My Nerf Retaliator Review

By: Jeremy Alden

While Nerf has plenty of series and blasters to choose from, there are some series that provides players with a solid foundation on which to build their collection.

For example, consider the Nerf N-Strike Elite series, a reliable series of blasters that offers excellent quality and performance.

However, much like the other series, the types of blasters within the Nerf N-Strike Elite line are varied, and finding the right primary blaster may require some careful consideration.

One excellent Nerf N-Strike Elite blaster that many will start out with is the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator.

Interested in this blaster?

If so, let’s break it down to learn more about what it offers and whether or not it will be a blaster worth purchasing for those looking to get their hands on a Nerf N-Strike Elite series weapon.

Nerf Retaliator Review:

Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator Review

Style and Design

The Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator is arguably one of the more handsome blasters in the series.

Offering a slim, sleek design that is emphasized by the icy-white body that features minor stripes of blue, orange, and gray (there are also versions that flip this color scheme, making the traditional Nerf blue the main color of the body), the Retaliator is a gun that looks serious, which is a major advantage on the battlefield.

The Retaliator certainly offers more than you would expect upon first glance, but we will leave these surprises for later on in this review!

Darts & Ammo Capacity

One thing to love about the Nerf N-Strike Retaliator is the fact that it comes with plenty of ammo to blast the competition away.

This blaster features a 12-dart clip, which offers an ample amount of darts as well as the convenience of being able to put in a loaded clip once you do run out of ammo.

Put simply, if you want a Nerf blaster that will keep you covered when you’re in the heat of battle, you will definitely want the Retaliator on your side.

Firing Style and Range

The Nerf N-Strike Retaliator is a manual weapon and can be primed by pulling back on the priming mechanism featured on top of the blaster.

Once you have primed your blaster, you can fire your darts up to the standard 90-feet distance that is featured on all Nerf N-Strike Elite weaponry.

Jamming has been known to be an issue for some people, so it’s important that you make sure to load and prime carefully to avoid accidentally getting a Nerf dart caught in the weapon during use.

Additional Features

Where the Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator stands out from other weaponry is in regards to its design. When you first see the Retaliator, you see it as a large assault rifle.

However, this is not its true design. Rather, the retaliator is built much more like the Stryfe. It’s essentially a handheld blaster that is capable of delivering 12 darts in one sitting.

However, it has additional parts that transform it into the final assault rifle that you see it as.

These additional pieces include a barrel extension that can improve firing, a detachable shoulder stock designed to improve accuracy, and a stability handle that makes it easier to hold your weapon and maintain its accuracy as you’re firing.

ou also have multiple tactical rails on which to place additional features that you may need to get more out of the Retaliator.

These features make the Retaliator a versatile weapon that can be perfect for almost any player playing in almost any environment.

Is the Nerf Retaliator discontinued?

The Nerf Retaliator was replaced by the 2016 N-Strike Modulus Recon MKII and 2018 N-Strike Elite Delta Trooper.

Is the Nerf Retaliator automatic?

The Nerf Retaliator is a foam dart gun with a high-spring action that can shoot darts up to 50 feet with accuracy.

What We Like

Plenty of Ammo and Ease of Use: In the Nerf world, having 12 darts is great, especially when it comes in a clip system. The Nerf N-Stike Elite Retaliator offers you plenty of ammo to fire in battle as well as the ease of use that comes with reloading the blaster.

- You might like: The Different Types of Nerf Darts & The One You Should Buy

Full Control Over Firing: One advantage that manual weapons have over semi-automatic weapons and automatic weapons is control. With the Retaliator, you have full control over how much ammo you use as well as the tools you need to ensure that none of that ammo goes to waste.

Offers Multiple Build Choices: There’s always that one Nerf gun we wish we could modify in order to make it more usable. With the Retaliator, this is never a problem. Whether you want to use the main blaster portion by itself, the blaster with the shoulder stock, the blaster with the barrel extension, or all of the pieces together, you control your firing experience by building your blaster exactly as you want it.

What We Don’t Like

May Jam More Often Than Anticipated: One issue that some users seem to have is the blaster jamming or misfiring and offering a less-than-desirable blasting experience. As it is with most guns that have this reputation, it’s important that you load your weapon and fire it with care. Sometimes, jamming may be an issue with handling and priming, not with the actual gun itself.

Some May Find This Blaster Awkward to Hold: The Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator looks great in its final form. However, it can be difficult to hold your blaster, take your hand off of the front grip to prime it, and return it back to fire, only to repeat the whole process over again. If handling is something that is important to the recipient of this blaster, make sure to keep that in mind when considering the Retaliator.

Nerf Retaliator Review: Our Verdict

The Nerf N-Strike Elite series of blasters is an excellent line to start a Nerf collection off with. The Nerf N-Strike Elite Retaliator?