• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 8.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Lively community area saves fan site from product overkill.

Why We Rated This for Ages 8–9

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  Although the Bakugan game does promote battling, along the lines of Pokemon, the card game also features power levels that require users to add and subtract 3-digit numbers quickly and repeatedly and employ strategy and probability.
• User-created content:

  Users can create profiles and post videos and comments, which seems to encourage creativity.
• Messages:

  The premise of this game is battling with little robot-like creatures. Characters argue and brag and Bakugans morph into animal-like creatures that brawl for their masters. The messages kids probably get from the game is that people can have different skills and vulnerabilities, and you have to adapt and strategize to succeed.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  Although the main purpose of the Bakugans is to do battle, there really isn't much action happening on the Web site. Most of the attention is given to the collecting and game preparation-side of things here. So those familiar with the television series should find less conflict on the Web site.
• Sex:

  Not an issue.
• Language:

  Not an issue.
• Consumerism:

  Many parts of the Web site promote the Bakugan line of battle toys. Some marketing is obvious, like the Products section which shows off the newest arrivals. However, other areas of the site integrate the brand's products too, like in the Games section and the news updates about events tied into new cartoon series. There are also banner ads for Bakugan-related products, like newly released Cartoon Network DVDs.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Not an issue.

How safe is it?

• Personal privacy:

  The site does collect information from users over 13 years old and will send third-party information to those users if they consent.
• Online interaction:

  The Bakugan community is very passionate but the forums are moderated for language or abusive behavior.
• Parental controls:

  Parents need to approve the membership sign-up for kids via an email message, but there is no guide for parents or information on the child's account.

What Parents Need to Know

About Bakugan

Families Can Talk About