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Computer Software Game Review:
My Little Pony
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For Windows 98/98SE/2000/Me/XP
By Atari
Released: 2004
Reviewed: January 2005
Our Recommended Age:
3-4
Our Rating: B+
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 Buy:
My Little Pony PC Play Pack
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More Screenshots:
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This
software program is cute but brief. Young preschoolers who
are happy with free-play creativity programs will enjoy My
Little Pony Play Pack, especially because it comes with
an exclusive My Little Pony figure, Sparkleberry Swirl.
The
graphics in this program that brings My Little Pony
characters to computer life are deliciously pink and
vibrant--very pleasing eye candy for fans of the series.
A
celebration for a baby pony, Sparkleberry Swirl (the
included figurine), is underway. It's the Friendship Ball,
and things are running smoothly, except that the ponies need
some help, from preschoolers, of course! Children are
presented with a checklist of things to do to get ready for
the celebration. Kids will need to help TwinkleTwirl with
her dance, help bake and decorate a cake, dress up a pony
for the ball, send invites, and help three other ponies
before the gates to the castle open. Once inside, kids will
need to decorate the castle before the party begins.
Along
the pretty path, the featured pony (one of four that little
players select to play with at the beginning of the game)
can collect flowers for her vase, visit her pony cottage and
redecorate (with simple clicks of the mouse), and assorted
little activities. There are printable off-computer
activities and projects as well.
Each
activity is straightforward and simple. Choreographing a
dance for TwinkleTwirl to perform at the ball, for example,
involves choosing dance moves (such as the primadonna, leg
kick, and raise the roof moves) and selecting the music. The
pony "makeover" at the Celebration Salon involves
selecting hairstyles, clothes, hats, and jewelry for the
pony. Baking a cake requires children to choose ingredients
and put them into the mixing bowl. Besides the usual eggs
and milk, kids can add such things as rainbow berries, magic
sparkles, and cookies to the batter. Then players decorate
the cake. This particular activity was disappointing, simply
because no matter how careful testers were, their cakes
looked frumpy. The icing color selection doesn't reflect the
program's gorgeous graphics.
The
ponies in need of help want children to find things for
them, such as specific color socks or items for wrapping a
present. The objects are "hidden" in obvious
places, in keeping with the entire program's emphasis on
easy-to-do activities for young computer users. However, a
couple items stumped young players for a little while. Tip:
If your child is stumped, look at the bottom of the screen.
The items that were slightly harder to find for our testers
were eventually found at the bottom of the screen, and one
was slightly behind a pony.
Once
players have completed the activities on their checklist and
enjoyed the Friendship Ball, they can go back to Ponyville
and help more ponies and/or replay the main activities. If
they want to begin the game again, they will need to create
a new identity and game.
The
program is very easy to play, and although cute and
well-designed, it is perhaps a little too short all in all.
Our Bottom
Line This sweet but short game is
ideal for younger computer players. The activities are
purely entertaining (they have little educational value),
enjoyable, and easy to complete. All in all, this game
presents a confidence-boosting experience for young players
(ages 3-4), but it's neither deep nor long enough to satisfy
children over the age of 4.
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