Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Barbie Super Model delivers an arcade-style side-scroller that blends fast-paced obstacle dodging with light puzzle elements. Each level kicks off with Barbie automatically moving from left to right along a forced-scrolling path. Players must deftly guide her up or down and adjust her running speed to avoid hazards like rolling barrels, floating beach balls, or icy patches, depending on the stage theme.

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As you dash through the course, colorful icons litter the path—collecting items not only boosts your score but also grants extra chances. Lose all your chances by colliding too often, and it’s game over. This tension adds stakes to the otherwise cheerful romp, encouraging careful timing even in a game aimed at younger audiences.

Upon reaching the end of the forward run, a runway practice sequence appears: four marked spots on the floor each correspond to a button press. Nail each prompt in rhythm to build your runway confidence meter, which later influences your final runway walk score. The return trip right-to-left introduces a twist: picking up a handbag takes you to a makeup matching minigame where you replicate hairstyle, jewelry, and makeup from a magazine cover.

Between obstacle courses, dressing-room puzzles and magazine cover mimicking, the gameplay loop remains fresh. The camera item triggers a cover shoot, sending you to choose the correct outfit components and color combinations for Barbie’s photo spread. Success here yields bonus points and an extra chance, rewarding both observational skills and speed.

The four distinct levels—city streets, beach boardwalk, snowy ski resort and park promenade—each introduce unique obstacles and thematic items to collect. While the fundamental mechanics never drastically change, the shifting environments and alternating minigames maintain engagement through varied challenges and a steady difficulty curve.

Graphics

Visually, Barbie Super Model embraces a bright, cartoon-inspired palette that feels true to the brand. Sprite work for Barbie herself is crisp and easily readable, even in the busy side-scroll segments. Her running and dodging animations are fluid enough to convey motion without confusing younger players.

Each level backdrop is richly themed: the city level features pastel buildings and moving cars, the beach level captures sunny waves and palm trees, the ski resort sparkles with snow-capped pines, and the park stroll teems with lush greenery. These varied settings help the game avoid visual monotony over multiple plays.

Minigame screens—both for magazine cover shoots and makeup matching—are laid out clearly, with the cover art showcased prominently and UI elements for clothing and color choices distinctly labeled. The bright, jewel-toned icons for shoes, dresses, and accessories pop against neutral dressing-room backgrounds.

Magazine cover illustrations, though simple, exude charm. Barbie’s stylized poses and trendy outfits give each level its own fashion identity. Animated transitions between gameplay and dress-up segments add polish, making the presentation feel more cohesive than many other licensed titles of the era.

Story

Barbie Super Model doesn’t hinge on a deep narrative; instead, it offers a light framework that justifies each obstacle course and fashion challenge. You take on the role of Barbie’s agent, guiding her through photo shoots, runway rehearsals and makeup sessions as she climbs the career ladder to become a supermodel.

Progression from one themed location to another provides a loose storyline: Barbie starts by showing off her driving and street style, then glides into beach skating, carves down ski slopes, and finally impresses on a park runway. The magazine cover reveals at each stage underscore her modeling achievements and keep the story moving forward.

The interplay between fast-paced running sequences and thoughtful dress-up puzzles hints at Barbie’s dual demands: athletic grace and fashion flair. While there are no dialogue boxes or character arcs, the level design and minigame structure imply a narrative of growth, leading Barbie closer to the coveted title of Super Model.

For players seeking a traditional tale with twists and turns, the story may feel minimal. Yet for its target audience—children interested in fashion and light action—the straightforward setup works. It’s a series of fun vignettes stitched together by Barbie’s modeling journey, offering a sense of purpose without overcomplicating the fun.

Overall Experience

Barbie Super Model is a breezy and engaging title that successfully melds simple platforming with fashion-centric minigames. The split experience of obstacle dodging and dress-up challenges creates a varied rhythm that keeps players invested without overwhelming them.

Controls are responsive, ensuring that running, jumping, and menu navigation feel intuitive. Difficulty ramps up gradually, offering a gentle learning curve for younger gamers while still providing enough challenge to hold attention over four levels.

Though not a deep narrative or hardcore action game, Barbie Super Model shines in its target niche. The vibrant graphics, catchy tunes, and themed environments immerse players in Barbie’s world of glitz and glamor, punctuated by the thrill of dodging obstacles and acing every runway cue.

For parents and kids looking for a lighthearted, fashion-forward arcade adventure, Barbie Super Model stands out as a delightful option. Its blend of quick reflex segments and creative dress-up puzzles makes for an overall experience that is as stylish as it is fun.

Retro Replay Score

3.6/10