Streetwalker: The Video Game

Jun 16, 2008 @ 2:19pm

streetwalker red scarf.jpg Well, it was bound to happen.

Today, Nintendo announced it would sell a video game called POP CUTIE! that's all about street style. Technically, they're calling it a "Street Fashion Simulation," and players will buzz through virtual streets in Tokyo, New York, and Paris picking out their favorite "trends."

The game will be available for Nintendo DS, which has started aggressively marketing itself to women in the past few months (did you notice those commercials with Mandy Moore and Liv Tyler?).

Faran isn't sure anything can beat Brain Age 2, and Natalie insists Super Mario Brothers is the only thing to play on DS, but this could get interesting:

Will girl gamers in the middle of nowhere suddenly be inspired to become trend spotters?

posted by Holly

Jun 16, 2008 2:40PM

Yeah, I was wondering the Carrie Underwood commercial was about..interesting marketing idea.
It would've been great if they called it something like 'Street Fashionista' but I guess 'Pop Cutie' will appeal to the tween market as well.
Looks like it could be fun!

posted by guest

Jun 16, 2008 3:10PM

hmm... I thought about it... and....

boring.

posted by aninnka

Jun 16, 2008 3:19PM

I saw some screen shots and it looked like a Habbo Hotel rip off

posted by Ashley

Jun 16, 2008 3:46PM

hahaha.

posted by guest

Jun 16, 2008 4:00PM

I want to see screen shots, where did you find them?

This is ultra lame btw.

posted by guest

Jun 16, 2008 4:54PM

this is just embarrassing to women everywhere. yes, let me play virtual-dress -up-my-dolly even though i'm a working adult woman, because ooo clothes are so fun!!!!

posted by aninnka

Jun 16, 2008 5:31PM

here:

http://www.gamershell.com/ds/pop_cutie_street_fashion_simulation/screenshots.html

and here:

http://gonintendo.com/?p=46353

I just love the duck hat.

posted by guest

Jun 16, 2008 9:56PM

wtf? couldn't they at least have given the game some good graphics?

Sounds heinously boring.

posted by guest

Jun 16, 2008 10:42PM

What's interesting about this is that is has been done before...kind of. England in the late 18th century began producing inexpensive cardboard fashion dolls dressed and styled in the latest styles coming out of France. The dolls served, among other things (read: marketing) to spread fashion ideas.

Of course, in the Nintendo context, the ideas "street style" and "trends" sound dubious. I'm picturing Bratz dolls outfits in poorly rendered graphics.

posted by guest

Jun 17, 2008 10:17AM

Post 10:42pm -cardboard fashion dolls, as well as porcelain dolls, were used throughout European courts particularly France and England to promote the latest trends. This was more of a convenience for fashionable queens (notably Marie Antoinette)and courtiers who wanted to keep up with the latest trends without having to travel too far. Since there weren't any fashion periodicals, technology, or a fashion industry with models that exist today, these dolls served as something very important in marketing fashion, far more important than the entertainment purposes of this nintendo game, which does not appear to be a best seller by the way!

posted by guest

Jun 17, 2008 1:36PM

This is not aimed at women, it is a game for young girls. Similar to Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing. Nintendo has been marketing the DS to a variety of age groups lately, I think because of the success the Wii has has with an older demographic. As for Pop Cutie though, my 10 year old daughter is going to love it!