggers a chance to get their grubby little paws on it. And from what I’m hearing, it did not disappoint. With good construction as always, the CrossBolt was nice and solid with an inventive crossbow firing mechanic. The way you cock it back up top by the drawstrings like a real bow is certainly very pleasing. I’m glad to be able to say that it seems like a very powerful blaster as well. They were able to fire this bad boy at the event and unleash some darts from the 12 dart clip and I’m told it was very satisfying indeed. With it’s clip-fed bull-pup design, this blaster will totally decimate the Nerf Zombie Strike Crossfire bow.

Blast of Thunder.

Next, we take a look at the new N-Strike Elite Thunderblast. Go ahead, look at it. I dare you. Were you able to hold your gaze? Honestly, I can’t look at it for more than a few seconds without turning away. The Thunderblast, (not to be confused with the Thunderbow or the Super Soaker Thunderstorm), is very ugly. There, I said it. The Thunderblast is an ugly, unfinished looking, hot mess. This blaster is a handheld rocket launcher. It uses the same missiles as the Nerf Demolisher‘s under-barrel grenade launcher. I think Nerf needs to stop horsing around and release a grenade launcher attachment that we can use on any Nerf blaster with a tactical rail mount. Please.

The Rest.

Other blasters that were there but didn’t really garner any extra attention were the Nerf SnapFire, the SlingStrike, and the DoubleDown blaster. Like the SharpFire, which was also there, none of these blasters are really considered N-Strike Elite level blasters anyway. The SnapFire, (not to be confused with the SharpFire or the original SnapFire), is another Nerf Jolt type mini-blaster that I honestly see no use for. The SlingStrike is basically a Nerf slingshot and that’s pretty cool. The DoubleDown is a double-barreled Nerf hand cannon type blaster. That’s all I have to say about that.

The Rhino!

Lastly, the N-Strike Elite Rhino-Fire. Are you having trouble locating this blaster? Finding it hard to buy one of these? The Rhino-Fire was a Walmart exclusive blaster in the US… up until now. That’s right, the Rhino-Fire will be available for purchase at all major retailers very soon. And by soon, I mean now! No more drastically limited availability, no more grossly inflated prices. YES! Rhino-Fire is on Amazon right now for a few bucks off. Watch out, Spider-Man! The Rhino’s coming for you!