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{{for|Japanese version of the rulebook|Bakugan Wiki:How to Play (LegacyGeneration 1)/Japanese Version}}

To begin, each player selects 3 different [[Bakugan]] (the same Bakugan with different G-Powers are considered different), 3 [[Gate Card (Legacy) |Gate Cards]] (one [[Gold Gate Cards|Gold]], one [[Gate Card#Silver Gate Cards|Silver]] and one [[Copper Gate Cards|Copper/Bronze]]) and 3 [[Ability Card|Ability Cards]] (one [[Red Ability Cards|Red]], one [[Blue Ability Cards|Blue]] and one [[Green Ability Cards|Green]]), up to two unique Support Pieces (Support Pieces with different G-Powers/Attributes/Types are considered different) and up to three different [[BakuNano]] (BakuNano with different G-Powers/Types are considered different).

In a three-player game and a four-player game, each player places their Gate Cards touching the bottom corners of your opponents’ opponents' Gate Cards. The formation in a three-player game should create a triangle in the center of the field.

If your Bakugan opens (or even partially opens) or stops on a Gate Card, then your Bakugan has stood. If there is no other Bakugan on that Gate Card, then it is the next player’s player's turn.

If there is an opponent’s opponent's Bakugan on the Gate Card, Battle ensues.

If you don’t don't have any Bakugan in your Unused Pile to roll, take all your Bakugan, Support Pieces and BakuNano from your Used Pile and place them in your Unused Pile. Then, pick one and roll it.

Battles begin when 2 Bakugan from different players land on the same Gate Card. Before the Gate Card is flipped over, players check whether certain Ability Cards can be played. Then, the Gate Card is flipped over, and the card text is read. Then, look at each of the Bakugan’s Bakugan's printed G-Powers and add the Gate Attribute bonus that matches your Bakugan’s Bakugan's attribute to your Bakugan. After that, players can play Ability Cards, Support Pieces and BakuNano from your Unused Pile, starting with the person who created the battle. The Bakugan with the highest G-Power by the end wins the battle. In the event of a tie, the Bakugan who stood on the Gate Card first wins. Gate Cards won in battle go to the winner's Used pile and all Bakugan and Support Pieces go to their owner's Used Piles after Battle.

[[Clear]] (Changes to your opponent’s Bakugan’s opponent's Bakugan's attribute. If both your and your opponent's Bakugan are clear, both player may chose which attribute to use for the battle)

[[Translucent]] (Either you can keep your attribute or take your opponent’sopponent's)

[[BakuMutation]] (Can change to their opponent’s Bakugan’s opponent's Bakugan's attribute if their Bakugan is also a Special Treatment)

[[BakuDouble-Strike]] (These have buttons that reveal hidden G-Power bonuses that are added only when battling on an opponent’s opponent's Gate Card)

Bakugan Battle Gear can be played during battle. They come with Reference Cards, which are separate from your Ability Cards and Gate Cards. Once opened, they reveal a G-Power, which is added to your Bakugan. They also have a symbol on their outside which correspond to the different types of Gate Cards. If the Gate Card type does not match the type that is listed on the Battle Gear, you may only use the ability listed on the Battle Gear’s Gear's Reference Card that matches your Bakugan’s Bakugan's attribute. If the Gate Card type does match the type that is listed on the Battle Gear, you may use either ability listed on the Battle Gear’s Gear's Reference Card, no matter your Bakugan’s Bakugan's attribute.

Bakugan Mobile Assault are attached to Bakugan before the game begins. They come with Reference Cards, which are separate from your Ability Cards and Gate Cards. You must play a Mobile Assault that matches your Bakugan’s Bakugan's attribute. They are rolled on to Gate Cards like regular Bakugan are. Their Reference Cards contains symbols which correspond to the different types of Gate Cards. When the Gate Card is revealed, if its type matches one of the types listed on the Bakugan Mobile Assault, you gain the G-Power Bonus printed inside the Mobile Assault and can use the ability listed on its Reference Card. However, if the Gate Card type does not appear on your Mobile Assault’s Assault's Reference Card, then the Mobile Assault is removed from the game and the Bakugan inside is played without it.

Bakugan Battle Suits are played in battle. They come with Reference Cards, which are separate from your Ability Cards and Gate Cards. The attribute of the Battle Suit must match the attribute of your Bakugan in battle. Once activated, they reveal a hidden G-Power, which is added to your Bakugan in battle. The Battle Suit’s Suit's Reference Card contains an ability, which can be activated when the Battle Suit is used in battle.

BakuNano are played in battle, when their type matches the type of Gate Card. They reveal a hidden G-Power when opened and add their G-Power to your Bakugan’s Bakugan's G-Power total in battle. You can use as many BakuNano in battle as you want. Once used, they are removed from the game, unless they are attached to a Mechtogan/Mechtogan Titan, in which they go to the used pile after battle.

Each Ability Card features the same basic elements. First, the card’s card's name. Then, the card’s card's text. The text in '''Bold''' contain the conditions that need to be met in order to play the card. The rest of the text explains what happens when the conditions are met. Some Ability Cards (typically blue ones) feature G-Power bonuses that are added based on your Bakugan’s Bakugan's attribute. The text on Ability Cards overrule the regular rules of the game.

Some cards or Support Pieces’ Pieces' Reference Cards contain a Power Level marker on the top right of the card. These cards or Support Pieces cannot be played until the Power Level in the game reaches the number on the card. The Power Level corelates with the total number of Gate Cards in each player’s player's used pile.