Detective Barbie
You and detective Barbie have to solve the mystery of Ken's disappearance and find the
missing money. The action takes place in a colorful carnival with many places to explore
and fun rides, but it's hard and frustrating to move Barbie through the space. Remember
how easy and natural it was to move Barbie in the Ocean Discovery? The same
techniques don't work with land-bound Barbie, and if you don't press the directional
arrows just right she just marks time in place or turns around and around. The game may
be frustrating for young girls who are not dedicated Barbie fans.
To find the clues, you have to stop and use a magnifying glass which slows the game
down considerably. While the scenes are pretty, there is nothing to click on and no
surprises. The game plays differently each time you play. I am taking their word for it
because I only played it once. There is one delightful touch. The game is personalized by
having Barbie address you by your name. There are zillions of names to choose from and
you are pretty well guaranteed to find your name there.
Reviewed by Genevieve
Ages 5+
