Interactive methods and apparatus for infrared (IR) tag shooting games between participants are disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing configured as an infrared transmitting and receiving toy which has an interface display, switches, and an IR device disposed within the housing for transmitting and receiving first or second data between participants. An information processor is coupled to the interface and in communication with the IR device, with the first data including tag or hit information and the second data including special attack information. The information processor and IR transmitter are able to send first IR data indicative of one or more tags or shots being fired in response to user actuation of one or more inputs, and the information processor and IR transmitter are able to send second IR data indicative of a selected special attack in response to user actuation of one or more inputs. The information processor generates a hit or tag tally upon receiving first data from IR receiver, and generates an activity upon receiving second data including a video-game or puzzle style activity on the interface display. In a further embodiment, the information processor is responsive to hit or tag tally and results of special attacks as being capable of storing gameplay experience, and the information processor may alter gameplay capabilities based on stored gameplay experience. Information processing is responsive to the stored gameplay experience for determining a level that defines operation of an IR device associated with the one or more other participants.