Bakugan is a popular children’s anime series about warrior creatures called Bakugan and the children that control them, who are called Battle Brawlers. To accompany the series there is a game that involves collectible marble type spheres and magnetic cards.

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The cards need to be placed strategically into the battle arena and then the marbles are rolled onto them. The marbles are magnetic and spring loaded so they explode open when in contact with the cards to reveal the Bakugan warriors contained within.

To beat your opponent you need to capture three of their gate cards. To do this your Bakugan toys must beat theirs in battle. To start the battle, you both roll your Bakugan. If they land and pop open on the same card you each add up your ‘G power’ points which are shown on the Bakugan itself as well as the gate card. The person with the highest score wins.

Since the start of the TV show in 2007, its popularity and that of its toy range has grown immensely and you can now find over 100 Bakugan marbles to collect and buy. But it does not stop there as you can find game accessories such as play mats, launchers and storage containers, as well as books, puzzles and video games in the Bakugan brand. If you do not know where to start when buying a Bakugan toy, keep reading as we will tell you which are the best 5 of these boys toys.

#1 Bakugan Battle Pack

  • Starter pack which includes six figures
  • Collectible and strategic action game
  • Value for money pack

To get your child started in this craze, the Battle Pack includes everything you need for them and a friend to play. There are 6 Bakugan creatures and 8 cards in the set. They will need to prepare for battle by laying the cards in the battle zone using strategy. Skill then comes into play to ensure when the Bakugan is rolled it stops on the highest scoring card. This pack offers a great way to learn the game and start brawling.

What we thought

The variety of Bakugan to choose from is immense and they all differ in colour, design and name. You can buy them singly if your child has a particular favourite or in multi packs if you are after a more cost effective gift. The only downside of the packs is that the marbles are allocated at random so you do not know what you are getting until it is bought. The Battle Pack is the largest set with its 6 creatures but you can also find a Starter Pack which includes 3.

The Bakugan marbles are great fun for children to collect and trade with friends as well as throw across the cards in battle. They are durable and the game offers a challenge in mastering both the strategy and skill needed. Maths skills can also be put to the test when working out who has the most points and is the winner. The thrill of seeing the warriors automatically appear from the spheres will not wear off and as such they are a fascinating toy for most children even if they do not take part in the game. Size wise they are easily portable and price wise they are cheap enough for your child to increase his collection using his pocket money.

#2 Bakugan Battle Arena

  • 4 Battle Brawlers can play in this great arena
  • Large flat surface with edges to keep the Bakugan in play
  • Quick and easy to assemble

For Bakugan fans, this Battle Arena will provide a great battleground for playing the game with up to three other brawlers. The surface area for placing the metallic cards is large and the raised edges keep the Bakugan from rolling out of play. The arena is easy to assemble as it just unfolds and the walls snap into the holes on the edges. The corners are left open so players can roll their Bakugan into play. This is a great extra that adds something special to the game but the pack does not include any of the marbles or cards. As such a Battle Pack or Starter Pack is something you will have to buy first.

What we thought

You can assemble the Arena in less than a minute and it is just as simple to put away. The raised edges are really useful to stop the Bakugan rolling around the floor that they can do if you play without an Arena. Instructions for how to play the game are included with this accessory so is useful if you are new to the Bakugan craze. The Arena could be sturdier but does provide a nice purpose made area to play the game which makes the most of the marbles. Do not think it is a necessity though as Bakugan can be played anywhere really – the Arena just adds something to the ambience of the battle.

#3 Bakugan Deka

  • Huge Bakugan balls
  • Pop open into 10cm creatures
  • Adds rarity to any Bakugan collection

Dekas are super sized Bakugan but still lightweight. Their huge size makes them loads of fun to play with. You can no longer carry them around in your pocket but they are awesome on the battle field and will be highly sought after when collecting and trading. Function wise they do the same as their smaller counterparts but once they pop open the action figures stand at about 10cm tall.

What we thought

The sheer size of these Bakugan makes them of great interest to children. They are also a lot rarer so will attract some attention in the playground. These large scale marbles should not really be bought for children new to the craze as they do not come with any instructions – stick with the Starter or Battle Pack instead. The Dekas are well built and more sturdy than the smaller marbles and being that much larger are less easy to lose. Rolling them into battle can be a bit trickier though as their size makes them awkward and trying to get them to land on the right card is going to be a challenge!

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#4 Bakugan New Vestroia 7-in-1 Maxus Dragonoid

  • Large and fearsome new Bakugan toys
  • 7 piece set that joins together to make a dragon robot
  • Each piece can be used individually in the normal game

Maxus Dragonoid is a new Bakugan toy. It is supposed to be one of the biggest and most powerful Bakugan as seen in the sequel to the original series called ‘New Vestroia’. The seven pieces consist of a normal Bakugan warrior and six trap pieces. Traps are different from the normal marble shaped Bakugan. They are odd shapes that do not roll but they do pop open when dropped onto the metal cards. They can be used in the game to increase points. These seven pieces are unique to this set so cannot be bought separately and they combine to create a giant dragon robot. When the pieces are not joined together they can be used in the normal strategy game. The set only comes with one of each card, although the ability card is special so gives extra help when needed.

What we thought

Again this is not really a toy for a beginner to Bakugan. This is because it does not contain enough of the standard marbles and cards that you need to play the strategy game, although the included traps are useful additions. For children that already own a few Bakugan, this giant dragon will make a great centerpiece to their collection. The cost of the toy is quite high but if you are after a special gift then it can be worth it. It is thought that more of the standard Bakugans will be released onto the market soon that will be able to connect to the robot. This will make it less of an isolated toy. The seven pieces that come in the box need putting together in a special way to assemble the dragon. There are pictorial instructions but the process is quite complicated so set aside at least 20 minutes. When in dragon mode, the toy is fascinating and one of a kind although it can topple over easily it you are not careful on how you stand it up. On the downsides it is not as big as it looks on the box and is a bit fragile so is not recommended for children that like to put toys through their paces.

#5 Bakugan Official Handbook

  • 112 page paperback including tips on how to play Bakugan
  • Lots of Bakugan fun
  • Reading age of 9-12 years

Treat your Bakugan fan to this Handbook knowing you will be giving them some fun reading practice. This 112 page book is a really great read for any Battle Brawler. It contains loads of information on the game, the Brawlers and the Bakugan, including tips for better game play. It is recommended for children aged 9-12 years old.

So if you are thinking of starting your holiday shopping soon, don’t forget to include one of the above as they are sure to be in the top ten toys for Christmas 2009.

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