Barbie lies down to dream and lets herself be taken to different places. Here you get for that NES delivered a platformer. The game's developer was Imagineering. High Tech Expressions took over the publishing in 1991.
“Barbie: A multiplatform game that gets girls excited about video games”
“Barbie” is a multiplatform video game developed by Imagineering for Hi Tech Expressions and aims to get more girls excited about video games. The game, one of the few explicitly designed for girls NES games, takes players on a journey through different worlds to collect accessories for a ball where Barbie will meet Ken. With a combination of platformer elements and puzzles, it offers a non-violent gaming environment specifically tailored to the interests of its young target audience.
The adventures of Barbie in the dream realm
In “Barbie,” the main character dreams of a world in which she is invited to the Fantasy Ball. To prepare, she travels to three imaginative worlds: a shopping mall, an underwater world and a retro 50s soda shop. On her journey she collects various accessories and is supported by animal friends. These adventures lead her to a pink ball gown, an elegant pearl ring and sparkling high heels. The goal is to dress up for the ball with Ken and spend the evening dancing.
Depending on your dream, you will find yourself in a different place. For example, you work in a pet store or a toy store and have to overcome obstacles that stand in your way. You need help from your friends to complete the search.
The gameplay
The game is a platform game where you navigate Barbie through her dreams. She moves from left to right to avoid obstacles and maintain her "Zs", which is important to avoid waking up and having to restart the level or sometimes the entire game. She can also request help from animals by selecting a charm from her bracelet and then giving the command. Enemies are usually inanimate objects such as tennis rackets or shoes that she has to avoid.
The energy bar
There is an energy bar in the game, which is a key element of the gameplay. This bar shows your energy level and is crucial for how long you can stay in the dream. When the energy bar runs out, Barbie will wake up and you will have to decide whether to continue the game or return to the main screen. This feature adds to the excitement and challenge of the game.
The pets
Pets play an important role in the game. They support Barbie in her tasks. She has to get the pets to perform certain activities in order to progress in the game. This element of gameplay requires skill and timing as Barbie has to do a lot of jumping and dodging dangers. Interacting with the pets adds an extra layer of strategy and fun.
The graphic
What's pretty obvious about the game, and a little too eye-catching for some, is the use of the color pink. The backgrounds are designed to be super cute, but also simple. Notable for the time, Barbie's hair moves as she jumps and moves around the screen. The sound is relatively simple and consists of a simple, repetitive melody.
Conclusion on Barbie
The Barbie NES game isn't a bad platformer, but there are better games out there. The game is aimed at younger, female players. It's done nicely with the graphics and the animals, but not outstanding.
You can find more information in the Wiki article about Barbie
