 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bakugan Battle Brawlers
- Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2
- Price: $29.99-49.99
- Genre: Strategy
Common Sense Media says
Shallow card/strategy game promotes the Bakugan brand.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
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.
What's it about?
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.)
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I think the consumerist complaint is overreacting, but I agree with the clothing part.
I don't understand why this website is so obsessed about consumerism. I do agree however that some of the outfits are a little skimpy.
I was surprised when I saw the outfit on a leapster read the book to you and play games thingy. 4 yeah old cousin likes the series, but hasn't been taught the entirety of the rules of the card game yet.
also, why isnt there a good rating? it jumps from just fine to really good. thats silly.
The bakugan (that is the plural form right?) unrolling on the cards was a really neat idea, although it may make decks a little bit thick.
WHOOPS! I thought I was rating the card game, did not realize i was rating the wii game.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 5, 2011
AGE
It's awsome! This game is what made me a bakugan fantic! But in one part, dan charges you for bakugan training. Wich I think is kinda weird. But other than that, AWSOME!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
January 9, 2010
AGE
awesome!
i liked it and i do not know why common sense said it was bad because it is really fun
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Kid, 12 years old
April 18, 2010
AGE
This game is OK.The game has a lot of rules and complicated controls to learn but it just requires practice. The game's constant focus on only playing Bakugan can get tiring so you really like the game or really like Bakugan. Most girls think this game is sexist because when making your avatar, you can only make a boy character, so the game puts female Bakugan fans down. Like I said before, the game has lots of complicated controls and has some intense battle sequences, so its more for kids 8 and up.
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AGE
not for girls
I had minor issues with the fact that there's no gender choice I had to play as a boy
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| Platforms: | Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, PlayStation 2 |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Strategy |
| Developer: | Activision |
| Release date: | October 20, 2009 |
| Price: | $29.99-49.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Fantasy Violence |
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