Customer Reviews

Bakugan Starter Pack (styles and colors vary)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

MODERN DAY GAME OF MARBLES

The Bakugan-Mania is here. I had no idea what my daughter was talking about since she spoke a mile-a-minute about what the latest craze in children's toys. These items are in extremely high demand and are similar in genre to Pokemon cards, Yu-Gi-Yo, and Digimon. The characters appear to be a spin off from Japanese anime, in my perception.

What are Bakugan?

They are action figures that are morphed from small plastic marbles, based upon a television show on the Cartoon Network. Each figure comes with a metallic card that has a point value. A point value is also imprinted on the figure.

A magnetic lock in the toy is triggered to open when the figure is placed onto a metallic game card.

How do you play the game?

Each player starts out with 3 Bakugan and 3 cards. Only one care can be a special ability card. The youngest player starts. Depending upon how many players are participating (2-4), determines where the cards are placed in the arena. When a Bakugan is rolled and lands on a card, it opens.

If the Bakugan does not open, the player loses a turn.

If 2 figures land on the same card, a point total is taken to count up the power value of the Bakugan + the value of the card. The higher sum wins the card and the figure. At the end of the round, the highest total of points wins the game.

My daughter's after-school care has an Bakugan Class where children play in the afternoon. She is 7 years old but her friends who have it range from 6 to 10 years old.

This game represents a unique and revolutionary spin on the game of playing marbles. It is quite creative and superficially complex to play. However, many children are compelled to play it all over the country.

Educational value

Strangely, enough, this toy has an ACTUAL educational value by requiring the players to add up or subtract the values of each figure/card.

Safety and Caveats

Since these are essentially small marbles, caution should be exercised if you child has small siblings who may try to swallow this toy. It is too big to fit into someone's ear or nose; however the danger is accidentally swallowing it or aspiration (going into the child's airway). You should also be aware if you have pets since it may lead to a dangerous bowel obstruction if ingested/eaten by your pet.

Durability

These are relatively fragile items that require users to be careful with the moving parts. Sometimes, the mechanisms are defected or through wear and tear may not allow the action figure to open or close.

Conclusion
This toy system is, for now, one of the hottest items in the toy world. If you are actually lucky enough to find it, or willing to pay the premium, then you should strongly consider getting it. Your child will be extremely happy.

I ordered these thinking I was getting the original starter packs but then B2s showed up in the mail. I was excited because I hadn't seen them before & I knew my son didn't have any of them. Then we opened the package & they are sooooooo cheaply made it's ridiculous. It's as with any toy from China that is in demand, they knew it was a hot item & went cheap on us making it so we'd have to get more. If your child is into Bakugan go on ebay & look up the Series 1 or 2 regular small marbles. They aren't that expensive at the time of writing this because the majority of people want the high number Gs which the B2s do have. But my son is 5 1/2 & could care less about the Gs. Yes, he knows what they are & we play the game but he cares more about the character marble he has & which one goes according to the cartoon at the time. I have gotten every character off of ebay. .. Christmas is coming. . .and I have not been disappointed in ONE of the series 1 or 2 marbles. They are awesome. So, just find out which ones your child wants look them up & order from there. My son has been playing non-stop with the series 1 & 2 marbles since September(learned about this on the school bus) & they still open & shut awesomely. Got the B2s about a month and a half ago & they don't open all the way or their legs are loose. Skyress is an absolute pain in the tush to close. CRAP! So, good luck I know we get what we can for our kids & this is a good price right now compared to ebay ($18 at time of writing this). Just had to send this out so you'd know what I learned!

The toys themselves are great, the only issue I've had is the "selection". It says styles and colors vary, but I've ordered 6 of these sets and every single one of them has been red, no other colors. So if your child is just starting out, this would be ok, but if they are trying to expand their collection, I'd be wary of ordering this.

My 8-year old wanted these so badly, but we were disappointed when we received them and realized that you can't play the game with just this starter pack. The directions for the game came along with it, but you seem to need a second set to actually play it. Now the kids have completely forgotten about the bakugans, and the cat bats them around the floor. One of the bakugans flaps don't close all the way, and that occurred on the first day.

My sons loved it but I probably won't be ordering it again because you really don't know what you'll be getting. My sons didn't have much Bakugans at the time, so when we received it, they didn't have any duplicates. I would recommend ordering it if its one of their first exposure to Bakugan.

My boys love Bakugan so as a treat I went online to buy one as they were sold out at every store.
The only problem was that I wasn't able to pick out which one as the product says random.
Luckily, we were sent a "good" one as my son put it. It happened to be a "rare" one that he loved.
It was a starter pack so it came with three Bakugan.
As far as durability, two of the Bakugan broke within a few weeks but overall they were so excited
to receive the package in the mail and had a great time playing.

I had never heard of Bakugan before I asked a friend what to give her six-year old son for his birthday. Then I did research and still didn't understand what Bakugan is. Anyway, the boy was ecstatic when he opened the present. He played with the pieces for a bit and then tried to explain to me how to play. I still don't really have a clue but he was so excited and intent on his own interpretive play that I have to give it a thumbs up. I remember gifts that excited me and any gift that can transport a child like that is definitely going on the 'must repeat' list. Plus, his mother understands the game and approves, which beats the petanque set I mistakenly gave last year.

My son is crazy about Bakugan balls, and they have been hard to find even before the holiday season. But you should be aware that typically a Bakugon starter pack with three figures and three (or so) cards costs $13, and I just bought several today for $10 each at Wal-Mart. Caveat Emptor!

I purchased these last month from Amazon for 11.99 and now they are $24... I think that is silly. Especially when you can get these at Wal-Mart, Target and Meijers. The idea of having a Prime membership is so that I can get what I need/want on-line for a reasonable price with great service. I hardly think this is a reasonable price.

Shame on Amazon... This is the second time I have encountered this issue, and always with the children's toys. (Littlest Pet Shop was the other item.)

The product worked well but it was not clear that these bakugans are smaller than the ines sold in the store and my child was a little disappointed.