The Elite MEGA Centurion. Say hello to my new best friend. Plus, some S.O.F.T. maths.

The newest, biggest bad boy on the block. And I LOVE it. :D

360 view of the Centurion, thanks to Jason @ Basic Nerf.

It's big, it's bad, it's red, and it's 100% REAL. :P After a few months of speculation from a few leaked photos on the Chinese version of eBay, Baidu, and a few firing videos from Tony Stark himself, Nerf made the announcement on their Facebook page today that the Centurion is REAL. WooHoo! :D Now, onto the details they've been leaking out through their comments, thanks to our fellow blogs My Last Dart and Basic Nerf for picking these tidbits up, and from the Pop Science article as well. :D

Before we launch into the facts, I believe I haven't voiced my opinion on the Centurion yet. Well, I gotta say this. 'It's the TRUE successor to the Longshot/Longstrike. Nuff said.' That should be enough. :D

- $49.99 MSRP, Fall Release Date (via Pop Science article)

So, that's about roughly $50 - $60 bucks for us Aussies (remember how much the Longshot cost when it first came out?) and to re-confirm, our release date for the Centurion is October 2013, thanks to our contacts at Hasbro Australia and to the Canberra DT crew. So, it's NOT going to be the major 9/9 release, which leaves the door wide open for the Rapidstrike, or a TOTALLY new blaster. Oooo, exciting. :D

- “Nathaniel and Chuck, the Centurion blasts up to 100ft in the US and Canada and up to 23m in most other countries. You’ll definitely be blasting farther than ever before.”

So, this means for us Aussies, the Centurion will achieve SLIGHTLY better ranges than our  'de-tuned' Elite blasters. This is properly due to the Mega Dart.

- “Daniel, extra MEGA darts will be available for purchase separately!”

Great move, I think we might need them. :P This begs the question however, will there be any add-ons/mission kits for the MEGA series? It could use a scope. And not a useless one please! :D And some additional clips would be welcome too.

The Centurion is the first in a new line of Nerf guns that use MEGA darts. The darts are about twice the size of typical Nerf darts, which engineers say helps them get the momentum they need to fly further. The also whistle, an oddly satisfying addition to long-range shootouts.

To get the velocity necessary (nearly 55 mph) to catapult ammo one-third of a football field, the designers had to super-size the typical Nerf launch mechanism. With a dart-filled magazine in place, you pull back on a loading handle to allow the top dart to pop into the firing chamber. Pushing the same handle forward sets the firing mechanism in place, and pulling the trigger releases a spring-loaded piston that launches the dart.

I know what you might be thinking. 'ANOTHER AMMO TYPE?' But do remember, it was US that requested/moaned to Nerf :P to make our blasters way more powerful and less sluggish. And if they want to experiment with new methods, I'm all for it. Doesn't the old saying go, 'The Bigger, The Better?'

As for the gun itself, we’ll be blunt: this thing is freaking huge. It spans 40.7 inches from nose to heel, and at least 2/3 of that length is barrel. As with any gun, the longer the barrel, the straighter – and hopefully the farther – shots will soar.

I'm six foot, five inches in height, so if that's anything to go by, that's about as long as one of my legs. Loving that idea! Or it just reminds me I'm tall. :P

And our friend Ash from MLD has teased of potential 'brothers and sisters' in the MEGA line, so there's a chance MORE blasters will be announced soon. Now, time for some S.O.F.T. maths. :D

PLUS

Pic thanks to UT :D

PLUS

EQUALS:

FREAKING AWESOMENESS. :P

(ahem, calming down... :P) Now, what's YOUR opinion on the Centurion Squaddies? Will you be picking one, or two up? Sound off below. 

Till next time Squaddies, keep on Nerfing!