Package contents: TAG Blaster, 2 Foam projectiles, Instruction sheet, 2 cut out targets

Now I have to say, the Action man line isn't one I'd normally bother with. Restarted a good few years ago by Hasbro UK, it's been pretty much their core toyline and enthusiastically pushed (and perhaps at the detriment of other Hasbro lines) ever since. Hasbro UK have now produced a spin off line from the main Action man line, Action Man A.T.O.M (Alpha Teens On Machines).

I've been keeping an eye on the ATOM toyline ever since it debuted because its obvious that Hasbro UK are putting a lot of effort into it. The first wave of the line consists of various actions figures, vehicles and roleplay toys, all accompanied by a cartoon series. An interesting point is that some of the vehicles are based off from the old M.A.S.K toyline by Kenner, which was bought out by Hasbro years ago, and now it appears that Hasbro are adapting and reusing some of those designs.

This TAG blaster caught my eye mainly because it's a foam projectile gun (a 'nerf' gun) and when I tried it in its packaging it makes sounds! Add snazzy packaging (fig. 1) and decent design/construction and the kid in me was hooked. Getting it out of the packaging was easy, once the outer box was opened out there weren't any troublesome twist ties to contend with. This toy consists of 2 modes, gun mode and cuff mode.

Gun mode

The first thing I noticed was the loading plunger sticking out the back. Made out of clear plastic I didn't even notice it when the gun was in package, and cleverly/cheekily the plunger is out of shot in most of the package pictures! Even so this plunger isn't in the way or anything, it's just that (at first) I wished that the loading mechanism were better hidden. What I assume to be the scope/sight running along the top of the gun is redundant, it' actually the hinge to allow for the cuff mode. It does allow for storage of one of the foam bolts, so when not in use it can store both foam projectiles. (fig. 3) The design of the gun is nice, making it look and feel quite Sci-fi, and its size is comparable with more contemporary handguns, (fig.5) shows a comparison with a Heckler and Koch USP45 air gun.

The gun makes one laser sound each time the trigger is pulled, it allows for fairly rapid fire, but pull the trigger too fast and it just disregards the trigger pulls. When the plunger is pulled the gun makes a 'charge up' sound (a nice touch), and the plunger sticks out until the trigger is pulled, releasing the air mechanism which fires off the projectile a fair speed with a decent punch. This means is quite accurate over a distance of around 5 metres, the bolt slows and falls quite soon after that distance. The TAG blaster is not the most powerful foam gun out there, which brings me back to the plunger mechanism. Because it sticks out the back (making it easy to grasp)and because you only need to pull the plunger once before firing makes this gun very accessible. Any 'hidden' loading system that needs you to pull it several times (like most other Nerf guns) would allow for greater firing distances, but probably at the detriment of the toys immediate accessibility.

'Cuff' mode

If you open up the gun from the bottom, it unfolds out to a futuristic restraint system. It almost looks like something Batman would use, but it still looks like a gun folded open to me. The problem with this mode is the orange gun barrel, trigger and loading plunger are still plainly visible. (fig. 4) Playability however is top notch! At the top of each of the hand restraint areas are unobtrusive buttons. Once pressed these release spring out plastic restrainers that would 'trap' any limbs within! This means you can slap the cuffs on to a wrist, and the binders would automatically snap open and shut.

These binders also trigger a power hum noise which lasts a few seconds. These restraints are detailed in transparent blue plastic like energy binders, further adding to the science fiction nature of this toy. These restraints do allow for plenty of movement (it is a toy after all) and are very easy to get out of, a little bit of force and the binders give way… and a siren goes off for around 7 seconds! Cuff mode actually makes a lot of prolonged noise, which will drive anyone not directly using the toy nuts. So kids will love it. One nice touch is the restraint buttons are rendered inactive when the gun is folded up, so the binders don't pop out in gun mode.

I have a few points which might be better, after pulling the loading plunger the firing sound is the same as before. It would have been nice if the first shot after loading was an enhanced up laser sound, to reflect the fact that an actual shot was fired. Oddly in Cuff mode the trigger still activates the laser sound. Also this mode could do with a couple of small lights to make the energy binder bits light up, and maybe red lights to accompany the siren. Lastly a projectile gun with only 2 projectiles? Bah.

In conclusion

I think this toy is good looking, well built and plenty of fun. Heartily recommended for fans of the ATOM series, but only if you can find it… before I finish I should probably mention the availability of this product. Apparently this TAG blaster is part of the normal release line up, but not many places seem to stock it. As of writing no online retailer has this TAG blaster, they all have the more expensive TAG battler (Dual infra red guns) set, and the only retail shop I've seen this is the supermarket Tesco's!

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