America's Next Top Model

Name: America's Next Top Model
Item: America's Next Top Model
Rating: 3
Author: Christopher Healy

Game review by

Christopher Healy, Common Sense Media

America's Next Top Model Game Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

(i)

Cattiness abounds in reality show sim.

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Parents say

age 14+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 9 reviews

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

Positive Messages

There are a lot of mixed messages in this game. The overarching theme of the game emphasizes a girl's looks and, some would say, objectifies women. And there's a lot of negativity and cattiness that occurs between the contestants. But the game is designed to reward good behavior: Eating healthy, exercising regularly, and trying to be positive and make friends with rivals are all factors that are encouraged and will help a player to win the game.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Although good behavior is encouraged, it is up to the player to follow through and actually be a good person in the game. You can also choose to be a vicious, gossipy, snarky diva -- as almost all the other contestants are until you extend the effort required to befriend them.

Ease of Play

Figuring out what to say during the social parts of the game is pretty easy. As is choosing your meals wisely and performing the fitness mini-games. Photo shoots have an element of challenge to them, but are not too difficult to master. The rhythm-based runway walking, though, can be tricky when using the overly sensitive Wii remote to register your "steps."

Violence

If two girls hate each other enough, a "catfight" can break out. This is an exchange of pulling, shoving, and shaking until one of the girl's health meters is depleted. Then the fight simply ends.

Sex

Among the many articles of clothing that the girls in the game will wear are several revealing or provacative outfits. Although it wouldn't do her any good in the game, it's possible for the player to walk around in her bra or panties -- even in town. The girls talk about their boyfriends, and the player's character will call hers on the phone and exchange many "I love yous."

Language

The phrase, "You've got balls," may come up.

Consumerism

This game is a tie-in to the reality competition show, America's Next Top Model.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

There is no drinking in the game, but characters will make references to drinking with lines like, "Were you drunk?" when dissing a contestant's bad runway walking.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the video game version of reality TV America's Next Top Model tries to encourage players to be the likable "good girl" character by rewarding positive behaviors, but it also gives kids plenty of chances to act as the archetypal reality show villain -- snarky, self-centered, and downright mean. The game is also, obviously, about a contest that is based on physical beauty. Characters have their looks commented on constantly.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Parent of a 17 year old Written byksiusha January 19, 2011

age 17+

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Parent of a 11 year old Written bysofka August 23, 2010

age 11+

o this games a[is good

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Teen, 16 years old Written byhollywoodstgal June 23, 2010

age 13+

This game is lots of fun, educational, easy to play, and has positive messages. Some parents might be concerned by some language, though no profanity is used. S... Continue reading

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Kid, 12 years old January 28, 2012

age 12+

the game

it is a very good game

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What's it about?

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is based on Tyra Banks's reality show competition of the same name (although you won't find Tyra or anybody else from the show in the game). Ten girls live in a mansion together and compete against one another in modeling-based challenges. They are graded on their hair and makeup, their wardrobe, their phyisical fitness, their runway walk, and their performance at fashion photo shoots. At the end of each week of judging, one of the contestants is eliminated. The last girl standing wins.

Is it any good?

The first thing anyone will wonder when playing America's Next Top Model is: Where is Tyra? Or anybody else associated with the show? And why do they not even speak the name of the show in the game's dialogue? It feels like the TV show's people wanted to disown the game. The game does have a number of flaws. The controls on the runway walking are a little too finicky, the dialogue is too repetitive, and needing to play through every weekday of ten full weeks can make the action grow tedious. Also, this is the type of game in which an avatar creation mode seems almost necessary, but there isn't one. One thing this game does very well, though (for better or worse), is replicate the feeling of being on a reality show. Living with the other contestants, trying to manage your social standing among them, calling loved ones back home, being surprised at all hours by judges with challenges -- that kind of classic reality show stuff is faithfully depicted, warts and all.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the game's many messages, both good and not-so-good. What positive lessons can be learned from the way food and exercise are treated in the game? What negative lessons can come from the focus on physical beauty and the interpersonal conflicts?
Are the girls in America's Next Top Model stereotypes? Do the characters resemble any real people you know? Or are they too over-the-top to be realistic?