Boys have always played with guns and that is not going to change anytime soon. The Nerf N Strike Stampede ECS is the latest offering from the Nerf range of toys and won't disappoint your gun crazy child this Christmas.
The recommended age is 8 although obviously parents will have some views on whether their child is ready for this toy weapon. The main concern apart from the obvious discussion on whether automatic weapons are suitable for kids is the fact that this gun gets quite heavy when you put the batteries in it. It doesn't shoot without batteries so taking them out isn't really an option.
It is rather insulting to the toy to refer to it as a gun. An assault weapon is more appropriate especially when you see it in action. You can unleash a storm of darts using the clip system and reload and unleash again on your unsuspecting enemies. The pop out bipod can either be used to steady your shot or as a standard bipod. You also get a shield to protect you from enemy fire which is useful for protecting your face but you might want to invest in the Nerf N Strike tactical vest for better body protection.
The plus points include the fact that it is fully automatic and will send the darts flying about 30 ft with some practice. The darts do not hurt your opponent on impact although obviously you wouldn't want to aim at their face or eyes. The only real disadvantage is that you cannot use it without the batteries so you need to keep a supply on standby as once your child starts playing with this gun he won't want to put it down.
There is a whole range of Nerf guns on sale and some kids will mix and match between the different models although this is not recommended by Nerf. There are plenty of kids who are Nerf enthusiast so finding some playmates shouldn't be difficult. You may find that Dad wants to play too with reports of children finding that their parents completely monopolize this present. If you want to get the maximum enjoyment out of this gun, invest in some eye clops night vision goggles. You might want to clear the space being used first as you don't want anyone having an accident. Playing with Nerf guns at night takes the fun factor to a much higher level.
Any there any disadvantages to this product? Well someone needs to invent a dart finder! The rate at which the Nerf N Strike stampede fires 30 darts you can spend a lot of time trying to find them after the game is over.