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Bella Sara (Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Xbox, Mac, Sega Dreamcast)

common sense media says

Card-collecting and horse-riding game for young girls.

parents & educators say
See 1 review | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this game is an extension of the Bella Sara online virtual world and card collecting franchise, and also emphasizes collecting more than 230 cards within the game. The cards contain uplifting messages, like "Take a chance and follow your heart." Players can exchange duplicate cards with friends using the DS's wireless communications feature. Players are encouraged to take proper care of their horses or they'll get too tired and won't want to go riding.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Players learn to take care of horses with consequences if they don't (the horse can't be ridden). Trading cards contain uplifting and positive messages.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: A tie-in to the Bella Sara online world and trading cards. Codes from the game can be used to unlock horses in the online world.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Bella Sara

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how horses are fun to ride, but that taking care of them is also a lot of work. What is your favorite Bella Sara trading card, and why? What are some of the messages that meant the most to you?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Bella Sara is a popular franchise aimed at young girls that lets them acquire and care for hundreds of different virtual horses through trading cards and an online community. The new BELLA SARA video game mirrors the online world in many ways but allows players to do a few extra things as well.

At the Stables you can see the horses you've collected. You can brush them, tap the stones out of their hooves, clean their stalls, and feed them using the DS stylus. You can go riding on different courses, compete in show jumping competitions at the Arena, and check the bulletin board for extra challenges, like seeing how quickly you can groom a horse's coat. Some of these activities earn you money. Finally, you can visit the shop to buy clothes, supplies, and of course more trading cards. There are 232 cards to collect in the game, and some form special sets that will unlock five new horses in the stable. Some cards appear randomly, some are given as rewards, and some can be purchased or traded. Players can also exchange duplicate cards with friends using the DS's wireless communications feature. Each card shows a picture of a different horse along with an uplifting message, like "Take a chance and follow your heart."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Bella Sara perhaps sticks a little too closely to its virtual world roots instead of offering more "game-like" features such as a story to follow, or more sophisticated challenges. As it stands, although most players will want to keep coming back to collect all the cards, cleaning out horses stalls and riding around the same few courses can get tedious.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Xbox, Mac, Sega Dreamcast
Not available online
Genre: Simulation
Developer: Codemasters
Released on: October 28, 2008
ESRB Rating: E
This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

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TimurIvanovich
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