…this explains why the game industry can’t seem to attract girls to play videogames!
Let’s take a look at today’s options for the female player under the age of 12.
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (By Mattel for PS2)
Oh my – where to start? Is it the un-imaginative gameplay or lame storyline that makes Barbie a failure? Pretty Princess meets handsome Prince while battling evil relative to save father – to do so jump Barbie (X) over moving platforms, collect keys and play short minigames, level after level the same drill. And by the way the games graphics don’t look good either.
Strawberry Shortcake - Sweet Dreams Game (By GameFactory for PS2)
Well at least Strawberry tries to be fun. Strawberries friends can’t dream anymore – it’s up to her to save the day. Strawberry is another platform jumper. The game starts out promising and easy enough for even the youngest of players. But levels start to get difficult and way to big an hour into the game. Nothing new is being offered to “spice” things up, hence it gets very repetitive.
Winx Club (By Konami for PC)
We have not spend much time with Winx Club. The game had good potential but the controls are somewhat of an issue.
Bratz Forever Diamondz (By THQ for PS2)
Besides pursuing the questionable goal off being the best dressed, most make-up wearing and hippest doll of them all, the game lacks somewhat in depth and quality. But compared to the other games mentioned above, Bratz is at least “playable”.
So what to do???
If your girls are 8 or older buy Sims 2 Pets (EA for PS2) – yes we know the game is rated T – but there is nothing to worry about (for you more conservative type out there: yes Sims can kiss and if you put a lot of effort into it a girl can kiss a girl and a boy can kiss a boy – we live in San Francisco, so no big deal here) But other then that it’s a well designed – super addictive “interactive doll-house” game that mom and dad will enjoy too.
By Thomas and Cola