
- 43/100
- Players10 ratings

2001 · Runecraft · Action
Barbie: Explorer
PlayStation console exclusive
Explore the world with Barbie. Travel to Tibet, Egypt, and the African jungle on a mission to find four ancient, jeweled treasures. Run, jump, swing, climb, and dive to avoid obstacles and deadly pitfalls in a race to unlock the secrets of the Mystic Mirror. Travel only with Barbie or bring a friend, as this game supports up to two players.
- Released
- 2001
- Platforms
- PlayStationWindows
- Genres
- Action
- Developers
- Runecraft
- Publishers
- —
- Series
- Barbie
- Modes
- Single-player
- Perspective
- Third person
- Themes
- Action
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Age ratings
- ESRB E
- Languages
- English
About
Barbie: Explorer is a Microsoft Windows and PlayStation game featuring Barbie. It was developed by Runecraft, published by Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing and was released in 2001.
Keywords
- female protagonist
- action-adventure
- traps
- kid friendly
- climbing
- licensed game
- monkey
- voice acting
- polygonal 3d
- games for girls
- treasure chest
- based on - brand
Media
The articlegameplay, story, development, reception
Gameplay
The player takes control of Barbie, running, walking and climbing her way through the level. The protagonist has no attack, with the player instead solving puzzles and platforming to get to the level's end. The main hazards in the game are animals (such as camels, elephants, and goats), which do not actively try to attack the player and instead roam around the environment. The gameplay was seen as an attempt to imitate the success of Tomb Raider.
Story
While working as a reporter, Barbie discovers an ancient mirror in a local museum which is missing 4 pieces, and which when completed will have its power unlocked. She decides to find these pieces by setting off on an adventure around the world to find these 4 treasures. These locations include Tibet, Egypt, Africa (all accessible from the start) and the final unlockable area, Babylon. Each of these locations has three levels, concluding with a boss.
The game ends when the four artifacts are found and Barbie goes back to the museum. She places each artifact in its respective spot on the mirror and it is repaired.
Reception
In a review in PSX Nation, J. M. Vargas called the game a "G-rated Tomb Raider clone" without any challenge and an "unbearable" set of controls. They were critical of graphics, especially the animation which they called "atrocious, canned, repetitive and mannequin-like in its awkwardness". Vargas would give the game a 61% overall.
Michael Lafferty, writing for GameZone, was more positive, giving it a score of 8/10. He complemented the game by saying that while the arcade style was predictable, the action is nonstop within levels and it offered "young gamers a Tomb Raider-esque arcade adventure".
Releases by platformdates and regions as published
In the same series
Nintendo exclusive52Barbie
1991 · MS-DOS, NES
Imagineering
Nintendo exclusive58Barbie: Game Girl
1992 · Game Boy
Imagineering
Timed Sega40Barbie Super Model
1993 · MS-DOS, SNES +1

Barbie and Her Magical House
1994 · Windows, macOS

Barbie: Vacation Adventure
1994 · SNES, Sega Genesis
Software Creations

Barbie Fashion Designer
1996 · Windows, macOS
Nintendo exclusiveAdventures with Barbie: Ocean Discovery
1997 · Game Boy Color, Windows

Barbie Storymaker
1997 · Windows

Magic Fairy Tales: Barbie as Rapunzel
1997 · Windows, macOS
PlayStation exclusiveBarbie Super Sports
1999 · PlayStation, Windows
Runecraft
PlayStation exclusive48Barbie: Race & Ride
1999 · PlayStation
Runecraft
Nintendo exclusiveBarbie: Magic Genie Adventure
2000 · Game Boy Color
Nintendo exclusive70Secret Agent Barbie: Royal Jewels Mission
2001 · Game Boy Advance, Windows
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Collections1 collection
Platform libraries
- PlayStation (console) games (A–L)Games list (A–L)
Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.
