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Digi Makeover

(2006, Smart Toy - Girl Software, Rated NR, Play it on: Plug and Play TV games)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    New looks get old fast; mixed message for tweens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 8–13

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Does this software send the message that girls need to wear makeup to be pretty? Or is it just fun to see what you can do to alter appearances with hairstyle and makeup?
  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Digi Makeover was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that this software sends some mixed messages. Will girls who use it think they aren't pretty without makeup? Or will it educate them about billboard and magazine ads and how fabricated the beauty is that they find there? For some it may simply be another form of harmless dress-up, which allows tweens who are still looking for their identity to try out new ones digitally -- without resorting to the real and scary bathroom ear-piercing incidents and punk dye jobs.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about beauty. Does this software make you feel like you aren't beautiful without makeup? Or does it reveal that many of the representations of beauty within our culture are fake? And, just for fun, what does mom look like with green hair?
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More on Digi Makeover

What’s the Story?

With DIGI MAKEOVER from Radica, tween girls can digitally experiment with their own appearance and the appearance of six other models. Girls can try out different hairstyles, makeup, and accessories. The game works by plugging the Digi Makeover touchpad into a television using the audio/video input jacks. Girls make decisions by pushing buttons on the touchpad to select from possible options shown on the TV screen, and they use a stylus to apply makeup to a model's face. Close

Is It Any Good?

Girl testers said most of the hairstyles didn't look realistic. The makeup options also produced mixed results: While it was fun to change eye color, it was difficult to apply subtle eye makeup. And trying to undo previous actions often resulted in wiping clean all your previous work.

Parents will have to wrestle with whether Digi Makeover could lower their daughter's self-esteem by sending the message that girls aren't pretty without makeup. Or perhaps Digi Makeover might help teach that makeup can create fake beauty, so they should be skeptical of the glamour shown in magazines. Some parents, however, will probably consider Digi Makeover as simply another way for young girls to play dress-up. But Digi Makeover, while initially interesting, won't keep girls' attention for long given its clunky design. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/17/2006, price $60, not online enabled
ESRB rating: NR

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See all 12 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Bestfriend

    ilove my best friend

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I love this games! it is sooooo much fun! I like to make up myself, but the defalt girls are kind of more fun, because the makeuup and hair is set to them, and it matches perfectly. the only problem with the cemera is that you have to be in a really bright place to take a good pic o yourself. Overall a great game that kids of all ages will enjoy!

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    You have to buy this for your daughter!

    I think this is a wonderful game for kids that have a sense for hair or fashion! I reccomoend this to everyone

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