Alternative trading card games: Xeko and Bella Sara

It's easy to forget that trading card games are actually games, not just collections of tradable pieces of paper. And while Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic the Gathering and the rest dominate the field, two trading card games attempt to go in surprisingly different directions.

Xeko uses kids' fascination with trading cards to teach them about endangered animals and ecosystems. This is hands-down the most beautifully-designed game I've ever seen, starting with the packaging -- a wooden shipping crate inside which is hidden a secret mission. Kids ("agents") strategize in order to create the strongest "Xeko-systems" by playing their cards. Along the way, they learn facts about endangered species and the habitats in which they live. Even better, 4% of the proceeds go to Conservation International. The Xeko website will give you a sense of just how lush and lovely the cards and materials are, and you can even watch a tutorial (because parents need these things).

Bella Sara cards are aimed squarely at the demographic least likely to be found huddled around a pile of trading cards: little girls. I was never into the pink/purple/horse-and-unicorn thing, but I was in the minority -- most girls love it. You should have seen my four year-old daughter's eyes light up when I dumped a few of these on the floor to have a look. She immediately started picking out her favorite horses and sorting them into little piles.

Each card has a code that can be entered at the Bella Sara website, so kids can care for and feed animated versions of their horses (and listen to plenty of new age music). There are also games to be played, horse goodies to buy with points, and places to explore.

This game is less about trading and direct play as it is about creating an online fantasy world, which makes sense -- somehow getting Kelpie-Pooka to battle Rimfaxe just doesn't feel right. The online experience is a lot of fun and very sweet -- I'll admit that my X chromosomes started buzzing a bit.

Win them! I've got a Xeko Mission: Indonesia Starter Pack and a pile of Bella Sara 5-packs to give away to two lucky Parenthackers! To get in the running, answer the following two questions in the comments:

What was your favorite collectible when you were a kid?

If you win, would you prefer Xeko, Bella Sara, or no preference?

I'll pick two winners tomorrow at 5pm PST. Good luck!

Comments

[Nathaniel]

I was big into collecting John Deere tractor toys. My dad had started me off with a couple based on some ancient tractors we had on our farm that were no longer running. From there, I got newer tractors, combines, and various sundry farm implements. Dad has them all now, stuffed in a box somewhere in the attic. I should pull those out someday...

Oh, and I would definitely prefer the Xeko set since I have 2 boys and no girls. :)

[Jess]

I am embarrassed to admit that I absolutely loved the Garbage Pail Kids, and collected them obsessively.

That said, I would love Xeko cards, as would my animal-crazed daughter.

[Erica]

I used to collect seashells that my grandmother would bring me from places she'd visited. I'm pretty sure they all had names at one point.

(Bella Sara)

[Jill]

I collected all things cat-related when I was a kid, and it took aunts, uncles, cousins and the like far too many years to figure out I'd outgrown this as an adult.

And I'd have no preference on the cards, were I so lucky.

[Ruth]

I collected little figurines, each playing the violin. Rabbits, angels, you name it.

I would love the Xeko cards, especially because my inlaws are Indonesian and we're always trying to bring their environment and culture into our thoroughly North American home! My daughter is obsessed with animals, nature shows, Planet Earth, etc., so we'll definitely have to check those cards out.

[Andrea]

My parents were stationed in Germany when we were little, so my sister and I collected Smurf figurines. My sister managed to snag them before I could, so her daughters get to play with them now.

My daughter LOVES Bella Sara.

[Cecily T]

I was/am a big collector. I guess I'd have to say my sticker collection.

We'd like the Xeko collection here.

Edit: It keeps telling me that TypePad thinks I'm spamming. Not sure why. I keep editing the post down to remove whatever offending content it thinks I'm writing.

[Brandy]

I was all about horses, so the My little Pony sets were all mine. ^-^

I still have a box of them actually.From the dress up barn to the wedding set with one of the few boy MLP. He's got a little construction hat.

I kept them in case I ever had a girl. Of course I've got boys ^-~

I've actually meant to look up these sets as they seemed interesting. Thanks for the info.

Oh and I'd love to have the Xeko set as my boys would love it!

[TomHiggins]

My dad got me on the never ending collection of books. It started out with a couple of old kids series from my dad's era that we would hunt for in used bookstores, this was back in a time when New York was festooned with used and indi book stores. Over time I also started collecting comic books and then SF books.

My brother and I both were more into book collecting back then while our peers did up baseball cards and the like. I always loved the way they did battle with their baseball cards, flipping them over with either gasps or whoops as they won or lost a rookie Reggie Jackson or finally got rid of their last Mets. I took my turn with baseball cards simply to play along but quickly grew bored and instead converted the rules for a sort of book flipping game. Since my brother was more into Greek myths and history I would routinely find myself with a copy of Bullfinch while he puzzled over Hienline.

I have been wanting to find games with more vectors into learning and experiences.

I would love to get Xeko to try out on him.

[Jenny]

I would have to guess 'the Littles.' They were a family of teeny tiny people, and had as muh furniture and aessories as Barbie, at a third the size. So much fun. My kids would like the Xeko, I think. We like family games!

[dfinberg]

star wars all the way.

I'd go for the Xeko. But my twin girls may want the Bella Sara more :)

[Sara in Austin]

Embarassingly enough, My Little Pony (my sister and I *loved* braiding their hair). Strawberry Shortcake dolls run a close 2nd, however. I remember getting one of these from the tooth fairy.

Bella Sara, of course -- I am a Sara after all....

[Denny]

My favorite collectibles were comics and sports cards. I took great care in keeping them in mint condition and was very proud to show them off to friends.

Xeko sounds very interesting. I believe my son would love it.

Regards,

Denny

[MPGomez]

Garbage Pail Kids, I was mortified when my mother threw them out. My older niece collects Bella Sara cards & my 5 year old daughter was intrigued. They look very pretty.

[chel micheline]

Ugh- Garbage Pail Kids, too. Second series. They were so nasty.

Xeko sounds more fun, but as my daughter is only two, I'm thinking Bella Sara. Surprise us. (Going with the whole positivity-we-will-win vibe today.)

[Ginger]

My brothers and I collected baseball cards and garbage pail kids... lots of fun!

We actaully got those Bella Sara cards for my daughter, because she is always begging the boys for pokemon cards (they usually give her ones with cats or girls on them!).

[Elizabeth]

I remember collecting and devouring the Babysitter Club and Sweet Valley book series. They had hundreds, it seemed!

And since I would be giving the cards as a gift to either a neice or nephew, either set would be super cool!

[Monica]

I collected anything and everything Muppets related. But my favorite was and still is Miss Piggy--I had the Miss Piggy lunch box, t-shirts, latch-hook rug, etc.

And, if we should win- Xeko cards would be fab. for our 5 year-old.

XXOO
Moi

[PLFrog]

It was (and is) books for me. I dabbled in ponies and baseball cards and glass figures, but it was always book. I own everything every published under Lucy Maud Montgomery's name, all the Sherlock Holmes books, that kind of thing.

I would prefer the Xeko cards.

[Phil]

Ok, I'm a geek. me and my friends from school collected various bits of circuit boards & miscellaneous electronica.

I'd prefer Xeko cards, to get JJ off to a good start.

[mary s]

When I was younger I collected Bryer horse statues. They lived on my barbie's ranch, but they were too wild for anyone to ride.

I'd prefer Xeko cards.

[Piseco]

Boy, my sister and I collected so many things. Seashells & rocks, all kinds of figures (Star Wars, Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake). The only cards we collected, though ::joins in group shame:: were Garbage Pail Kids! Sigh. We thought they were so cool! Having looked at the two great prizes, I would LOVE Xeko for my son.

[Amy :)]

It was stickers for me too, and it still is to a point! :) And although I didn't have all of the Strawberry Shortcake dolls, I sure wanted them all. My brothers and I had a pretty big collection of Smurfs too.

I'd love to give my son the Xeko game!

(by the way, I had trouble getting my comment published too, kept thinking it was potential spam.)

[fan]

I didn't really collect things as I had 7 brothers and 3 sisters two share things with.

I would prefer the Xeko cards

[Juliette]

I wasn't a big collector as a kid, but I did love everything MICE. Lots of little MICE. I wonder if my Mom still has any of those.

We would love the Xeko!