America's Next Top Model

Common Sense Media says

Cattiness abounds in reality show sim.

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What parents need to know

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

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.

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.

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Kids say

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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?

QUALITY
 

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.

Families can talk 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?

Game details

Platforms:Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Price:$29.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:Crave Entertainment
Release date:June 1, 2010
Genre:Girl
ESRB rating:E10+ for Alcohol Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence (Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Wii)

This review of America's Next Top Model was written by

Christopher Healy

About our rating system

  • ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
  • OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
  • NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids of any age.

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Quality

Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Learning ratings

  • Best: Really engaging, great learning approach.
  • Very Good: Engaging, good learning approach.
  • Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
  • Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
  • Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
  • Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.

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Teen, 16 years old Written bymonica1111 June 21, 2010
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17
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love it
What other families should know
Too much violence
Educational value
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Teen, 16 years old Written byhollywoodstgal June 23, 2010
AGE
13
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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. Some of the models are bratty divas, so they may not be a good role model for your child, but you can talk to your child about bad behavior if you're worried, because this really is a fun game. Girls who are interested in modeling, photography, or the fashion business should definitely try out this game.
What other families should know
Too much consumerism
Educational value
Great messages
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Parent of a 17 year old Written byksiusha January 19, 2011
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