The firstBarbie game was also the onlyBarbie title to be released onCommodore 64. It was released in 1984 and developed by A. Eddy Goldfarb & Associates and published by Epyx. The concept behind the game was that it would serve as a "Computer Activity Toy", being non-structured and non-competitive. A video game for theHot Wheels property was developed alongsideBarbie. The self-titled debut game was adress-up simulator. Players must dressBarbie for a specific type of date with Ken. Ken would then 'judge'Barbie's outfit, by either going ahead with the date, or rescheduling. The game featured 8-bit digitized audio, which was rare and difficult to implement on theCommodore 64 system.[1]
The secondBarbie game (1991), was the firstBarbie title to be released on Microsoft'sMS-DOS. In 1994, Mattel began to focus on releasing titles forMicrosoft Windows (occasionally releasingMacintosh versions) and would not release another console title until 1999. Barbie's first adventure game,Adventures with Barbie: Ocean Discovery was released in 1997 forMicrosoft Windows. Developed by Gorilla Systems, the game was financially successful – leading to furtherBarbie adventure games being commissioned by Mattel.[2] Critics found the game's mentions of Barbie's marine biology degree was a "nod toward enlightenment" for thegirl's game genre.[3] Windows games have continued to be released until present day, with the most recent being 2025'sBarbie Horse Trails.
The first title to release on a Nintendo console wasBarbie (1991), on theNintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was the onlyBarbie game released for the console. The objective for the publisher and developer was to create anNES game that appealed to girls, as video games were seen as primarily masculine at the time. The team atImagineering conceptualised aMario-styleplatformer, where Barbie would progress through levels and fight bosses. Despite the 1984 game being criticised for sexist themes, including encouraging passive behaviour, Mattel was unwilling to let them animate Barbie in any way they considered "unladylike" or unflattering – meaning she could not jump on or directly fight enemies, she could not "die", and she had to maintain her hands-at-her-side, walking pose.[4][5]
The first title released onNintendo DS, was theBarbie as the Island Princess movie tie-in game in 2007. Titles on the console would continue to be released until 2013'sBarbie Dreamhouse Party. Three titles were released for Nintendo 3DS between 2013 and 2015, with all having corresponding Nintendo DS titles released prior or simultaneously.
Seven titles were released on theNintendo Wii, the first beingBarbie as the Island Princess in 2007 and the final beingBarbie & Her Sisters: Puppy Rescue, in 2015.Barbie Dreamhouse Party (2013) andBarbie & Her Sisters: Puppy Rescue (2015) were released on both theWii andWii U.
Barbie Project Friendship (2024) andBarbie Horse Trails (2025) were released onNintendo Switch. To date there have been no titles on theNintendo Switch 2.
The firstBarbie game to be released for thePlayStation console wasBarbie Super Sports in 1999. It was originally a PlayStation exclusive until a Windows version was released in 2001. Five titles were released on PlayStation, withBarbie: Groovy Games being the final title released for the console in 2002.Runecraft developed three PlayStation exclusive games.Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue, in 2003, was the first title to release onPlayStation 2 .Three more titles were released for PlayStation 2, with the final beingBarbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp in 2008.Barbie Project Friendship (2024) andBarbie Horse Trails (2025) were simultaneously released for bothPlayStation 4 andPlayStation 5.
On April 24, 2007, Mattel opened anmassively multiplayer online game (MMO) namedBarbieGirls.com. Thevirtual world was initially successful, with 3 million players signing up in the first three months.[6] The game was free-to-play, but members could purchase a VIP membership, which gave them access to more locations, mini-games and items. Mattel closed down the website in 2011.[7]
In 2023, Mattel andGamefam announced the launch of aBarbie experience onRoblox.Barbie DreamHouseTycoon enables players to create their ownBarbie inspired "dreamhouse" in a populartycoon game model. Players can also customise their avatars with exclusive fashion items and accessories. Players can trial various careers throughminigames. The game runs on the Roblox platform and is available on all devices Roblox is compatible with. Like other Roblox games,Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon utilises afree-to-play business model, with players able to buy various in-game extras using the virtual currency "Robux".[8][9][10][11]
Budge Studios began releasingBarbiesimulation andcasual games forAndroid andIOS in 2014. They released four apps:Barbie Magical Fashion, Barbie Superstar! Music Maker, Barbie: Dreamtopia - Magical Hair, andBarbie: Dreamhouse Adventures.Mattel and Genera games released a puzzle game entitledBarbie Sparkle Blast, in 2016.Barbie Color Creations is the most recent title forBarbie on Android and IOS, released in 2023 by StoryToys Entertainment Ltd.
