Beyblade X: a parent's guide (and how to spot fakes)

What is Beyblade X?

Battling spinning tops. You launch your Beyblade into an arena with a ripcord launcher, and the last one spinning, or the one that knocks the other out, wins. Beyblade has been around since 1999. Beyblade X is the newest version: it launched in Japan in July 2023, arrived in the UK in 2024 alongside a series on BBC iPlayer, and is the fastest version yet. It topped Japanese boys' Christmas wish lists in 2024, and the Beyblade X motorised stadium is on Smyths' top toys list for Christmas 2026.

Why is it everywhere right now?

Hasbro, which sells Beyblade outside Japan, says sales were still growing in early 2026, and that the current relaunch is in its third year, which has historically been the biggest year of any Beyblade cycle. Translation: expect more of it in book bags, not less.

Is Beyblade X safe?

The real ones, yes: no UK toy safety alert in the 758 we track names Beyblade. Fakes are the worry. Collectors warn that counterfeit Beyblades from earlier generations, which had metal parts and metallic paint, have been found with toxic levels of lead and cadmium. Usual sense applies with any spinning top: keep little siblings' fingers out of the arena while it's spinning.

How do I spot a fake Beyblade?

• Logos: real ones carry Takara Tomy or Hasbro branding on the packaging
• Packaging: fakes often have blurry pictures, spelling mistakes, odd layouts, and no barcode or a blurry one
• Contact details: official products list the company's address and contact information
• "Loose" listings: a brand-new Beyblade sold online without its box is more likely to be fake
• Price: check it against a big toy shop. A fraction of the price usually means a copy.

Is it just a phase?

It's a craze that comes back every generation. You may have had the 2000s version. This wave is at its peak, so it's rising on our radar.