Hasbro has announced the spring release of its Beyblade Metal Fusion line of battling tops, which feature a new metal gear system as well as an online component that allows kids to engage in virtual Beyblade battles.  The line will be supported starting this fall with TV exposure for the 51-episode Beyblade: Metal Fusion anime series, which features a new cast of characters in all new adventures and brings the number of episodes in the various Beyblade anime series to over 200 (see “Beyblade to Return to U.S.”).

Each top in Hasbro’s new Metal Fusion line comes with five interchangeable parts that allow kids to build and rebuild their tops to maximize battle performance.  Each top has a unique code on the package that allows the purchaser to enter the code at BeybladeBattles.com to compete against other Beybladers from around the world.  The typical Beyblade Top has an SRP of $7.99.  Hasbro is releasing a full lineup of new Beyblade products including a Metal Fusion SuperVortex Battle Set ($24.99) that comes with two tops, two ripcord launchers, a Supervortex BeyStadium, an official rulebook, and a tournament grid.