The Style Boutique series, also known as Style Savvy in North America, is a beloved collection of fashion-focused simulation games that allow players to manage a boutique, style customers, and create fashionable looks. With multiple titles in the franchise, including the New Style Boutique series, fans often wonder how these iterations differ from one another. Let’s dive into the key differences and what makes each game unique.
An Overview of the Series
The Style Boutique series began in 2008 and has since evolved with new features, better graphics, and expanded gameplay. Each installment builds upon the foundation of running a boutique and satisfying customers by selecting clothing and accessories that match their preferences. Players also have the freedom to design outfits, participate in contests, and decorate their shops.
The major installments include:
- Style Boutique (2008) – Known as Style Savvy in North America.
- New Style Boutique (2012) – Released as Style Savvy: Trendsetters in North America.
- New Style Boutique 2: Fashion Forward (2015) – Style Savvy: Fashion Forward in North America.
- New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star (2017) – Style Savvy: Styling Star in North America.
Key Differences Between Style Boutique and New Style Boutique
Here’s how the New Style Boutique series improved and expanded upon the original Style Boutique:
1. Expanded Gameplay Features
- In the original Style Boutique, the core gameplay revolves around managing a fashion boutique, helping customers, and participating in competitions.
- New Style Boutique introduces additional roles and gameplay mechanics:
- Players can now take on new jobs, such as being a hairdresser, makeup artist, or fashion designer.
- The games also feature more advanced customization for shops, homes, and characters, giving players greater control over their boutique’s aesthetics and their avatar’s style.
2. Graphics and Presentation
- The original Style Boutique was developed for the Nintendo DS, meaning it had simpler graphics and a more limited interface.
- New Style Boutique games were released on the Nintendo 3DS, taking advantage of better graphics, smoother animations, and even 3D functionality. This gives the newer games a more immersive and visually appealing experience.
3. Clothing and Accessories
- The original game had a decent selection of clothing and accessories but was somewhat limited in comparison to newer titles.
- New Style Boutique games offer a wider variety of brands, styles, and items, making it easier to cater to different customer preferences. Each installment introduces new clothing trends, ensuring the in-game fashion stays fresh and exciting.
4. Story and Characters
- Style Boutique had a simple storyline focused on managing your boutique and climbing the ranks in the fashion world.
- In the New Style Boutique series, the narrative becomes more detailed, with new characters, rival boutiques, and even deeper customer interactions. For example, in New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star, players help customers achieve their dreams of becoming pop stars, adding a unique storytelling element.
5. Competitions and Challenges
- Competitions in Style Boutique were relatively straightforward, involving basic outfit matching to win prizes.
- In New Style Boutique, contests are more dynamic, with themed events, tougher challenges, and opportunities to showcase your creativity by designing custom outfits or using specific brands.
6. Life Simulation Features
- New Style Boutique 2: Fashion Forward introduces life simulation aspects, allowing players to move around a customizable town, decorate their homes, and even pursue new hobbies. This expansion makes the gameplay more diverse compared to the original game.
Which Game Should You Play?
If you’re new to the series, starting with one of the New Style Boutique games is a great choice, as they offer more features, improved graphics, and expanded gameplay. Each New Style Boutique title builds upon its predecessor, so picking the most recent version (New Style Boutique 3: Styling Star) will give you the fullest experience.
However, if you enjoy classic games or are curious about the origins of the series, the original Style Boutique is still worth playing. It’s simpler but retains the charm and fun of managing a fashion boutique.
The difference between Style Boutique and New Style Boutique lies in the evolution of the series. While the original game laid the foundation with its boutique management mechanics, the New Style Boutique titles expanded the formula with richer gameplay, better graphics, and a broader range of activities. Whether you’re a fan of fashion or just enjoy simulation games, the Style Boutique series offers something fun for everyone.