Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Bratz Games and Fun


There is no doubt that Bratz games are a great adventure online. I don’t mean adventure in the sense that there are rocket ships and light sabers, but more in the sense that you can always try something new. When you play Bratz games online, you’ll find the same dolls that you’ve always loved and adored, but with those dolls comes a grand sense of fun. You can make them into any style of doll you’d like.

Bratz games give you the options to change up clothing styles and designs until you have the look that you’re seeking. Sometimes you might not even know what it is you’re looking for, and in that case you can just play around with the fashions and accessories in the game until you find the one that really suits your preferences in that moment. Of course, when you’re done with one doll, you can then move on to another one and another – creating fashions and new styles until you’ve had as much fashion fun as you can stand in a single day.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Bratz Games and Fashion


Bratz games are easily the most fashionable of all the dress up games available online or off. When you browse the doll aisle in a major toy store, you’ll see plenty of dolls available. The difference between the dolls, however, is how well received they are when you take them home or give them as gifts. Bratz games are hugely popular with young girls because they are more urban, trendy and representative of young people today.

What that means to the girls who love the games is that bringing home a Bratz doll means you’re much more likely to bring home a doll that looks a lot like the children today. Our ideal child is no longer blonde haired and blue eyed. She might have skin of any color and hair to match. There’s no ideal beauty and girls like to play with dolls that look a lot like they do. This means that the Bratz dolls are a perfect representation of the way the young girls see themselves – stylish, good looking and fabulous.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bratz Games and the Holidays


The holidays are the best time of year to enjoy Bratz games. When the Christmas tree goes up and the decorations are hung, it’s only natural to start thinking about the gifts that go under the tree. Why not put a few Bratz games under the Christmas tree this year? Bratz games are easy to find in stores, and they have been popular for years – why go for the conventional dress up games, when you can go for the real thing?

Bratz games are hugely popular with young girls because the dolls have an urban flair. Rather than pretty blondes dressed up for a sorority party, the Bratz games feature friends from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. The dolls are all pretty and since it’s a group of friends rather than the back-up singers for one blonde superstar, the Bratz games seem to be very equitable as well. When it’s all said and done, putting Bratz games under the Christmas tree means you don’t have to worry if your gift will be a hit – you’ll know it will be.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Bratz Games Have Mellowed


Remember when the Bratz games first came out? They were shocking and almost risqué. There was a public lash out against the dolls for being too promiscuous and dressing in a way that wasn’t considered appropriate for young girls.. Interestingly enough, at the same time everyone was lashing out against the Bratz dolls, they were gaining in popularity. You didn’t hear a great deal of support for the dolls in the traditional sense.

There weren’t web pages, blogs and articles telling us all why it’s important that fashion dolls have young looking faces and big doe-like eyes. There was a more subtle movement toward the fashion dolls. In short, rather than talk about it – people did something about it. They actually went into the stores and bought the dolls. No more talk, a whole lot of action. In fact, the number of people who bought the Bratz games was so high, it set them on almost equal footing with Barbie games. This of course caused problems and the lawsuits began.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Bratz Games on the Rise


Bratz games seem to be on the rise again. After the long lawsuit process and the many different issues that arose from the lawsuit between Mattel and MGA Entertainment, it seems as though things might be settling back down to order – at least on the highest level. I’m sure if we starting digging deeper into the legal woes of the two companies, we’d find any number of problems with the two including the once-popular Bratz games.

Are the games still popular? Of course. One of the original fashion games to break away from the more traditional form of Barbie, Bratz games have taken a new slant on things related to fashion and how we perceive ourselves. Urban fashion became mainstream around this time, and the Bratz girls had a lot to do with that. It’s a simple matter of being in the right place at the right time, and the Bratz games did exactly that. Of course, now it’s a bit more complicated matter of staging a comeback, but if anyone can do it, the Bratz games can.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Bratz Games: The Lawsuit Continues


The ongoing lawsuit over Bratz games has just dragged on a bit more. A new trial date has been awarded to the two companies who are doing battle over the Bratz games and some elements that Barbie is said to have as well. In the original lawsuit, Bratz maker MGA Entertainment accused Barbie maker Mattel of taking some times from the Bratz line and using them on the Barbie line. Mattel then countersued that MGA was actually in copyright violation since the man credited with the creation of the Bratz games actually worked at Mattel at the time.

It’s tricky to say who’s right and who’s wrong, but it’s getting a bit tiresome. Surely by now they could have worked something out. Bratz games lost the first lawsuit and was ordered to turn over everything related to Bratz. That judgment was overturned and now things are back up in the air. Hopefully it will all work out eventually. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Bratz Games and Moxie Girlz


Bratz games are on the way out I suppose, which is troubling, of course. Fortuantely, there is a new urban doll sensation just lying in wait to take over the Bratz spot in the fashion doll world. Moxie Girlz are everywhere on television and on the pink doll aisle in the toy store. I can’t seem to walk through a grocery store without seeing an advertisement for one or seeing the doll herself on the shelves somewhere. It’s interesting to see how quickly the Bratz were replaced by this group of friends who have similar characteristics.

All of the Moxie girlz are edgy and hip. They are a multicultural bunch with different hairstyles, skin colors, eye shapes and, of course, fashion sense. The Moxie Girlz have large doe-shaped eyes and wide pouting mouths. They have trim little figures and long flowing hair. They are extremely similar to the Bratz games with very good reason. They are made by the same company that started Bratz dolls. Fortuantely, at least the Moxie Dollz aren’t in the middle of a nasty lawsuit – yet.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Bratz Games and Your Wardrobe


Easily one of the most interesting games online, Bratz games give you a chance to piece together a new fashion look on a doll base that is identical to the Bratz game you’d find on store shelves. The Bratz games are harder to find on store shelves, but you can still find them easily online. In fact there are plenty of new Bratz games online that you just can’t find anywhere in stores right now.

Use the online Bratz games to start working with fashions. You begin with a doll base and then add clothing styles and accessories to create a fun, intricate fashion masterpiece. When it’s all said and done, you’ve got a fashion doll that is stylish, creative and completely yours. You can send that doll on to friends, print her out for your own collection or use her fashion and style as a template for a look of your very own.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Understanding Bratz Games


Like many online games, it’s the sheer simplicity of the Bratz games that make them so enjoyable. The Bratz games are straightforward, but they are also very engaging. In the Bratz games, you’re given a doll base that resembles the Bratz games you’ll find on store shelves. Once you get the hair and make-up correct on your Bratz game, you’ll start selecting the clothing styles for the look you want to create. The styles of clothing vary, but all Bratz games feature urban styles with plenty of character.

The Bratz games give you freedom to choose the clothing and then accessories before you finish your first look. Once you’ve made one Bratz doll online, you’ll be drawn into the games and likely start making even more dolls. Make new outfits and design looks that you love. You can use the looks on the Bratz dolls or perhaps even use those looks to create a design you can enjoy in your own wardrobe.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Bratz Girls and Creativity


If you were to ask business leaders what the most important aspects necessary for success would be today, one of the top attributes would be creativity and problem solving. Very few individuals today are doing menial tasks repetitively. Most of the workers are learning to use technology to solve problems and work through solutions. One of the most harped upon facts is that we are preparing learners today to solve problems we don’t know are problems yet with technology we don’t yet have.

Bratz games, surprisingly, are one of the best ways to prepare young girls for the challenges of the future. Bratz games and other opportunities to create characters and stories let children be creative. That creativity is instrumental is developing unique stories and solutions to problems. When a child is unlimited and encouraged in her play, such as she would be with the Bratz games, she is able to use her creativity in new and exciting ways which will benefit all of us someday.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Bratz Games at Home


Easily one of the best activities for girls at home are the Bratz games. Like so many other dress up game, the Bratz games are a chance for younger girls to practice with fashion as well as develop all kinds of creative play. It’s not the halter tops and mini skirts that are making a difference for young girls, it’s the opportunity to make the Bratz dolls into characters in their own personal dramas and story lines that is so beneficial.

Creativity is a huge factor in success as children grow, and unfortunately, many of the games children are playing today are not able to give them the opportunities for creativity thought and design that we’d like. Bratz games let a young girl create a full character complete with necessary outfit and hair style to take on the world. When the doll enters the story, often the young girl has a chance to make the storyline rich and meaningful – and that is the best sort of creativity there is.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Online Bratz Games


Bratz games have been attacked and battered on the store shelves. They are the subject of lawsuits and legal affairs, and frankly I’m tired of hearing about it. Fortunately, there is much fun still to be had from the Bratz games, but you’ll only find new and interesting Bratz games online these days. The online Bratz games are the true saving grace of the empire.

Online Bratz games are simple enough. You start with your doll base, much like you would if you were playing with a regular doll. Then you dress her up with the clothing selections available in the online game. The basics are all there along with the shoes and accessories necessary to complete the full ensemble. Pull the look together and then you’ll be ready to choose a background and share the new Bratz game with your friends.  

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

The New Bratz Games


I’m convinced that when this lawsuit business is finished up, there will be some new Bratz games out there. The dolls were popular for years before they started to fade away, and with all the money spend on the legal fights, there hasn’t been much of a development in the dolls in the recent history. Meanwhile other dolls are getting more popular and are taking up some of the slack – vampire high, anyone?

To compete with the new dolls and the fresh ideas of this new generation, Bratz games are going to be reinvented. You can expect to see something new on the shelves and then the online versions of the Bratz games will be changing as well to accommodate the new brand and release. Of course, like the old Bratz dolls soon we’ll see the full range of materials – backpacks, toothbrushes and shoes all imprinted with the Bratz games. You’ll notice, of course, that I’m not complaining. I love the Bratz girls in any way, shape or form.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bratz Games and Money


While the arguments about the ownership of the Bratz games might sound altruistic on a certain level, it’s not any more thrilling than the bottom line. The fight over the Bratz game isn’t over who had the better idea of when the idea actually occurred. The problem is that the Bratz made a lot of money, and Mattel, the company fighting for the dolls, wants a piece of that. It’s not a new story, companies exist to make money, and if there is a perceived theft or even if there just appears to be one, companies are quick to move on it – who would want to watch millions of dollars simply walk off to another company?

The trouble with the Bratz dolls is that they are now in a limbo state and not really making anyone the kind of money they were just a few years ago. Bratz games were hugely popular and accounted for almost half of the fashion doll market at one time. Today, they are hard to find on the shelves and there are plenty of similar looking dolls edging in on the competition. Bratz games will be hurt in a big way if things aren’t settled soon so that the money-grubbing companies can get back to selling them again.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bratz Games and Music


I don’t know why exactly, but the Bratz games make me think of music when I see them. I don’t have the same experience with the Barbie dolls, and I think the different lies in the fundamental differences between Bratz games and Barbie games. The Bratz games are more urban; they are edgy and controversial. The clothing is hip, the eyes are big, the lips are lush, they are downright sexy for little plastic toys, but Barbie can’t really say the same any more.

Of course, Barbie is still sporting some serious curves and that long blonde hair and figure would normally throw her into the sexy doll category as well, but somehow it doesn’t. Barbie has been carefully marketed as a conservative girl who can safely appeal to younger girls. She is only marginally edgy, and a lot of that edge is worn out since she appears dressed as princesses just as often as she does in some revealing bathing suit or ball gown. When I see Barbie I think of princess movie show tunes. When I see the Bratz games, I think of bass booming stereos – which would you prefer as a young girl?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Bratz Games on Television


I’m not a huge television fan. There is too much going on in my life to get through any lengthy television shows. That doesn’t mean, though, that I don’t watch any television at all. I was surprised the other day to discover the Bratz games on the television screen. Of course there are the occasional commercials for Bratz games and other toys, but this was the original Bratz movie. I managed to flip through channels at the exact time the Bratz movie was on. It was a fun find for me – a huge Bratz games fan.

The Bratz games movie is based on the original four dolls. Real teenage girls play the characters on the screen, so they don’t look exactly like the pouty faced Bratz dolls, but they did have the friendship and urban style that the Bratz games do. In the movie, the friends struggle to maintain close bonds and end up splitting a bit before coming back to together over time to the friendship that they share. While it didn’t win any Academy Awards, it’s not a bad flick – especially if you like the Bratz games.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Lunchboxes, Toothbrushes and Other Bratz Games


I am a huge fan of character merchandise. I have no problem displaying my love of a certain character on things like a backpack or folder so that everyone can see how much I like different shows or toys. I was glad to see the other day that I’m not the only one who apparently feels this way. A new friend of mine at school shares the same preferences – she has Bratz games on everything she carries around.

There hasn’t been much available lately in the Bratz lines of merchandise. All of the lawsuits and drama surrounding that sort of thing has limited the options available for Bratz characters showing up on different things. You just can’t find much with the Bratz games. My friend did though, and I am suitably impressed. It started with a lunchbox. She carries a metal lunchbox around with her lunch and some snacks every day. It is covered with adorable Bratz games. I then realized she has Bratz notebooks and pencils. I haven’t asked her where it came from, but when I do I might just have my own Bratz game lunchbox to match hers.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Brats Games and School Days


After being off all summer, it’s almost shocking how little time is left in the day when you get home from school. Bedtimes move earlier and mornings start much sooner. This leaves only a few hours for homework and entertainment and that’s definitely tough to handle for girls who love online games like the Bratz games. Fortunately, even though the hours are short, the Bratz games fit into that time frame beautifully.

Bratz games are easy to play, but they have so much to offer. In the span of fifteen minutes, you can forget about the rotten math test you had today or how hard the essay you’re supposed to write is going to be. You can actually enjoy fashion for a few minutes as you dress up the Bratz dolls and make them into something special. Why not take thirty minutes to play with the Bratz dolls after your homework is done. You’ll be able to see what’s current in fashion and you can plan out your outfit for the next day as well. Having fun and being prepared – what a fun role for Bratz games to play for you.  

Thursday, August 26, 2010

It’s Time for a Bratz Game Retrial


There was a trial and it was ugly. Mattel accused MGA of stealing the concept of the Bratz dolls that should have rightfully belonged to Mattel, the maker of the Barbie dolls. MGA was going to be wiped out with heavy penalties and giving up complete ownership of the dolls. Until the case was thrown out late in the summer. Now it’s time for a retrial.

In January the two companies are going to battle again. This time, the war is already dirty. MGA, the maker of the Bratz games is accusing Mattel of going in to steal other toymaker’s secrets. Mattel is rebutting with some nasty comments about MGA stealing company documents. Only time will tell what will come of this ongoing trial between the two companies, but in the meantime, Bratz games are still around at least a bit I’ve discovered and perhaps with the expenses of a trial behind them, MGA will determine that the Bratz games are ready for a bit revival. Or maybe Mattel will produce them in mass quantities again. Either way, something’s going to have to give.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bratz Games Live On Online


I’m missing my usual companion on the pink aisle. Recently I walked down a toy aisle that should have been plastered in Bratz dolls and I didn’t see any at a glance. It was eerie. But, of course, as we all know the Bratz games will live on forever. They are online. The online Bratz games are a different version of the fashion dolls that grew so popular in a short amount of time. The online Bratz games are dress up games.

In the games, you’ll be given a fashion plate that looks like a Bratz doll. You’ll then have the choice of many different outfits and clothing styles to dress your doll with. The ultimate style and design will be your own creation – something you can be proud of and enjoy on the computer or by printing it out. The online Bratz games might not be something tangible to hold the way the original fashion dolls are, but at least with online Bratz games, you’re sure to find something new out there every now and again.  

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Future of Bratz Games


I was in a toy store today and I didn’t see any Bratz games. Of course I didn’t scour the aisles in search of the few dolls that might have been hidden behind other boxes, but I certainly didn’t see a wide selection of dolls the way I would have just a few years ago. It was almost eerie how the Bratz dolls have disappeared from the shelves.

All of this is due, of course, to the lawsuits that were filed against the company over the right to the dolls. The original maker of the Bratz dolls lost the suit and Mattel, the maker of Barbie games won. This means that Mattel now gets to decide the future of the Bratz games, and if they opt to not make the dolls any longer, the Bratz games will truly be a thing of the past. I’ve seen news articles claiming one thing or of the other over the months, but the empty aisles make me think that this time it might be serious.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Bratz Games for Gifts


I’ve always hesitated about giving Bratz games as a gift. For that matter I always balk a little bit about giving Barbies as a gift if I don’t know the family very well. It’s a tricky road to walk at times. Some families feel very strongly about the sorts of toys their children can play with. They would much rather the girls in their household play with something that isn’t all about tight clothing and fashion. They fear this sort of toy will make the young girls into stylish fasionistas who haven’t a lick of sense.

Many parents don’t let their boys play with guns either out of fear they will all become gun slinging gangsters someday. It’s a theory of parenting I might not agree with, but I don’t want to offend either. So for me that leaves me with many other sorts of gift ideas that are not Bratz games. Would the young girls love Bratz games? Probably. After all, enough girls loved the games to give Barbie a big run for her money, but for safety’s sake, I just stay away from giving Bratz games as a gift. 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Bratz Games and Inspiration


I’ve been inspired by the Bratz games as I’ve watched them in the stores and played with them online. The Bratz games might come under fire for things like having short skirts and alluring expressions on their faces, but I’ll admit that I’m intrigued by the dolls. I like the idea of independence, friends and the freedom of self expression. I might not personally be interested in wearing what the girls wear in the Bratz games collection, but I do like that they wear it because they want to.

Of course I realize that we’re talking about small plastic dolls, but the theory remains. The Bratz dolls are stylish, comfortable and they do what they want with their fashions. They are also good students and fast friends if the Bratz movie is to be believed. I like all of that about the dolls. Barbie is stylish as well, but she’s such as fan favorite now that it’s hard to feel inspired to love everything about Barbie – much easier to love everything about those crazy Bratz dolls instead.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Bratz Games as a Style Guide


There have always been complaints from parents and others concerned about the styles that the Bratz dolls are teaching little girls. They worry about tight skirts and short tops that show too much skin and are much too sexy for little ones. That the dolls are targeted at six to eight year olds doesn’t help much either since the parents are concerned about how the children will be affected by the influence the dolls have on them. Fortunately, parents don’t need to be concerned about Bratz dolls.

The Bratz dolls aren’t fashion icons. They are style starters. The dolls are popular because they are already reflecting the fashions that are already popular. The fashion dolls are designed with an urban look because plenty of people are already wearing urban styles and enjoy seeing dolls wearing something that seems familiar to them. Parents are concerned about children dressing like Bratz dolls. I’m not sure the concern is justified since they have been playing with Barbie forever and have never donned a peach ball gown.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Disappearing Act of Bratz Games


It’s somewhat surprising how quickly all of the Bratz things have disappeared off the store shelves lately. I prefer to play Bratz games online, so I was never a big buyer or Bratz games from a toy store, but it’s still a bit disheartening to see how quickly the dolls are what not are going away.

Of course, they might be coming back once the maker of Barbie dolls, Mattel takes over, but then again – they may not. The Bratz games have been so hotly contested of late in the court system that it’s getting hard to know what will happen – no matter what anyone seems to report in the news. The Bratz games were always enjoyable online and continue to be, so personally I’m not affected, but there is a nagging part of me that wonders when the dolls will be back just so I can be sure new games will be there for me online. After all, the two are tied together a bit more closely than I’m comfortable with.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Bratz Games and the Online Community


The online community has been kind to the Bratz games. The fashion doll community was a bit shocked with the young, urban dolls came onto the scene. The dolls were edgy and controversial for parents at least and with so much shock and outrage, it’s a bit of surprise that the dolls did as well as they did for years. Within just a few years of being introduced to the market, Bratz games have caught up with Barbie and controlled about half of the fashion doll market.

Even with this great success, there was scorn and concern from parents about the suggestive clothing and pouty facial expressions of the dolls. Online fans, however, never seemed to have a problem with the Bratz games. The Bratz games online were designed to the do the same basic thing as the real-life dolls. You play fashion games by choosing clothing to try on and ultimately decide on a single outfit and create a full ensemble by adding accessories and other special items such as a background or border. All told, the online community had a much better relationship with the Bratz games than the parents shunning the plastic dolls would probably have liked.  

Friday, July 2, 2010

Beautiful Bratz Games


While they may not be the most popular of the fashion games anymore, Bratz games will always be beautiful and have a very special place for me at least in the realm of fashion dolls. After all, the Bratz games spawned a revolution in the fashion doll world giving Barbie a real run for her money, at least until the lawsuits began and made things much more challenging for the dolls and the company that made them. Bratz games were revolutionary when they arrived – not as much so as the original Barbie, perhaps, but still – Bratz games were the first of their kind – urban fashion dolls.

Today, Bratz have been all but pulled from the shelves as we all await what will happen next with the company and the lawsuits. You might not see many of the Bratz games on the shelves, any longer, but the Bratz games are certainly not gone. The games are instead online where anyone can dress up the Bratz dolls at any time without worrying about changing companies and what not. It makes it much easier for all of us at least.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Bratz Games and Fashion Games


Fashion games are among the most popular games online. The fashion games are popular with good reason Рthey are fun to play and they are easy to enjoy time after time. Bratz games are the most controversial of the fashion games. The Bratz games take the popular Bratz games and turn them into an online dress up game. The Bratz games have always had an element of controversy. The dolls are a bit edgy and have an almost risqu̩ fashion wardrobe at times, but they are popular still Рeven with short skirts and pouty lips.

The Bratz games online let you choose one of your favorite dolls and then select clothing for her wardrobe. The Bratz games have a wide selection of clothing options available to choose from and as you pick certain items, you’ll see them on the dolls and get the overall effect of the games. At the end of the game, your Bratz doll is dressed and looking lovely in your own style and design. You can then print her out, frame her up or just enjoy having the doll to look at for a few minutes.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bratz Games on Ice


Now, as far as I know, there’s not a ice skating event featuring the Bratz games. Quite the opposite is true it seems – the Bratz dolls are partially shelved for now pending the outcome of the ongoing trials and lawsuits between the makers of the Bratz games and the company that owns Barbie games. The lawsuits have gotten ugly and so far it appears that Mattel (the owner of Barbie games) is winning. But things are stalled out right now

Who knows who it will all turn out. It will be interesting to watch at least and see who comes out on top. Personally I’m sure that the maker of Bratz will end up losing it all in the end, but hopefully the company will have enough oomph left to make us something just as fun as the Bratz games are. In the meantime, it seems that the Bratz games should live on at least for a while under the guidance of Mattel. For those of us who enjoy the Bratz games, this is good news at least.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Addicted to Bratz Games


I’m seriously addicted to Bratz games. It was by no fault of my own, really, the games are just that good. I started off like many game addicts with a simple test of the game to see if I liked it. The Bratz games were pretty straightforward. You start by getting a doll base that looks much like the bare doll bases you’d play with if you had the original Bratz dolls. Then you start adding clothing.

This is where it got me. I liked playing Bratz games with the real dolls, but this was so much better. I didn’t have to pull or yank on those tiny clothes. I didn’t have to do anything except design fabulous looks for the dolls and get everything together each time before sitting back and admiring the new fashions. After I did one, I wanted to do another. And another. And finally I was a true addict taking breaks from work to design something new for my Bratz games and just enjoying the process so much it’s almost scary. Of course, I’m kidding about my level of addiction, but regardless, the games are fun and it’s very easy to lose track of time as you create lovely designs.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Understanding Bratz Games


If you’ve never played them, Bratz games can be difficult to understand. After all the games look so simple – a doll on the computer screen and plenty of clothing options. The Bratz games are relatively simple to play, but it’s not the simplicity of the games that are appealing, it’s the creativity that’s a part of the process.

When you play Bratz games, you start with a simple doll base. As you add clothing to the doll base, you’re designing your own looks and fashions using the items available. This requires only a basic understanding initially, but over time, you’ll see that the outfits and designs get more and more creative. This is the true value of the Bratz games. The more you play, the more designs and ideas you get to bring to life. When it’s all said and done, you’ve creating something lovely and simple that is just your own and you were able to really enjoy yourself in the process. Simple? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Bratz Games and Babysitting


Bratz games are a great way to entertain my older babysitting charges. When babysitting, I usually bring along a backpack full of toys and games that would be new to the kids. This makes it more entertaining for them if they are looking for a bit of excitement, and it makes it more interesting for me since I don’t have to play the same games every time I come over to visit. Variety is the spice of life after all.

Usually I’ll keep some Bratz games in the backpack in the form of a handful of fashion dolls left over from my own days of collecting them, but I also happen to know the best websites to visit to dress up the Bratz games online. Before I do this, however, it’s important to be sure that the parents of the children don’t particularly mind if we play some fashion games on the computer. Never assume they don’t care because some parents have pretty strict rules about this sort of thing. If you do have permission, you can spend hours with your babysitting charges dressing up the dolls in any way that suits you – or them.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bratz Games and Summer Vacation


Now that summer is upon us, I have more time than ever to play my favorite online game – Bratz games. The online Bratz games are one of the best ways to experiment with fashion and learn more about the styles and suitable clothing arrangements in urban settings. To play Bratz games, you need only a teensy bit of knowledge about fashion. You need to know how to put clothing onto a fashion doll template – that’s it.

You start with a doll base that looks like one of your favorite Bratz dolls. Then you drag and drop some clothing options from the wide variety available until your Bratz doll is dressed and looking fine. If you love the outfit you’ve created in the Bratz games, you simply save it or do a screen shot so that you can crop and print it out and enjoy it. Send the image to a friend or post it on a bulletin board you have dedicated to all of your various fashion items. The more you do with the Bratz fashions, the more you’ll learn and can see improvement in your print outs.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Bratz Games: Looking Forward


I wonder if the inventor of Barbie dolls knew that fifty years later she would be responsible for one of the most iconic fashion dolls in the world. Likewise, I think Bratz games are going to have a place in history as we look forward. Already they are known not just for fashion and style, but as the fashion doll that took on Barbie and won. Of course, that was on the toy store shelves – not in the court room where an entirely different version of events went down.

Bratz games includes a greater range of heritages and the naturalness of the dolls in their urban styles appeals to more girls than the clean cut Barbie image. Life is what it is, and the girls who enjoy the Bratz dolls seem to really understand that a bit better than the makers of Barbie games. I think the lawsuit along is worthy of some press time down the road, but I think the Bratz dolls will be best known as the first fashion doll to actually break a mold and appeal to a wide range of girls – not the blue-eyed, blond hair types.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Bratz Games: If I Looked Like a Bratz Doll


I’m a bit quirky at times, but I’ll admit that I’ve actually stopped to think for a minute what life would be like if I were part of the Bratz games. What would life be like as a Bratz doll? I think the new Toy Story movie has a lot to do with my random musings about the secret life of toys, but regardless, there is definitely some food for thought there.

I think one of the most defining characteristics of the Bratz dolls is that they almost never get to be casual. I’m a casual kind of girl. I like to kick back and let the creative juices flow. But in the Bratz games, the dolls are always dressed to the tee. They look great but I’ll be willing to bet there are times that they don’t feel quite as great. Who really wants to be dressed up all of the time?

I’d also have a problem with the discussions the dolls would have. The Bratz game community is pretty small and I’m sure there would be plenty of discussion about Barbie and her crew. I’m not into turf wars per se and listening to one pack of fashion dolls take on another just isn’t really my thing.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Bratz Games Online


Since I realized the Bratz are off the shelves at my favorite large shopping center today, I had to rush home and be sure that the Bratz games I still love are available to me. And they are. The Bratz games are still safe online. The Bratz games online are a bit different than the ones you buy in the store. The primary difference is that one is virtual and the other is not. That means you play with one online and you play with the other in your room.

However, the other major difference between the Bratz games that are online or off is the availability. The Bratz games you’d usually buy in the store are rapidly disappearing thanks to a lawsuit. The dolls are coming off the shelves and making those of us who love the Bratz games a bit worried about what comes next. Fortunately, even with the dolls gone, the Bratz games online are available and ready to be played at any time. Simply dress up the Bratz doll base on the game with the available clothing and accessory and you’ll be back in the Bratz games business.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

The Bratz Games Dollhouse


I was in a major shopping center today and saw something that surprised me. I noticed that all of the Bratz games were on the clearance shelf. Most impressively I saw a full Bratz games doll house sitting there significantly on sale. I wondered about it but then realized that it must be coming true at last – perhaps the lawsuits and legal drama of the last year or two are coming to a head and the Bratz games are actually making a transition.

I don’t know that it would be a bad thing, really, for the Bratz to get a fresh start. They were pulled down by so much negative publicity with the trial and the accusations that went with it. The little dolls, of course, did nothing wrong except dress in clothing that was often deemed too short, but in the grand scheme of things, that’s not a major crime. Giving the Bratz games a fresh start would let them reemerge with a bang – new clothing, new styles, new marketing and hopefully no more new drama.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Bratz Games and Fashions


I, for one, was relieved when the Bratz games came along. As much as I love Barbie and Polly Pocket, it’s nice to find some fashion dolls that seem to know something about our current fashions. Barbie has pretty princess dresses, but when it comes to her every day wardrobe, it has some serious flaws. Barbie dresses much like a Ralph Lauren commercial most of the time. It’s a bit annoying to a little girl who wants to look like her favorite pop star and not the model much beloved by her mother.

Bratz games, however, have answered this need for some younger, more urban fashion. Barbie dolls get married, Bratz dolls hang out with their friends and go to school in their hip cars. The Barbie dresses like a grown-up and Bratz dolls dress like saucy teenagers. If you were a young girl age eight going on sixteen which would appeal to you? There’s not a huge surprise that so many older girls start to leave their Barbies behind in favor of the Bratz games. The Bratz simply have more to offer them.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Would You Buy Bratz Games?


There is always so much controversy over the Bratz dolls. My favorite part of the drama is when mothers lean over and whisper to each other, out of their child's hearing of course, “Would you ever buy those Bratz games?”

Now, not only is the question unfair, it’s a bit misleading. Phrasing a question like that tells us all you want a “No, never!” in response, but are the Bratz games so unbearable that they deserve malicious whispers? Absolutely not.

The Bratz games get a lot of hype for being a bit alluring for fashion dolls. The dolls have doe-shaped eyes and tiny pouty mouths. The dolls dress provocatively at times and look a bit more realistic than some parents are comfortable with. They might be a bit too urban and trendy for some of us, but that doesn’t make the dolls bad by their nature. Bratz games are just that – games!

Nobody complains that the Ken doll looks a bit too anatomically correct under those molded underpants. But maybe they do and nobody cared. Those whispering about Bratz could take a lesson from that.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Bratz Games and Young Girls


There are many concerns from parents and other parenting groups that the Bratz dolls might not be appropriate for younger girls. The short clothing and promiscuous stance of the dolls are decidedly edgy and parents are concerned that their young daughters might be swayed somehow by these young dolls. Therefore they complain bitterly that the dolls should be removed from the shelves and replaced with something more wholesome.

Bratz games have always been a bit edgy – that is there appeal. But the Bratz games aren’t threatening or even remotely dangerous to the mass population. If parents aren’t interested in their child having Bratz dolls simply don’t give her any of the dolls to play with. As for removing them from the shelves, there is no need for the parents of a few to make decisions that influence many. The Bratz dolls have a home in toy stores and have a ready market group. And presumably it doesn’t even contain the children of those who don’t care for the dolls, so there really isn’t much of a problem to consider.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Why Bratz Games Will Always Survive


Bratz games are hardy where other toys come and go. The Bratz games blew into the scene years ago to tackle one of the icons of the toy industry- Barbie. While Bratz might not have defeated Barbie, they did make quite an impact on her market share before the legal aspects of the dolls started to crumble.

But before the lawsuits, Bratz games still managed to command half of the fashion doll marketplace in the span of five years. Barbie, meanwhile, is having trouble trying to stay on top of the urban dolls. For a time Barbie tried to compete directly with Bratz by introducing her own posse of urban friends, but things just fell apart in that direction. Now Barbie is doing something much better by targeting areas of the population that don’t enjoy the Bratz dolls.

The Bratz games meanwhile have been defeated in court, but are still standing strong producing dolls and keeping the label out of Mattel’s hands at least for a little while. The question is how much longer will Bratz be able to keep up legally.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Bratz Games and My Weekend


I’ve been slacking off lately in my game playing, but I’m making it a point this weekend to get back on track and play one of my favorites again. The Bratz games have been through so much in the court system that I feel bad not standing by them as best I should during their time of trouble. The Bratz games are so simple and fun online – dressing up the doll bases in the latest styles and accessories, that I can’t believe I haven’t found time lately for them. But I’m making it a point to get online and play today or tomorrow with a renewed effort.

Why do I care enough about this to make a public declaration?

Because the Bratz games were so unique they first came on the scene. Barbie games were revolutionary about fifty years ago and in the last five or ten, the Bratz games have revolutionized the industry again by giving us a different approach to fashion dolls. Not all fashion has to be straight off the runway or the fantasy lives of younger girls. Bratz have a totally different, hip and urban style and I, for one, like that.

Friday, March 12, 2010

More Competition for Bratz Games


Is it just me or is there more competition for the Bratz games than ever before. The Bratz games came on the scene as the antidote for Barbie. Where Barbie was sugary sweet and lovely, the Bratz were hot and even sexy. This, of course, disturbed more than a few parents, but now there seem to be more than a few dolls that are falling in between the Bratz games and Barbie.

Moxie girls are one of the brands I’ve been seeing a lot lately and they were even present at a local drug store when I was inside looking for some things today. There wasn’t a Barbie doll and there wasn’t a Bratz doll. There were some ponies and princesses, the only fashion doll in the place was the Moxie doll. Could this be something new to come and replace the troubled Bratz? Only time will tell. Personally, I was rather thrilled to see that a fashion doll could look young and fashionable without being a total prep or totally urban the way the Bratz looked. It looked like this new doll at least might be realistic.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Staying Faithful to Bratz


I’ll admit I’ve been a bit concerned lately over the fate and future of the Bratz games. Mattel, the company that successfully sued and won the rights to the dolls plans on continuing them after their current or former production company shuts down, but what of the fans – do they care if these are the original Bratz dolls?

The first Bratz dolls were created by MGA Entertainment and those are the dolls that became famous and took over half of the fashion doll market. The original Bratz dolls grew into a huge network of dolls, babies, friends and boys and then things went sour. Now that Mattel owns the Bratz they plan on launching their own version of the dolls. Personally, I haven’t seen the dolls yet and it does make you wonder if these new dolls are going to be anything like the current ones. Are they going to continue with the current set-up and keep the dolls we know? I hope so. But in situations like this, you never really know what’s going to happen. Here’s hoping the Bratz games make a smooth transition from one company to the next. Otherwise, I might just have to move back to Barbie games.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Surviving Bratz Games


Personally, I love Bratz games. There are few games out there that mix the urban style most of us enjoy with a fashion doll that we can play with without feeling remotely childish. The Bratz dolls project the style I like and are cool enough that I can play with them whenever I want without embarrassment. The trouble it, it doesn’t matter how much I love the Bratz Games, they are trying to take them away.

The legal problems the makers of the Bratz games have faced are pretty daunting. The company has been sued by Mattel, the maker of Barbie games, for copyright problems. The company claims the creator of the Bratz games was working for Mattel at the time making the design rightfully the property of Mattel. Unfortunately for the Bratz games, they are now the property of Mattel. Fortunately for us, however, Mattel plans to continue the development of the Bratz games. That means that regardless of the fate of MGA Entertainment, the company that makes Bratz games originally, Bratz will survive.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bratz Games and the Real World


There’s always been arguments that the Bratz games are the true reflection of the “real world.” Of course, you can argue anything away when it’s as vague as that is, but it does make you wonder if the Bratz games became so popular because they seemed to really make sense to the girls playing them. Are Bratz games a true window of the real world?

First, of course, we’d have to decide what we want to call the “real world.” It’s different for everyone, and in this case, I think the Bratz represent a portion of the world that is underrepresented. The Bratz aren’t from the suburbs. They are a racially mixed bunch from the big city. They dress in urban styles and drive urban cars. They have boyfriends that look tough – not like the neighborhood lifeguards, and this resonates with a lot of people who might have always felt a bit off when they just had Barbie to play with.

I don’t think a single line of dolls can represent the “real world” effectively, but they can show a side of the world that doesn’t often get enough attention from toy makers. And this job they do very well indeed.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Bratz Games and Growing Up


Bratz games are perfect for growing up. As much as I love Barbie, I have to side the Bratz games when it comes to dolls that show us what it’s really like to be a teenager today. I love to play with my Bratz dolls and think about the styles they are wearing and find the best ways for them to get around. Not that all of my friends have gigantic eyes and little pouty mouths, but Bratz also just seem to look more like the teenagers around me.

Barbies are very wholesome, but Bratz have so many different looks in their sets of dolls that they seem more realistic. After all, not everyone can have beautiful blond hair and slightly tanned skin. I like playing with dolls that showcase all of the different ethnicity and Bratz seems to have that covered much more effectively than Barbie or an of the other dolls – except maybe the Tinkerbell collection. But somehow playing with Bratz games is much more socially acceptable than playing with tiny Tinkerbell dolls, so there you go.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Mattel Has Its Own Bratz Games


It’s no secret that Mattel won the lawsuit against Bratz games. Mattel won, hands down, and now things are very much in a limbo state. Nobody seems to know what will happen next or when it will happen, but the only recent development that is known for sure is that the Bratz games won’t be going away any time soon. Mattel has launched its own line of the popular dolls.

After winning the lawsuit, Mattel owned all of the rights and what not for the Bratz dolls and seemed to be able to do anything they wanted with the dolls. So they started their own line of Bratz dolls and got ready to launch them. MGA, the founder of the Bratz dolls, was able to get the line stopped through the courts, however, making things that much more interesting. Now nobody seems to know what’s up or down with the Bratz dolls. Will Mattel be able to launch the new line? Will MGA come back with a stage-up? It’s up in the air, but it will be very interesting to watch.

Saturday, February 6, 2010

What’s In the Future for Bratz Games?


Nobody knows for certain what’s in the future for the notorious Bratz games. The losers in court, the Bratz games legally belong to Mattel, the maker of Barbie, but so far not much has changed. I can walk into the stores and see Bratz dolls on the shelves ready for purchase. I can find plenty of Bratz products in the form of toothbrushes and backpacks, but I keep hearing all of these doomsday stories about Bratz games and what is coming for them. The trouble is, nobody seems to know what is coming.

Bratz were once the main competitor for Barbie, but she’s gained back some of her market share of late thanks to the intense buzz and drama with the lawsuit regarding Bratz. But with Bratz still around, it’s not for certain that Mattel has won this particular contest just yet. As it is, Bratz will be manufactured by Mattel eventually, so regardless of who makes them, there will be Bratz for us to collect and enjoy. It does make one wonder if collecting the original Bratz games will be profitable in the near future.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Understanding Bratz Games


There always seems to be someone, somewhere who struggles to understand the appeal of Bratz games. After all – the dolls are cute, but not amazing, at least not to the casual observer. But then the casual observer isn’t the one who falls in love with the Bratz dolls and takes on the entire culture of the games. Bratz games are powerful for a few reasons:

Bratz games are simple but entertaining. Sometimes you just want something fun to play that’s not going to make your brain do more than just enjoy itself. Bratz games are perfect for that sort of distraction.

Bratz games are creative in nature. You have a chance to do something creatively when you play Bratz games. Sort through clothing and fashion styles to make something new and feel proud of your accomplishment.

Bratz games are fun to share. Discussion boards and emails let you share your finished creations with others. Just printing them out for a notebook or your bulletin board lets you be proud of what you’ve created.