Barbie I Can Be

Review

Common Sense Media says

Toy doll app looks good but stifles creativity.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Barbie I Can Be is an app that suggests that girls can take on whatever careers they'd like while presenting three options: baker, pizza chef, and pet vet (which looks more like "pet stylist"). For each activity, you'll follow the picture prompts in Barbie's thought bubbles. For the pizza, you'll roll out the dough, spread the sauce, add cheese, and then add toppings. There isn't much room for creativity as each activity has an intended outcome and deviating from it results in a lower score. 

  • Ease of use4
    The three activities are fairly straightforward so kids should easily figure it out even without any instructions. Completing each activity rewards anywhere from 1 to 5 stars, but it's unclear how to earn all of the stars. Creativity is not rewarded, because choosing only certain pizza toppings or sprinkles doesn't net you the coveted 5-star award. As for the "pet vet," the star rating is even a bigger mystery. Some sort of guidance in reaching the 5 stars would be useful.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

BARBIE I CAN BE is a high-quality app in terms of graphics and game mechanics. Unfortunately, it sends a message contrary to what the title suggests; none of the activities included are all that aspirational. Even the "pet vet" sets the bar low. You'll brush the dog, spritz the dog (with what appears to be a perfume bottle), and then apply cute bandages, Elizabethan collar, sparkly eye patch, and some puppies (Mama Dog was apparently seriously injured and pregnant). And, since you're not supposed to deviate from the plan on any of the levels, the replay value isn't all that high. The outcome is supposed to be exactly the same each time you play. Will your little girl enjoy this? Most likely. So, if you don't have any issues with the content, you might want to download. After all, it's free and mildly entertaining for young kids.

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Category:Simulation Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:Free
Publisher:Mattel, Inc.
Version:1.0
Release date:November 8, 2010
Minimum software requirements:OS 3.1.3
This review of Barbie I Can Be was written by

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