Wild Horse Play

Vivendi Universal Games' Barbie™ Horse Adventures™ Wild Horse Rescue™ gives gamers (especially the sometimes neglected young female demographic) the chance to saddle up and take on the role of the legendary super-blonde Barbie and friends for a range-roaming adventure set in and around a riding school. This open-ended single-player game covers nine huge levels (plus an unlockable bonus level) filled with lost foals, dangerous paths, and other equestrian challenges. But, perhaps the best news for kids of all ages are the exciting multiplayer mini-games that let everyone join in the horsing around. You even get to use horses and gear that you’ve unlocked in the single-player game to raise the level of competition!

Ride, Barbie, ride!

Off to the Races
The first and most basic multiplayer mini-game is a three-lap horse race. Choose a rider (either Barbie herself, riding school headmistress Mrs. Hepburn, or Barbie pals Teresa or Christie), and go head-to-head for a photo finish.

• Fill the stables first: Not all horses are created equal. The more horses you’ve unlocked in the single-player adventure game, the more choices you’ll have when it comes time to race. Your friends will appreciate the extra effort, while you make off with the fastest horse. (Note: That last trick will only work once!)
• Go ahead and jump: The racecourse at Mrs. Hepburn’s school is full of obstacles that require tricky maneuvering. But, why maneuver when you can jump? You might lose a half-nanosecond of time while you’re in the air, but it sure beats walking around that porcupine.
• Position, location, position: Positioning is even more important in a Barbie horse race than in your typical automobile racing game. The track is narrow, and horses are big. The best way to ensure a victory is to not only find the pole position (the inside track), but to also place your horse’s behind between your opponent and the finish line.

Barbie returns with a rescued horse.

Money Shines
Even Barbie needs to eat, theoretically, and the Coin Roundup lets you help Miss B and her pals earn enough of the bling bling to buy a feast (or, more likely, new riding gear and horse accessories).

• Slow down, pardner: Horses aren’t cars or motorcycles, and they don’t turn on a dime. You might need to slow to a trot to ensure you get the most coins.
• Get there first: When Barbie gives you the cue to go, head right for your opponent’s coins. This will give you an important head start early on. The girls may all be pals, but thisis a competition.

Rope Tricks
The lasso challenge lets two players compete to see who can rescue three foals first.

• Focus on the foal: You and your opponent will be racing to reach the foal first. Don’t waste time trying to spot the other player, just head for that foal!
• Wait for it: When you draw close to an escaped foal, a proximity meter will start filling up. When you’re close enough to loop your lasso around it, the picture of the A button will start to flash. As soon as it lights up, press it. Your opponent only needs a moment to beat you to the punch.

Wild foals spook easily. Approach with caution.

See Gull. See Gull Fly. Fly, Gull, Fly
Do you remember that scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where Sean Connery spooked all the seagulls and brought down a German plane? Well, this is just like that, but without cranky 007 or the German plane. Each player gets a stretch of beach and must ride through flocks of seagulls, keeping as many in the air as possible. This game can be played head-to-head or co-op.

• Don’t stop moving: Always keep your horse running at a gallop, and turn frequently. The trick is to cover as much ground as quickly as you can.
• Two can play at that game: If you’re playing cooperatively, keep your horses far apart for maximum bird frightening.
• Wear a hat: Seriously, there are alot of seagulls on this beach. Better safe than sorry.

By Rack Hansen