NERF ULTRA

A look at the ULTRA series 

The NERF  community first got wind of the ULTRA series when a listing of the ULTRA ONE and dart refill pack was leaked in early 2019. Later, in September 2019, an image of the ULTRA ONE blaster was leaked, and on the 1st of October, NERF officially launched the ULTRA series.

The ULTRA series is based around it's new proprietary ammunition. The ULTRA DART is a  aerodynamic dart made of a kind of Styrofoam-like substance. It is brittle and not as flexible as most foam darts, and is damaged much easier. The ULTRA DART features built-in fins, a streamlined head, similar to that of the Mega Dart, and a "nub" on the back end that is necessary to make the dart work in the blaster... So the bottom line is that the ULTRA series is NOT compatible with any other blaster series.

NERF ULTRA DART

The ULTRA blasters, with their proprietary darts, claim superior performance. The flagship blaster is called simply, the ONE. It is a flywheel  blaster with an integrated twenty-five dart drum. It also features an integrated shoulder stock that holds 8 spare darts, a strap/sling point above the muzzle, and two tactical rails, one above the muzzle and one behind the jam door.

NERF ULTRA ONE

The ONE claims a firing range of up to 120 feet (thirty-six meters). The ONE retails for about 50 bucks and also requires 4 "C" batteries. It comes packaged with twenty-five ULTRA darts and instructions.
Next we have the ULTRA TWO. The TWO is a semi-automatic flywheel pistol blaster, that also  advertises a firing range of up to 120 feet (thirty-six meters).

NERF ULTRA TWO

 It features a fast-back reloading, 6-dart cylinder. On the TWO's handle, there is a firing trigger, and just under that an acceleration trigger. There is a jam door on the left side of the blaster. The TWO also features two tactical rails; one on the top front, and one on the bottom front. It retails for about 25 bucks, and comes packaged with six ULTRA Darts and instructions. it also requires 6 "AA" batteries.
The next blaster in the series hasn't hit store shelves just yet, but it's called The ULTRA THREE... how clever... The NERF ULTRA THREE blaster features pump action blasting and an 8 dart internal clip, similar to blasters like the MEGA MAGNUS.

NERF ULTRA THREE

 It is spring powered  and is primed via the pump-grip, located in between the clip and trigger. The ULTRA THREE features a single tactical rail on top of the blaster, alongside a spot to store up to five darts behind it. The THREE comes with 8 darts and instructions. It will retail for about 30 bucks and should be in stores in a matter of weeks.
For one reason or another, the NERF ULTRA FOUR is already available... The FOUR is a single-shot,spring powered blaster.

 It features a retracting priming slide, one tactical rail along the top of the blaster, and storage space on the bottom of the blaster for two more darts. It sells for about 15 bucks and comes packaged with four ULTRA darts and instructions. It also advertises a firing range of up to 120 feet (thirty-six meters).
So what comes after four... You guessed it, the NERF ULTRA FIVE. The FIVE is an internal clip system blaster also similar to that of the  MEGA MAGNUS. Four ULTRA darts can be loaded inside. The FIVE's grip is rather strange, featuring several holes for the user's fingers. It retails for 20 bucks, comes with four ULTRA darts and instructions,and also makes those  120 feet (thirty-six meter) range claims.
Believe it or not, there is no word about an ULTRA SIX. However there are plenty of rumors about the ULTRA SEVEN. The SEVEN was first leaked in early 2020 though online listings lacking images. Later in March of that year, a sketch of a prototype model of the SEVEN was leaked.

unofficial image of the NERF ULTRA SEVEN

It has been speculated that the SEVEN is a bolt-action sniper-esque clip-fed blaster, similar to blasters such as the N-Strike LONGSHOT CS-6. Unlike the LONGSHOT, however, the blaster's bolt must be turned before priming, similar to the RIVAL Jupiter XIX-1000. It has a long front barrel, with a single tactical rail behind it, as well as an integrated scope. A total of two sling attachment points is featured on the blaster; one in the front and one in front of the built-in shoulder stock. There is a jam door on the side of the blaster  to remove jammed darts. The ULTRA SEVEN will most likely come with 1 clip, 10 darts,and instructions, and is expected to sell for around 60 US dollars.
Then there is the ULTRA PHARAOH, which is apparently a gold-highlighted re-skin of the SEVEN, and it has been released earlier than its official launch date.

NERF ULTRA PHARAOH

There is also another  re-skin that will hit stores soon... The DORADO is a re-skin of the ULTRA TWO. The differences between the two blasters being that the DORADO not only has a built-in stock, but also storage on top of the blaster for an additional six ULTRA darts.

Leaked image of the ULTRA DORODO box.

The ULTRA series hasn't been well received by the NERF community. As is usually the case, the actual dart ranges fall short of the advertised claims. The accuracy of the ULTRA darts also leaves much to be desired. The ULTRA DART is the only ammunition that any ULTRA blaster can use. Likewise, the ULTRA darts can't be used in other blasters. At close to half a buck each, ULTRA darts are also relatively expensive.
With the exception of a new dart that doesn't perform, the ULTRA series doesn't really bring anything new or innovative to the game. It will be interesting to see if the series continues into the next year?

                                 NERF on NERFerS!!!