Kids love playing with Beyblade toys and pit their Beyblades against each other in a Beystadium (a small container) where the Beyblades collide with one another; the one that keeps spinning till the end wins.
When it comes to Beyblades, kids want something that is strong and can go on spinning for a long period. While these toys are available in attractive designs, most kids give preference to strength, speed, and performance, more than the aesthetics of the spin top.
Beyblades are Here to Stay
A fad in the early 200s, Beyblade has gone through several spinoffs, gaining popularity around the world, and is also turning into an international sport.
There was a time when a lot of parents felt that Beyblade was a fad with the toys getting retired to the innermost corners of their kids cupboards. However, the Beyblade seem to be making a resurgence.
While that happens with most of the toys that kids have (going out of fashion for sometime), but once in a while I see kids in the neighborhood showing of their collections, and indulging in battles.
Beyblade Guide for Parents and Beginners
Beyblade history
These spinning tops (“Beyblades”) were launched in 1999 by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. The Japanese animated (manga) television series Beyblade was created to promote the sales of these spinning tops.
Beyblade Burst
The Beyblade burst is a variant of these toys and look similar (and have similar names) to the ones shown in the anime.
In most countries outside Japan, including the US, Hasbro is the distributor of Beyblades.
Parts of the Beyblade
Most Hasbro Beyblade burst models have these parts/components:
- Energy Layer: This is the component that comes in contact when Beyblades collide.
- Forge Disc: This part sits in the middle of the Beyblade and serves as the weight of the bey. These come in various shapes, sizes and weights, each designed to suit a variety of need.
- Performance tip: This component (shaped like an inverted pyramid) sits at the bottom of the Beyblade and comes in contact with the Beystadium. Its width impacts the speed and stamina of the bey.
Beyblade Types
There are four different types of Beyblade:
- Attack: These are quick movers and strike with considerable force.
- Stamina: These are designed to maintain their spins for longer periods when undisturbed.
- Defense: Defense Types are among the heaviest and are designed to withstand attacks and maintain stable position in battle.
- Balance: These are more versatile and combine qualities from the three other types (Attack, Stamina, Defense).
These toys teach kids about science and how to develop strategy. Over time, as they accumulate more Beyblade toys, they will develop tactics and strategies depending on the type of Beyblade they have – balance, stamina, attack, defense. Science (physics to be precise) concepts such as centrifugal force, friction, gravity come into play during the Beyblade battles.
Beyblade Battling Equipment
Beyblade equipment you need:
- Stadium: in which the battling happens
- Launcher: the thing that launches the beyblade and causes it to spin
- Beyblade: the main equipment that spins.
In case you’re planning to buy, make sure you get a stadium, and at least 2 beyblades and 2 launchers so that you can play with a partner.
Beyblade Clubs, Tournaments
In most cities, there are now Beyblade clubs that organize weekly or fortnightly meet ups and organize regular tournaments for the members; these clubs provide a great opportunity for kids to show off their Beyblades skills, and also to make new friends.
Most kids have an arsenal of Beyblades and also have impressive carry cases to carry/store these; when its time for battle, depending on what the opponent has, they will remove their perfect Beyblade to annihilate the opponent.
Decades back, when I was a child, we kids used to play with wooden made spinning tops and have lots of fun. However times have changed, today, these wooden spinning tops have made way for Beyblades. Well, they have taken a simple concept and made it a bit more complex (considering the parts) and of course they are charging more for it (I guess that is happening with most of the toys).
Kids now have access to tablets and phones and they actually spend a lot of time on these gadgets, so I am happy that my kids like to play with these seemingly simpler toys.
More Useful Links
WBO Beyblade Tournaments: Beyblade tournaments around the world.
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