Heralding the 40th anniversary year of Hasbro Inc.’s Nerf brand, Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite will deploy this fall, bundled with a newly designed blue Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 blaster and attachable decoder lens that will deliver a blend of covert operation elements with over-the-top blasting missions. Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite is the second game in EA’s blaster arsenal following the holiday ’08 hit, Nerf “N-Strike” in North America, which was EA’s second best-selling Wii game and a Top 20 Wii title in 2008 by revenue, according to NPD.

“In the world of Nerf, more is always better – so that is exactly what we’re going to deliver with Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite,” said Chip Lange, General Manager of EA’s Hasbro Division. “We’re building on the enormous success of the first video game that rocked the market last holiday season as a ‘must have’ gift for Wii gamers. With Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite we’re essentially cranking up every element of the experience starting with a new 3-in-1 blaster that will have kids’ jaws dropping as hidden gameplay elements come into focus through a Nerf decoder scope. That, together with more in-game blasters and millions of upgrade combinations, a new army of robots to defeat, and enhanced co-op play, is sure to put Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite on top again this year.”

Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite will feature a classic rail shooter style of gameplay and equip players with a cache of fresh features. With the Wii-remote snapped into the Nerf Switch Shot EX-3 blaster and the red reveal lens engaged, players will be able to detect enemy weak spots, solve puzzles and decode secret messages as they blast their way to victory. Boys in the target age range of 8 to 12 will jump into battle as one of four playable characters, each with their own unique customizeable blasters and abilities. For those players who find themselves in a melee that requires back-up, Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite will include two-player co-op, allowing buddies to immediately jump in and join the crusade. Players will also interact with a veritable army of robots including B.O.B., the same recruiting robot from the first Nerf “N-Strike” game.

“As Hasbro gears up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nerf brand, the top boys property in the toy industry, EA is poised to arrive at the party with the most innovative Nerf digital gameplay experience to date,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. “Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite will deliver an incredibly innovative and fun Nerf-inspired experience that will resonate with tween boys and also get the nod of approval from Mom.”

The Nerf 2: “N-Strike” Elite 3-in-1 video game and Switch Shot EX-3 with scope toy bundle is being developed by EA Salt Lake and will launch this fall.