The Burst System is the Beyblade system released as part of the Beyblade Burst toyline. All Beyblade Burst products currently released belong to this system. As the name implies, the Burst System includes a gimmick where a Beyblade can "burst" into individual parts during a battle, adding an extra way to achieve victory.
The Burst System also has several subsystems, the first two being functionally similar between Takara Tomy and Hasbro releases:
- The Dual Layer System, which focuses on Beyblades with Energy Layers that have been split into two layers.
- The God Layer System/SwitchStrike System, which incorporates gimmicks into each Beyblade.
Takara Tomy subsequently released the following four subsystems:
- The Cho-Z Layer System, which incorporates metal in the Energy Layers.
- The Gatinko Layer System, which introduces Beyblades whose Energy Layers are made up of three interchangeable parts.
- The Superking Layer System, which introduces Beyblades whose Energy Layers are made up of three interchangeable parts, as well as introducing Double Chassis, which can replace Forge Discs.
- The Dynamite Battle Layer System, which introduces Beyblades whose Energy Layers are made up of three interchangeable parts, as well as introducing two modes for the Energy Layers, "High Mode" and "Low Mode".
- The Burst Ultimate Layer Series, which introduces the "BU Blade", a new version of Blades that feature gimmicks.
In addition to these, there are four Hasbro exclusive subsystems that replace the aforementioned Cho-Z, Gatinko, Superking, and Dynamite Battle Layer Systems:
- The SlingShock System, which focuses on lightweight Energy Layers and Forge Discs, and a mode-changing gimmick to the Performance Tips that allows the Beyblades to move at high speeds along a "Rail System".
- The HyperSphere System, which is based off of the Gatinko Layer System, which focuses on bulky Performance Tips that allow the Beyblades to "climb" and drop down from the Vertical Wall and Brink of a HyperSphere Beystadium to counterattack the opponent at high speeds.
- The SpeedStorm System, which is based on the Superking Layer System, and uses tall Performance Tips to utilize "Power Vortex" zones of a SpeedStorm Beystadium to gain a "speed boost".
- The QuadDrive System, which is based on the Dynamite Battle Layer System, introduces Beyblades with two modes for the Energy Layers, "Apex Mode" and "Core Mode", and two modes for the Performance Tips, "Normal Mode" and "Plus Mode". This creates a total of "4 ways to customize" a QuadDrive System Beyblade.
- The QuadStrike System, which is based on the Burst Ultimate Layer Series, introduces the "QuadStrike Armor Tip", a new version of Armor Tips.
- The Pro Series System, which is comprised of Hasbro releases of various repackaged Takara Tomy Beyblades from the Cho-Z, Gatinko, and Superking Layer Systems. Beginning in 2023 with the Superking Layer System releases, the Takara Tomy logo is now displayed on the packaging.
Structure
The basic structure of a Burst System Beyblade consists of three main components: the Energy Layer (Layer), the Forge Disc (Disc), and the Performance Tip (Driver).
Energy Layer
Energy Layers (known as Layers in Japan) are the part on the top of the Beyblade that makes all the contact with opposing Beyblades. Typically, a Layer is made of a texturized transparent casing with a colored piece screwed underneath, acting as a visualization of the weight distribution. Both components are made of polycarbonate (PC) plastic, but the bottom one is softer. In some cases, the colored segment protrudes from the sides or from the top through holes in the clear cover, in order to provide a little more shock absorption.
On the colored piece of plastic that is underneath, a ring is formed in the center to be able to see the Performance Tip's letter through the hole, and also to house the Burst mechanism.
In Takara Tomy releases, the Layer also includes an NFC chip. This chip can be exclusively scanned at BeyTerminal arcade machines in Japan, allowing a Blader to play the virtual game and win prizes.
The Energy Layer also includes a design that features the beast that it is based upon. For example, the Unicrest Energy Layer includes the head of the unicorn within its design, and the horn serves as a contact point for the part.
Beginning with the Gatinko Layer System (Takara Tomy) and the HyperSphere System (Hasbro), Energy Layers became more customizable with the Energy Layer splitting into several parts.
Forge Disc
Forge Discs (known as Discs in Japan) are the part in the middle of a Beyblade that serves as its weight. Forge Discs are made of metal and are not designed to make contact with another Beyblade unless it is wobbling.
Forge Discs come in various shapes and sizes, each having a different weight and distribution to suit a variety of needs. Core Discs are Forge Discs that have the ability to attach Disc Frames for further customization.
Performance Tip
Performance Tips (known as Drivers in Japan) are the part at the bottom of a Beyblade that serves as its main form of movement and contact with the Beystadium floor.
Most of the Drivers released are of the same height, unlike in previous Beyblade series. They are shaped like an upside-down pyramid and house a spring system that is essential for the Burst mechanism thanks to the interaction of the white tabs at its top and the Layer's inner sets of teeth or slopes. On the top side, there is also the first letter of the Driver's name engraved in the center in a stylized fashion.
In Takara Tomy releases, in general the initial releases of Attack Type Performance Tips are in hues of blue, ranging from turquoise to purple, Defense Type Performance Tips come in green variations, Stamina Type Performance Tips in yellow, and all Balance Type Performance Tips in shades of red.
Takara Tomy also exclusively released several sub-categories of Performance Tips, with the same general modifiers:
- Dash Drivers that have thicker, gold colored springs, which increase Burst Resistance.
- Metal Lock Drivers that have thicker, gold colored springs with Metal Locks (and teeth), which increase weight but decrease Burst Resistance.
- High Drivers, which are upgraded versions of previously released Performance Tips, albeit with taller heights.
Dual Layer System
After the release of the initial Burst System, there were releases of the Dual Layer System. The Energy Layers of the Dual Layer System are thicker than the original Layers due to having their Energy Layer split into two components screwed together. Many of the Beys from the Dual Layer System are the ones used by characters in the Beyblade Burst anime (ex: Victory Valkyrie, Gigant Gaia).
God Layer System
Succeeding the Dual Layer System is the God Layer System, also known as the SwitchStrike System for Hasbro releases. Beyblades in this series tend to be the evolved version of their respective Dual Layer counterparts (ex: Victory Valkyrie > God Valkyrie). Beyblades of the God Layer System also have gimmicks named "God Abilities". Forge Discs also change in the God Layer System. They now have two parts: the Forge Disc (made of Metal and being a number) and having blades/wings according to the number (ex: 6 has six wings), the Disc Frame (made of Plastic and being a word) as well as having a meaning (ex: Bump has bumps in it). The number of the Forge Disc and the first letter of the Disc Frame come together when naming the combo (ex: 5 and Glaive = 5G). The Energy Layers of the God Layer System are also named differently, as the first letter of the first word is lowercase, while the first letter of the second word is capital (ex: God Valkyrie = gV).
Cho-Z Layer System
Japan's third series of Beyblade Burst tops were released in March 2018, starting with B-104 Starter Winning Valkyrie.12.Vl, introducing the "Cho-Z Layer System" (超Ƶレイヤーシステム, "Chō-Zetsu Reiyā Shisutemu"). These Beyblades feature reinforced Layers with die-cast metal parts, resulting in more intense, high-impact battles. This series also continued the use of the customizable, two-part Discs and Frames which are also backward compatible with previous Discs and Frames.
As a further departure from the God Layer System, Cho-Z Layers were not designed to accommodate God Chips. Instead, Cho-Z Layers can be customized using optional accessories called "Level Chips" (レベルチップ, Reberu Chippu). These hoop-shaped accessories fit beneath the 'face' of a Cho-Z Layer and can improve various facilities of the Beyblade such as stability, the locking mechanism, and even weight, when equipped. Level Chips also plays a special role in official wbba. competitions and are usually exclusively obtainable at official wbba. events. Though, they can be acquired through alternative means (i.e. CoroCoro promotional).
In late-September 2018, Takara Tomy released a one-of-a-kind feature with the Long BeyLauncher Set that acts as an add-on to the Z Achilles.11.Xt Bey: the Xtend Chip (エクステンドチップ, Ekusutendo Chippu) that can replace the tip to the Xtend Driver, allowing Z Achilles to utilize the full potential to the Xtend Driver. With the Xtend Chip, the aforementioned Driver can switch the Balance type Beyblade into one of three modes based on the Driver's setting: Attack Mode features a wide, hollow flat tip, Defense Setting features a low angle, stepped cone tip, and Stamina Setting features a low angle cone tip.
In mid-November 2018, Takara Tomy released the first of three new Cho-Z Layer System Beyblades with Cho-Z Valkyrie Zenith Evolution, featuring the Cho-Z Awakening System (超Ƶ覚醒システム, Chō-Zetsu Kakusei Shisutemu). These Beyblades feature Layers equipped with Cho-Z Wings (超Ƶウイング, Chō-Zetsu Wingu) which deploy depending on launch strength. With a successful launch, the Beyblade enters a high-performance Invincible Mode (無敵, Muteki Mōdo), improving its overall attack capabilities, while also engaging Burst Stoppers (バーストストッパー, Bāsuto Sutoppā) which prevent the "Burst" feature from triggering.
SlingShock System
Succeeding the Beyblade Burst SwitchStrike System is the SlingShock System. As the name suggests, this system focuses on a new type of Performance Tip known as a SlingShock Performance Tip. These Performance Tips are designed to be manually switched between "Battle Ring Mode" and "SlingShock Mode" in order to interact with the SlingShock Beystadiums introduced in this system. Unlike previous Beystadiums, SlingShock Beystadiums feature a "Rail System" that can only be accessed if the Performance Tip is in "SlingShock Mode". The Rail System then "slingshots" the Beyblade towards the opponent at high speeds, resulting in high-speed impacts and explosive Bursts.
Unlike Takara Tomy's Cho-Z Layer System, most of the Energy Layers from this line either have their some or all of their metal and/or rubber replaced with painted plastic, or have their gimmicks removed. This also affected certain SlingShock Performance Tips like Sword-S and Dimension-S.
Gatinko Layer System
Japan's fourth series of Beyblade Burst tops were released in March 2019, starting with B-133 Starter Ace Dragon.St.Ch 斬, introducing the "Gatinko Layer System" (ガチンコレイヤーシステム, "Gachinko Reiyā Shisutemu"). In place of a single layer, the Gatinko Layer System is comprised of three parts: the Gatinko Chip (ガチンコチップ, Gachinko Chippu), the Weight (ウエイト, Ueito), and the Base (ベース, Bēsu).
In mid-October 2019, Takara Tomy released two new features: The first feature is a new type of Layer released with Prime αpocalypse.0D.Ul' and Regalia γenesis.Hy that features the Mugen Lock System (無限Ƶロックシステム, Mugen Rokku Shisutemu). As the name implies, Layers in this system have free-spinning Burst mechanisms that prevent them from Bursting. The only way to Burst a Beyblade with a Mugen Lock System Layer is to hit one or more tabs located in the Layer's perimeter when the center of the Layer turns red, indicating that it is vulnerable. This tab is connected to a stopper that stops the Disc in its tracks when it is in a "disassembled" position. The second feature is a new system of electric Drivers introduced with the aforementioned Regalia γenesis.Hy and the new Imperial Dragon Ig' known as the Power Core System (パワーコアシステム, Pawā Koa Shisutemu). These Drivers increase the Beyblade's speed in battle depending on how hard or soft they were launched, or in the case of the latter, alter its spin direction.
HyperSphere System
Succeeding the Beyblade Burst SlingShock System is the HyperSphere System. As the name suggests, this system introduces a new type of Performance Tip known as a HyperSphere Performance Tip. These Performance Tips are designed to be bulky and have wide ball-shaped tips in order to interact with the skate pool-like HyperSphere Beystadiums introduced in this system. Unlike previous stadiums, HyperSphere Beystadiums feature a "Vertical Wall", and a "Brink". The HyperSphere Performance Tips allow a Beyblade to "climb" the Vertical Wall to gain more speed and redirect themselves to the opponent, much like the Rail Systems of a SlingShock Beystadium, while the Brink allows a Beyblade to recover from being knocked back by the opponent, then drop down to counterattack.
The HyperSphere System also incorporates Takara Tomy's Gatinko Layer System into its Layers, including Hasbro exclusive designs, but with a limitation: they're only made up of the GT Chip and the Layer Base. This is due to the "Layer Weight" being fused into the Layer Base, along with being made of plastic. The GT Chips also feature a blank center that mimics the center of a Layer Weight. In addition to this, the Layer Bases are hollowed out, and lack latches, as the GT Chips are designed to simply be pushed into the Layer Base. Because of this, the spaces for the latches instead have a square-shaped hole on either side that provides visage of a GT Chip's QR Code for the Beyblade Burst App.
In addition to this limitation, Discs from the Gatinko Layer System are modified into Core Discs that are compatible with Disc Frames, at the cost of a reduction in size and weight, and the loss of the Disc's original gimmick.
Superking Layer System
Japan's fifth series of Beyblade Burst tops were released in March 2020, starting with B-159 Booster Super Hyperion.Xc 1A, B-160 King Helios.Zn 1B, and B-161 Glide Ragnaruk.Wh.R 1S, introducing the "Superking Layer System" (超王レイヤーシステム, Supākingu Reiyā Shisutemu). Continuing the gimmick from the Gatinko Layer System, the Superking Layer System is comprised of three parts: the Superking Chip (スパーキングチップ, Supākingu Chippu), the Ring (リング, Ringu), and the Chassis (シャシー, Shashī).
In November 2020, Takara Tomy released a new feature and the return of a custom feature: a new type of Ring released within the Beyblade Limit Break DX Set with two new Beyblades: Hyperion Burn.超.Xc'+X and Helios Volcano.王.Zn'+Z; and B-175 Lucifer The End.皇.Dr. These three new Beys possess a new feature: the Limit Break System (決勝システム, Rimitto Bureiku Shisutemu), which introduces a new variation of Rings that features Chassis-based parts built in and a special function with the Rings (the Burn Ring features four blades that pop out, the Volcano sports five blades that spins to turn into ten blades, and the The End can split to form a free-spinning Ring), and the two Beys in the Limit Break DX Set sports Drivers that come with the X Chip (エックスチップ, Ekkusu Chippu) and the Z Chip (ゼットチップ, Zetto Chippu), an accessory similar to the Xtend Chip for the Xtend+ Driver, that allows the two Drivers to utilize their full potential.
SpeedStorm System
Succeeding the HyperSphere System is the SpeedStorm System. As the name suggests, this system introduces a new type of Performance Tip known as a SpeedStorm Performance Tip. These Performance Tips are designed to be taller to interact with the SpeedStorm Beystadiums introduced in this system. SpeedStorm Beystadiums have "Power Vortex" zones that pull in SpeedStorm Performance Tips, which gain a "speed boost" for faster movement. Variations known as SpeedStorm Metal Performance Tips also include metal, increasing the weight.
The SpeedStorm System also incorporates Takara Tomy's Superking Layer System into its SpeedStorm Energy Layers, including Hasbro Exclusive ones. However, like with the HyperSphere System, there are limitations. Energy Layers now consist of a Storm Chip and Energy Layer Base (colloquially referred to as a "Ring"), similar to their predecessors. The Rings are hollow and Storm Chips are pushed into the Ring, akin to HyperSphere System Energy Layers. Shapes mimicking the sides of a Chip Core and a Chassis are molded onto the Rings.
The Chassis components of the Superking Layer System are completely removed, with some Chassis receiving Forge Disc versions, these being 1A-D, 1B-D, 2D-D, and 3A-D. The lone Forge Disc released in the Superking Layer System, Wheel, also received a modified version with a reduction in size and weight.
Pro Series System
First released in late 2020, the Pro Series System is simply Hasbro releases of Takara Tomy Beyblades from the Cho-Z, Gatinko, and Superking Layer Systems.
Dynamite Battle Layer System
Japan's sixth series of Beyblade Burst tops were released in April 2021, starting with B-180 Booster Dynamite Belial.Nx.Vn-2, introducing the "Dynamite Battle Layer System" (ダイナマイトバトルレイヤーシステム, Dainamaito Batoru Reiyā Shisutemu). Continuing the gimmick from the Gatinko and Superking Layer Systems, the Dynamite Battle Layer System is comprised of three parts: the Dynamite Core (ダイナマイトコア, Dainamaito Koa), the Blade (ブレード, Burēdo), and the Armor (アーマー, Āmā). The Beys of the Dynamite System features two modes: High Mode (ハイモード, Hai Mōdo), which is represented by "+" and Low Mode (ローモード, Rō Mōdo), which is represented by "-". The order of the three pieces of the Dynamite Battle Layer determines which mode the Bey's in. For Low Mode: Core, Blade and Armor; and for High Mode: Armor, Blade and Core.
In October 2021, Takara Tomy released a new type of Dynamite Battle Layer System Beyblade with Dangerous Belial Almight-2 featuring the Overdrive System.
Evolution Gear
A secondary feature of the Dynamite Battle Layer System and Burst Ultimate Layer Series are the Evolution Gear (進化ギア, Shinka Gia) accessories. The Evolution Gears serve as upgrades for the various parts of Dynamite Belial.Nx.Vn-2 and can be obtained by purchasing different products:
- The F Gear from the B-185 Booster Vanish Fafnir.Tp.Kc-3.
- The V Gear from the B-187 Starter Savior Valkyrie.Sh-7.
- The S Gear from the B-188 Astral Spriggan Customize Set.
- The L Gear from the B-189 Booster Guilty Longinus.Kr.MDs-2.
- The D Gear from the B-199 Booster Gatling Dragon.Kr.Cm'-10.
The aforementioned Evolution Gears are also compatible with Dynamite Belial's successors, Dangerous Belial.Al-2 and Divine Belial.Nx.Ad-3.
The following two Evolution Gears are only compatible with the Divine BU Blade:
- The A Gear from the B-201 Zest Achilles Customize Set.
- The H Gear from the B-203 Ultimate Fusion DX Set.
The following Evolution Gear is only compatible with the Venture and Adventure Performance Tips:
- The VS Gear from the B-205 Burst Ultimate VS Set.
Depending on the number of Evolution Gears being used, the following bracketed suffixes are added to the name of the combination:
- 1 Gear (1ギア, Fāsuto Gia; First Gear) for 1 Evolution Gear used.
- 2 Gear (2ギア, Sekando Gia; Second Gear) for 2 Evolution Gears used.
- 3 Gear (3ギア, Sādo Gia; Third Gear) for 3 Evolution Gears used.
- Perfect Gear (パーフェクトギア, Pāfekuto Gia; Perfect Gear) for 4 Evolution Gears used.
- Ultimate Gear (アルティメットギア, Arutimetto Gia; Ultimate Gear) for the D, A, H, and VS Evolution Gears used.
Burst Ultimate Layer Series
Japan's seventh series of Beyblade Burst tops were released in April 2022, starting with B-197 Booster Divine Belial.Nx.Ad-3, introducing the "Burst Ultimate Layer Series" (バーストアルティメットレイヤーシリーズ, Bāsuto Arutimetto Reiyā Shirīzu). Unlike previous series, the Burst Ultimate Layer Series introduces a variation of an existing system, in this case the Dynamite Battle Layer System. It introduces the BU Blade (BUブレード, BU Burēdo) which features unique gimmicks.
QuadDrive System
The QuadDrive System was released in early 2022 by Hasbro, succeeding the SpeedStorm System. As the name suggests, this system introduces a new type of Performance Tip known as a QuadDrive Performance Tip. These Performance Tips are compatible with an Armor Tip, which can be attached to change a QuadDrive Performance Tip's Type and function, creating two modes, "Normal Mode" and "Plus Mode". QuadDrive System Energy Layers are made up of three interchangeable parts, creating two modes for the Energy Layers, "Apex Mode" and "Core Mode". This creates a total of "4 ways to customize" a QuadDrive System Beyblade. Unlike previously Hasbro exclusive subsystems, the QuadDrive System does not feature any overall Beystadium gimmick that interacts with a Performance Tip gimmick, instead featuring a unique gimmick for each individual Beystadium.
The QuadDrive System also incorporates Takara Tomy's Dynamite Battle Layer System into its QuadDrive System Energy Layers, including Hasbro Exclusive ones. Like the HyperSphere and SpeedStorm Systems however, these Energy Layers are modified. Energy Layers consist of a Drive Chip and Energy Layer Base (colloquially referred to as a "Blade"), and retain the Armor parts of their Dynamite Battle Layer System counterparts, albeit being plastic instead of metal and renamed to Gravity Rings. The Blades are hollowed out, and the Drive Chips use a simple twist and lock mechanism, rather than locking in with tabs. Due to the locking mechanism's design, the Drive Chip alignment only matches their Takara Tomy counterparts in Apex Mode (High Mode).
QuadStrike System
The QuadStrike System was released in 2023 by Hasbro, succeeding the QuadDrive System. Like Takara Tomy's Burst Ultimate Layer Series, the QuadStrike System is a variation of an existing system, in this case being the QuadDrive System. The parts remain mostly the same between the two systems, with the exception of the newly introduced QuadStrike Armor Tips, which feature tips with wide rings surrounding them. Like the previous QuadDrive System, Energy Layers consist of a Strike Chip (rebranded Drive Chips) and Energy Layer Base (colloquially referred to as a "QS Blade").
Differences between Hasbro & Takara Tomy releases
With the release of Beyblade Burst in western territories by Hasbro, the Burst System underwent a few changes. The main change made is how the Burst mechanism functions, now using friction against a smooth surface instead of friction against plastic teeth. This alteration minimizes the wear and destruction of parts that Takara Tomy's method would occasionally cause.
Hasbro's initial releases of Beyblade Burst often use a different color palette, sometimes completely different from the original version, due to the Hasbro release replacing all stickers with simple paint applications and tampographs. In addition, any painted Forge Discs were left unpainted in the Hasbro releases. Beginning with the Evolution subline, releases were colored more closely to the Japanese releases. This was done by creating more complex paint details to replace the stickers. The paint that Hasbro uses in the Beyblades have more of a matte finish than Takara Tomy's. Starting with later Turbo releases, Hasbro no longer included additional tampograph or paint details to supplement the lack of stickers - paint details were also modified or removed altogether.
A more substantial difference in design began with Hasbro's Turbo subline, where further changes were made to the Beyblades. Hasbro introduced Performance Tip gimmicks with each new subline: SlingShock Performance Tips in Turbo, HyperSphere in Rise, and SpeedStorm in Surge. In addition, when compared to Takara Tomy's releases, Hasbro has made it so that Energy Layers from the aforementioned sublines have painted plastic to disguise their removal of metal and/or gimmicks. In general, Hasbro's Energy Layers remain around the same weight range as Evolution Energy Layers. Hasbro's Rise and Surge sublines have Energy Layers that retain some level of customization, but not to the same degree as the Japanese releases. Previously non-customizable Gatinko, Superking, Dynamite Battle Energy Layers such as Prime Apocalypse A5 and Glory Regnar R7 were modified to be compatible with other Energy Layers in the sublines.
References
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