I Say We Take Off And Nerf The Entire Site From Orbit

I Want To Introduce You To A Personal Friend Of Mine…

So let’s say you’re stuck on LV-426, and nobody back at headquarters was sure if this was going to be a stand-up fight or a bug hunt. The next drop ship is days away, and the only thing that stands between you and being dinner (or worse, a hot dinner date) for the nearest xenomorph is your trusty M-41A Pulse Rifle, loaded with…Nerf ammo? Yeah, you heard that right. Lean into it. Hasbro and Nerf are joining forces to bring the iconic light-but-not-so-light weapon from 1986’s Aliens to your next Nerf fight.

Now, because the real world is sometimes about as scary as LV-426, it’s not an exact replica – the paint scheme is what Hasbro describes as a “Power-Loader-inspired design”, meaning it’s a bit more brightly colored than the standard issue that Corporal Hicks might hand you. But the other details are right on the money, including the digital counter. The Nerf M-41A even has a magazine that holds 10 Elite Nerf darts, which can be fired in a fully-motorized mode, as well as three Mega Nerf darts in the pump-action “grenade” launcher.

Now…it’ll kick some. Hasbro recommends protective eyewear (!!). If the “weapon” itself isn’t impressive enough, check out Hasbro’s advance renderings of the Colonial-Marines-approved packaging.

Because this isn’t exactly a piece of hardware you’re going to use every day, the packaging is definitely not a throwaway, decorated on all sides with details that fit right into the Aliens saga.

Now, your new personal friend doesn’t come cheap…or quickly. Hasbro Pulse is taking pre-orders through Halloween (appropriately enough), with an admonition that the Nerf M-41A may ship either sooner or later than the first of October 2022. (You’re going to have to hold out a little longer than seventeen days on your own, trooper; they won’t charge you the ninety-five bucks until it’s time to ship.) Undoubtedly the slippery-release-date disclaimer is due to supply chain issues that are effecting everyone the world over currently. But the level of detail will make this your armament of choice next xenomorph season.

Hope your motion tracker (not included) is fully charged until then.