Hasbro are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of ALIENS by releasing a limited edition and functional Nerf replica of the M41A pulse rifle, capturing authentic details inspired by the equipment of the film’s Colonial Marine Corps. This item is now available for pre-order and expected to arrive sometime after October.Here’s a checklist of features this upcoming release will boast, “Captures the look of the iconic M41-A Pulse Blaster, with Power Loader inspired design and dual-blasting action. Features an electronic dart counter and movie-accurate blasting sounds. Measures over two feet long (28 inches) and comes fully assembled in premium packaging, perfect for display. Select from fully-motorized fly-wheel Elite or pump-action Mega dart blasting.” This sounds like a terrific item that should have been on toy shelves years ago. Then again, it’s probably taken Hasbro all this time to accommodate a product of this nature that primarily inspired by equipment featured in an R-rated movie. ALIEN is a property generally considered to be outside of Hasbro’s “family friendly” mandate. I’m hoping to see more ALIEN themed product from Hasbro. The acceptable discordance of product based on an R-rated series being marketed towards children is more intriguing and head scratching rather than concerning. Bring it.

-Windebieste.