Bakugan, or Bakugan Battle Brawlers, is a Japanese anime television series which first aired in 2007. The whole story is based upon the adventures of creatures called Bakugan, and the brawlers who possess them. It has become quite popular in North America and a large portion of Europe.

The premise is that in an alternate but parallel world named Vestroia, an evil and powerful Bakugan named Naga tries to absorb all of the energy from the balanced cores of power which maintain peace and harmony on Vestroia. He absorbs too much power from the negative energy core called the Silent Core, which of course only furthers his evil intentions. This also forces Wavern, a good Bakugan, to absorb the positive energy from the remaining core called The Infinity Core.

The first season starts off with six friends who find strange metallic cards that have fallen to earth all the way from Vestroia itself. They decide to name themselves the Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Subsequent shows and seasons explore the interactions of the battle brawlers Dan, Shun, Runo, Marucho, Julie, Alice. More characters and battle brawlers join the main characters throughout the different seasons, helping them learn more about the origin of the Bakugan, Vestroia, and the continuing struggle against Naga and his minions.

There is a lot of Bakugan merchandise, anywhere from alarm clocks to watches, and everything in between. A wide range of games for various game consoles have also been released. Of course there is also the strategy game called Bakugan, developed by Sega Toys. The game can become quite involved with many variations on play, cards and players. There are also several styles of play, from regular to Big Game style play, which essentially doubles the card counts players use, and the number of Gate cards a player must capture in order to win is also doubled.

One of the most popular games based on the Bakugan series is still the Nintendo DS called Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Bakugan also won the 2009 Property of the Year award from the Toy Industry Association. Along with the many console games, there is also Bakugan Dimensions, an online version of the Bakugan strategy game, which went into beta testing in June of 2010. In September of 2010, Nelvana Entertainment announced a fourth series of Bakugan Battle Brawlers titled “Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge”, ending the speculation that the series was finished.

So if you just like the show, the online game, or prefer to battle it out with your friends with your very own battle brawlers on your basement floor, Bakugan has you covered, and continues to provide great adventures and fun year after year.

Bakugan is a strategy game in the same vein as the Pokémon trading card game.  The defining characteristic that separates Bakugan toys from the host of other Japanese-inspired card games is the trademark Bakugan themselves – tiny spheres that pop open into mechanical fighters when activated – which add a physical element to the contest.

The basic setup of this two player game is quite simple. Each player gets three of the aforementioned Bakugan, three Gate cards, and three Ability cards.  Each of the players places one of his Gate cards face down on the playing surface.  As with most games geared for this age group, the younger player always goes first. On his turn, the first player rolls his Bakugan toward the Gate cards in the center of the playing area.

The spherical Bakugan contain a small magnet. The Gate cards contain a thin strip of metal, which will ‘activate’ the Bakugan.  If the Bakugan is rolled so that the magnet touches the metallic card, the creature will stop on the spot and spring open to reveal the character within. If the magnet misses the card and the creature does not open, that player’s turn is over. The goal of the game is to be the first to collect three Gate cards. Gate cards can be won in one of two ways: with or without a battle. If a player manages to get two of his Bakugan on one Gate card AND at least one on the other Gate card, he wins the Gate card outright. He moves the Gate card and his Bakugan to the used pile. The Gate card will remain there until the end of the game. The Bakugan can be reused once all the other characters have been deployed.

The other way to win a Gate card is to battle against your opponent. If each player has one Bakugan on the same gate card, they will square off for the right to claim the card. The players flip over the Gate card and follow the instructions on the card.  The inherent strength of each Bakugan is adjusted according to the specific Gate card. Further adjustments may be made if either or both players choose to play Ability cards from their hands. The player whose Bakugan has the highest adjusted power level wins the battle and the Gate card.

The Bakugan Battle Brawlers video game was released on October 20, 2009 for several platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. It was based on the original series as you can see from the opening video above: the tutorial fight has the opponent from the very first episode.

In the game, you start as a brand-new Bakugan brawler who works their way to the top of the Ultimate Battle Tournament by defeating various opponents and their creatures. It’s played in a similar manner to the real-life game, where you throw your cards onto the battlefield and then shoot them onto cards until two monsters are on the same card. Once that happens they fight to the death!

There are two kinds of matches: one-off battles at a park, and actual tournaments. Between these matches, you can upgrade your existing Bakugan, buy new ones, manage your deck, and purchase G-Power cards for the next fight.

Of course, what would a game like this without friends to play against? All the platforms (including the DS) offer multiplayer options. Review for the game are fairly average. If you enjoy the TV series the game (on all the platforms) is sure to please, but there are some liberties taken to make gameplay smoother, and more advanced players may be able to finish the challenges quite quickly.

Game Stats

• Over 200 player cards including 12 never-before-seen ones
• 16 different characters
• 40 different Bakugans
• 24 different levels

Don’t be surprised if your pre-teen son or daughter asks you one day for a Bakugan game. You may not know exactly what Bakugan is, but a growing number of children consider the game a must-have form of entertainment.

Based on a Japanese anime TV show, Bakugan is a strategy game involving cards and marble-like spheres. Basically, young players first throw down playing cards. They then toss a sphere on top of these cards. This act causes the spheres to pop open, releasing the Bakugan characters hidden inside.

While the game may not make much sense to parents, it has become extremely popular among children, especially for those who are fans of the animated cartoon. Think of it as a latter version of a Pokemon trading card game.

The good news is that children can start playing the game without having to first purchase much equipment. All that’s needed are Bakugan cards and spheres. Children can get started in the game by simply purchasing a starter pack that contains three Bakugan spheres and three character cards.

The bad news, though, is that the game can be addicting. And fans of it will undoubtedly develop an appetite for acquiring new Bakugan spheres and card packs. In addition to the starter kit, fans of the game can purchase battle packs and booster packs.

They can also purchase the Bakugan arena and launcher sets. These, though, are not necessary to play the game.

Adults, of course, don’t have to understand the game to purchase it for their children. However, Bakugan is fairly simple to understand and learn. Players start the game by laying their cards out on a flat surface. They then roll their Bakugan spheres across the cards, which are made of metal.

If the sphere lands on the right card, it will stop and pop open, revealing a Bakugan character. If opponents’ spheres land on the same card, the characters inside these spheres engage in a simulated battle. The winner of these battles, determined by point values, wins the card in question.

Bakugan is a fun, harmless strategy game for children. Adults who watch the game may not ever know exactly what is happening. But they should expect one thing: The Bakugan trend will be around for many years.

The opening theme song for episodes 1-30, Number One Battle Brawlers (ナンバーワン・バトルブローラーズ Nanbā Wan Batoru Burōrāzu) by Psychic Lover.

• Bakugan Gauntlet is a cool roleplay item that transforms just like in the Bakugan TV show.
• Holds and displays up to 6 playing cards. This device also contains a calculator with an LCD screen to help the younger players with the math skills needed to play the Bakugan game easier.
• Lights and sounds
• Push button on top front housing to flip up and telescope out card holder.
• Includes 1 Bakugan Gauntlet, 3 Ability Cards

Bakugan Gauntlet

• Bakugan Battle Brawlers Booster – Haos (Grey) Random Pack

Product Description
Answer the call to brawl and decide the fate of the galaxy! These small spheres magnetically morph into powerful Bakugan warriors when they roll onto the real metal Gate Cards. Use strategy to place your metal Gate Cards effectively as each card affects the battle differently. Then master your precision shooting skills to roll your Bakugan into battle and win. Includes one Bakugan marbles/action figures and one metal card. Figures measure 1″…. More >>

Bakugan Booster Pack

• Bakugan 6 Pack Battle Brawlers with Bakumat
• Includes: 6 bakugan, 6 metal gate cards, 6 ability cards, 1 bakumat and carrying case
• Bakugan colors and styles may vary

Product Description
Take the battle on the road with the ultimate Bakugan Travel Arena. Challenge up to 4 of your friends anywhere and pop-open the Bakumat for the best Battle Brawlers experience. Includes easy carrying case…. More >>

Bakugan Bakumat Battle Pack

• Official Licensed Product

Product Description
Maxus Helios is a combination of 7 Bakugan that unite to form the ultimate monster. All the Bakugan that compose Maxus Dragonoid can also be used individually in the game. 7 Bakugan unite into 1. Color combination and G Power will vary when shipped.

What is Bakugan? Bakugan is a 2 player strategy game based on Cartoon Network’s television series, Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Bakugan Brawlers are action figure warriors that are tucked into spheres and pop open when they… More >>

Bakugan Maxus Helios

• An arena designed especially for tournament Bakugan play
• Prepare to engage in battle in the Bakubowl Arena
• Strategically bank your Bakugan off the bumpers for even more action
• Each bumper holds 6 of your favorite Bakugan and 6 cards
• One BakuMat, One CarryBag, 4 Ramps

Product Description
Prepare to engage up to 4 opponents in this dynamic battle arena. Strategically bank your Bakugan off the bumpers for even more action. Each bumper also holds 6 of your favorite Bakugan and 6 cards.Amazon.com Review
Choose your Bakugan and battle up to three opponents in the Bakugan Bakubowl. With the Bakugan Bakubowl, you can exploit any of the four Bakuramps and catch some air to sneak up on your opponent. Take advantage of the enhanced traction and us… More >>

Bakugan Bakubowl – Season 2 New Vestroia