I don’t like this game. This isn’t going to be a favorable review. Hear me out. The thing is, Beyblade: Evolution isn’t a bad game from what I can tell. It’s just not what my I or even my 10 year old son enjoy. Travelling around and battling other characters is a stable in these types of games, but there’s something about battling tops that seems like a good idea but if it isn’t one of your particular interests you can be put off by it.
Beyblade: Evolution for the 3DS has players taking on the role of a new “blader” (the term for somebody who battles using Beyblades). Eventually the goal is to win the championship. At least it’s more realistic that using a deck of cards to save the world (Yu-Gi-Oh I’m looking at you). I never watched the series and apparently there’s a Manga out, either based on the series or visa versa, and I haven’t read that. About 10 years ago when Beyblades started hitting this side of the Pacific my oldest son picked up a few of the toys. We still have them in the house somewhere. The tops come with various pieces that get assembled to battle, and there are rules and regulations, different battle arenas for the items in question, but essentially, these are “battle tops” (which makes it sound dumber than it is).
It is sort of interesting how the franchise has continued to occupy toy shelves and television airwaves. It never took off like Pokemon but there’s enough of a fan base to keep it going. Those fans are the ones targeted with Beyblade: Evolution. Sure, the game’s plot has players taking on the role of a new kid, but this just doesn’t feel like this game is meant to garner new fans.
Using the built-in gyroscope players tilt the 3DS to aim where the individual beyblade will land in the battle arena. When the countdown drops players then quickly pull back on the 3DS, mimicking the pulling of the rip cord to get the top spinning. If your top is knocked out or stops spinning, that’s defeat. Spirit Power is a boost that players can use by firing it at their beyblade, but aim carefully because there are two beyblades in the battle arena. You don’t want your opponent to get your spirit power. Using spirit power makes the beyblade spin faster and hit harder.
There are some mini-games to break up the constant battles, but they are a diversion at best but mostly they detract from the story. Multiplayer is local only, but I needed two copies of the game for my son and I to fully explore this, and we only had one. I was hoping online would have been present.
I may be unduly disparaging about the game, but Beyblade: Evolution holds nothing of interest for my son who is the target audience. It’s not bad, but it seems like it’s for fans only. Fans will like the packaging though as it comes with an exclusive Beyblade battle top.