GETTING WET: A guide to the newest, coolest waterguns
DAVID MINK GateHouse Plus

It is quintessentially one of the oldest and most youthfilled pastimes in human culture: water warfare. While it is today accomplished with modern, high-tech means like pressurized water cannons and liquid-filled balloons, it has not always been so advanced. Although the history of such waterplay has been lost with time, it likely began when humans realized they could use their hands to cup water and splash companions.

Kids today, however, don't have to rely simply on their hands to soak their playmates. Armed with the latest in water warfare equipment, today's kids can make short work of their less technologically-advanced playmates.

Super Soaker, a brand of Hasbro, is largely the giant of the water warfare industry. Its original model, the Super Soaker 100, was released in 1988 and easily outgunned other models of its time.

Throughout the years, Super Soaker had released countless brands of the patented weapon. Pinnacles include the Constant Pressure System, which some laud as the most versatile Super Soaker to date, and the Monster XL, which holds a full gallon of water and can keep up a constant stream of pressure for up to 14 seconds).

This year the Super Soaker has a full new run of weapons, however, designed for maximum shock and soakage. For the coolest, coldest and craziest new water guns, read on.

• Aquashock Hydroblitz - Designed to be carried at the hip like a minigun, the Hyrdoblitz is capable of single-stream fire or rapidfire "multi blasts." With a carrying capacity of 101 ounces and a range of up to 35 feet, this gun is essential for any heavy hitter in the local water games.

• Transformers water blaster - Designed to resemble a futuristic, Transformers-style laser cannon that straps to your arm, this water gun holds 50 ounces and has a range of 35 feet. The barrel features a converter for four different firing modes, including stream and spray. It also features a shield that "fans" out like a disc, protecting the user from incoming fire.

• Max Infusion Arctic Shock Blaster - Quite possibly the most devious of water guns ever invented, the Arctic Shock Blaster comes with a freezable "ice-core" that cools down the guns reservoir to just shy of 32 degrees.

• The Oozinator - The neighborhood bullys going to get a face full of patented Bio- Ooze.

This H.R. Giger-style weapon can hold up to 27 ounces of water and 10 ounces of Bio-Ooze, a patented Super Soaker concoction reminiscent of Nickelodeon slime.