The Beyblade Revolution: Beyblade toys, beyblade games, beyblade collectors cards and more.

Yesterday my 6 year old boy arrived from school very worried.  The toy shops had run out of beyblades and buying a beyblade online was not an option either as most sites were out of stock.  Worrying news for a 6 year old!

But what exactly was he talking about?  For a start, a beyblade is a toy based on the old spinning top.  A couple of weeks ago my son had asked me to buy a beyblade for Christmas and in the past couple of weeks the beyblade TV series had become his “must see TV program”.  I had heard almost every day stories of beyblade competitions at the school, and Gingka –the beyblade hero- had become a household name.  But to be honest I wasn’t sure what all the fuzz was about.  Who was this Gingka and what exactly was a beyblade?

For a start, under my boy’s directions I tried to find him a beyblade online. I was surprised to see how well he knew how to go about finding a beyblade online , because he doesn’t use a computer, but apparently his friends at school talk all day about the beyblade universe and that is how he learnt. Just typing the word beyblade I was faced with a ton of products from beyblade toys, beyblade movies, collector cards and beyblade games. Unfortunately, my boy was right and all the French websites we tried had ran out of beyblades. I tried everything and left my name in the “Toys r us” and “Jouet King” waiting lists. But they had no idea when they would re-stock. I started to panic as I had promised my boy to get him a beyblade Rock Leone if he had good marks at school. He was keeping his side of the deal but I started doubting that I could keep mine. I wasn’t only about finding a beyblade, I had to find a Beyblade Metal Fusion Rock Leone !

Eventually, after visiting my local toy stores and more French websites which had run out of stock I gave up and I bought his beyblades from Amazon.com in the USA to have it shipped to France. I hope it arrives on time. It is a long trip for a very simple and cheap toy that despite its simplicity is causing a revolution among French children.

The vocabulary involved:

Beyblade: a metallic top

Beyblader: the one who spins the beyblade

What is a Beyblade Metal Fusion Battle?

A Beyblade Metal Fusion Battle is an engaging, modern version of the classic game Battling Tops.

How a beyblade works?
The Metal Fusion Battle Set beyblades use rip cord-powered launchers that propel two metal-rimmed tops into a specialized battle arena.

Are beyblades good for children?

Beyblades are recommended for children starting at 8 years old.  I reckon that the reason behind this recommendation is the choking hazard with a beyblade’s small pieces for very young children.  For older children the recommendation is based on the ability and skills necessary to work successfully a beyblade.  Apart from that if your child is quite skilful a beyblade is a good toy for him. 

Some of the reasons why beyblades can be good for children are:

• Using a beyblade and engaging in a beyblade battle your child will learn to create strategies to create collisions to slow down a fast-spinning top or boost a slower one.
• Children have to think about combinations of spin direction, height, wheel shapes, and top types that ensure victory. 
• Engaging in a beyblade battle, children also learn to follow rules as there are many rules involved in a beyblade battle to ensure fair play.
• Each top has different characteristics which gives them different spinning styles and endurance.  This pros and cons of every top means that a child needs to think and develop a certain skill to choose which beyblade to use against his opponent. 

A very simple, yet very entertaining game where two players spin their metallic tops at the count of three.  The last top standing wins. 

The beyblade tops

Each beyblade has its own characteristics.  Different tops are shaped slightly different and have different weights, spin endurance and spin style. 

Beyblade metal fusion is the TV series where the characters take on a continued battle between good and evil. Gingka, the hero, and his friends fights against a dangerous group called the Dark Nebula. The Dark Nebula’s sole mission is to take over the world and unleash their evil upon it. Gingka is the only person who can save the world.