In-Depth Review: Topps WWE Power Chipz Starter Play Pack – Collect, Play & Have Fun
1. Product Overview
The Topps WWE Power Chipz Starter Play Pack (also labeled as "K16CHIPZ") is a collectible game system that combines the excitement of WWE trading cards with the physical interaction of poker-style chips and a magnetic ball. This is not just a static collection – it is designed to be played with, offering hours of interactive fun for children and collectors alike.
The "Starter Play Pack" typically includes everything needed to begin playing: multiple packs of chips, a magnetic "Powerball," and a bonus chip. This product line was initially released in the UK in 2009 and later in the US in 2011, becoming a popular playground phenomenon alongside Topps' other WWE collectible lines like "Slam Attax" .
Unlike traditional trading cards that are collected and stored in binders, Power Chipz are designed to be handled, tossed, and played with, making them a durable and tactile alternative for young wrestling fans .
Key features from the packaging:
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Brand: Topps / Topps Europe
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Product: WWE Power Chipz Starter Play Pack
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Series: K16CHIPZ
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Tagline: POWER TO COLLECT, PLAY & FUN
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Key attributes: HOURS OF FUN, EASY TO PLAY, EXCITING FUN!
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Languages: PLAY · SPIEL · JOUE (English, German, French)
2. The Product Concept – What Are Power Chipz?
WWE Power Chipz are collectible tokens that resemble poker chips. Unlike paper trading cards that can bend or tear, these chips are made of durable plastic and feature:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Front design | WWE Superstar or Diva image (e.g., John Cena, Undertaker, Rey Mysterio) |
| Back design | Wrestler's name and chip value (number of "stars" or points) |
| Material | Durable plastic – stands up to rough play |
| Rarity levels | Regular (common), Ruby, Silver, Gold (rare chase variants) |
| Size | Standard poker chip diameter (approx. 39mm) |
The set includes over 140-150 different chips featuring everyone from top main-eventers like John Cena and C.M. Punk to mid-card wrestlers and even WWE Legends like Rick Rude and Terry Funk .
Rarity system explained:
| Rarity | Insertion Rate | Value (Collector Market) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (common) | Base set | Low – standard chips |
| Ruby | 1:24 packs | Moderate |
| Silver | 1:24 packs | High – can sell for $20-40 initially |
| Gold | 1:24 packs | Highest – rarest chase chips |
This rarity system creates a strong "chase" element that keeps collectors opening pack after pack to find their favorite superstars in rare variants .
3. What's Included in the Starter Play Pack
A typical Starter Play Pack contains:
| Component | Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Power Chipz packs | 4 packs | Each pack contains 4 random chips |
| Magnetic Powerball | 1 ball | Special ball used in gameplay (magnetic properties) |
| Bonus chip | 1 chip | Limited edition or exclusive chip |
| Instruction booklet | 1 booklet | Rules for multiple games |
Some versions also included tins with limited edition WrestleMania chips, 10 regular chips, and a Powerball, retailing at £9.99 .
✅ Complete starter solution – everything you need to play is in one box.
✅ Bonus chip – adds immediate value and excitement for collectors.
4. Gameplay – How to Play
The Power Chipz are designed for simple, dexterity-based games that children can learn quickly. According to the game instructions, there are rules for six different games included with each pack .
Common game mechanics:
| Game Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Spinning | Spin chips on their sides – the longest spin wins |
| Tossing | Toss chips on the ground – the most chips landing face up wins |
| Target toss | Toss chips at a target – closest to the target wins |
| Magnetic ball game | Use the magnetic Powerball to pick up chips – more chips = higher score |
| Points-based games | Add up the star values on chips to determine winners |
The Magnetic Ball Mechanic:
The Powerball is a special magnetic ball that can attract and "pick up" the chips. Players take turns using the ball to collect chips, and the player who collects the most chips (or highest total star value) wins. This unique mechanic sets Power Chipz apart from other collectible games.
Note: The included games focus on dexterity and luck rather than complex strategy. None of the included games make use of any wrestling statistics or card-battling mechanics – it's purely about physical skill and chance . For more strategic gameplay, Topps also produced the Slam Attax trading card game (originally rebranded from Power Chipz in 2008), which uses card-based battling .
✅ Very easy to learn – children can start playing within minutes.
✅ Active gameplay – gets kids moving and interacting, not just sitting.
✅ Short play sessions – games take approximately 5 minutes .
5. Who Is This For?
| User | Suitability | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Young children (ages 5-10) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect – simple rules, durable components, active play |
| WWE fans (all ages) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Collecting favorite superstars is highly appealing |
| Collectors (trading card enthusiasts) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Over 140 chips to collect; rare variants add chase value |
| Parents | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Affordable entertainment, screen-free play |
| Siblings / playdates | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Multiplayer games for 2+ players |
| Serious investors | ⭐⭐ | Value drops significantly after initial collector rush |
✅ Highly recommended for young WWE fans – combines two things kids love: collecting and active play.
⚠️ Not for serious collectors seeking investment – market value drops after initial hype .
6. Collectibility & Market Value
Initial Hype (2011 release):
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Silver chips were initially "white hot" – Jeff Hardy sold for as high as $75, others for $20-40
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Very few chips on eBay initially – seller's market
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Die-hard collectors scrambled to complete sets
Long-term Value:
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Values dropped dramatically after initial collector rush
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Silver chips now typically sell for $7-20 at most
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Ruby, silver, and gold chips could be very valuable for at least a few months, but long-term appreciation is limited
Expert opinion (PWTorch collectibles specialist):
"If you're looking to invest in a wrestling collectible, stick to trading cards. Items like these almost always generate an initial buzz, but then the value drops considerably once the die-hard collectors get what they're looking for."
✅ Fun to collect – opening packs and finding rare chips is exciting.
⚠️ Poor long-term investment – buy for fun, not for profit.
7. Comparison: Power Chipz vs. Slam Attax vs. Traditional Trading Cards
| Feature | WWE Power Chipz | Slam Attax (Trading Cards) | Traditional WWE Trading Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Poker-style chips | Paper cards | Paper cards |
| Durability | High (plastic) | Low (paper can bend/tear) | Low |
| Play style | Dexterity games, magnetic ball | Card battling (strategy) | None (collect only) |
| Number of items | 140-150+ chips | 200+ cards | Varies |
| Rarity variants | Ruby, Silver, Gold | Parallels, inserts | Autographs, relics |
| Best for | Young kids, active play | Older kids, strategy gamers | Serious collectors |
| Long-term value | Limited (drops quickly) | Moderate | Can be high |
✅ Power Chipz wins on: Durability, active gameplay, appeal to younger children.
❌ Loses on: Long-term collectible value and strategic depth.
8. Pros and Cons
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| ✅ Durable plastic chips – won't bend or tear | ❌ Low long-term collectible value |
| ✅ Active, dexterity-based gameplay – gets kids moving | ❌ Not for strategy gamers (games are luck/skill based) |
| ✅ Over 140 chips to collect – strong chase element | ❌ Magnetic ball can be lost (keep track of it!) |
| ✅ Easy to learn – children can play immediately | ❌ Requires multiple packs for full collection |
| ✅ Rare variants (ruby, silver, gold) add excitement | ❌ Not produced anymore – finding packs may be difficult |
| ✅ Good for multiple players (2+) | ❌ Investment value drops quickly after initial hype |
| ✅ Screen-free entertainment | |
| ✅ Officially licensed WWE product |
9. Value for Money
The Starter Play Pack originally retailed for approximately $8 USD / £8 GBP and included 4 packs of chips (16 chips total) plus a magnetic ball and bonus chip .
What you get:
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16-20 random chips (including one bonus chip)
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1 magnetic Powerball
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Instruction booklet for 6 different games
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Hours of active, screen-free entertainment
Cost per chip: Approximately $0.40-0.50 per chip – comparable to trading card packs.
Collector's perspective: While the starter pack itself offers good value for play, completing a full set (140+ chips) requires purchasing many additional packs or buying singles on the secondary market.
✅ Good value for play – cheap entertainment for children.
⚠️ Expensive to complete the full set – requires significant investment.
10. Historical Context – Why These Were Popular
The WWE Power Chipz were released at a time when Topps was dominating the WWE collectibles market. In 2009-2011, Topps had already released:
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WWE Trading cards
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WWE Dog tags
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WWE Slam Attax (trading card game)
Power Chipz were positioned as a "playground phenomenon" – something kids could bring to school, trade with friends, and play active games with during recess . The magnetic ball mechanic was already proven successful in international markets, making Power Chipz an easy sell to parents and kids alike.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many chips are in the complete set?
A: Over 140-150 chips, including regular, ruby, silver, and gold variants .
Q: Are these still available to buy?
A: These were produced in 2009-2011. You may find them on secondary markets like eBay, but they are no longer in production.
Q: Can you play alone?
A: Most games are designed for 2+ players, but some solo activities (spinning, practicing tosses) are possible.
Q: What is the magnetic ball for?
A: It is used in specific games where players use the ball to "pick up" chips – whoever collects the most chips wins.
Q: Are these valuable as collectibles?
A: Short-term value can be high (especially rare variants), but long-term appreciation is limited. Buy for fun, not investment .
Q: What age is this suitable for?
A: Recommended for ages 5 and up (small parts – magnetic ball could be a choking hazard for very young children).
Q: Does the Starter Pack include all chips?
A: No – it includes 4 packs (16 chips) plus a bonus chip. You need to buy additional packs to collect more.
Q: What's the difference between Power Chipz and Slam Attax?
A: Power Chipz are physical chips with dexterity games; Slam Attax is a trading card game with strategy elements. The game was originally called Power Chipz before being rebranded as Slam Attax in 2008 .
12. Final Verdict ⭐
| Feature | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Build Quality (Durable chips) | 4.8 |
| Fun Factor (Gameplay) | 4.5 |
| Collectibility | 4.5 |
| Ease of Learning | 5.0 |
| Long-term Value (Investment) | 2.5 |
| Value for Money (Play value) | 4.5 |
Overall Score: 4.3 / 5 – Recommended for Young WWE Fans & Active Play
Overall Assessment
The Topps WWE Power Chipz Starter Play Pack is a unique, fun, and durable collectible game system that successfully bridges the gap between traditional trading cards and active physical play. It is perfect for:
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Young WWE fans (ages 5-10) – who want to play with their favorite superstars
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Parents seeking screen-free entertainment – active, engaging, and social
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Collectors who enjoy the chase – over 140 chips to collect, with rare variants
What Makes This Product Great
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Durable chips – withstand rough play, unlike paper cards
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Active gameplay – spinning, tossing, and magnetic ball games
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Easy to learn – children can play within minutes
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Collectible – over 140 chips with rare ruby, silver, and gold variants
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Screen-free entertainment – no batteries or screens required
What to Watch Out For
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Poor long-term investment – value drops significantly after initial collector rush
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Not for strategy gamers – games are luck/dexterity-based, not strategic
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Requires multiple packs – starter pack alone won't complete your collection
Final Recommendation
If you have a young WWE fan who loves both collecting and active play – the Power Chipz Starter Play Pack is an excellent choice. It offers hours of screen-free fun at an affordable price. The chips are durable enough to survive playground trading and tossing, and the magnetic ball adds a unique gameplay element.
For serious collectors or investors , traditional WWE trading cards are a better bet for long-term value. For families with young wrestling fans – Power Chipz are a winner.
Rating: 4.3 / 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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