Expert: David Michael - 9/7/2008

Question
The toys had action/gladiator torsos but had spin top metal/hard plastic bottoms, you would wind them up then press a button and put them in a battle ring with other contenders and which ever one fell first lost. What were the name of these toys and possibly the brand?

Answer
Although this is far from my area of knowledge I may have an idea what the toy in question was.  In the late 80's and early 2000's several companies came out with items similar to your description.  One of the first was the 'Battle Spin Warriors'.  I do not recall the company. These were just spinning discs sent through a maze.  Hasbro came out with a Pokeman type item to follow up a highly successful market in Japan called 'Rumble Rippers'.  These again were more like discs that had 'claws' or 'blades' that came out of the sides.  Trendmasters had an item called 'Rumble Robots' and later 'Rumble Rippers' but these were more like cars.  I think they had wheels.  What I think you are looking for was produced by a company called Toymax through Parker Brothers.  They called the toys 'Spinja' - Battling Tops and fit your description the best.  They had various plastic torso shapes and figures that had an actual 'top' style pointed metal bottom.  The game had good and evil, a winner and a loser, and all kinds of cool characters.  All the things a childhood imagination needs.  I hope this sends you in the right direction.  Thanx for the question!