Unboxing Nitro Freeze Blade Target Exclusive SWAP Force Skylander

What? Nitro Freeze Blade, Water Element, SWAP Force Skylander
Where Did You Get It? Target, in-store
What Did It Cost? $14.99 plus tax
What Was Stock Like? 3 left, kept in the back
What is Included? Nitro Freeze Blade, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Target Exclusive Nitro Freeze Blade

Nitro Freeze Blade
Water Element, SWAP Force

Slogan: "Keeping it Cool!"

Card Stats
Power: 140/200
Armor: 75/200
Agility: 200/200
Luck: 85/200
Totals: 500/800

*Exact Same Card Stats as regular Freeze Blade

In Game Stats:

Base Health: 280
Speed: 50
Armor: 6
Critical Hit: 8
Elemental Power: 25

*Nitro's In Game Stats are COMING.

Nitro Freeze Blade and Nitro Magna Charge (Both Target Exclusives)

Speed SWAP Force Skylanders

Water Element SWAP Force Skylanders

*I covered the blog poll regarding Upgrade Options in the intro of this video.  Please let me know what method you prefer.  I am leaning towards "Option C" where I would have 5 videos for the SWAP Force Characters.  I can stage the vids in any fashion, I just want them to be enjoyable and efficiently informative for you the viewer.  Vote in the poll, leave a comment here, or on YouTube and let me know what you like best.*


I had to go into Target in the late evening and was not surprised to see NO Nitro Freeze Blades available.  As such, I'm never deterred and always like to err on the side of asking.  Luckily I had an employee who I had dealt a lot with and he went and checked where they had been stocked, thumbed thru what was out, and then said, "I guess we sold them all, I do have some in the back though...let me go grab them!"

See, that is exactly why it pays to ask.

He came out with 3.  I believe they were the last three he had, and as usual with special figures I took two.  One will go to my Nephew, or just stay sealed.  He is pretty big into Freeze Blade, so I am thinking it'll be his to do what he wants.

Philip had mentioned his Target, which he hit bright and early on the east coast, had one box of 12.  I assume that is what mine had as well.  Target is always hit and miss on this type of stuff, particularly their "store exclusives."  I say it all the time, but at my local store, which I hit usually once a week, they never got another round of Granite Crushers...ever.  I did travel some around the launch of Giants and saw a few stray GCs hidden at larger stores, but never again at my local store.  Jade Flashwing (Spring of Giants), was very limited, and all restocks sold quickly, or got stashed.  I haven't seen her since mid-Summer at a local store.

Sometimes, you could find Granite and Jade on Target.com, so if you missed NFB  this weekend, I would make a point of checking their regularly.  Similarly, ask your associates...some aren't worth much and have no interest in helping, but as I always state, there are still people that care about helping you and want to do their job well.  They might let you know when shipments get in, or call.  This is less likely at big retailers, but worth a shot.  If you are known as a regular customer and they know you'll keep asking, you'd be surprised what might work in your favor.

My hope is that he is restocked regularly.  I wouldn't expect 12 cases of 12 to hit all Targets tomorrow, but just a few more over the coming months would be nice.  Again, DO NOT pay more than $14.99 for NFB, or any Skylander Swapper for that matter.  As I stated in the video, if I missed him Sunday I would have been checking their website, making trips to the store, asking associates, and doing what was in my power to add him to the collection.  I would NEVER resort to online auctions or pay more than $15 for him.  If I couldn't land NFB for $15, I simply wouldn't have him in my collection.  I promise you, that is the best route to take.  Study up on things, be diligent, and take advantage of your knowledge.  If that doesn't pay off, keep your money to deter the scalpers and invest in other options.

All in all, I love the concept of Nitro Freeze Blade, but gold and white aren't my colors.  I'm stoked to have him to explore the other paths, but in all honesty I prefer the standard color options.  He doesn't look as bad as I had figured, but I personally think a checkered flag design in black-and-white would have been the hot ticket.  I'll also again mention it seems, in my opinion, that Nitro Magna Charge's gold is a bit brighter than Nitro Freeze Blade.  That said, the pictures and video will showcase all of that for you...Enjoy and good luck landing NFB!

Unboxing Trap Shadow Skylanders SWAP Force

What? Trap Shadow, Magic Element, SWAP Force Swapper, Sneak Ability
Where Did You Get It? Special Delivery
What Did It Cost? $14.99 plus tax
What Was Stock Like? Check TRU 3-13-2014
What is Included? Trap Shadow, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Trap Shadow

Trap Shadow
Magic Element, SF Swapper, Sneak Ability

Slogan: "Hide and Sleek!"

Card Stats
Power: 140/200
Armor: 180/200
Agility: 100/200
Luck: 80/200
Totals: 500/800

Magic Element Swappers

Sneak Ability Swappers

Magic Element SWAP Force

Unboxing Freeze Blade Skylanders SWAP Force

What? Freeze Blzade, Water Element, SWAP Force Swapper, Speed
Where Did You Get It? Special Delivery
What Did It Cost? $14.99 plus tax
What Was Stock Like? Delivered
What is Included? Freeze Blade, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet
More Info to Note: Nitro Freeze Blade releases 3-23-2014 at Target in the USA

Unboxing Freeze Blade

Freeze Blade
Water Element, SF Swapper, Speed Ability

Slogan: "Keeping it Cool!"

Card Stats
Power: 140/200
Armor: 75/200
Agility: 200/200
Luck: 85/200
Totals: 500/800

Water Element Swappers

Speed SWAP Force Skylanders

SWAP Force Water Element as of 3/12/2014

(Missing Punk Shock)

Unboxing Scratch Skylanders SWAP Force

What? Scratch, Air Element, SWAP Force Newlander

Where Did You Get It? Walmart

What Did It Cost? $9.96 plus tax

What Was Stock Like? Last one, extremely well hidden, buried under disney infinity figures

What is Included? Scratch, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Scratch

Pics and Video Coming Soon

Scratch

Air Element, SF Newlander

Slogan: "The Luck of the Claw!"

Card Stats

Power: 110/200

Armor: 65/200

Agility: 100/200

Luck: 65/200

Totals: 340/800

Unboxing Fryno Skylanders SWAP Force

What? Fryno, Fire Element, SWAP Force Newlander
Where Did You Get It? Walmart
What Did It Cost? $9.96 plus tax
What Was Stock Like?  Last one, intentionally hidden.
What is Included? Fryno, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Fryno

Fryno
Fire Element, SF Newlander

Slogan: "Crash and Burn!"

Card Stats
Power: 130/200
Armor: 105/200
Agility: 80/200
Luck: 25/200
Totals: 340/800

Unboxing Turbo Jet-Vac

What? Turbo Jet-Vac, Air Element, Series 2 Skylander
Where Did You Get It? Walmart
What Did It Cost? $9.96 plus tax
What Was Stock Like? Last one, hidden in a pile of disney infinity figures
What is Included? Turbo Jet-Vac, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Turbo Jet-Vac

Turbo Jet-Vac
Air Element, Series 2 Skylander

Slogan: "Hawk and Awe!"

Card Stats
Power: 80/200
Armor: 60/200
Agility: 80/200
Luck: 100/200
Totals: 320/800

Unboxing Fire Bone Hot Dog

What? Fire Bone Hot Dog, Fire Element, Series 2 Skylander
Where Did You Get It? Walmart
What Did It Cost? $9.96 plus tax
What Was Stock Like? Two total, both hidden.
What is Included? Fire Bone Hot Dog, Stat Card, and Sticker Sheet

Unboxing Fire Bone Hot Dog

Fire Bone Hot Dog
Fire Element, Series 2

Slogan: "See Spot Burn!"

Card Stats
Power: 100/200
Armor: 60/200
Agility: 70/200
Luck: 80/200
Totals: 310/800

Wave 4 Unboxings and Introduction Vids Coming Soon!

Hey Everyone,

Hopefully you follow along on Twitter, but as of tonight I was able to land the 4 Wave 4 Singles currently hitting the shelves at your local Wal-Mart!

It was a pretty killer hunt with ALL of them being hidden/stashed, the Air Elements both being literally buried under some disney infinity stuff.

My Nephew was pretty stoked about the find as he was in store making the rounds with me!

He is so excited he wants to help unbox them...I'm extremely busy, but hope to get that done (as well as the introduction videos) today...so stay tuned for that!  I'll Tweet any updates as we go.

Until then, keep checking your local Wal-Mart for Wave 4 Singles if you are in the US!

Skylanders SWAP Force Wave 4 Update: Scratch & Fryno in the US, FreezeBlade and Trap Shadow in Canada

Hey Everyone,

I opted to make this video on the PC to showcase the nice high-res shots I have of the actual Skylander figures themselves...

That said, while making my rounds Thursday night I innocently tweeted that I was out hunting Wave 4 Skylanders...Needless to say that got a lot of interest...I had everything from a few direct replies to a ton of messages.

As such, I figured I would just make a quick video to kind of update you:

Skylanders SWAP Force Wave 4 Update Video

Here is a text for those of you who still prefer to read:

Wave 4

Wave 4 Singles of the Core Characters have started to surface at Walmart's across the west coast.  They will make their way east over this coming week or so.

The hot commodity will no doubt be Fire Element Newlander Fryno and Air Element Newlander Scratch.  They cover basically 66% of the case with the remaining slots going to Series 2 Fire Bone Hot Dog and Series 2 Turbo Jet-Vac.

Your next question is probably regarding the Swappers (Doom Stone, Trap Shadow, and Freeze Blade).

Well, consider this your lucky day because Freeze Blade and Trap Shadow have both arrived in Canada at EB Games!  If that follows suit state side you might see them at GameStop before the other retailers....keep in mind that will just be a small chance and a few days.

Why do I think we will see both very soon?  Simple.  Target has a solid release date of Sunday, March 23rd, 2014 for Nitro Freeze Blade.  We have never had an in-game variant of that type available BEFORE it's standard counterpart.  That bodes very well for both Freeze Blade and Trap Shadow.

Speaking of in game variants, one of the wackiest to date has to be Springtime Trigger Happy.  I think we should see him very soon as well, obviously with sales intended to go BEFORE Easter. 

That also lends to the basic notion that the special "Spring Edition" packaging for Fryno and Punk Shock should be hitting shelves soon as well.  As of right now nothing has been spotted.

With this initial hit of Wave 4 we are faced with the likelihood that Punk Shock will be the most sought after "Spring Edition" just because she doesn't yet have a standard counterpart.  Keep in mind that with Fryno and Punk Shock the figures are exactly the same, it is just the packaging that is different.

Also somewhat in the dark is Doom Stone.  Could my most anticipated Swapper be relegated to an SSA Wham-Shell like launch some time in June?  Common sense would say that isn't likely as they will probably get him in the mix as soon as they can in order to keep the restocks coming etc.  As a single launch, if the initial quantities aren't up to par, he could turnout to be quite difficult to track down.

That brings me to the issues with Scratch and Fryno.  Out of the limited segment of the country that has access to these Skylanders, the scalpers are back in full kill mode.  You can find some sellers who foolishly post up mile high stacks of either character in their listings.  As always I advise and encourage you to NOT buy from them.  When they wind up with a stack of toys they have to sell at face value, they'll find something else to pirate, or perhaps get a real job!

Everyone should know how I feel about Walmart...in all honesty, I think the last time I was in the place was to get Enchanted Hoot Loop.  I really, really hope that other retailers get the new stuff in this coming week as well so I won't have to waste time going in that place...However, it will become a "must enter" for Enchanted Star Strike...I suppose once every 5-6 months is acceptable, lol.

The other big concern is Nitro Freeze Blade.  Target, at least where I am at, has a really bad history with their special characters.  They finally got in a few more of the Nitro Magna Charge packs, but in limited quantity.  To date, I never saw Granite Crusher at my local store outside of the last two on launch day that I picked up...

Our one saving grace is that usually, in the Spring, there is less demand than fall/winter.

I will continue the hunt here from the homeland and keep you updated on any leads or figures I obtain!

I fully anticipate that Trap Shadow and Freeze Blade will be the favorite Swapper for a large number of people.  I also think Scratch will go over quite well with female Portal Master and dragon fans...Fire Bone Hot Dog should be well received due to his popularity.  Call me crazy, but I am excited about Turbo Jet-Vac's new Wow Pow.

That said, it is all of a sudden a very exciting time for Portal Masters everywhere!

Let me know what you find and be sure to vote in the recent blog polls!

-SWAP Force Upgrade Options (see the post below)
-Best Skylanders Game (Console)
-Best Skylanders Game (3DS)
-Tower of Time vs Sheep Wreck Island

Tower of Time vs Sheep Wreck Island

As announced in the slick new Wave 4 Update Video, I'm launching another new poll...

This time we are twisting the Tower of Time against the sandy baaa-eaches of Sheep Wreck Island.

There is a catch though, I only want you to vote based on the level and subsequent gameplay itself...

Do you like the action and enemies better in ToT or SWI?  What about the boss fights in each?

I felt this would be a great equalizer as I am really curous as to how you like the levels directly compared to one another...I know I have a distinct favorite.

If there is enough interest here, I will do a follow up poll that throws the entire Adventure Packs at each other...

For now, stick to just the gameplay!  Vote for your favorite level and spread the word!

March 2014 Channel Update

Here is the March 2014 Channel Update!

You can find more information on the new polls just down below!  I've had the SSA vs Giants vs SWAP Force going for a few days now.

I also outlined the SWAP Force Upgrade Path Options as best I could...I honestly think it is more efficient to read it in text format, but I realize most people prefer video form so I covered everything in the update.

Oh, and once again...THANK YOU for 5,000 Subscribers!

Skylanders SWAP Force Upgrade Options

Well, first let me say that my original plan was to upgrade the SWAP Force Skylanders first...I've started in with Boom Jet and Free Ranger, but there are so many options I wanted to get some feedback on what you would like to see...

So, I have basically  come up with 3 Options:

Option #1

Record each upgrade in thorough detail and repeat for the 2nd figure.

Pros: Most detailed and complete
Cons: 2nd Video would be redundant up until the paths and it is the most time consuming

Option #2

Record each upgrade in thorough detail the first time...Record only the other Upgrade Paths for the 2nd figure.

Pros: Thorough and a quicker look at the other Path options
Cons: Inconsistency: One set of Paths would be tied in with a full video, the other would just showcase the other Upgrade Paths and Soul Gems

Option #3:

Record 5 videos.  1-Base Upgrades 2-First Top Path 3-Second Top Path 4-First Bottom Path 5-Second Bottom Path

Pros: Short videos, makes looking for a specific path the easiest
Cons: Not as thorough and it would require watching all the videos to get a feel for the paths

With that said, what do you think?  I can see advantages to all the options.  Ordinarily I would just go with Option #1, but with SWAP Force Skylanders you have 2 Paths for the Top and the Bottom.  That makes a repeat a bit repetitive, but also the most thorough.  Cutting out the base upgrades in Option #2 for the 2nd figure saves time, but makes the videos a tad different.  Option #3 would be super useful for quick research, but on the flip side would require more time to watch all the videos and evaluate what path combos you like the best.

I have currently knocked out just a few of of the SWAP Force Upgrades and I'll try to apply what viewers want to see in the future upgrade videos!

Best Skylanders Game: Vote Now!

As the title implies, it is time to ratchet up the Poll Battles!

Earlier, before SWAP Force launched, I had polls on whether you liked Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, or Skylanders Giants better.  Now, with most everyone having acquired and played SWAP Force, I feel like we move on to the new, grand-daddy of them all...

Which Skylanders Game is Your Favorite?

Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure
Skylanders Giants
Skylanders SWAP Force

I have the polls set up for "Console" and 3DS versions.  You can cast your vote and then come here and leave a comment with how you made your selection.

Spread the word and cast your vote now...Let's see how it pans out with all three Skylanders games in the mix!