Endangered Media: The Best Barbie Games You Forgot Existed

What's your favorite animated Barbie flick? As Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie breathe new life into Mattel, fans reminisce over the magical time when these iconic movies were brought to life through the immersive PC game series published by Activision.

That's right. Following the release of Call of Duty: 3, Activision was dropping adventure RPG bangers.

Barbie as Rapunzel (2002):

Inspired by the classic fairy tale, "Barbie as Rapunzel" transported players into a whimsical world filled with art and music. This PC/MAC game from Vivendi Universal and Funnybone Interactive followed Barbie as Rapunzel, where players solved puzzles, painted masterpieces, and embarked on a magical adventure to break the evil enchantress's spell.

Barbie of Swan Lake (2003):

Based on the enchanting movie "Barbie of Swan Lake," this game allowed players to explore the mystical forest and join Barbie on her quest to rescue the enchanted forest animals. Players could dance with the Prince, solve puzzles, and unlock hidden secrets, all while experiencing the beauty of ballet.

Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper (2004):

One of the most beloved Barbie movies, "Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper," also made its way into the gaming world. This title was released by Vivendi Universal and developed by SEGA and NES partner WayForward for Game Boy Advance, PC, and Mac to capture the essence of the film by allowing players to switch between Barbie and her look-alike, Anneliese, to solve puzzles, create music, and embark on a royal adventure.

Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005):

Transporting players to a magical kingdom, "Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus" game was based on the movie of the same name and released by Vivendi for Windows PC and GameBoy Advance. Players joined Barbie on her journey to rescue a majestic flying horse and save the kingdom from an evil wizard. The game included exciting challenges, puzzles, and enchanting worlds to explore.

Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006):

In Activision's first collaboration with Mattel for Windows, MAC, and PlayStation 2, PC got its first taste at 3D animation that had previously been supported by consoles.

Barbie Diaries (2006):

Inspired by "The Barbie Diaries" movie, the game allowed players to step into Barbie's shoes as she navigated high school life. Players helped Barbie solve problems, complete fashion missions, and unlock diary secrets. This game offered a glimpse into Barbie's relatable teenage experiences.