Bratz: Super Babyz – NDS – Review

I have to
say that I actually like the Bratz dolls. Some of
their outfits are a bit “hoochy-mama,” but what’s
not to like about dolls whose feet twist off? However, I’m not so keen on the
Bratz Babyz, as they
just look weird to me.

The
Bratz console games are also a likable collection
of games for the most part, with a good mix of exploration, puzzles and
creativity. The Bratz Super
Babyz DS game is our first Bratz game on
the DS, and for the most part, it is a fairly enjoyable game for the very
young players in your family.

The basic
premise of the game is an adventure story mode which correlates to the movie.
The four Bratz Babyz
have different missions they must carry out that involve tasks like finding
lost pets, helping carnival entertainers and stopping a bully. There are also
mini-games embedded in the missions. The missions are very linear in nature,
and involve the babyz trekking back and forth on
fetch quests to help the in-game characters or to trade for needed items.
Sometimes the missions will require the babyz to
play the mini-games, like in the carnival level.

Movement in
the game is accomplished by the directional pad. This doesn’t work very well,
and players will have to constantly zigzag their baby around the screen, as
she can’t seem to move in a straight line. The mini-games are all played with
the touch stylus, which happens to work very well.

The majority
of the game will be spent moving the babyz from
one side of the map to the other in endless fetch quests. Fortunately, the
missions are all very short. The levels are attractive and the characters and
animals are cute, but there’s not enough to do in each level. There should be
much more interactivity for players to explore while they’re moving around
from one side of town to the other.

On the other
hand, though, the mini-games are a lot of fun and are exceptionally
well-designed, as compared to many games of this type for children. Most of
these games are arcade-style games that require the stylus to play, and are
clones of such games as Whack-A-Mole, a carny
shoot game, a basket that catches falling items, and other similar games. The
one really different game is a cool maze game that is basically a dungeon
crawl through a haunted house. Players will have to navigate through the maze
by unlocking areas with switches or buttons. The hazardous ghosts and creepy
crawlies are interesting, and while avoidable, will require a bit of thought
to outmaneuver. There is a sliding puzzle game, too.

There is
also a creativity dress-up game, but it’s pretty basic.

Overall,
this is a decent game for the young crowd. The gameplay
is a little inconsistent in design, as some aspects are very easy, like the
adventure missions, but other features are difficult for young children, like
the sliding puzzle. It’s also a little awkward to move the characters around.
Once the adventure missions are all played, it’s hard to say how many children
will want to replay them. However, the mini-games can be replayed as well, and
they are fun to play again. The price is a little steep for the type of game
it is, though. Best for young children.

Review Scoring Details for Bratz: Super Babyz

Gameplay: 7.0
The
gameplay is a mixed bag: Mundane adventures, but
nice mini-games. The overall theme is cute, but that will only carry a game so
far.

Graphics: 7.0

The
graphics are slightly above average and portray the Bratz
Babyz well.

Sound: 7.0

Wholly
average music and sound effects.

Difficulty: Easy
Most of the game
is very easy, but a few of the mini-games are more difficult.

Concept: 6.0

The
content isn’t anything new.

Multiplayer: 5.0

There
is a multi-player mini-game, but it’s pretty lame. It involves finding gems
around the neighborhood.

Overall: 7.0

This
is a nice enough game for the young crowd, and the
gameplay is easy and not frustrating. The mini-games are a lot of fun,
too. However, the adventure mode, which is the bulk of the game, doesn’t have
a lot going for it.