What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the game ties into the
Disney Fairies franchise, which also includes a movie
and the recently launched Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow online
virtual world. Players can use codes found in the game to
unlock items in the virtual world. The game also supports
Disney's DGamer online features, which let players unlock
costumes and achievements. Tinker Bell can "gossip" with other
fairies. While gossipping in real life is usually considered
negative, the kinds of rumors exchanged here are generally
harmless, like observations about fashion trends, and hints
about who to visit next.
Families can talk about the different types of fairies and the jobs that each of them have. What kind of fairy would you enjoy being? Have you ever heard or started a rumor? Was it helpful or hurtful?
Common Sense Media Review
Disney Fairies is an entertainment franchise of films,
games, merchandise and an online virtual world that centers on
Tinker Bell, her fairy friends, and the magical world of Pixie
Hollow. In DISNEY FAIRIES: TINKER BELL, kids get to play as
Tinker Bell as she plays mini-games, makes friends, and trades
gifts with fairy friends including Fawn, Iridessa, Rosetta and
Silvermist.
Tinker Bell's most important task is to help the fairies change season through Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by running errands and bringing them items. She can do favors for other fairies and play mini-games such as collecting dew drops and spinning thread. Also, because Tinker Bell's a "tinkering" fairy, she has the ability to repair items in her workshop, where you can do things like use the stylus to polish items and patch up cracks or blow into the DS microphone to clear away cobwebs. As her skills improve, Tinker Bell can make more complex repairs, and even fashion her own accessories.
Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell uses a real-time clock similar to games like Animal Crossing or Virtual Villagers, which means that Pixie Hollow's appearance changes depending on the time of day. Players can move Tinker Bell around Pixie Hollow using a fun control scheme where you tap and drag the stylus on the screen to make her fly around. You'll earn medals for completing tasks that can be used to shop for hundreds of items and outfits. You can also design your own outfits using different colored stamps. Another important part of the game is making friends with other fairies. If fairies like you, they'll give you nicer gifts and may even start to copy your sense of fashion.
Pixie Hollow can be confusing to navigate until you get accustomed to where everything is, and the game's plot isn't much more than the never-ending cycle of seasons, but Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell is a fun game if you take it for what it is: a collection of mini-games, tasks, and outfits that lets fans interact with familiar characters.
Disney fans might also enjoy the DS games Disney Friends , and Enchanted , and the DVD movie Tinker Bell .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.

