Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is a Nintendo DS Game that parallels the storyline from the movie of the same name. There are two modes of game play. The first, "StoryMode," sets you off on an adventure to build a magical scepter. The second, "FairyMode" allows you to customize up to five fairies and help prepare for the Autumn Revelry while collecting resources, meeting fairies and playing minigames.
Pros
- Beautiful graphics
- Ability to upload fairies to Pixie Hollow Online
- Story and free play modes
Cons
- Story play mode is extremely short
- Game play feels repetitive
Story Mode in Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Story Mode in Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is based on the movie of the same name. Tinker Bell is tasked with designing and building a magical scepter with the use of a rare moonstone. In typical form, Tinker Bell breaks her only moonstone and must set off on a quest for a new one. The plot is cute and it's fun to take off on an adventure, but most of the tasks aren't at all challenging. There are a few confusing moments, such as the one time in the entire game where you'll need to speak into the microphone, but most young gamers won't find it particularly difficult. Unfortunately, Story Mode is very short and can easily be completed in under an hour of play.
Fairy Mode in Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Fairy Mode of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is similar to play on Pixie Hollow Online. You'll start out by designing a fairy in one of the five specialties: animal, water, light, garden or tinker. You can create one of each type of fairy and complete tasks as that fairy. The fairies fly around to different parts of Pixie Hollow, collecting goods, making clothes and other items, playing games and making friends. The scenary is beautiful, but the game play beings to feel repetitive. At first, the missions the other fairies send you on seem like a way to learn about the game and how it works, but after awhile they start to feel tedious. Each mission sends you to a different part of Pixie Hollow to collect one or more items before heading back to complete the task. You can also return to your home to decorate or try on different outfits. There is plenty of game time here, but after awhile, players may start to wonder why the other fairies can't do anything for themselves. It's all leading up to the Autumn Revelry, but you may not make it that far unless you enjoy being a fairy-go-fer in Pixie Hollow.
Bottom Line
Overall, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure feels like it's designed for a young child, but since all of the fairies give their instructions in writing, it's too advanced for the exact population who would enjoy it most. Girls who are into gaming are likely to be bored by the repetition of Fairy Mode and will quickly flit their way through Story Mode. On the other hand, girls who are simply enamored with fairies may see beyond the failings to the beautiful graphics and chance to explore Pixie Hollow.
About Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure:
- Publisher: Disney
- Release Date: October 27, 2009
- Genre: Adventure
- ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
- Platforms: Nintendo DS/DSi
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.