Developer(s) Brøderbund Software Series Carmen Sandiego Genre(s) Educational/strategy | Publisher(s) Brøderbund Software Release 1992 | |
Platform(s) MS-DOS, FM Towns, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS | ||
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Deluxe, the second version of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, was released in 1992 featuring additional animation and a reworked interface from the 1985 version. Some of the bonus features include: "digitized photos from National Geographic, over 3200 clues, music from the Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings, 20 villains, 60 countries, and 16 maps". CD-ROM versions for DOS and Macintosh were released in 1992, and a Windows version was released in 1994. Sometimes the 1996 reboot version is mistakenly called the "Deluxe" version. Also not to be confused with Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (Enhanced), released in 1990.
The Advocate explains the game features "photos from locations around the world overlaid with animated sequences of the criminals in action, music and sound effects".
Each location contained three sources of clues; the user could either question a bystander, search the area or call "Crime Net". Bystanders and "Crime Net" provided a clue as to the suspect's location and, on occasion, additionally stated something about the suspect. Searching the area turned up an object that exclusively provided a clue as to the suspect's location.
This game was the first to feature dialog spoken aloud, although most information still appeared in written form and the dialog of bystanders was not spoken but contained in speech balloons.
Critical reception
The game was given a rating of 4 out of 5 at MyAbandonware. The San Diego Union said the "'Carmen Sandiego Deluxe' game is challenging, but still fun", adding that "Kids will be anything but bored". Boston Globe said it was "for older children". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described it as a "fast paced detective chase". The Los Angeles Times said "[Carmen Sandiego's] creators at Broderbund have remade her bigger and badder than ever in a terrific new CD-ROM release of "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Deluxe Edition", and gave the gave a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
The game was given a press score of 6.3 off IGN, and a Reader Review Average of 8.0, a GameFAQs Rating Average of 8.5, and a GameRankings Average of 6.2 off the website GameFAQs. Nintendo Power gave the game a rating of 3.075 out of 5. A review of the 1992 version of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? by Gary Hartley for HonestGamers concluded by saying: "For the most part, this is a good game. It has its share of flaws, but you should find it above average overall". Hartley gave the game a score of 6/10 (Good). Carole Stewart McDonnell for the website Guide2Games gave a positive review for the 1992 version of the game Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, saying "this is a fun way of learning world geography". The game was given a Christian Rating of 5/5 (nothing offensive), a Gameplay rating of 5/5 (excellent), a Violence rating of 5/5 (none) and an Adult Content rating of 4/5 (barely present).