When starting a Beyblade Burst collection, it is recommended to pick Beyblades from the same system to keep the game balanced.
Beyblades from the Dynamite Battle and Burst Ultimate systems can be mixed without any issues. However, mixing early models from the Dual Layer or God Layer eras with Dynamite Battle models could damage the Beyblades, and the battles will not be balanced.
Systems can be confusing for someone new to Beyblade. Basically, there is a total of 7 systems (or subsystems to the Beyblade Burst system).
1) BURST SYSTEM (Single and Dual Layer)
The first Beyblades released in the Beyblade Burst Generation, now very difficult to find. The first models were single-layers, then followed by Dual Layers Beyblades. Dual-Layers are made of two different parts, making them thicker than the previous “Single-Layer” models. Many of the Beyblades appearing in the first season of the Beyblade Burst anime are Dual-Layers, such as the iconic B-34 Victory Valkyrie Boost Variable. The burst rate in this system is high.
2) GOD LAYER SYSTEM
The God Layer system is essentially the toy line of the anime’s 2nd season, Beyblade Burst Mugen (Beyblade Burst Evolution in US and Europe). The Beyblades from this system are for the most part upgraded versions of the previous dual-layer models.
Forge Discs have been changed, they are still made of metal but they are now displaying a more agressive design, with a specific number of blades depending on the model. Forge Discs also became compatible with a “Disc Frame”, a plastic part surrounding the Forge Disc. Each Disc Frame has its own name and unique shape. With God Valkyrie for example, the Forge Disc is “6“, meaning that it features 6 blades, and the Disc Frame is “Vortex“.
In this system also appeared “God abilities“, gimmicks added to specific models, some being more impactful than others.
This God Layer system is very interesting because the Beyblades have a fantastic design, pleasing to the eyes and fun to play. They are pretty small compared to the systems released later in the Burst generation, and have a much higher burst rate.
For players looking for Beyblades with a detailed design and a high burst rate, then it can be a great system to start a collection. However, these models can be difficult to find.
3) CHO-Z LAYER SYSTEM
The Cho-Z Layer system is the anime’s 3rd season toy line (Beyblade Burst Turbo in US and Europe). This systems still has a decent amount of burst finishes, and the Beyblades are getting bigger and heavier. Metal is introduced in the Layers, resulting in bigger impacts and more spectacular battles.
A few things worth mentioning for kids : the Cho-Z Layer system introduced the “Cho-Z Awakening System” with three models featuring Cho-Z Wings : Cho-Z Achilles, Cho-Z Valkyrie and Cho-Z Spriggan. Kids usually are great fans of Valt Aoi, the anime’s main protagonist, proud owner of the Valkyrie Beyblade.
The Cho-Z Valkyrie Zenith Evolution model is one of the strongest Valkyrie models in the whole Burst generation, making the Cho-Z Layer system a great choice for kids. Cho-Z Achilles and Cho-Z Spriggan are pretty strong models as well.
However, the Cho-Z gimmick found on Cho-Z Valkyrie, Cho-Z Achilles and Cho-Z Spriggan is almost impossible to trigger for kids, it simply requires too much strength.
A Power Launcher or a Full Custom BeyLauncher LR can help players triggering gimmicks that require high launch power.
The Cho-Z Beyblades are easy to assemble, customize and play with nonetheless.
4) GATINKO LAYER SYSTEM
The Gatinko Layer system (players often refer to it simply as GT Layer) is the anime’s 4th season toy line (Beyblade Burst Rise in US and Europe). This system still features a fairly high burst rate.
This system introduces a new Layer, now assembled with 3 interchangeable parts : a Layer Base (the blade), a GT Chip (the core) and a Layer Weight. The blade is the part that makes contact with the opponent. The weight is an added metal part that provides balance and synergy to the combo. The core is the part at the center of the Layer, displaying the Beyblade spirit (Valkyrie, Dragon, Fafnir etc.)
With the Layer now being made of three interchangeable parts, more customization options are available : players can heavily modify both performance and appearance of their Beyblades.
The Gatinko Layer system also features the Mugen Lock System, found on Prime Apocalypse, Regalia Genesis and Big-Bang Genesis. This is a free-spinning mechanism designed to prevent the Beyblade from bursting. The only way to burst these three models is to hit a “weak point”, a tab on the combination’s layer, while the center of the Layer displays a red color. This system highly increases burst resistance.
The Gatinko Layer system also introduced two electric Performance Tips (the Power Core System), on Regalia Genesis and Imperial Dragon models. Electric Drivers have very high stamina, but they can easily break, which can be very frustrating. The Driver in itself is fine, but the electric system is often the subject of failure, within hours, days or weeks of use, depending on the copy.
The Gatinko layer system can be recommended for players who want a well balanced game overall (in spite of the Mugen Lock and Power Core systems), and Beyblades which can be heavily and easily customized.
5) SUPERKING LAYER SYSTEM
The Superking Layer system is the anime’s 5th season toy line (Beyblade Burst Surge in US and Europe). The “Weights” from Gatinko are gone, but this system introduces the new Chassis part. Beyblades from this system are bigger and heavier, with reduced burst rate.
There are two types of Chassis : Single and Double. With a single chassis, a Forge Disc is still required and the Beyblades will burst in the usual manner. A Double chassis replaces the Forge Fisc, creating a large Layer assembled to the Driver. Therefore, when a burst occurs, the Layer is separated from the Driver, making the burst finish less spectacular.
The Superking Layer system also introduced the Limit Break System, found on Hyperion Burn, Helios Volcano and Lucifer The End. This system features special Forge Discs designed to trigger a gimmick capable of changing the Ring (the blade) shape.
Overall, the Superking Layer system features a lower burst rate and intense battles with strong impacts, with models that are still fairly easy to customize. There are only two interchangeable parts in the Layer : the Ring (the blade) and the Superking Chip (the core displaying the Beyblade spirit).
6) DYNAMITE BATTLE LAYER SYSTEM
The Dynamite Battle Layer system (players often refer to it simply as DB Layer) is the anime’s 6th and final season toy line (Beyblade Burst QuadDrive in US and Europe).
The Chassis is gone, the metal part from Gatinko comes back with a different shape, and becomes the “Armor“. The Forge Discs released in this system are heavier than before.
Layers now have two different modes : Low and High. The Low mode has better stamina, but High mode can still be useful in specific battles ; it can help to generate more movement, and can also be used to mitigate “spin-steal” (explained in our Key concepts article). Low Mode is usually preferred.
Furthermore, these Beyblades can feel too large and heavy for the Takara Tomy standard stadium. Ring Out Finishes can still be achieved but even the pockets can be too small, thus making refereeing more difficult, depending on the rules used.
Opinions differ on that specific topic, but the Takara Tomy Dynamite Battle arena can be a breath of fresh air when playing the DB system : the arena is larger and so are the ring out pockets. The gameplay itself is very different from the standard version, requiring more stamina in any type of combination.
Overall, the Dynamite Battle Layer system has a low burst rate, and stronger impacts than the Superking system.
7) BURST ULTIMATE LAYER SERIES
The Burst Ultimate Layer Series (players often refer to it simply as BU Layer) is the last Beyblade Burst subsystem. It is very similar to the Dynamite Battle system, which is why Takara Tomy branded this specific toyline as “series” instead of “system”. Therefore, players who are just starting their collection can mix models from the DB and BU “systems” without breaking the balance of the game.
The Burst Ultimate Series feature a new “BU Blade“, adding gimmicks to the Blade itself. This system also focuses on increasing Burst resistance of the Beyblades with new “BU Discs“, Forge Discs designed to prevent the Beyblade from bursting.
Since this system was released after the anime final season, the models available are mostly remakes of famous Beyblades that did not appear in season 6. However, most of the Burst Ultimate models can be seen in the “Beyblade Burst QuadStrike” anime.
The Burst Ultimate Layer system has low burst rate, and still features the heavy impacts of the Dynamite Battle Layer system.
Tips on the Beyblade Burst sub-systems
To conclude, earlier models are getting harder to find, and prices may increase over time.
A few things worth mentioning :
– For a higher burst rate and models that are easy to use for kids, the God Layer and the Cho-Z Layer systems can be the best options.
– For more customization options and keep the models relatively easy to use for kids, then the Gatinko Layer or the Superking Layer systems can be interesting, the Gatinko system having a higher burst rate.
-The Dynamite Battle and Burst Ultimate systems are a very popular choice in tournaments, so these can be recommended for players thinking about joining or organizing tournaments.
The price remains stable at the time of writing (2023), and the models are pretty easy to find, so the DB/BU systems are clearly the easiest and cheapest to collect.
Finally, the gameplay of the Dynamite Battle and Burst Ultimate systems can be slightly more complex, and young children (from 6 to 8 years old) may need help to create and assemble their first combos. Some parts can be hard to remove and put back in place at times.
Very young players may also have a slightly steeper learning curve with these systems because of the weight of the Beyblades, which is approximately twice the weight of a God Layer model. Kids get used to the weight fairly quickly, so this is not a crucial factor.