Barbie is a 1991 side-scrolling platformer developed by Imagineering for the NES. Players guide Barbie through a series of dream worldsโincluding a shopping mall, an underwater stage, and a 1950s dinerโas she searches for outfits and accessories to wear to the Fantasy Ball. Notorious for its stiff platforming and unique mechanics, the game requires you to command animal friends to progress while dodging animated objects like tennis rackets and flying lipsticks.
How to Play
Your objective is to navigate to the end of each dream sequence by avoiding hazards and using animals to clear obstacles. As an NES game, the original controls use the D-pad to move, A to jump, and B to throw charms at animals. In your browser, these are mapped to the Arrow Keys for movement, with Z for jumping and X for throwing. Use Enter for Start.
Tips
- Use your charms wisely: You can only command a limited number of animals at once, so make sure to throw charms at them to turn them into rideable platforms or protective shields.
- Beware of the jumping physics: Barbie’s jumps are notoriously stiff and cannot be easily adjusted in mid-air, so commit to your jumps carefully before making them.
- Look for Zs: Collecting the floating ‘Z’ icons scattered throughout the levels restores your health, preventing you from waking up and ending the dream.
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