A Review of the Ty Girlz Dolls and Web Site

Ty Girlz debuted in 2007. The early Ty Girlz were a bit controversial--many parents thought their look was a bit trashy and not appropriate for younger children or pre teens. The Ty Girlz interactive web site (each doll comes with a code which gives you access to their web site, just like Webkinz) was also very simple and didn't have much to do. Well, the creators at Ty heard the parents loud and clear! The dolls were re-designed with more demure, appropriate look and the web site has been revamped with content and games added, for a much better experience. I now have no qualms giving Ty Girlz 4 stars.

Ty Girlz are one of the new dolls and plush that offer an online play component; similar products include Webkinz, Barbie Girls and Be-Bratz. First you purchase a physical doll or animal (or MP3 player if you are playing Barbie Girls...I still don't get that but that is another review...) and then you enter a secret code (or plug in a USB key...Be Bratz) and you get to play with an online version of your doll or plush animal. These types of dolls and toys have become very popular because of the in-depth activities and multi-faceted play they offer for a reasonable price (Ty Girlz generally retail for $12.99).

For the initial $14.99 price, you get access to most of the Ty Girlz web site. By buying additional Ty Girlz dolls and clothing, you can unlock additional parts of the site (more rooms for your Ty Girlz house and more virtual clothing). You earn Ty $ for your online Ty Girlz by playing games so you can feed, dress (online paper dolls!) and decorate their homes. You can also chat (safely) with other Ty Girlz and give your Girlz makeovers.

The actual physical dolls are cloth dolls with embroidered figures. They are roughly the size of Groovy Girls and have wire armature which enables the dolls to pose and sit. The retired Ty Girlz (the first set from 2007) with the trampier looks don't have the wire armature. The hair is rooted, long and combable. The embroidery on the face is high-quality and the clothing is removable. All in all, the quality is very nice for $12.99. The dolls have names like Precious Paris, Jammin'' Jenna, and Totally Trish--not my favorites, but the tweens love them.

The Ty Girlz Clothing

Ty Girlz clothing is new for 2007. The clothing retails for approximately $4.99 (a total bargain!)Styles are very demure and cute and include a white and blue pant outfit with winter hoodie, a fairy princess outfit, a school outfit with khakis, white blouse, purse and vest, and a denim skirt, green blouse and pink cord hat. They close with Velcro. The clothing also comes with a secret code and when you enter the code you get free clothes for your online doll as well.

The largest flaw that Ty Girlz has is when you add a second Ty Girlz to your account, you can't play with her! You can't switch between dolls at all (at least I couldn't figure out how to do it!). You do get a new room, a new outfit, $500 Ty $ (which should be more)_ and new makeup from the second doll. But, seriously, the programmers couldn't figure out how to add another doll to your account? This needs to be fixed right away.

The web site has come a long way since 2007 (but it could still come further...which we'll discuss later in this review). At first, the site was limited and boring. Much more content has been added...some of it quite addictive.

The number one addictive part of the Ty Girlz web site is dressing your Ty Girlz online! You get to go to different shops in different world cities. You can try on the clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. before you buy (you don't have to spend time lining them up perfectly because once you buy the items, they go into your doll's closet and when purchased then put on, they snap right into place). Your doll can have nearly any type of look--my doll has a French artist look right now (I have Dazzlin' Destiny, one of the original dolls) and my daughter has a bit of a Goth look going. My daughter is nearly 13 and I'm...well...older...and the site is fun for both of us.

The second most addictive part of the site is games! There are some truly fun games on the site, and you can earn tons of Ty $ for you Ty Girlz through games (which you'll need if you are a Ty Girlz clothing addict like we are).

You can also decorate your "house" online. For me, this is less fun than decorating, say, a Webkinz house, because my Ty Girlz don't actually get to interact with the house at all (like pets do on Webkinz)--they just stand there and admire it.

The site also offers chat (safe chat and freestyle, with parental permission), and an About Me page where you can tell all about yourself and your dolls. Number two for addictive Ty Girlz behavior is the games!

It takes lots of Ty $ to feed and dress your Ty Girlz and to decorate their home. You get some Ty $ whenever you add a Ty Girlz to your online account. You also make $2 Ty Girlz per every few minutes you play online. The best way, however, to make Ty $ is to play games.

Unlike Webkinz or Neopets, there are virtually no daily activities, except Doors for Dollars (you pick a door, you get the Ty $ inside door up to $100 1 time per day). Daily activities would be welcome, and would add more of a "world" feel to the site.

Dailies aside, some of the regular games are really fun! My all-time favorite is Mah Johngg Toy Chest. A game where you remove tiles in a Mah Johngg-like way, I think this version beats the ones on Webkinz and Neopets.

I also like Eggz. Skee Ball and Balloon Pop. For sheer, possibly huge, amounts of Ty $,you can play What's In The Bag, which is a Ty-type Deal or No Deal. There is also a solitaire game, and a "competitive" Trivia Game called Trivia Time which would be more fun if it were truly interactive.

In addition to games, there are "Fun Stuff" activities that focus mostly on makeovers, fashion and decorating, but don't seem to offer Ty $.