New York Toy Fair 2017
After doing more reading and more discussions, heres part three of our Toy Fair Coverage. This post will focus on several lesser known blasting toy companies, or at least ones that dont always come to mind. Marshmallows are a good place to start.
Marshmallow Fun Company A Blaster Redesign
The Marshmallow Blaster has a reputation for reliably shooting huge marshmallows up to 40 feet. The Extreme Blaster is now available. It has a single-handle design and uses less plastic. The marshmallow version uses a break-action mechanism to load. I’m sure modders would love the idea of an air blaster that is powerful and easy to reload.
However, the MFC fires more than sugary sweets. Muzzle loading is used for large ball and fabric snowball versions of the new blaster design. In addition, one upcoming version will (by natural extension) fire tennis balls for the canine companion in your life.
MFC already sells giant marshmallow slingshots. This will be applied to other ammo types as well.
Many items such as the Bow and Mallow and standard Marshmallow Shooter will still be available. In essence, while things are indeed changing, much will stay the same. However, how much change is necessary to ensure a product’s success?
World Tech Toys
This is a very basic report. World Tech Toys, in addition to their R/C products, sells versions of Chinese blasters here in theUnited States. You can read our review of the Sniper Blaster here. Although the current line was displayed, there were also versions in new colors. Anyone feel an affinity for blue?
If anything, it wad nice for them to have a presence at Toy Fair.
Paper Shooters
For those of you who dont know, Paper Shooters is a product that has been on a development roller coaster ride. After reengineering efforts, it received multiple funding bids. It started with a crowdfunding campaign.
In addition, small biodegradable ammo that isnt always felt on impact can be a turnoff for diehard blaster fans. Nevertheless, Paper Shooters are at Toy Fair for the second year running, with new products in tow.
The DIY blaster kits are still available, but newer models like Extinctionare aiming for a more sci-fi feel. There is still demand for blasters that can fire straight out of the box. For those consumers, Paper Shooters has designed all-plastic models. The first is a 12-round revolver, the second is a rifle with an additional 30-two-round drum. Both models are free from the need to eject plastic shells like the DIY models. These models will be available in the second half of this year, despite production having hit some snags thanks to Marshmallow Fun Company.
Marky Sparky
The last entry in the post might not be familiar. However, the products roots will be. The inventor of the original Nerf Bow n Arrow (long before Nerf was a Hasbro brand) created an updated version using a more powerful plunger tube and a fake wood mold for the shell. Marky Sparky displayed versions two and three this year and was available for wholesale orders. Number two was more versatile in color options and storage for toy arrows, while number three was stronger than previous models.
It should be noted that, while I didnt get a chance to compare the versions to each other, I have several Faux Bows at home, modified with RSCBs and homemade darts, and they have competed with plenty of NIC blasters both in the United States and Canada, So while most Nerf fans may initially pass, there is plenty of raw power available in the Faux Bow line.
The Pro version was on display with new safety arrows that can be used with regular bows and at distances up to 200 meters. Granted, it is proprietary ammo, but that much distance with foam-padded projectiles would be hilarious to see at a war if the user hit their targets.
End Of The Post. Move Along Now
Inevitably, for the sake of not overloading with info, not everything Ive seen so far has been written up. New Bright’s Rival ball-shooting robotic robot, as well as Chinese manufacturers who were reusing old designs and making horrible translation errors in their flyers. These will likely be among the finalists for Biggest Fail when I write my next Best of Toy Fair post.
In the meantime, Blasterhub has meetings scheduled with Hasbro in the morning, and an event with Buzz Bee Toys in the afternoon. Youll have our take on the news then. In the meantime, feel free to peek at a few other Nerfers who have been wandering Toy Fair and giving their thoughts!
