Introduction The popular Bakugan Battle Brawlers cartoon is loved my many kids across the U.
S.
and Canada.
The game that the cartoon promotes may just seem like a flash in the pan but it is a game that has some real educational merit so should not be dismissed so lightly.
Of course it is very unlikely to have the longevity of say LEGO for instance but it is not without merit.
Indeed, the Toy Industry Association gave Bakugan Battle Brawlers the 2009 Toy of the Year award.
What is the Bakugan Game? When you first look at kids rolling what looks like marbles onto metallic cards and seeing them pop open into fearsome Bakugan warriors it seems somewhat confusing as to how the game is played.
But as it is played by first grade school kids it is obviously not all that complex.
To start the game, each player needs various items.
These are three Bakugan balls, three metallic gate cards and three ability cards.
There are six different types of Bakugan to choose from which are: Pyrus, Aquos, Haos, Ventus, Subterra and Darkus.
The ability cards come in three different colors, red, blue and green.
Each player must have one of each color.
The game is usually played by two players but up to four players can play at once.
The aim of the game is to win three gate cards.
Once you have done this then the player with the three cards wins and then everything is returned to its rightful owner.
At the start of play, each person puts down one gate card each.
Then, starting from the youngest player they take turns in trying to roll one of their Bakugan balls in the right direction and with the right force to go over the metallic card and pop open.
Once there is an open Bakugan from two the two opposing teams open on the same gate card then the battle can commence.
First, the gate card is flipped over.
This has some numbers related to the Bakugan types.
The idea is that the number matching the type of Bakugan you have is added to your Bakugan's G-Power score.
The G-Power is visible once your Bakugan pops open.
Battles are won and lost based on G-Power scores.
Typically the higher the G-Power, the better.
Although occasionally through what is written on an ability card, the lowest score is the one that wins.
So the first step is to add the appropriate G-Power score from the gate card to your Bakugan's G-Power.
Then each player has the option of playing an ability card which has another effect upon the battle and game at large.
For example ability cards can give certain Bakugan a further G-Power boost or an ability card can make an opponent put back into play a gate card they have already won.
The Bakugan Battle Brawlers game as a learning aid The educational aspect of this game is something that may appeal to parents.
Sure, it is a game that kids love but it is actually more than that.
There is the element of strategy in choosing which Bakugan and cards to play with.
This of course assumes you have more than the bare minimum to select from.
Then during the game, each and every battle requires some mental arithmetic.
The combination of learning and fun is great because it means kids will never view the game as learning because they are more into the fun part.
However, parents can be happy when their children play this game because it is more than just a mindless pastime.
Buying Bakugan for your kids There are so many different Bakugan to choose from it is often hard, unless your children tell you, to know which ones to buy.
If your son or daughter is new to the game then a good first purchase is either a Bakugan Starter Pack, which contains enough items for one player to get started in the game, or a Bakugan Battle Pack, which has double the amount, gives you great value for money.
Then once they are happily playing the game buying single Bakugan Booster Packs is a great way to increase their collection.
Of course there are also bigger sets that have special characters that you cannot buy separately.
These are included in sets such as the 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid collection.
On top of the regular marble type figures there are also Bakugan Traps which do not roll like the standard ones but are placed on to the battle area by a player to aid a Bakugan that is in battle.