Imagine is a series of simulation video games primarily for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Microsoft Windows, and Wii game consoles, released from October 2007 to February 2013. Imagine video games are aimed primarily at girls aged six to fourteen and are published by Ubisoft.
Background The Imagine series of games allows players to take on the role of various occupations, such as a fashion designer, rock star, movie star or teacher. Ubisoft became a leader in publishing "games for girls" for the Nintendo DS and Wii through the Imagine, Ener-G, and Petz series.
Reception IGN stated that Imagine games vary wildly in quality, describing some games as "boring and soulless cash-ins that serves no purpose other than to financially take advantage of uninformed teenage girls" and others as "surprise hits [that] turned out pretty darn well." Likewise, a 2008 feature in Game Developer opined that Ubisoft's "casual titles"—specifically mentioning the Imagine and Petz series—had distinguished themselves by being "well-made non-shovelware" that didn't try to "take advantage of the innocence of the target market."
On the other hand, social researcher Laura Fantone, thought the series reiterated "dated ideas about female achievement" in which beauty—"followed by virtue and exceptional luck"—is foremost in attaining improvement of status.
Games
A large number of games have been released under the Imagine banner. These include:
TitleOriginal releaseImagine: Master Chef•Imagine: Happy Cooking EUOctober 2007Imagine: Fashion DesignerOctober 2007Imagine: Animal Doctor•Imagine: Pet Vet EUOctober 2007Imagine: Babyz•Imagine: Babies EUOctober 2007Imagine: Figure SkaterJanuary 29, 2008Imagine: Rock Star•Imagine: Girl Band EU•Imagine: Girls Band AUMarch 1, 2008Imagine: TeacherApril 15, 2008My Secret World by ImagineMay 3, 2008Imagine: Babysitters•Imagine: Baby Club EUJune 5, 2008Imagine: Modern Dancer•Ener-G Dance Squad NAJune 28, 2008Imagine: Fashion Designer New York•Imagine: Fashion Model EUJuly 20, 2008Imagine: Champion RiderAugust 11, 2008Imagine: Pet HospitalSeptember 4, 2008Imagine: Interior DesignerOctober 6, 2008Imagine: Wedding Designer•Imagine: Dream Weddings EUOctober 31, 2008Imagine: Party BabyzNovember 12, 2008Imagine: Ballet Star•Imagine: Ballet Dancer EUNovember 27, 2008Imagine: Movie StarDecember 2, 2008Imagine: GymnastDecember 18, 2008Imagine: My Restaurant•Gourmet Chef: Cook Your Way to Fame NAJanuary 1, 2009Imagine: Fashion PartyJanuary 28, 2009Imagine: CheerleaderFebruary 14, 2009Imagine: Ice ChampionsMarch 11, 2009Imagine: Family DoctorMarch 27, 2009Imagine: Makeup ArtistApril 12, 2009Imagine: Music FestMay 16, 2009Imagine: Boutique Owner •Imagine: My Boutique AUJune 2, 2009Imagine: Soccer CaptainJuly 11, 2009Imagine: Teacher: Class Trip•Imagine: Teacher: School Trip EUAugust 5, 2009Imagine: DetectiveSeptember 5, 2009Imagine: Party PlannerSeptember 15, 2009Imagine: Salon Stylist•Imagine Beauty Stylist EUSeptember 19, 2009Imagine: Reporter•Imagine Journalist EUSeptember 28, 2009Imagine: ZookeeperOctober 6, 2009Imagine: ArtistOctober 23, 2009Imagine: Fashion Designer World TourOctober 20, 2009Imagine: Rescue VetOctober 29, 2009Imagine: Babyz FashionFebruary 3, 2010Imagine: Resort Owner•Imagine Dream Resort EUJune 22, 2010Imagine: Sweet 16•Sweet 16 EUOctober 9, 2010Imagine: Animal Doctor Care CenterJanuary 18, 2011Imagine: Fashion Stylist•Imagine: Fashion Paradise EUJune 21, 2011Imagine: Fashion LifeMay 8, 2012Imagine: Babies 3DAugust 6, 2012Imagine: Fashion World 3DOctober 27, 2012Imagine: Championship Rider 3DFebruary 23, 2013
References