Review: GEL BLASTER Portal Smart Target & GEL BLASTER Starfire Surge*

[Ad-gifted] We’re heading into spring, and if you’re looking for some fun way for your kids to be entertained as the weather is warming up, check out our latest blog post on the GEL BLASTER Starfire Surge and Gel Blaster Portal Smart Target which takes outdoor fun to a whole new level.

As a family of lovers of Nerf guns, which have dwindled away in popularity in our house – mainly an age thing – and have really had their place in time. So, as my kids get older but still want the same kind of fun they used to have with foam bullet shooters and water pistols the Gel Blaster seems to be a great transition. Aimed at 14+ these are a great way for tweens to have fun away from screens – plus with the gameplay being oriented around being outside they have the other benefit of forcing kids back out into the fresh air after what seems to have been a long winter here in the UK.

What we thought of the GEL BLASTER Starfire Surge and Gel BLASTER Portal Smart Target?

For this review, I had my oldest son do the review as the GEL BLASTER is recommended for those aged 14 and above.  My son is well versed with gel blasters having had one at Christmas by another brand. He was so excited to review this product not having never heard of this brand before, but was curious to see how the glow-in-the-dark features differ from the standard gel blaster.

He has great observational skills and noticed straightaway that several parts of the blaster can be interchanged with alternative colours making this a blaster you can personalise to suit your taste. Also, gives it features where you can purchase additional parts at a later date to give your blaster an alternative look. He thought these aspects were really cool. He also liked how you could refill the blaster as the dispensing pouch (made from plastic) screws on and off, with ease, allowing it to be easily refilled.

The blaster is so much fun – it shoots out gel balls called Gellets (which are similar to orbies or the water balls you can add to a vase of flowers) at a really fast and continuous speed. They are non-toxic which means they are safe for the kids and won’t impact the environment. They are also easy to store when not being used as if they don’t contain any water they are very tiny and are held in a little packet not much bigger than a sachet of salt – which, unlike foam bullets which take up so much space. Due to the speed at which these Gellets are dispensed, it’s important to wear the safety glasses that come with your GEL BLASTER – my son is well versed and wearing these and put them on before starting gameplay.

The GEL BLASTER Starfire we received also came with a second package, the GEL BLASTER Portal Smart Target (yes, it’s a bit of a mouthful and not a catchy name but stick with it). This is a target that is connected to an app, which is then connected to the GEL BLASTER – all of this sounds complicated but my son set this up in no more than 10 minutes which included the download time – he had no trouble working out how to do it. Don’t worry if you don’t like to download apps – which as a family we are a little bit like this and don’t like toys that require app download, as we prefer toys to be a reason to put devices down – the target can also be used as is, you just won’t be able to access all the features – but will still be able to have as much fun.

Although the GEL BLASTER Starfire is a great toy on its own the GEL BLASTER Smart Target added to the fun and extended the gameplay. It meant that my son had to aim and shoot the target and with the app he was able to see if score, allowing him to improve his technique to get his score even higher. It also noted his accuracy which made it even more interesting. Both can be purchased separately and you can get replacement Gellets from Currys – you can choose from a couple of colours including the glow-in-the-dark ones too.

GEL BLASTER Starfire – Box contents

GEL BLASTER Starfire Surge
– Gellets x 5,000
– Safety glasses
– Low-velocity barrel
– Barrel removal tool
– Bonus feed neck
– USB Type-C charger
– User manual

GEL BLASTER Portal Smart Target

Compatibility
– Gel Blasters
– Gel Blaster Nexus app (Android / iOS)

Game Play
– Multiple gameplay modes
– Single & multiplayer modes
– Connect multiple portals via Bluetooth mesh
– Hit detection & light-up panels
– Fold out legs and mounting ports

You will need to add in 4 AA batteries or purchase rechargable batteries with charger as these aren’t included – I am sure like us you have a drawer full of batteries ready for your kids’ toys and if not you will find them in your local supermarket.

All in all, this is a hugely fun toy for older kids and would make any teen excited to play outside and get some fresh air. This particular Blaster was glow-in-the-dark and had glow-in-the-dark Gellets, which meant that gameplay wasn’t restricted to the daytime. The Portal Smart Target also lights up making this a night time accessory too.

Where can you get your GEL BLASTER Starfire and GEL BLASTER Portal Smart Target and how much are they?

The GEL BLASTER Starfire Surge retails at £79.99 while the GEL BLASTER Portal Smart Target is sold for £49.99 from Currys.  These would make such great Birthday, Christmas Presents or Easter presents (especially for those who no longer get an Easter Bunny visit).

About GEL BLASTER  

Founded and with a headquaterS across the pond in Austin, Texas – they are the leading water ball blasting brand. The brand was born out of the founders Colin Guinn and Christie Woods need to find alternative ways to get their kids back outside and off their devices. So that’s when the Gel Blasters were created and launched through a Kickstarter in 2020.

They are now the fastest-growing toy company in the USA according to NPD and their brand focus is on teens an adults finding a way to get back to the root of playing fun games outdoors and connect families back together – with their main principle being – Go Play!

Review by : Lex Ward