With the rapid increase of technology, educational methods have really branched out to encourage learning for kids in innovative and fun ways. One of the most effective ways is incorporating a captivating game into the educational process. Smaller laptops and platforms like LeapFrog rely on their success on accomplishing this. Board games are great, but generally target an older age group. However, developing a renewing interest has always been a challenging aspect. There is usually a trend each year around Christmas where there is one MUST-HAVE toy for kids. Fads and trends are spread like wildfire and parents scramble to obtain these at all costs, often paying well over retail prices for these. Many simply do not want to explain to their kids why Santa cannot deliver the goods. Bakugan was the frenzy for Christmas of 2008 where store supplies seemed constantly depleted.

Spawned off the extremely popular Japanese anime cartoon, Bakugan has rolled its way into great success in the United States starting February 2008 with 52 episodes. It was put on the popular Cartoon Network, broadcasting at one of the top prime spots, weekdays at 4:30pm. It airs six times a week and is continually a Top 10 Show for the network. Internationally, is also broadcasted including in Canada on Teletoon. Bakugan Battle Brawlers' story revolves around Dan and his friends as they battle their brawlers to save the planet of Vestroia, and ultimately the planet Earth. The newest season is going to reignite the excitement Spring of 2009 on Cartoon Network and Teletoon with 26 new episodes. The popularity has also sent motion pictures into works with Universal Studios and Stuber Productions. Inspired by the popularity and novel concept, the storyline has paved way for an action-packed motion thriller. The release of this news was in late December 2008. Late February of 2009, it was revealed that the first Bakugan game would be released in the upcoming fall for the platforms, Nintendo's Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, and the Playstation 3 and Playstation 2. This digital experience will encompass high cartoon quality graphics, multiplayer combat, very intense battles, and the ability to even create your own brawler. Digital Blue also announced a new line for Bakugan Electronics for the age 6-11 year old group, including branded digital cameras, and alarm clocks.

Bakugan is the winner of three 2008 toy awards from the Toy Industry Association: Boy Toy of the Year, Property of the Year, and Overall Toy of the Year. At first glance, the game's rules give the impression that it's an easy simple game. After all, it is marketed to kids 6 years and each player uses only three Bakugan. How much depth and varied game play could this game really have? After playing a few times, it became apparent that there were different levels of complexity and a fair amount of scope. There are many different creative strategies that can be developed in the selection of the 3 Bakugan, 3 ability cards, and 3 metal gate cards. Since there are hundreds of Bakugan and cards to choose from, the different ways to win are almost innumerable. Hand-eye coordination is another aspect of the game since it takes a precise roll through practice in order to activate the magnetic Bakugan on the metal gate card. Finally, players are forced to mentally add G-powers in order to calculate outcomes of battles. World-wide success can be credited to the unique combinations of great characters and play patterns that boys love.

Ingredients to produce the perfect, delightful Boy's Toy of the Year:

• Strategy: The initial selection of brawlers' three Bakugan, three metal gate cards, and three ability cards is the most important part of the game. Generally, higher G-powered Bakugan are stronger since the winner of each battle is decisive on total G-power. The class and color should be selected with regards to extra G-power boosts from the chosen cards. Some low powered Bakugan become the most powerful with the right card! The beginning Gate card placement is essential to balance and regulate target paths. Ability cards need to be chosen that best complement with the Bakugan and Gate cards to create super combinations and maximize G-powers to win as many battles as possible. Experienced brawlers can really develop and devise extremely advanced strategy plays. Check out our helpful gate and ability card strategy guides.
  
• Skill + Luck: Just like the ancient game of marbles, you need to precisely aim your magnetized Bakugan to the targeted metal gate card. There are also two different types of Bakugan hand launchers that enhance the Bakugan shooting aspect. A little luck is needed to win in this game (like most great games).
  
• Collectability: There are a myriad of different combinations of Bakugan: 6 different colors (attributes), over 50 classes, countless of different G-power ratings, and different variations of the classes. (eg. Special attacks, traps) Controlling production, specific Bakugan can be extremely rare. (For instance, the individual Gold Fear Ripper piece fetched prices up to $250. It was reported that only 300 to 350 single booster packs were only produced in Canada.)
  
• Varied Gameplay and Competitiveness: With the aforementioned, gameplay can be unique each time played - creating new challenging fun for just two people or up to four! There are literally an endless number of possibilities for gameplay, mixing hundreds of Bakugan with hundreds of game cards and combining different strategy. The anime series centers on the main character, Dan who is competitive from the first episode, striving to be the best Bakugan Brawler through live Bakugan rankings. This fuels Bakugan players desire to edge out their opponents during each game. Gameplay can also be enhanced with the recommended official Bakugan Battle Arena, which is a sturdy collapsible surface, similar to the TV series, with guard rails along the borders. The Bakumat is marketed as a travel mat that easily folds up into its included travel bag. The new BakuBowl is the BakuMat with additional ramps, enabling brawlers to curve their Bakugan to change directional rolls to aim towards that hard-to-reach gate card.
  
• Portability: The vast majority of these are pocket-sized, perfect to travel with to their friends' house to play. For bigger assortments and collections, there is a variety of accessories that can accommodate this. Bakuracks will hold 5 Bakuclips for storage and quick deployment when a challenge is made. Each Bakuclip holds up to three Bakugan and can easily clips on to belts. There is also an exclusive BakuBelt which will fit MOST kids. It can be worn as a real nylon belt, with an official Bakugan belt buckle - and perfect to latch the Bakuclip to it. Many kids enjoy wearing this everyday, since it also encourages kids pretend they are Dan. For bigger storages, BakuTins have 2 soft trays inside, each with a 9 Bakugan holding capacity for a max total of 18 Bakugan and up to 50 cards. BakuTins have been released in three different batches with a variety of tin designs and include two bonus Pearl white Bakugan. Each BakuTin has a The original series featured 6 different colors (attributes), second line to hold the bigger B2 Bakugan, while the third line features a specific character. There is also lightweight suitcase, called the BakuBox that also holds up to 24 Bakugan.
  
• Creativity: The wide array of different creatures of Bakugan span over areas of mythology, animals, and warriors. Inspired by the television show, imaginations can run wild when they make believe to be their favorite characters. Specific gameplay strategies can be based off of favorite brawlers' characteristics formulating many different possibilities. They will grasp a deeper knowledge of the warriors and cards as they continue playing. One way to really boost creative game play options is by increasing your gate and ability card arsenal. There are card boosters (5 cards), Card Power Packs (10 cards including 1 special foil and 1 holographic ability cards, and Card Power Houses (30 cards, including 2 special foil and 2 holographic ability cards, and 2 lenticular ability cards.)
  
• Educational values: Mathematics is perhaps the biggest educational value, requiring rapid addition and subtraction of multiple 3-digit numbers - then compared for high value. Pretty advanced for a game that is marketed towards ages 5 years and up. Japanese symbols are used and French is now printed on all of the gate and ability cards for another possible value. Critical thinking is an element that will increase as brawlers try to outwit and out-strategize each other by formulating advanced tactics and combos.
  
• Fun: All of these elements combined literally add up to many hours of action-packed fun and excitement. Having a magnet that activates the miniature warriors (another educational science aspect) attributes to this game's popularity of an action card game!

Ultimately, fans of the anime series will have the most initial interest in this addictive game. The game however, has found even more fans for the anime series - from the game in itself! With the highly successful track record in sales and TV viewers, it is no wonder it is quickly expanding world-wide in many different forms of media. Bakugan is also a modestly low priced compared to many high tech games. This is truly a great game that kids can really learn and enjoy to deter them from being glued to television and video games. The added educational values are a hidden bonus integrated with a rich mixture of skill, luck, strategy, and best of all, fun. Marketed as a children's game, it is still challenging enough for adults with the ability to enrich quality time between parents and their children. Browse around to find some of the best Bakugan deals on the Web and "Bakugan - Brawl!"