Tools for this page
Print

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

(2009, Video Games - Cards, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DSi)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Shallow card/strategy game promotes the Bakugan brand.

In this game kids can:   battle others, create an avatar, play with others, whack cartoon characters

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 8–10

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    It’s a strategy game, so there are plenty of rules to learn. A quick 15 minute tutorial does a good job of distilling the basics, but players will likely continue to learn tactics well into in the story and multiplayer modes.

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main message here is that card games and monster battles are fun. There is a spirit of camaraderie among the main characters when they chat with and help one another, but it’s overwhelmed by the constant focus on Bakugan battles.

  • Role models:

    The kids in the game are nice enough and their mission is to save the universe from evil entities, but they don’t seem to be interested in anything other than Bakugan and card games. In fact, some have become online celebrities (within the game) for their card playing prowess.

  • Violence:

    The Bakugan take the form of various humanoid and animal monsters. Human-like Bakugan are covered in armor and might shoot beams of light from their hands or have long claws with which they can slash. Animal monsters could be based on anything from scorpions to dinosaurs and often attack by charging or using magic. Players don’t see contact, but rather animations that depict aggressive movements and bright flashes of light. Monsters that have been struck often stagger back or fall to the ground. There is no blood or gore.

  • Sex:

    Some of the female characters where somewhat skimpy outfits, including very short miniskirts and low-cut tops (though no cleavage is shown).

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    This game is based on the Bakugan card game and Bakugan Battle Brawlers anime television show. The protagonists are kids who play with the cards. Clearly, the video game exists to help promote the card game and television show, and vice versa.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Bakugan Battle Brawlers was written by Chad Sapieha

Parents need to know that Bakugan Battle Brawlers is tied to a television show of the same name as well as a card game popular with young boys. The game’s young protagonists are, in fact, kids who collect these cards and use them in tournaments. Some of the best are called “battle brawlers” and have attained celebrity status online. It’s a clear case of massive cross promotion, with the likely result that a child who has experienced one Bakugan property will want in on the rest. As for game content, there is plenty of fantasy violence of the Pokemon variety, which is to say players see Bakugan monsters snarling, swinging claws, and using magic, but we don’t really see actual contact. There’s simply a bright flash of light, with the losing monster staggering and perhaps falling down. Note, though, that the monsters are a bit fiercer than those in Pokemon games.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the concept of cross-marketing. Do you understand that one of the primary reasons games like this exist is to promote the products upon which they are based? Do you think that Bakugan Battle Brawlers can offer an engaging experience for kids who haven’t seen the show or played the card game with which it is associated?
  • Families can also discuss strategy card games. What about them makes them so appealing? The act of collecting cards? The pursuit of the perfect deck? The actual play? The socializing that goes along with playing? The fantasy and imagination involved? Does a video game capture these elements?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Bakugan Battle Brawlers

What’s the Story?

Based on the popular television show and card game, both of which are geared for young boys, BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS features children using Bakugan cards in battle. The story involves Bakugan -- ball-shaped beasts that transform into monster-like creatures when they touch cards -- that have come to Earth and are in the midst of a massive conflict of good and evil. One of the good Bakugan, named Leonidas, befriends a boy just learning how to play the card game and joins forces with him. The game itself is similar to other fantasy-based card games in that players play cards by tossing them into an arena, then throw in their Bakugan, trying to land them on the cards. Should two opposing Bakugan land on the same card a battle starts, with players doing things like seeing who can shake their remotes more quickly or tap buttons in time with on-screen cursors more accurately. (We tried the DS version as well and it felt much the same as the Wii edition, only with different battle activities, such as rubbing the screen with the stylus as quickly as possible.) Close

Is It Any Good?

There’s little doubt kids who love the Bakugan television show and card game will want to play the video game as well, and they’ll probably enjoy it. The question is whether it’s because it’s a fun, well designed game, or simply because they recognize and covet anything that’s part of the Bakugan license. Chances are it’s the latter.

While Bakugan Battle Brawlers is relatively easy to learn for a strategy game and has a nice quick pace, it has very little meat on its bones. There are only three battle types -- shaking, timing, and shooting (which has players pointing at floating icons and pressing the A button) -- and they’re all pretty shallow. The strategy involved in selecting ability cards, how you toss your Bakugan, and picking up power-up items on the battlefield adds a bit of depth, but not enough. Consequently, it feels more like an interactive ad for the Bakugan brand than a full-fledged game.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 10/20/2009, price $29.99-49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Fantasy Violence)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Bakugan Battle Brawlers?

  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 7+
    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 15+
    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 8+
    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.