Time to gripe follow-up: Dreamtopia Barbie

In the last "Time to Gripe" I spoke of Barbie and my perception that Mattel is making her a cheaper product but charging the same amount of money.  My main complaint was the molded on clothes.  I still think those are a bummer, but today I saw this.

The new Dreamtopia doll takes an idea that was used clean back in 1991 with Snap 'n' Play Barbie.  Is that All-American Ken that Snap is dating in that commercial?  LOL, regardless of who she's dating, Snap had plastic outfits that would click into place rather than the traditional fabric outfits, and so does the Dreamtopia doll.  She can be a fairy, a princess, or a mermaid, depending on what one snaps onto her.  The pieces can apparently be mixed and matched, and the box encourages that.

Not a bad idea!  I've said this before and I'll say it again:  Mattel should revisit some of the old gimmicks that they've done in the past.  It would be nice to see the walking feature rehashed, for example...the Walk Lively way, not the Movin' Groovin' way.  I haven't met a person yet who could get their Movin' Groovin' Barbie to walk properly, and mine lost her head years ago so I can't test her.  But it still would be nice to see some of those old features redone, particularly since a new generation of kids is emerging, one that's too young to remember Movin' Groovin' Barbie and WAY too young to remember the Walk Lively crew.  Doesn't have to be walking, either; there could be wigs like Hair Fair and Hair Happenin', or a rehash of the Free Moving line that broke way too easily...the possibilities are endless.  I hope maybe Mattel will try that in the future.

Happy Father's Day,
RagingMoon1987