I was listening to Retronaughts Ep 136: Shantae (in her creator’s words). During the interview Matt Bozon said (@ 29:00<) “…and secretly If you go back and look at our pixel barbie games they’re all Castlevania…”. Curiosity peaked I bought one of the Awayforward Technologies Barbie games.

Barbie and the 12 dancing princesses (GBA) = $2

The story is weak at best, it’s a Barbie game what do you expect. Blah blah some bitch kidnapped 12 princesses you must save them, or something. There is an easy mode and a normal mode. the easy mode you will not take damage.

The games start is tolerable. About 1/3 the way through it starts to actually feeling like a game. At this point the game is actually kind of enjoyable.

You find groups of the princesses every so often. Each time they give you new shoes with different powers.

Butterfly Net, slaughter all that oppose you! and it knock projectiles back at enemies.

Stilts, cross gaps.

Ribbon Stairs, its a ramp not stairs. It took me way to long to realize that you can only use this while standing in front of the signs.

Mallet, hit balls at switches.

Books, stand on them to reach high platforms. Use them it hold buttons down.

Run. Speaking of the speedrun of this is down to 28m5s

The password system is a series of 4 images. when compared to the Kid Icarus passwords I grew up with it is refreshing.

The game “felt” good, character movements all were right. It was painfully easy but if you’ve got a young child that wants to use your GBA/SP (or you want to burn ~1hr) this is a good pick. There is backtracking if you want to go back to the bonus rooms but there is no other reason I can see. I do think it technically qualifies as Castlevania like. Absolutely worth the $2 I paid, wouldn’t be worth $4+.

I’m on the look out for the other 2 barbie games that Awayforward did. So far eBay is to much $. BTW go watch the Castlevania anime on Netflix if you haven’t.

*I try to keep these short because my attention span is fairly short and that what I want to read. Any comments or grammar corrections are welcome.*