Video game reivew: Bakugan is for fans

Game title: "Bakugan: Battle Brawlers"

Platform: DS, PS2, PS3, Wii (reviewed), Xbox 360

Studio: Activision, NOW Productions

Rated: E for Everyone

Score: 8 of 10

THE REVIEW: If you have an elementary school child, chances are, you already know all about Bakugan. They are quite a craze and are coming at kids from all sides with cartoons, games and toys, and chances are good they have shown up on Christmas wishlists in one form or another. Its only natural that the ball-shaped toys (that roll and then unfold when activated by magnetic cards) would find their way to game platforms where they can be played and collected just as they are in real life.

Play is similar to hands-on play with a few tweaks like battlefield obstacles and bonuses that aren't available in the non-digital world. Players wield their toy-monster Bakugans and supplement their powers with playing cards. With a story from the creators of the animated series, the game feels familiar if players enter the story mode. They can also choose to just battle in arcade mode, but interest will wane quickly for most.

With some light role-playing elements, characters customize an avatar with clothing and hair that follows the style of the cartoon series — a big plus for kids who already enjoy it — or characters from the show are also available. Collectors will be pleased to find 40 Bakugan and a couple hundred cards which, apparently, include some never seen elsewhere.

Amittedly, the game and story are designed for kids, and some games "play up" pretty well, but this one is designed exclusively to pre-teens who already think the Bakugan universe rules. Intellectually interesting for a short time, things became repetitive and stale rather quickly, so it may not make a lot of adult converts. But for those already versed in the lore and attending an elementary school near you, this game is nirvana. Instead of playing games on a table or a floor, the game takes you to a fully realized arena with unique features, and eliminates the need to bug parents for a trip to a brick and mortor store to buy more plastic toys. (Well, at least until the game ends.) Players must buy in-game cards and creatures with funds coming from fought battles.

Te review score "8 of 10" at the top of this review is definitely for those who already enjoy Bakugan. Others may end up converts, but more likely they will find other games that are a little more fun. The game isn't bad, it definitely has some charms, but it just isn't going to satisfy many for very long outside of the target audience. The "hard" difficulty setting triggers more rules that add to the complexity, But it really is mostly a game for fans. The existing fanbase is giant and enthusiastic ,and there are elements from the show and the physical game that they will probably love. With multiplayer options, they will probably evangelize the game to friends as well.

GRAPHICS: The images are fun and tied to the animated series, which is perfect for existing fans. It looks (on the Wii) better than expected.

AUDIO: The voices will be familiar since they also come from the series, and having extra sounds elevates the game experience.

PARENT'S TAKE: For Bakugan-loving kids, delivering this kid-friendly and family-safe game will make you heroic. It is pretty kid safe.