''Barbie'' is a

video game A video game or computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (such as a joystick, game controller, controller, computer keyboard, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual fe ...

for the

Commodore 64 The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit computing, 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International (first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, January 7–10, 1982, in Las Vegas). It has been listed in ...

published by

Epyx Epyx, Inc. was a video game developer and video game publisher active in the late 1970s and 1980s. The company was founded in 1978 as Automated Simulations by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman, publishing a series of tactical combat games. The Epyx ...

in 1984. It allows players to participate in the life of the famous fashion doll of the same name.

Gameplay

Players must talk to their boyfriend Ken (using a real voice audio soundtrack) in addition to driving a yellow

convertible A convertible or cabriolet () is a Car, passenger car that can be driven with or without a roof in place. The methods of retracting and storing the roof vary across eras and manufacturers. A convertible car's design allows an open-air drivin ...

around town, trying out swimming outfits (both one-piece and two-piece swimsuits can be used) in addition to dresses and

shoe A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but ...

s. Options for dates include either a

dinner Dinner usually refers to what is in many Western cultures the biggest and most formal meal of the day. Historically, the largest meal used to be eaten around noon, midday, and called dinner. Especially among the elite, it gradually migrated to ...

out on the town or a relaxing day at the

beach A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from Rock (geology), rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle beach, shingle, pebbles, etc., or biological s ...

. An incorrect combination of clothing will force Barbie to skip the date sequence and work her way towards the next objective while a correct combination will allow players to see Barbie and her date in a

photograph A photograph (also known as a photo, or more generically referred to as an ''image'' or ''picture'') is an image created by light falling on a photosensitivity, photosensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic image sensor. Th ...

of the event.

Reception

Reviewing the game for '' Run Magazine'', Marilyn Annucci gave it a score of C (the middle of 5 possible scores, which the magazine describes as "Good"), complimenting its detailed graphics and "unusually realistic sound", she was highly critical of the programs "many sexist elements" including how much of the game was built around playing to the whims of Ken. She also thought that children would quickly tire of the "unimpressive" gameplay.

References

{{Authority control Barbie video games Video games featuring female protagonists 1984 video games Action games Commodore 64 games Commodore 64-only games Single-player video games Video games developed in the United States Epyx games

Gameplay

Reception

See also

References