Electronic Arts, Inc.today announced the release in the UK of NERF “N-Strike” for the Wii. The game, inspired by the globally popular franchise from Hasbro, Inc., features non-stop NERF-style pandemonium where players are faced with a series of challenging missions that put blasting strategies and skills to the ultimate test. NERF “N-Strike” also ships with a custom NERF SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blaster, the first ever 2-in-1 video game and toy peripheral bundle to hit the market.

“EA and Hasbro are breaking new ground in the consumer space with the launch of NERF ‘N-Strike’,” said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA Casual Entertainment. “NERF ‘N-Strike’ is the ultimate blend of each company’s leadership and expertise in their respective industries – video games and toys – and has allowed us to deliver the first ‘mom approved’ kid-friendly blaster game for the Wii bundled with an official NERF blaster ratcheting up the mayhem on both the digital and asphalt playground.”

The bundled NERF SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blaster, which offers two ways to play, can be used in-game by snapping the Wii remote into the chamber or swapping in the dart cartridge to transform the blaster for classic NERF indoor and outdoor play.

“NERF ‘N-Strike’ truly showcases the power of the Hasbro-EA relationship in terms of innovation and integration,” said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. “We’re delivering a toy and video game industry first by bundling NERF ‘N-Strike’ with a custom NERF blaster that can be used for both traditional and digital play – a big win for consumers in terms of fun and value. EA has done a tremendous job of re-imagining the ultimate NERF battleground on the Wii platform delivering over-the-top action heightened by the in-game use of the NERF blaster.”

NERF “N-Strike”, which targets boys 10 and older, features more than 25 unlockable in-game blasters including digital replicas of popular real world NERF toy line blasters such as the Longshot CS-6 and Vulcan EBF-25 as well as never-before-seen fantasy blasters like the Crusher and Semper Fire created exclusively for the video game. As players enter the top-secret NERF training facility and begin to engage in the high-octane action, they quickly discover the importance of choosing the best blaster for the job as they pull down big victories or fall short and get taunted by in-game characters who have already achieved top blaster status.

NERF “N-Strike” gameplay progresses through various chambers, each featuring a series of missions and characters that must be overcome before moving to the next level. Example missions include “Dawn of Machines” which puts players behind the NERF blaster long-range scope and “Onslaught” which overloads the screen with moving targets that must be cleared as quickly as possible. NERF “N-Strike” offers multiplayer capabilities for up to four players to battle and determine who has what it takes to become the top Elite Striker.

NERF “N-Strike” for the Wii comes bundled with the NERF SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blaster and has a RRP of £34.99. For expanded multiplayer fun, additional SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blasters are available in retail toy aisles and can be purchased separately for £12.99. Both the video game and blaster will be available in stores nationwide from 20th February 09. NERF “N-Strike” is rated PEGI 7+.