Nerf

{{Infobox brand

| name = NERF

| logo = Nerf orange logo.png

| logo_size = 200

| type = Toy weapons

| currentowner = Hasbro

| origin = United States

| introduced = {{start date and age|1969}}

| markets = Worldwide

| previousowners = {{unbulleted list|Parker Brothers|Kenner|Larami}}

| tagline = {{unbulleted list|"It's Nerf or Nothin'!" (current)|"Accept No Substitutes" (current 2)|"This Is How We Play" (current 3)|"Enlist, Engage, Enforce" (N-Strike)|"The Wetter the Better" (Super Soaker)}}

| website = {{URL|https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/nerf}}

}}

Nerf is a toy brand formed by Parker Brothers and currently owned by Hasbro. Most of the toys are a variety of foam-based weaponry, with other Nerf products including balls for sports such as American football, basketball, and baseball. Their best known toys are their dart guns (referred to by Hasbro as "blasters") that shoot ammunition made from "Nerf foam" (partially reticulated polyether type polyurethane foam).{{cite book |last=Meltzer |first=Yale L. |title=Foamed Plastics: Recent Developments |date=1976 |page=182 |publisher=Noyes Data Corporation |isbn=9780815506423 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wgxHAAAAYAAJ&q=Nerf+foam+polyurethane}} Their primary slogan, introduced in the 1990s, is "It's Nerf or Nothin'!". Annual revenues under the Nerf brand are approximately {{US$|400{{nbsp}}million|link=yes}}.{{Cite web |title=5 Biggest Toy Companies in the World |url=https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/5-biggest-toy-companies-in-the-world-1147291/?singlepage=1 |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Insider Monkey |language=en-US}}

History

File:nerflogo-original.png

Parker Brothers originally developed Nerf, beginning with a {{convert|4|inch|mm|adj=on}} polyurethane foam ball. In 1969, Reyn Guyer, a Minnesota-based games inventor, and Minnesota Vikings kicker Fred Cox came to the company with a football game that was safe for indoor play, and after studying it carefully, Parker Brothers decided to eliminate everything but the foam ball.{{cite web|url= https://www.reynguyer.com/nerf.html |title=Nerf Story |publisher=Reyn Guyer |date=2016-01-03 |access-date=2024-10-05}} The inventors' in-house name for the ball was the "falsie-ball," referencing the sculpted padding for bras used to create the appearance of larger breasts. Parker Brothers instead chose the name "Nerf," taken from Nerf bars, the protective tubing used to avoid minor collisions during off-roading.

In 1970, the Nerf ball was introduced as the "world's first official indoor ball." Marketing slogans promised that one can "Throw it indoors; you can't damage lamps or break windows. You can't hurt babies or old people."{{cite web|url=http://nerfz.com|title=Best Nerf Gun Reviews for 2018|work=Nerfz|access-date=2015-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028235423/http://nerfz.com/|archive-date=2015-10-28|url-status=live}} Some of the first TV commercials for the balls were joint promotions with General Foods' Kool-Aid drink mix, with Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Michael Nesmith of the Monkees playing with the balls on a living room soundstage (Kool-Aid sponsored the 1969–70 Saturday morning reruns of the Monkees' 1966–67 TV series). The ball filled a strong consumer need and by the year's end, more than four million Nerf balls had been sold.{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/exhibits/toys/gijoe.html |title=The History of Toys |publisher=History.com |date=2008-01-04 |access-date=2009-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028075851/http://www.history.com/exhibits/toys/gijoe.html |archive-date=October 28, 2007 }} The {{convert|4|in|adj=on}} ball was followed by a large version called the "Super Nerf Ball". Shortly after, in 1972, a basketball game called "Nerfoop" and the Nerf football (developed by longtime NFL kicker Fred Cox{{cite news |title=Ex-Vikings kicker Fred Cox, inventor of Nerf football, dies at 80 |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28132640/ex-vikings-kicker-fred-cox-inventor-nerf-football-dies-80 |work=ESPN.com |date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122165657/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28132640/ex-vikings-kicker-fred-cox-inventor-nerf-football-dies-80 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Smyde, Joe |title=Fred Cox not kicking; Nerf football sales keeping him for life |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39425583/the_pittsburgh_press/ |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |date=October 4, 1989 |access-date=November 22, 2019}}) joined the family, with the latter quickly becoming Nerf's most popular ball.{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5621784/nerfs-eureka-moment|title=Who Needs an Indoor Ball? YOU Do, Apparently|work=GIZMODO|date=August 25, 2010 |access-date=2010-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100827183431/http://gizmodo.com/5621784/nerfs-eureka-moment|archive-date=2010-08-27|url-status=live}}

The company continued to add to the Nerf line until they handed control to Kenner Products, a sister company. In 1987, Kenner was bought by the Tonka Corporation, which itself was purchased by Hasbro in 1991,{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_pb |title=The story of Parker Brothers |publisher=Hasbro.com |access-date=2009-11-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030030956/http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=ci_history_pb |archive-date=October 30, 2008 }} which then became the owner of Nerf.{{cite web|url = http://www.hasbro.com/corporate-2/images/2013_HasbroHistory.pdf|title = The history of Hasbro, Inc|publisher = Hasbro.com|access-date = 2009-11-07|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131215002710/http://www.hasbro.com/corporate-2/images/2013_HasbroHistory.pdf|archive-date = 2013-12-15|url-status = live}} Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the Nerf brand served under the subsidiaries OddzOn and Larami before Hasbro took full control of the brand.{{cite web|url=http://nerfcenter.com/news/01-19-2001a.htm|title=NC News - Larami Takes the Helm|publisher=Nerfcenter.com|access-date=2011-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402214128/http://nerfcenter.com/news/01-19-2001a.htm|archive-date=2012-04-02|url-status=live}}

Nerf released the first foam dart blaster in 1992. Over the years, Nerf has continued to expand the line, adding new looks to existing products, with later lines of Nerf products ranging from sport balls and foam dart blasters to video games and accessories.{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/nerf|title=NERF - Welcome to Hasbro's Official NERF site|publisher=Hasbro|date=2008-07-15|access-date=2009-11-07|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113123305/http://www.hasbro.com/nerf/|archive-date=2008-11-13}}

In February 2013, Hasbro announced the release of its "Rebelle" line, a sub-line aimed at girls, with its first products released in fall of 2013.{{cite magazine |url=http://family-room.ew.com/2013/02/08/hasbro-introduces-nerf-rebelle-line-for-girls-starting-with-the-heartbreaker-bow-exclusive/ |title=Hasbro introduces Nerf Rebelle line for girls, starting with the Heartbreaker bow -- EXCLUSIVE |author=Busis, Hillary |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=2013-02-08 |access-date=2013-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211043218/http://family-room.ew.com/2013/02/08/hasbro-introduces-nerf-rebelle-line-for-girls-starting-with-the-heartbreaker-bow-exclusive/ |archive-date=2013-02-11 |url-status=live }}

In November 2013, POW! Books published The Ultimate Nerf Blaster Book. Written by Nathaniel Marunas, the book highlights the history of Nerf and provides details on every N-Strike, Dart Tag, and Vortex blaster produced at the time of the book's release.{{cite web |url=http://www.powerhousebooks.com/?p=16477 |title=NERF: The Ultimate Blaster Book |publisher=powerHouse Books |access-date=2014-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103181351/http://www.powerhousebooks.com/?p=16477 |archive-date=2014-01-03 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/36/49/24-nerf-blaster-expert-2013-11-29-bk_36_49.html |title=Master blaster: Prospect Heights dad wrote the book on Nerf |author=Mixson, Colin |newspaper=The Brooklyn Paper |date=2013-12-02 |access-date=2014-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103132752/http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/36/49/24-nerf-blaster-expert-2013-11-29-bk_36_49.html |archive-date=2014-01-03 |url-status=live }}

In 2015, the Rival line of blasters was first released. The first products released were the Rival Apollo XV-700 and the Rival Zeus MXV-1200. These blasters fire a new type of ammunition, known as "High Impact Rounds", which are small foam balls that can reach a higher velocity than foam darts. The Rival line is targeted towards an older audience, with each product listing the age of 14+ on the box.

In 2021, the Hyper line of blasters was announced.{{cite press release |url=https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us/articles/iconic_nerf_brand_unveils_a_revolutionary_new_performance_segment |title=Iconic NERF brand Unveils a Revolutionary New Performance Segment |date=2021-02-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703064700/https://corporate.hasbro.com/en-us/articles/iconic_nerf_brand_unveils_a_revolutionary_new_performance_segment |archive-date=2021-07-03 |access-date=2021-09-09 }} Initial products included the Hyper Rush-40, Hyper Siege-50, and Hyper Mach-100. Hyper rounds are similar in design to Rival rounds, but are smaller and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material that is more rubber-like than the foam used in Rival rounds.{{cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/8/22663549/nerf-hyper-rush-40-siege-50-mach-100-review |title=Nerf Hyper Review: Where The Rubber Meets The Foam |work=The Verge |location=New York |publisher=Vox Media |date=2021-09-08 |access-date=2021-09-09 }}

Products

=Nerf Blasters=

Nerf's most popular product type are Nerf blasters,{{cite magazine |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/toys/4311795 |title=The Top 10 Nerf Guns of All Time |author=Pinkerton, Lindsey |magazine=Popular Mechanics |date=2009-04-03 |access-date=2013-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606072333/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/toys/4311795 |archive-date=2013-06-06 |url-status=live }} which are toy plastic guns that shoot foam darts. These darts have different-style tips, including Velcro-tipped in order to stick to Nerf vests (typically shipped with Dart Tag blasters), suction cup darts designed to stick to smooth surfaces, streamlined darts to fit into magazines (referred to as clips by Nerf), and darts able to whistle in flight. Darts may also have different colors, such as colors that reflect certain sub-lines, camouflage, and glow in the dark. Most Nerf blasters also have rails, known as tactical rails, which can accommodate different attachments, as well as special adapters such as barrel and stock adapters. The "N-strike" sub-line was launched in 2004, and is styled more like a real weapon than previous Nerf products. It was updated in 2012 as N-Strike Elite.{{cite magazine |last1=Fagone |first1=Jason |title=How Nerf Became the World's Best Purveyor of Big Guns for Kids |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/09/how-nerf-became-worlds-best-purveyor-of-big-guns-for-kids/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=20 December 2019 |date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502153249/https://www.wired.com/2012/09/how-nerf-became-worlds-best-purveyor-of-big-guns-for-kids/ |archive-date=2 May 2017 |url-status=live }}

File:Nerf Munition.jpg

==Rebelle==

Released in 2013, the Rebelle line was a series of blasters predominantly aimed at the female demographic, with similar internal mechanics to the Nerf N-Strike elite line, sporting pink, purple and teal colors.{{cite magazine|author=Greenwald, Will|date=2013-06-28|title=Nerf Tips iPhone Scope, Rebelle Line For Girls, Lots More Guns Mainly bows and used for sending messages.|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421144,00.asp|magazine=PC Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809060447/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421144,00.asp|archive-date=2013-08-09|access-date=2013-08-03|url-status=live}}

==Zombie Strike==

The Zombie Strike line was launched in 2013, and is geared for fans of Humans vs. Zombies games.{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/prepare-for-a-nerf-apocalypse-with-the-new-zombie-strik-743035852 |title=Prepare for a Nerf apocalypse with the new Zombie Strike line! |author=Bricken, Rob |publisher=Io9 |date=2013-07-11 |access-date=2013-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130714110202/http://io9.com/prepare-for-a-nerf-apocalypse-with-the-new-zombie-strik-743035852 |archive-date=2013-07-14 |url-status=live }} All blasters have a distinct zombie apocalypse theme, with newer blasters featuring a DIY aesthetic.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==Rival==

Nerf Rival blasters (branded as RIVAL) fire small foam balls referred to by Nerf as "High Impact Rounds", but usually referred to as “Rival Balls” or "Rival Rounds" by the Nerf community.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}} Nerf Rival blasters are targeted towards an older target market than Nerf's better-known dart blasters.{{cite web |last1=Hollister |first1=Sean |title=THE ENGINEERS BUILDING RIDICULOUS DART BLASTERS THAT NERF WON'T TOUCH |url=https://www.theverge.com/22324389/nerf-gun-diy-homemade-blaster-out-of-darts-jupiter-caliburn-captain-slug-hasbro |website=www.theverge.com |date=March 12, 2021 |publisher=The Verge |access-date=12 March 2021}}

==Nitro==

In 2017, Hasbro released the Nerf Nitro line, which consists of blasters that fire foam cars into obstacles and stunt ramps.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2017/01/27/nerf-nitro-shoots-cars-not-darts/#4a3b98897f88 |title='Nerf Nitro' Shoots Cars Not Darts |author=Robertson, Andy |magazine=Forbes |date=2017-01-27 |access-date=2017-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810212855/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyrobertson/2017/01/27/nerf-nitro-shoots-cars-not-darts/#4a3b98897f88 |archive-date=2017-08-10 |url-status=live }}

==Ultra==

Released in September 2019, Nerf Ultra (branded as ULTRA) blasters fire a new, proprietary dart design that is marketed as "THE FARTHEST FLYING DART EVER. Darts can travel up to 120 feet."{{cite web |url=https://nerf.hasbro.com/en-us/ultra |title=Nerf Ultra One Blaster |publisher=Hasbro |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003131216/https://nerf.hasbro.com/en-us/ultra |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}https://nerf.hasbro.com/en-us/ultra The new Ultra darts are constructed from a lightweight foam that is notably different from traditional darts in that they are made with closed-cell, rather than open-cell foam. This construction allows for fins to be molded into the rear of the darts. Size-wise, Ultra darts are between N-Strike Elite darts and Mega darts in diameter, but shorter than both in length. They cannot be fired from any previous Nerf line or off-brand compatible blasters, nor can any other lines' darts be fired from Ultra blasters. This design was created in response to the growing number of third-party darts, including exact knockoffs from China, available for N-Strike Elite blasters at a much lower cost than Nerf-brand darts.{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/parents-beware-nerfs-newest-blasters-wont-fire-knockoff-darts-11569240001 |title=Parents, Beware: Nerf's Newest Blasters Won't Fire Knockoff Darts |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url-access=subscription |access-date=2019-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003131215/https://www.wsj.com/articles/parents-beware-nerfs-newest-blasters-wont-fire-knockoff-darts-11569240001 |archive-date=2019-10-03 |url-status=live }}https://www.wsj.com/articles/parents-beware-nerfs-newest-blasters-wont-fire-knockoff-darts-11569240001

=N-Series=

In 2024, Nerf Released the Nerf N-Series, which featured a new N-1 dart, similar to the Nerf Ultra darts. These new blasters were only compatible to said dart.{{Cite web |url=https://shop.hasbro.com/en-us/product/nerf-n-series-infinite-blaster-80-nerf-n-1-darts-compatible-only-with-nerf-n-series-blasters-ages-8-plus/2FAE840A-C6B4-4AEC-9831-97071596F8A3 |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Hasbro|title=Nerf N Series Infinite Blaster}} Hasbro plans to phase out the Elite dart with the N-1.{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2024-06-06 |title=It's Nerf darts or nothing for these slick new blasters |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/6/24172656/nerf-n-series-blasters-darts-price-release-date |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=The Verge |language=en}}

=Super Soaker=

Originally owned and marketed by Larami, Super Soaker is a popular line of water guns. Recently, Hasbro has released a line of Nerf-branded Super Soaker blasters.{{cite web|url=http://www.hasbro.com/nerf-2/en_US/supersoaker.cfm|title=Super Soaker|publisher=Hasbro|access-date=2013-01-24|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017162443/http://www.hasbro.com/nerf-2/en_US/supersoaker.cfm|url-status=dead}}

=Lazer Tag=

Lazer Tag, a popular laser tag toy line from the mid-1980s, is also currently part of the Nerf banner. The current generation of Lazer Tag blasters attach to iPhones or iPod Touch units for enhanced playability.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/hasbro-reinvents-lazer-tag-for-the-smartphone-generation/|title=Hasbro reinvents Lazer Tag for the smartphone generation, lets you live out your Doom-fueled fantasies|author=Terrence O'Brien|publisher=AOL|work=Engadget|date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=2017-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120124138/https://www.engadget.com/2012/02/07/hasbro-reinvents-lazer-tag-for-the-smartphone-generation/|archive-date=2018-01-20|url-status=live}}

=Nerf Dog=

In June 2013, Hasbro and Grammercy Products unveiled Nerf Dog, a line of Nerf-inspired canine retrieving toys made of rubber, nylon, and plastic. Nerf Dog was launched at Walmart stores, and debuted at pet specialty stores in Fall 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.licensingexpo.com/license-global/nerf-dog-debuts |title=Nerf Dog Debuts |publisher=Global License! |date=2013-06-18 |access-date=2013-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817081820/http://www.licensingexpo.com/license-global/nerf-dog-debuts |archive-date=2013-08-17 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/202793/hasbro-launches-nerf-dog.html |title=Hasbro Launches Nerf Dog |author=Irwin, Tanya |publisher=MediaPost |date=2013-06-20 |access-date=2013-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726164544/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/202793/hasbro-launches-nerf-dog.html |archive-date=2013-07-26 |url-status=live }}

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Gramercy Products, Inc. is the manufacturer of Nerf Dog products.{{cite web|last1=Gazdik|first1=Tanya|title=Hasbro Launches Nerf Dog|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/202793/hasbro-launches-nerf-dog.html|website=Marketing Daily|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024640/https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/202793/hasbro-launches-nerf-dog.html|archive-date=5 April 2018|url-status=live}}

The Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster mimics traditional Nerf blaster designs and shoots a ball up to 50 feet in the air. The toy uses special softer balls to reduce the risk of injury.{{cite web|title=10 must-have gifts for your pets this holiday season|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/10-must-gifts-pets-holiday-155220558.html|website=Yahoo News|date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=2018-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426213450/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/10-must-gifts-pets-holiday-155220558.html|archive-date=2018-04-26|url-status=live}}

=Video games=

Nerf has also produced video game accessories for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo DSi, DS Lite, 3DS and the Wii.{{cite web|url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/738/738970p1.html|title=Pelican NERF PS2 Controller|website=IGN| date=October 13, 2006 |access-date=2011-01-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713004814/http://gear.ign.com/articles/738/738970p1.html|archive-date=2011-07-13|url-status=live}} Visionary Media, Inc. released the first-person shooter Nerf Arena Blast (or NAB, sometimes Arena Blast) in 1999. EA Games, in association with Hasbro, released the 2008 video game Nerf N-Strike{{cite web|url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/825/825043p1.html|title=IGN: Pelican Wiimote NERF Sleeve Exclusive Review|website=IGN| date=October 4, 2007 |access-date=2009-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704084032/http://gear.ign.com/articles/825/825043p1.html|archive-date=2009-07-04|url-status=live}} and its 2009 sequel Nerf N-Strike Elite. Both games feature the Switch Shot EX-3, which doubles as a functional dart blaster and a Wii Remote accessory.{{cite web|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1041646p1.html|title=Nerf N-Strike Elite Review|website=IGN|date=2009-11-03|access-date=2011-01-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111072424/http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1041646p1.html|archive-date=2012-01-11|url-status=dead}} In June 2019, Raw Thrills released the Nerf Arcade game.{{Cite web|url=http://www.inparkmagazine.com/raw-thrills-hasbro-nerf-arcade/|title=Hasbro and Raw Thrills collaborate on NERF ARCADE|last=Kleiman|first=Joe|website=InPark Magazine|date=March 11, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516081207/http://www.inparkmagazine.com/raw-thrills-hasbro-nerf-arcade/|archive-date=2019-05-16|url-status=live}} GameMill Entertainment published Nerf Legends, a first-person shooter game released on 19 November 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.{{cite web |title= NERF Legends announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/08/nerf-legends-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc|website=Gematsu |date=August 11, 2021}} In 2021, an online multiplayer first-person shooter titled Nerf Strike was developed by The Gang Stockholm and released by Metaverse Team under license from Hasbro on the online platform Roblox.{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|title=Metaverse Team launches Nerf Strike FPS game for Roblox|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/05/26/metaverse-team-launches-nerf-strike-fps-game-for-roblox/|publisher=VentureBeat|date=May 26, 2021}} In August 2022, developers Secret Location under licence from Hasbro{{Cite web |title=Nerf Ultimate Championship |url=https://www.nerfvr.com/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Nerf Ultimate Championship |language=en |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200825/https://www.nerfvr.com/ |url-status=dead }} released the Virtual reality game multiplayer shooter titled NERF Ultimate Championships for the Meta Quest 2 platform.{{Cite web |title=NERF Ultimate Championship on Oculus Quest |url=https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/6380416095333333/ |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Oculus |language=en}} In February 2023 Secret Location announced on a now deleted developer update on the Meta Horizon Store listing that the studio was shutting down, meaning that support for NERF Ultimate Championships will soon end it will be delisted off the Meta Horizon Store.The game was shut down and subsequently delisted on August 31, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-17 |title=Nerf Ultimate Championship To Be De-Listed Next Month, Shutting Down In August |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/nerf-ultimate-championship-end-of-life/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=UploadVR |language=en}} April 2023, they collaborated with the game Stumble Guys to add a Nerf-themed mini game to their game.{{cite Instagram|user=StumbleGuys|postid=Crd54nLL_48|title=Grab your blaster! 🔫 @nerf is officially here!!! 🔥 Check out our newest trailer and play our new Blaster Base level in the Nerf Arena NOW! 😎🎉 #StumbleGuys|date=April 26, 2023}}

Awards

In 2011, the Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS was awarded "Boy Toy of the Year" and the Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast won "Outdoor Toy of the Year" at the 11th Annual Toy of the Year Awards, which is held at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.{{cite web|url=http://inventorspot.com/articles/11_best_toys_2011_toy_industry_awards|title=The 11 Best Toys of 2011|author=Per-Lee, Myra|publisher=InventorSpot|access-date=2011-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217033641/http://inventorspot.com/articles/11_best_toys_2011_toy_industry_awards|archive-date=2011-02-17|url-status=live}}

In 2014, the Nerf Zombie Strike Crossfire Bow won the award for "Best Action Toy" at the 2014 U.K. Toy Fair.{{cite web |url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/uk-toy-fair-2014-toy-winners-announced |title=U.K. Toy Fair: 2014 Toy Winners Announced |publisher=Global License! |date=2014-01-21 |access-date=2014-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130044639/http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/uk-toy-fair-2014-toy-winners-announced |archive-date=2014-01-30 |url-status=live }}

Legal issues

In June 2010, Hasbro sued Buzz Bee Toys and Lanard Toys for patent violation of its Nerf and Super Soaker brands. The lawsuit stated that Buzz Bee and Lanard infringed two U.S. patents for the Nerf N-Strike Disc Shot blaster, while Buzz Bee infringed on a Super Soaker patent.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0217725520100602 |title=Hasbro Sues Buzz Bee Toys and Lanard Over Patents |publisher=Reuters |date=2010-06-02 |access-date=2011-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101070903/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0217725520100602|archive-date=2011-01-01|url-status=live}} In November of that year, Hasbro won its patent case against Buzz Bee with the latter banned from producing certain water guns.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN3029143220101130|title=Hasbro Wins Patent Case Against Buzz Bee |publisher=Reuters |date=2010-10-30 |access-date=2011-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204071455/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN3029143220101130|archive-date=2010-12-04|url-status=live}}

In April 2012, Hasbro contacted the Australia-based fan blog Urban Taggers for leaking information on unreleased Nerf products found on the Chinese marketplace website Taobao.{{cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/04/25/hasbro-goes-after-blogger-in-ip-theft-case/ |title=Hasbro Goes After Blogger in IP Theft Case |author=Biggs, John |work=TechCrunch |date=2012-04-25 |access-date=2013-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121020018/http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/25/hasbro-goes-after-blogger-in-ip-theft-case/ |archive-date=2013-01-21 |url-status=live }} Hasbro allegedly tricked one of the bloggers into disclosing his home address for their lawyers to mail him a cease and desist letter. The incident resulted in fans setting up a campaign on Facebook boycotting Hasbro.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/04/24/nerf-guns-at-10-paces-hasbro-faces-boycott-after-siccing-lawyers-onto-fan-site/ |title=Nerf guns at 10 paces: Hasbro faces boycott after siccing lawyers onto fan site |author=Crook, Andrew |magazine=Crikey |date=2012-04-24 |access-date=2013-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513071023/http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/04/24/nerf-guns-at-10-paces-hasbro-faces-boycott-after-siccing-lawyers-onto-fan-site/ |archive-date=2013-05-13 |url-status=live }}