Dora Links Doll, School Playsets, Friends

Earlier this year it was announced that Dora the Explorer, one of the most popular TV characters for little girls, would receive a teenager makeover. There were concerns among parents that Dora might lose her wholesome look, that both children and parents had fallen in love with. But, when Mattel released Dora links a couple weeks ago those worries were quickly put to rest, and replaced with excitement. The Dora Links Doll and online world is an innovation in play for little girls. For the first time ever, young girls in the 3-10 year old range, have a doll that changes based on a computer game play. This unlocks a new world of imagination and interactivity for young girls. This is gonna be big!

Dora lives in a small beach community called Puerto Verde, with her four best friends Naiya, Emma, Kate and Alana the “Explorer Girls”. Your child will be able to explore the city and solve mysteries with Dora, just like the TV show. The game is filled with dress up, and interior design games, that little girls love. The truly amazing part is that when you have Dora plugged into the computer, and you choose her hairstyle, eye color, or jewelry colors the doll changes to match your selection. This change happens pretty instantaneously with the click of a mouse.  This level of interactivity will delight your little ones.

The Dora doll plugs into the computer with the included fuchsia usb cord, and when off the computer she runs off of 3 included AAA batteries. When the child is off the computer, the Dora doll interacts differently based on what level of the game your child is at. She will talk about the current mystery your child is working on, and alert your child if new mysteries have been uploaded to the Mattel site. I’ve heard some parents say their children will not leave the house without their Dora Links doll.

Another fun element to Dora links is that new levels can be unlocked if you choose to buy the Dora accessories. Like many other dolls, you can buy outfits and accessories to expand your collection, but when you buy Dora Links accessories, you are not only expanding traditional play but you are also expanding online play. For example you can unlock the school mysteries by buying the Mattel Puerto Verde School, and you also get a desk, chair, books, and pencil cup to go with your Dora doll when your child is playing offline.

Dora’s best friends the “Explorer Girls” each have a separate doll that can be purchased to even further expand the game. Mattel did a great job of creating the multicultural elements of the TV Series, by making Dora’s friends all different nationalities. When your child gets a new doll she can unlock that dolls room and decorate it. At about $20 a doll, it’s easy on the wallet to add new dimensions to your child’s Dora world.

Some speculators have started to mass purchase the dolls in advance, betting that there will be shortages when the holiday season arrives, and they will be able to resell them on eBay. Dora Links is already starting to top the lists for the most coveted toys of the 2009 holiday season, so it might be a good idea to make your purchases on the links collection early. It’s hard to anticipate which accessories and explorer girls may or may not sell out. Click below to find the complete set of Dora Links Products:

Dora Links Dolls, Playsets, and Friends