Challenge your friends to intense top battles with the Beyblade Metal Masters Triple Battle Set. An ideal toy for Beyblade beginners, this set contains everything you need to start battling, including two classic Beyblade tops and a unique arena for them to battle in. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this set is sure to provide plenty of top-slamming, rip-cord-pulling thrills.

Beyblade Metal Masters
Triple Battle Set

• Ages: 8+
• Requires: Ready to play

At a Glance:

• Thrilling, customizable top game combines strategy and skill
• Comes with two classic Beyblade tops
• Tops are fully customizable with interchangeable components
• Unique arena adds depth and strategy to top battles
• Fun, strategic gameplay

Two classic Beyblade tops spin and battle in the unique arena. View larger.

A Game of Customizable Battle Tops

For those who are unfamiliar, Beyblade is a twenty-first-century reinvention of the classic game, "Battling Tops." The game is adapted from a wildly popular manga and TV series, "Beyblade," in which characters pit high-tech tops (called "Beys") against one another in staged battles. To play the game, players begin by revving up their tops with a rip-cord launcher. They then release the tops into an arena, where the tops collide and knock each other off balance. The last top left spinning wins the game.

Much like the tops in the TV show, Beyblade tops are fully customizable. Each top features five separate components that can be taken apart and recombined with pieces from other tops. The trick is to build a top that has all the qualities necessary to outlast your opponent. You can build an "attack" top that strikes with extreme force, a "defense" top that deflects attacks, or a "stamina" top that can keep spinning for long periods of time. With hundreds of different top combinations possible, this game lets you can create a distinct battling style of your own.

Two Popular Beyblade Tops

The Triple Battle Set comes with two of the most popular Beyblade tops: the Galaxy Pegasus and the Meteo L-Drago. The Galaxy Pegasus is a classic attack-style top, which uses aggressive maneuvering to knock down opponent tops. It has a fiery red-and-blue design and sports a Pegasus emblem at the center. The Meteo L-Drago, meanwhile, is a more unconventional top: it spins counterclockwise and features hooks that grab opponent tops. With its metallic gold-and-silver finish and intimidating dragon emblem, the L-Drago is highly sought after by collectors.

Both tops are constructed out of metal and have a solid and hefty feel. Our testers had some difficulty snapping apart the various components of the tops. However, with a little bit of adult assistance, children should have no problem disassembling and rebuilding their tops.

Unique Arena for Thrilling Beyblade Battles

The Triple Battle Set also includes a gear-shaped battle stadium that has been specifically designed for Beyblade battles. Made out of hardy plastic, the stadium has a concave design that naturally directs each top towards the center. It comes with three different "battle cores" that can be installed at the center of the stadium, and each influence the battle in different ways. There is a "Zip" core, which forces tops into a straight line of movement. A "Chaos" core causes tops to move unpredictably, and a "Deflector" core sends tops circling into their opponents. The cores add strategic depth to the game and should help keep battles fresh and exciting.

Strategic, Educational Fun

Playing with Beyblades involves both strategy (selecting which top components to use) and skill (launching the tops properly). The game will have players exercising their creative muscles, as they try to come up with new strategies for winning. It could even foster an early interest in engineering, as it encourages kids to find out why certain top components work well together. Overall, this is a fun, constructive toy for younger and older kids alike.

What's in the Box

Beyblade Metal Masters Triple Battle stadium, two performance tops, two ripcord launchers, three battle cores, rule book, and tournament bracket notepad.

Based on Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Optimus Prime Figure is the premium movie-adapted Transformers toy on the market. Designed for ages five and older, and standing over 22 inches tall, this action figure is more than deserving of the title "Ultimate." With a sleek design, glowing weapon lights, and battle and conversation sounds, Ultimate Optimus Prime is an ideal toy for serious Transformers collectors.

Dark of the Moon
Ultimate Optimus Prime

• Ages: Five years and up
• Requires: Two AA batteries (included); Phillips/cross head screwdriver (not included)

At a Glance:

• Stands 22 inches tall with extended wingspan
• Meticulously detailed design is worthy of collectors
• Trailer transforms into body armor
• Electronic weapon lights up and creates blasting battle sounds
• Features Power-Up Mode, Robot Mode, and Trailer Mode

Ultimate Optimus Prime stands 22 inches tall with extended wings. View larger.

Transform Ultimate Optimus Prime from his robot form into a semi-truck.
View larger.

Convert From Truck to Robot

Recommended for ages five and up, Ultimate Optimus Prime is one of the most fully featured action figures you'll find. Initially, Ultimate Optimus Prime appears as a semi-trailer truck in Trailer Mode. With its vivid red and blue finish and distinct racing stripes, Ultimate Optimus Prime's truck form is as detailed and well built as any model truck and would be a perfect addition to a cabinet or dresser top. The truck is able to roll freely on carpet and hard surfaces alike.

Like all Transformers, there is more to Ultimate Optimus Prime's truck form than meets the eye. When it is time for him to come out of disguise and lead his fellow Autobots into battle, he can transform into a massive, powerful robot in Robot Mode. Using Power Mode, the trailer converts into the Omega Combat Armor, allowing Optimus to be placed inside for an impressive 22-inch high stature with extended wings. Equipped with a firing Ultimate Super Cannon and retractable battle mask, Ultimate Optimus Prime is handsomely detailed and articulated, so he's posable.

Advanced Lights and Sounds

Ultimate Optimus Prime can light up and make a variety of sounds. The Ultimax Super Canon features separate buttons to create rocket and plasma firing sounds with coinciding flashing red lights. With a pull of the sliding trigger, the front of the canon opens up for a coordinated burst of lights and sounds, accompanied by the iconic phrase "I am Optimus Prime!"

Challenging Transformation Process

Serious collectors may have some concerns about the figure, particularly his posability. His wrists and waist don't move, limiting his articulation, and some of his joints range from being too stiff to too loose. The Ultimax Super Canon, while impressive in its massive weight and size, makes it difficult to balance Optimus once it's connected to his body and limits his motion. Also, his wings detach frequently, yet are easy to snap back on.

The figure's robot-to-truck conversion is especially difficult to perform, taking up to 30 minutes. Younger children might not be able to transform Optimus Prime on their own. Still, these flaws can be overlooked, given the overall high quality of the toy. For added connectivity, the figure features six Mechtech ports on the highest wings and four on the canon, making it easy to attach separate weapons for enhanced play (sold separately).

About Transformers

The Transformers began as a Hasbro toy line back in 1984, featuring toy vehicles that could transform into robots. The toys soon inspired an entire universe of fictional story lines, pitting the two factions of Transformers--the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons--against one another. A live-action movie based on the Transformers was released in 2007 and has continued the toy line's popularity. With toys such as the Ultimate Optimus Prime Figure, kids can bring home the struggle between the Autobots and Decepticons.

What's in the Box

Ultimate Optimus Prime Figure, trailer, MechTech Weapons System Ultimax Super Cannon, two AA batteries, and instructions.