Battle games are FUN on iPad.  They're usually quite empowering. 

Who wouldn't like to be a powerful warrior who is eternal, virtually indestructable, and can power-up whenever you like? I know that would be fun for me! 

I also observe that it is fun for my children. Of course, I DO NOT LET THEM play Battle Games until the appropriateness of each App is evaluated BEFORE letting them play, they're FULLY monitored so as not to allow them to get frustrated, and time-limits are put in place to ensure they don't over-play the game.  

A little bit of all-powerfulness I think does you good!  

One of the most educational things about battle games is strategic, quick thinking. Of course they'll want to defeat the enemy... but how? What techniques, equipment, cooperation or combination of these will get the desired result... ah look! 

Problem solving at it's most enjoyable! 

This means kids should not be allowed to play battle games which YOU deem inappropriate. I've 'banned' my children from playing many of the games below FROM TIME TO TIME, as either their frustration levels were getting too high, or their desire to play the games (and not do anything else) becomes all-consuming.  

I NEVER make them wrong for this! I personally have stayed up most of the night playing Tomb Raider on the first PlayStation (very addicting), and have even let the bath overflow (oops!) because I was too consumed by a new iPad battle game (while evaluating it, of course!).  It's the nature of these games to make you want to come back! 

Just monitor your children's playtime and you'll be fine, but don't make them wrong for WANTING to play them.  They're fun, okay!  ~ iPad Dad

Best Battle Games for iPad and iPad Mini