Updated October 2026. We refreshed our guide to the first Bakugan video game and linked the games that came after it.
Activision published the first Bakugan video game in 2009 for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and Nintendo DS [1]. The DS Collector’s Edition included an exclusive White Naga Special Attack Bakugan [2][3].
The story
You join the world of the anime as a new brawler. Dan teaches you the rules, and you meet Leonidas, a mysterious Bakugan born in the Doom Dimension [1][2]. The villain is Marduk, partnered with Vladitor, who team up with Hal-G and Masquerade [1]. You must win the Ultimate Battle Tournament against the Brawlers, Masquerade and Marduk. Vladitor evolves into Battle Ax Vladitor, and Leonidas becomes Omega Leonidas for the final fight [1].
How it was received
Reviews were mixed: Metacritic scores of 60–63 across DS, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360 [1].
What came next
Battle Trainer, Bakugan Dimensions, Defenders of the Core, Rise of the Resistance and the 2020 Switch game Champions of Vestroia [4]. See Bakugan Games.
FAQ
Who is Leonidas?
A Bakugan born in the Doom Dimension and the player’s partner in the 2009 game [1].
What consoles is the Bakugan game on?
PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS [1].
What came with the Collector’s Edition?
A White Naga Bakugan, on the DS version [2].
Sources
- Wikipedia, “Bakugan Battle Brawlers (video game)”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakugan_Battle_Brawlers_(video_game)
- Bakugan Buzz original page (2008–2011 archive), our own hands-on notes at the time
- The Bakugan Wiki, “Special Attack (Generation 1)”: https://bakugan.wiki/wiki/Special_Attack_(Generation_1)
- Wikipedia, “List of Bakugan Battle Brawlers video games”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bakugan_Battle_Brawlers_video_games