Preview: 'Bakugan: Battle Brawlers'

Marbles, Top Trumps, Pokémon. They all conquered the playground in their time - kids were battling and collecting at every chance they could get, hassling parents so they could keep up with their mates. Well, guess what - it’ll be happening all over again. Enter Bakugan, the latest assault on children’s attention, capturing the essence of previous toy fads and making its own. With an anime series and card game that made it the best selling US toy at the end of last year, and an identical multi-platform game on the way, it’s something that will undoubtedly dominate UK sales this year. But what exactly is it?

Bakugan is a point-driven card game with the dexterous skill of marbles. After placing two ‘gate cards’ face down on the table, the player throws a toy capsule so it lands on their card, which will spring open thanks to some cleverly-hidden magnets inside the two. If two players land on the same card, a Top Trumps style comparison of stats will determine the winner. Other cards can be introduced to add different elements to the fights, and decks can be built to strategise for all possible situations. By throwing together elements of classic games, as well as the instant appeal of Pokémon style creature design, it’s a hot pot of ideas that kids are going nuts for, and makes the eight-year-old within want a go too.

The tie-in game utilises all these elements and broadens the scope to make arenas more interesting. Instead of playing on a static table as with the standard card battles, in the game it takes place in themed fortresses and arenas from the anime cartoon, complete with bonuses accessed through pinball mechanics. After throwing the capsule, it can be controlled via the analog stick or Wii Remote to move it toward the card, or go off course through wind tunnels and bouncing off rocks to add elemental advantages to the capsule. Waggling the Remote (or blowing with the DS mic) will keep the capsule rolling, and there’s a risk-reward element of aiming for the best power-ups and avoiding falling off the edge of the stage.

When two players land on the card, not only does the standard stat match-up take place with these added elements, but it throws in some mini-games as well. The Wii version showed quick-fire games of shooting targets, a frantic Remote shaking battle, and even a Guitar Hero-inspired music section. All these make match-ups more involving than just comparing stats that you’d find in the standard card game, and all console versions have variants on the theme - the DS version will include touch mechanics and blowing through the microphone, for example.

Up to four players can play locally using the original collection of 200 cards and 36 Bakugan, allowing them to plan out and structure the ultimate deck without having the shell out the cash in the first place. Multiplayer also allows custom rules to be thrown in to the mix, ideal for those already creating their own game variants on the playground, and the ability to save custom decks will see tournament play seem like a viable option.

Those who want to go it alone can play a full single player adventure which will play out in short chunks like a 30-minute episode of the anime series. Through a character creation suite players can star alongside Dan and the gang throughout all the cutscenes in their bid to save Earth, which the ability to swap hair, eyes, mouth, and their customs to be rendered into the game. Not only will it be drawn by the creators of the anime, but it’ll be written by them too.

Bakugan: Battle Brawlers will touch down on all the major consoles, and in a generous and unusual move, be exactly the same across all of them - even the DS version will have the same video cutscenes - meaning that you get the same experience regardless of what version you have. Publisher Activision will also consider giving unique cards in the box or through pre-orders to strengthen the value of the sale. By capturing the essence of the card game and throwing in new ideas makes this seem like a genuine extension of the universe - one that kids will no doubt go nuts for when it’s released this Christmas. Well, at least you’re a little better prepared now, right?

Bakugan: Battle Brawlers will be released on Wii, DS, PS2, PS3, 360 by the end of the year.