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Computer Times
Editors' Choice DS Game Bakugan: Battle Brawlers Reviewed by Angie Kibiloski
Bakugan: Battle Brawlers (Retail $29.99), from Activision, is an addictive game for the Nintendo DS (and other consoles), based on the popular dueling card game for kids. In the real world card game, you collect trading cards to play against each other, as well as cool little plastic balls that pop open and transform into creatures when they touch a special type of card on the playing surface. The creature, a Bakugan, combined with the card it lands on, determines which player wins the round and the card. The video game version is similar in concept, but a bit more involved during the actual battle. You play as a young boy who teams up with Leonidas, a very powerful Bakugan, and other Bakugan creatures that have come to earth to battle each other. Defeat other children and their Bakugan in tournaments, and rise to be the best Battle Brawler in the world.
To start out, you get to customize your character, with different hairstyles, skin tones, and clothing. Next, meet up with Leonidas and start learning the basic rules of the game. After that, you are ready to start pitting your Bakugan against that of the other characters you meet in the park and the tournament arena. When you start winning matches, you’ll earn money to spend in the Bakugan store. Here you can buy additional Bakugan, cards for your playing deck, and upgrade the Bakugan you already own. When you upgrade you can increase their individual strengths in the arena, like speed, control, and steering duration. Before a battle you need to organize your deck of cards and selection of Bakugan to give you the best advantage in the battling arena. A deck consists of 3 Bakugan, three Gate Cards, and 3 Ability Cards. Each Bakugan has a number associated with it that represents its G-Power, or strength. Depending on the Attribute, or color of the Bakugan, it is awarded extra G-Power points when it lands on Gate Cards in the arena. Each Gate Card has different values for the various colors, so choose your corresponding cards and Bakugan wisely. The Ability Cards further affect the performance of each Bakugan. Basically, this is how the game works. You choose a Gate Card to throw down on the playing field. You choose a Bakugan and throw it onto the field, aiming for it to land on that Gate Card. You can steer it around for a time, in case you didn’t aim very well, or there are items on the field you wish to collect. If two Bakugan land on the same card, they battle. The G-Power numbers are added up and the Ability Card effects added in. If this were the real world card game, the action would end there, and the Bakugan with the highest G-Power number would win. But in Bakugan: Battle Brawlers, the highest G-Power number only gives you the advantage. You then play a little mini game with the stylus to actually win the battle. There are six different variations of mini game. You might be asked to vigorously rub the Bakugan symbol in the middle of the screen to overtake your opponent’s G-Power, or tap moving symbols as they scroll across the screen, or keep your stylus on a moving symbol as it speeds along a path. The better you do, the more G-Power you collect. Collect more than your opponent to win the card. Collect three Gate cards to win the match.
The arenas that you battle on have an affect on the outcome of the match as well. The terrain differs, and some Bakugan, depending on their attribute, do better on one terrain and worse on others. This is another factor to consider when putting together your deck. Items inside the arenas can alter your battling abilities as well. There are symbols you can collect before landing on a Gate Card that will boost your G-Power or give you other advantages. Aim for them when you throw your Bakugan, or steer towards them once you are rolling on the field. You can be helped along by trampolines and speed pads positioned around the arena. As you master each arena and best each opponent, your world ranking will increase. You can check that ranking out in your room, as well as view your tournament awards and Bakugan collection. There are three types of tournaments. You can go one on one with another character, battle three individual opponents, or team up with a partner to battle another partnered pair. It isn’t just in-game opponents whom you can battle against. Get together with your friends for a duel over Wi-Fi as well. I have to admit that when I first came in contact with the real world card game, and my nephews tried to explain the rules to me, I was a little baffled. But, after playing Bakugan: Battle Brawlers, I have become a fan. It is actually a lot of fun, and the Bakugan themselves are super cool looking. I even kind of want to go out and buy one of the little plastic Bakugan to play with. J There is a lot more strategy involved in choosing your deck of cards and which card to play with which Bakugan than I would have expected. It is more than just the complicated game of War that I had originally thought, and requires a good deal of thought and planning before you throw your first Bakugan onto the arena. With the mini games, varied arenas, rank achievements, and constantly changing opponent characters, this game will keep each battle fresh and exciting, hour after hour.
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