Nintendo Presents: Style Boutique

Nintendo Presents: Style Boutique – the latest simulation game to hit the shelves for the DS. The whole idea is that you can run your own hand-held fashion store, making profits, entering contests and styling your customers. It’s a concept that sounds very girly, and guess what, it is!

This certainly seems to be one simulation game that really takes the needs of the player in mind. Obviously it is aimed at girls and at first glance it would seem like you also need to have a fashion conscious mind, but as you dig deeper into the game, it is apparent that someone with just a mild interest in what they wear will be able to piece together outfits.

Now, if you reacted the way that I did when you saw news of this games release, you probably thought: “That can’t be great unless you’re about five years old.” So let me tell you now to wipe that thought away from your mind and read this review with an open mind. As you will see from my reactions, it is a terribly addictive game that really puts you into the centre of the action.

Initially you are a boutique assistant, helping to style customers in Primavera. Your job is simply; to attend to customers needs and learn the ropes of working in a highly respected fashion outlet. The basics of the game are covered here, where you are told how to match outfits and sell items. There are many things to consider when customers come in to the boutique such as their budget and their style, whilst also bearing in mind their exact needs. The customer will tell you what they want, and be careful not to disappoint them or they may take their custom elsewhere.

There are a few character introductions along the way, but this DS title keeps the dialogue fairly short and to the point. The main characters are Dominic, who owns the Boutiques, his Butler Godfrey, Renée the shop worker, and Grace the manager of Primavera. These characters will guide you through your time at Primavera, and then help you to set up your very own Boutique.

This is where the fun really starts. At this point in the game I was really enjoying matching customers’ wishes with new clothes. Then all workers at Primavera are summoned to meet Dominic, who decides that it is about time that you start running your very own fashion store. I’ll be honest; I couldn’t contain my excitement when I found this out! This is the way a simulation game should be in that you choose what you want to sell and how to style your shop, it is not up to anyone else.

Once you have designed the interior, chosen the name and music for your Boutique, you’re ready to start using your skills and earning money. You are fully responsible for everything to do with the store including buying new stock in the Exhibition Hall, creating new window displays and even advertising. By visiting Dominic’s Mansion you can extend your stock room, change your Boutique and hold sales. So as you can see, there are so many realistic options in making a success of this business. To add to this, the clock in the Boutique is the same as the real time, so days and seasons are taken into consideration.

Once your Boutique is up and running, it will be rated with a star system. Every time your rating goes up to a full star, you can enter a fashion contest in the Contest Hall. There are set categories for each contest and there are prizes in the form of expensive clothing. I have yet to lose a contest, and I’m not sure if that’s due to the fact that I’m such a brilliant designer, or if it just sets you up to win. I’d like to think it’s the former, but I’m not too sure!

There are a few minor annoyances while running your shop. There are times when customers will say that they do not like the items you have chosen, which is fine until you see a customer that is wearing something similar to what you have chosen. I found there were times when four or five customers in a row would say “no thank you” to my outfits, which made me feel a bit like I was doing it wrong. There are no second chances either, so get it wrong once and they won’t try anything else on, which slightly lets the realistic model down. The chances of making a customer unhappy can decrease when you stock more items, as you’re more likely to have exactly what they ask for, and with 10,000 items to choose from, there are many combinations.

The music is also very annoying. After a few plays I chose to turn the volume down completely. For all the time you are in your own store, the music is repeated over and over again, which is very frustrating.

As far as controls are concerned, the touch screen of the DS makes navigation very easy. At any point in the game you can return to your “Apartment” and save your game, change your clothes, hair and make-up and view your favourite items and photos. Everything is done at the touch of a button, there are no complicated slides or spins of the stylus and all on screen instructions are self explanatory.

The online options are also very well thought out. There is the possibility to share outfits, collect new ones, download items designed by real fashion designers, and visit other Boutiques. This really adds to the game because it just makes it so much bigger and more interactive. The bulk of the game is great but with extra additions, there are almost unlimited possibilities as far as outfits and customers go.

I’m not the biggest girly-girl there is, and I don’t wear the most fashionable clothes, but I really enjoyed this game. Mixing and matching outfits is a girl’s dream and to have so much control in your own Style Boutique is brilliant. The best thing is that it doesn’t make everything too easy, so there is a challenge to genuinely choose outfits to suit individual styles. No two “days” are the same and customers vary from Punk Princesses to smart business women. I would recommend this game to girls who like simulation games and I wouldn’t say you have to be fashionable yourself, but maybe have an interest in fashion magazines and such media.

+ Lots of control over your own store
+ 10,000 items so many outfit possibilities
+ Extra things to do such as get your own hair and make up done

- Contests are fun but maybe too easy
- Music is very annoying
- No second chance with customers

Score – 8/10