I'm not sure id reverseOrder is back to post a game today or tomorrow, so i'll continue to fill in until I know he's back......I've been sorting out my computer spares cupboard and my software/stationary cupboard in the study as both are literally overflowing with stuff. You can't open the doors without something falling out; lol.
I decided to finally get rid of most of my older CD games, most of which are from 20 years to 10 years old. I did a massive sort out a few years ago and got rid of hundreds of games, but couldn't quite part with most of them at the time. anyway, while checking through the games to see if there were any I would likely try and play I came across a game called Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego an updated version with enhanced graphics and music. I thought this'll be found on some of the abandonia sites and was surprised to find a whole series of them. I only remeber the one, lol. Anyway, i've found download links for all of them including the enhanced versions.
The games were released by Brodenburd from the late 80s to mid 90’s. I’ve included two versions of the world game the standard and the deluxe as well as the two versions of where in the USA..... You can see the difference in both by the much improved graphics of the Deluxe versions.
On the Jewel case it says ‘New Hot Release’ lol. My copy was actually a re released by The Learning Company. This title is a great educational title that should give your kids and yourselves a good shot of geography as well as solving some puzzles. It says the game is for ages 9 and upwards.
The premise behind every Carmen Sandiego game is identical: starting out as a rookie detective, your job is to track down a gang of thieves who are stealing the world's (or the galaxy's/USA's/Europe's/history's as the case may be) most precious treasures. After each assignment briefing, you are given a deadline to capture the thief. Then it's off to the travel screen, where you pick the next destination to track the thief. At each location, you must interpret various clues from a number of sources (informants, etc.) to figure out the thief's next stop, as well as his/her identity. Your mission is a success when you track the thief to the right final hideout (plus time period, if you are playing Where in Time version) with the ar rest warrant issued for the correct suspect before the deadline. Missions are progressively more difficult as you solve cases and win promotions. Every Carmen Sandiego game contains hundreds of clues, attractive graphics and cartoons, and fun gameplay that will captivate kids and adults alike. Between the original 1985/86 CGA versions and after 1995 (where CD-ROM era began), Carmen Sandiego games can be categorized into 2 groups, each based on the underlying engine: the first group comprises "VGA enhanced versions" releases between 1989 and 1992. In this group, in the order of release, belong Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego?, Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego?, Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego?, Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego? (Enhanced), and Where in The USA is Carmen Sandiego? (Enhanced). The second group are games released between 1992 and 1994 that are based on the improved game engine that offers high-res VGA graphics, thousands of clues (as opposed to hundreds), and a more polished interface. These include Where in The World is Carmen Sandiego? Deluxe Edition, Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego?, and Where in The USA is Carmen Sandiego? Deluxe Edition. Of all these games, Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego? and Where in The USA is Carmen Sandiego? Deluxe Edition are the hardest to find.
Reference: http://www.xtcabandonware.com/game.php?id=1205 accessed 5th aug 09
Some of the games work with XP (I haven’t had the time to test any on my vista machine yet), but it’s still recommended using DOSBox with VDMSound because playing them via XP will only allow the sound to come from your PC speaker (if it has one – most newer computer don’t have a PC speaker included so you wouldn’t get any sound. All the games include music to put you in the mood as you travel around the world visiting at least 50 different countries, taking in the different cultures as well as space, lol. I’ve included the original versions of Where in the world and where in USA plus the enhanced versions. None of the downloads are bigger than just over 6Mb.
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Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? (<1Mb)
After checking it out I’m loath to give up the CD copy of the game, lol, but with all the game si've bought over the last several years, it's unlikely i'll revist it soon. at least now I can download it whenever I fancy playing it. :)
According to the information sheet that comes with the game the content supports UK and Scottish National curricula at Key Stages 2 and 3
.
The following is Abandonia’s take on the game.
Blockquote>This is a remake of one of the first games made by Brodenburd software dating all the way back to somewhere in 1985. The idea itself is very original and it puts you in position of an Interpol detective.
Your task is to hunt down criminals. During your investigation, you get to fly around the world, travel to different cities and investigate many places in them. You get different kinds of clues, based on which, you can issue an arrest warrant and track down the criminal you're after. The game progresses in such a way that you never get the same case twice! The potential is limitless.
As for the graphics, there are plenty of very nice pictures representing different towns and the introduction is just satisfactory. The only thing that could have been done better are the sounds which tend to repeat themselves frequently and are pretty annoying. Of course, we have to take into consideration the fact that making PC speaker sounds manually is both time consuming and difficult.
Finally, the navigation through the game is simple and straightforward so there shouldn't be any problems with that. All in all, this classic is a must.
Reference: http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/13/Where+in+the+World+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html accessed 5th Aug 09
The game requires you to answer certain questions (was part of the original copy protection):
The Questions:
The Stamp Act required _______ stamps to help defray the costs of royal troops.
In 1821, Emma _______ founded Troy Female Seminary.
The image that appears on the flag of Bhutan is a ______.
Tennessee was admitted to the Union in ____.
Katherine Hepburn was born in ________, Connecticut.
In the year 2000, Easter Sunday will fall on April __.
____ is the exact geographic center of Rhode Island.
In 1962, Rachel Carson's book, ______ Spring, launched the environmentalist movement.
The United States Mint was created by an act of Congress on April 2, ____.
The most abundant mineral in the body is _______.
Robert Penn ______ was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and poetry twice.
Mount Kilimanjaro in ________ is 19,340 feet high.
Idaho is also known as the ___ State.
The Golden Gate Bridge, the second longest suspension bridge in the world, was built in ____.
______ Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
The 1908 Olympics were held in ______.
The Answers
The Stamp Act required revenue to help defray the costs of royal troops.
In 1821, Emma Willard founded Troy Female Seminary.
The image that appears on the flag of Bhutan is a dragon.
Tennessee was admitted to the Union in 1796.
Katherine Hepburn was born in Hartford, Connecticut.
In the year 2000, Easter Sunday will fall on April 23.
Kent is the exact geographic center of Rhode Island.
In 1962, Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, launched the environmentalist movement.
The United States Mint was created by an act of Congress on April 2, 1792.
The most abundant mineral in the body is calcium.
Robert Penn Warren was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and poetry twice.
Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is 19,340 feet high.
Idaho is also known as the Gem State.
The Golden Gate Bridge, the second longest suspension bridge in the world, was built in 1937.
Crater is the deepest lake in the United States.
The 1908 Olympics were held in London.
Download:
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/13/Where+in+the+World+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html
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Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego Deluxe (4Mb)
This is an updated version of the above game with better graphis and music quality.
Download link:
http://www.xtcabandonware.com/game.php?id=1205
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Where in America’s Past is Carmen Sandiego?: (1.66Mb)
Here’s abandonia’s take on the game:
I have to say, that this one seemed to be the most educational Carmen Sandiego so far. I liked it and I hope you will too. It is somewhat true to the series, but there things that set this game apart from the rest of the series.
Again we have a gang of thieves, who are committing crimes and you need to capture them one by one, by searching for clues, trailing them, identifying them and bringing them in for trial. After you capture all the henchmen you go after Carmen herself.
Again you have three bits of info about the next step of the culprit and you need to plan your next step on the information given.But what is different is the in-game help!
You have a map of the US, divided in 6 sections. This means you basically only have six locations you can visit. But there are different historical eras in which you get to visit each location. A map, where you select both the location and historical era, also includes some notes about a certain territory. So if the clue says the suspect wanted to attend the ceremony, where they proclaimed Arkansas a state, you already know where and when to go (just look at the map, find Arkansas and you’ll see when it became a state).
The clues to the identity are a bit more ambiguous and I admit I had to use the net to search them. OK Mohamed Ali (as a favorite athlete) was easy enough, but when the clue says that a person’s favorite artist is a photographer I had to check them all to see who is a photographer (luckily good old Google never once left me holding the bag).
I also had to use Google for the questions about promotion. Luckily they aren’t silly copyright protection questions (like: which is the middle letter of the 19th word on page 4 if browsing the manual starting at the middle of chapter 3 and reading in a counterclockwise direction while drinking a glass of buttermilk at a bottom of a 3 foot mood hole). Again, I have to say it got the job done!So the game managed to keep the entertainment values of the Carmen Sandiego series, from the funny animations of V.I.L.E. henchmen, down to lovely names of the crooks, such as Leaf Malone (leave him alone) or Stanley Cupp (not the hockey tournament), but also tried it’s best to get you searching for information. You don’t have to know them by heart, but you have to think logically and search for info (within the game or outside it).
All in all a bit above average for this game, even though it still had some inconsistencies, such as giving you three different clues, but all of them pointing at the same location in the same time period (like an event in Texas in New York in 1978 and in Washington DC in 1982).
Download:
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/1061/Where+in+Americas+Past+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html
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Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego? (4.75Mb)
The standard English-Slovene dictionary doesn't know the word edutainment. I guess that's because it's not a real word; it's a word I learned playing Sam 'n Max Hit the Road. It's supposed to mean education and entertainment at the same time. And if there was ever something to which this word really applied, it's the game series Where in ___ is Carmen Sandiego?.
There are quite a few games in the series, and our site already features the game Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?. This game, Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego? is out of this world. As the title suggests, you're travelling back and forth through our solar system, trying to arrest the bad guys, gals and none-of-the-aboves.
As in all games, you are told that some priceless thingamajig has been stolen, and that you must catch the guilty lifeform. You then go to the location of the crime and have different ways of collecting clues. This game offers you five ways, but the fifth option is limited (you can send out probes, but you only have two of those).These clues give you information about the identity of the thief and tell you where to go next. You then have a few choices, and only one of them is correct. If you come to the right place you’ll see a V.I.L.E. henchman run across the screen - and in this game those are really hilarious: Imagine a single-celled lifeform dividing and both new cells being frightened at the sight of the other.
Every clue about the identity of the suspect should be fed into the computer (VAL9000), so you can find out who it is. Otherwise you can't get the arrest warrant, and even if you catch the perpetrator you won't be able to make a bust.
And how do you gather information? You can question witnesses, do the star search, tap in the V.I.L.E. frequency or contact an informant. The star search is the most original feature of this game. You get a clue about a part of the star map that you need to scan. You then precede to the star map, where you need to find this location and get the information you need. The last option is the probe. You can send two of these and each will bring you back an object that has been left floating around in space.
Once you reach the thief you're looking for, BEWARE! You will be in real danger of laughing until a little puddle forms under your chair. I found the 15T weight dropping on you in the weightlessness of space really humorous.
I simply love this game. It's not a fast action game, and you won't need to strain your brain too much (just enough to make it interesting). In return, you'll get lovely cartoonish graphics and tons of edutainment. Yes, you will learn a few things about space during the course of this game. The game also has nice speech and sound effects, but the sound is nothing special.
All in all, it's a game that deserves a 4. I can't really find any flaws in the game, except maybe that it's a children's learning game - but that’s not really a flaw, that's exactly what they wanted to make, and they succeeded.
Download:
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/431/Where+in+Space+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html
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Where in Europe is Carmen Sandiego? (<1Mb)
This is one of the older games of the series (most of them have been remade later on), the one where Carmen’s crime wave hits Europe.
OK, so the graphics are CGA. There might not be all that many colours, but the graphics themselves aren’t really bad (just compare them with Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? – also featured on our site, and you’ll see the quality is about the same, just add/remove colors). The sounds are basic, as with the other games of the series, but the real difference is the input device. You can not play with mouse or joystick, just with the keys. It’s still logical enough to play without any problems.
The premise is the same as with other games of the series. You’re sent to a place where a crime has happened and from there on you need to follow the suspect around the map. You’ll know where to go next after examining the crime scene, listening to witnesses and calling your stool pigeon for tips. Even if you are dead certain where to go next, you shouldn’t stop investigating the crime scene, because you need to get a warrant fro the suspect as well (and you need to match the suspect in the crime computer). So every time you get a tip on what the person likes, looks like and stuff, enter it into your notebook. Once you have the warrant, you can rush off (just remember, not all locations will give you information about the suspect’s identity).So far so good. Overlooking the lack of colours and keeping in mind the year of the game’s release, it’s easy not to count the more or less primitive sounds and controls as a downside of the game, I can not overlook the most obvious! There are some things in the game that really got me mad. Imagine, the very first assignment I got started in Yugoslavia (the country where I was born) and so I started in Belgrade, but the picture was of Mostar (that’s just sloppy). Next I had to go to Munich and got the picture of Neuschwanstein Castle. Come on, is it so difficult to actually match the place the game says you’re going to with an actual picture of that place? Or at least a somewhat anonymous picture that could represent a random town? This is something I really couldn’t overlook. This has got nothing to do with computer limitations, the year of release or anything relevant. It simply shows the lack of efford on the behalf of the producers.
Still, the game is fun and you might get to learn some of European geography, just don’t look at the pictures as reference points, please!
Download:
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/1059/Where+in+Europe+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html
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Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego? (<1Mb)
After you’ve chased Carmen down in Europe and locked her up, she escaped and is now on the loose in the USA.
This game already features VGA graphics, with animated V.I.L.E. henchmen, but the sounds are still quite dull. You can use the mouse to control the game, or stick to the keyboard. Actually this is not the original game, but the enhanced version. You see the Carmen Sandiego games were so popular, that enhanced and then deluxe versions were released later on (and they were all remakes of the original games Where in the World, in Europe, in the USA…).
This time you will travel through all 50 states of the USA, trying to capture the gang of Carmen Sandiego and finally her as well. Again you need to find clues to the next location of a culprit who stole a valuable piece from a city and you need to find the identity of this culprit to get a warrant for the arrest.
I must admit I know far less about the USA as I do about Europe, so I did use Google for some references and I have to admit there are a few things I learned. Still I found some inaccuracies as well. I mean, do you really expect me to believe that in a populated city you get to see a mouse standing in mush without any building in site? Also it’s somewhat irritating to read that the suspect went to Aspen for skiing, but you’re taken to downtown Denver instead (with ski slopes there instead of a city). I can understand that it would be too much to cover every city and that the travels are therefore limited to state capitals, but why did they have to write clues that point to other places? I mean all you need to do is locate the state the clue points to and go to its capital, so why not point at the capital directly (or actually add some more cities to each state)?
Anyway, it’s a solid edutainment game and the game most similar to Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego (game play and graphic wise). As usual I really loved the animated villains and their sad faces while they were dragged off to jail.
This game also has copy protection still enabled, so heres the Q and a’s that you’ll need:
Fodor's Travel Guide (supplied by Luchsen):
What is the last bold-faced word at the bottom of page:
40 - WARNING
41 - CUSTOMS
49 - TOBACCO
65 - MIDWEST
70 - OPERA
77 - VINLAND
104 - FLOWERLANDS
118 - DISNEYLAND
119 - RODEOS
169 - NANTUCKET
243 - CHINATOWN
264 - MUSIC
265 - NIGHTCLUBS
266 - SHOPPING
267 - TOYS
277 - CATTLEMAN
284 - SPORTS
318 - SPORTS
355 - SHOPPING
357 - WASHINGTON
385 - NIGHTCLUBS
454 - NATCHITOCHES
458 - GARDENS
492 - MEMPHIS
504 - GARDENS
585 - TUCSON
609 - MUSIC
664 - PECOS
737 - TOURS
739 - TIME
746 - HOLLYWOOD
843 - CHINATOWN
Which state is featured on page:
141 - MAINE
195 - VERMONT
210 - DELAWARE
217 - MARYLAND
330 - VIRGINIA
370 - ALABAMA
379 - FLORIDA
425 - GEORGIA
437 - KENTUCKY
488 - TENNESSEE
498 - ILLINOIS
517 - INDIANA
524 - IOWA
748 - CALIFORNIA
Download:
http://www.abandonia.com/en/games/1060/Where+in+the+USA+is+Carmen+Sandiego.html
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Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego Deluxe (6Mb)
This is an enhanced version of the above game. You’ll find better graphics and better quality music.
Download:
http://www.hotud.org/component/content/article/47-education/47/24042
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