Barbie Riding Club

Last updated
Barbie Riding Club
Barbie Riding Club (cover).jpg
Developer Human Code
Publisher Mattel Media [1]
Platform Windows
Release1998

Barbie Riding Club is a 1998 video game developed by American studio Human Code and published by Mattel Media. [2] Its gameplay involves feeding, grooming, and riding horses. [3] It is for ages 4 to 8. [4]

Contents

Gameplay

Barbie Riding Club invites players into an equestrian fantasy where the bond between girl and horse is central. Framed by a quest to find a mysterious horse, the game blends light adventure with puzzle-solving and timed races. Players navigate the world from a first-person perspective, peering over their horse's ears as the screen rhythmically bobs to simulate riding. Barbie can dismount and explore short stretches on foot. Gameplay unfolds along predetermined trails, with occasional opportunities to jump obstacles like fallen logs. While the horse's movement is largely automated, the game compensates with a variety of activities and settings. Navigation is intuitive, aided by menu icons and verbal help prompts. Ambient sounds like birdsong and hoofbeats add to the atmosphere. [5]

Development

The game was developed by Human Code, a company founded in 1993. [6] A PlayStation version was in development. [7]

Reception

All Game Guide said "Girls who love horses, but don't have ready access to a real one, will have fun with this game". [5]

PC Gaming World said "While Barbie Riding Club is far from educational, it's great fun for horse-mad Barbie fans". [8]

In the United States, Barbie Riding Club took #1 on PC Data's computer game sales rankings in its opening week. [2] It debuted on the monthly charts in second place for November 1998, [10] a position it held in December. [11] In the United States, it was country's 15th-best-selling computer game of 1998, according to PC Data. [12] The game was also named as a finalist by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences for "PC Children's Entertainment Title of the Year" at the 2nd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. [13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Curtis, Aaron (December 7, 1998). "Barbie the Detective Has Badge Attitude in Carny Caper". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Dial, Marla (December 6, 1998). "Human Code grooms Barbie". Austin Business Journal . Archived from the original on May 19, 2004. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  3. ↑ Tennant, Dennis (December 7, 1998). "Fill Cyber Stockings with PC Fun". Daily Press . Archived from the original on February 17, 2019.
  4. ↑ Hollingshead, Anise. "Barbie Adventure Riding Club". Games Domain . Archived from the original on February 21, 1999. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Barbie Riding Club CD-ROM". All Game Guide . Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Human Code's Momentum Continues With $5 Million in Venture Capital Funding For Acquisitions, Expanded Services and Worldwide Growth". PR Newswire . March 15, 1999. Archived from the original on January 31, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025– via Gale Research.
  7. ↑ Ricadela, Aaron (February 9, 1999). "Mattel Debuts Interactive Microscope, Camera". Computer Retail Week . Archived from the original on May 6, 1999. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Marsh, Ian (February 9, 1999). "Barbie Riding Club Review". PC Gaming World . Archived from the original on June 21, 2000.
  9. ↑ Reeks, Anne (November 20, 1998). "Virtual play time loaded with critters for the holidays". The Houston Chronicle . p. 203. Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved October 6, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Mayer, Robert (December 13, 1998). "November Belongs to Deer Hunter 2 3D". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Archived from the original on April 6, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  11. ↑ Fudge, James (January 15, 1999). "Deer Hunter II Tops Charts". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Archived from the original on May 2, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Hits Report". PC Data . Archived from the original on October 9, 1999. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Second Interactive Achievement Awards - Computer". Interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on November 4, 1999. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
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