Mega Bloks Battle Strikers are set to be the next boys toys craze – they are a next generation battling top system that puts the power to control in your child’s hands. Spinning tops may seem like an old fashioned game but Mega Bloks have come up with a new innovation for this classic pastime – the first in over 50 years. There’s no longer any need for ripcords, the recently launched Magnext Battle Strikers are powered by magnetic technology. These battling tops are collectable, customisable and each version is calibrated differently to encourage skill development for competitive challenges. Battle Strikers are far removed from the ‘launch and watch’ tops of yesteryear. They are now a ‘launch, control and battle’ experience.

The Battle Strikers Tournament Set was tipped recently by Hamley’s to be number one in the top 10 Christmas toys this year. The Amazon Bestsellers list for Action Figures seems to concur, with the set being Number 1 at the time of writing. With TV campaigns ongoing from now until Christmas you are sure to soon hear “I want one of those”.

So what are they all about and are they worth buying?

(Hover over image for current price.)

If you are in a rush, please just skip ahead to the section that interests you most:

1. What are Battle Strikers?
2. For what age group are Battle Strikers suitable?
3. Are Battle Strikers any good?
4. How much do Battle Strikers cost?
5. Which is the best Battle Strikers Toy?
6. Which is the worst Battle Strikers Toy?
7. What toys and merchandise does the Battle Strikers range include?
8. What educational value does the Battle Strikers range provide?
9. Which toy should I buy for a child that has most of the Battle Strikers range already?
10. Where to buy Battle Strikers Toys online?

1. What are Battle Strikers?

Spinning tops they are, but with their innovative technology they are also so much more. The battery powered Turbo Launcher is a joystick type controller that you hold in your hand. The ‘Striker’ – the spinning top – attaches to the bottom of the Battle Striker launcher and is powered to over 6000 RPMs before being launched into battle.  Once in battle the very precise finger Controller, powered by magnets, enables the player to command the battle by making the ‘Striker’ jump, dodge or move around. The idea for how to play Battle Strikers is to knock the opponents Striker out of the game using the force of magnetism. They can battle on any surface, anywhere.

There are 16 unique Strikers to collect. Each Striker has different strengths determined by ratings from the three performance categories of attack, defense and control. The ratings for each category are detailed in each Striker’s description. Each Striker is made of six pieces, which children can mix and match between Strikers to build their own custom versions with unique battling actions that they have designed.

Children pick up the game play very quickly and immediately understand the opportunity to collect and customise the Strikers.

Notes: AA batteries are required. Fingertip Controllers fit both left and right hands.

Update: there are now two new lines of Strikers – Battle Strikers Series 2 and Battle Strikers Metal XS.

2. For what age group are Battle Strikers suitable?

The range is primarily aimed at boys aged 6 and above.

3. Are Battle Strikers any good?

These superbly engineered spinning tops promise and deliver a lot. They encourage children to have some dedication to see through their learning experience to tighten up their playing skills. The differing strengths between the Strikers teach tactics and the ability to engineer your own ‘super’ Striker offers a unique challenge for those interested minds. The secret to success of the Battle Strikers will be the proven pattern of how boys play with toys – they love to collect, they love to create and they certainly love to compete. As well as providing all of this, the Strikers are just simply fun, fun, fun.

In a difficult economic climate, parents should be encouraged by the fact that these Battle Strikers are made by the trusted global toy brand, MEGA Brands. Their toys provide engaging creative experiences for children through innovative, well-designed, affordable and high-quality products.

4. How much do Battle Strikers cost?

Each Striker costs around £5. A Battle Strikers starter pack costs around £10 and the bestselling Tournament Set costs up to £25 but is great value for money as so much is included.

5. Which is the best Battle Striker Toy?

The game is all about the Striker and the depth to the game is provided by mixing and matching various Strikers. The Launcher and Controllers are necessities to play with the Strikers as they were intended. The only thing that is not an essential is the Battle Arena. Due to the recent launch of this toy, it is a little early to say which Strikers are the best. However, when selecting which Strikers to buy it would be wise to choose perhaps 3 – with each one having a top rating in the performance characteristics of Attack, Defense and Control.

Check out this analysis of Strikers categorised according to their top performance characteristic.

6. Which is the worst Battle Strikers Toy?

With the range only having been launched this month it is a little early to say but subscribe to our free updates via RSS or email to keep up with developments. From the perspective of not wasting money on something you do not need, the Battle Arena would be the only contender here.

7. What toys and merchandise does the Battle Strikers range include?

There are currently 16 Battle Strikers to choose from to battle with. All require the Turbo Launcher and Magnetic Controller found in the Starter Packs or Tournament Set.

(Hover over image for current price.)

There is a Battle Strikers Arena which allows 3 Strikers to do battle. The dimensions are ideal to maximise the Strikers performance.

There are two Starter Packs each containing the basic necessities for play – a Battle Striker, a Controller and a Turbo Launcher. One is red and one is blue and they feature Strikers with different top performance characteristics.

(Hover over image for current price.)

The Tournament Set offers the best value for money as it provides the essentials for a two player battle. A Battle Arena, 2 Turbo Launchers, 2 Controllers and 2 Strikers are included, each of which is exclusive to the set and other than the Arena cannot be purchased separately. For this toy to achieve its goal of inspiring competition, your little one needs a two player option.

8. What educational value does the Battle Strikers range provide?

There are no limits on how to play with this toy, so it offers unlimited possibilities for children to be creative and imaginative when they experiment with mixing and matching Striker pieces. Self esteem will be boosted when the hybrid Striker they’ve made beats the competition. The toy is easy to mix up so they will be able to do this independently and be proud of their achievements. Playing in battle or developing new Striker formations with other children will foster social interaction and the exchanging of ideas and solutions.

9. Which toy should I buy for a child that has most of the Battle Strikers range already?

With 16 Strikers to choose from there is sure to be one they do not have.  It may be best to check which one that is first though!

10. Where to buy Battle Strikers online?

          

Compare prices here now for the major online retailers – Amazon, Toys R Us and The Toy Shop.

If your child has any Battle Strikers Toys I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. Please leave me a comment.

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