The Oregon Trail (PC, 1990)

Presentation>
Made by the Learning company, My game came in a jeweled CD case with insert and CD for Windows 3.1/95 & Macintosh.

Graphics>
Being made around the time of Windows 95 the graphics are mostly 2D and pictures with a few animations here and there. For the time it was made they are very good. Loads of personality and ingenuity go into the design and help to connect with the intended era of the game.

Compatibility>
If you have a machine that can't run this game you are either a caveman or lost in time. I used to run a 3.5 inch floppy disk version of the same game on a windows 95 system without flaws. The more common issue for this game is backwards compatibility with the newer operating systems. I set my game for compatibility with windows 95 on my newer Windows XP machine and have not experienced any trouble so far. Has run smooth and never kicked me out.

Core Elements>
The game is centered around the famous Oregon Trail that stretched from Independence Missouri up to Oregon's Willamette Valley. You are the leader of a group of 5 pioneers whose main goal it is to reach Oregon or bust! You manage supplies, health, rations, and trading while making decisions along the trail and compensating for random things that might happen along the way. Fording rivers, reaching landmarks, dealing with disease, and hunting are just some of the things that require your attention in this game. All the while trying to get to Oregon before winter sets in. Might not be the most action packed game ever built but the ingenuity and addictiveness are undeniable.

Core Gameplay>
Most of your part will be 2D interface with mouse clicking on menus and buttons
to make decisions and learn about events that happen along the trail. Some parts (such as hunting and rafting) are in more of a arcade like setting but are still restricted to a point and click interface. You will hardly ever use the keyboard in this game.

Replay Value>
The game is aided by a random event generator that keeps every journey along the trail different and unique. Same events happen frequently but it is the order and humor in which they happen that keeps it fresh. Hopping from one landmark to another along the way keeps a sense of accomplishment in what you are doing. People might die or your whole party might die based off your decisions. Reaching Oregon your overall score is calculated and posted with the highest records. Playing again to get a better score, choose a different shortcut, use a different name, or maybe just trying to reach Oregon keep this game entertaining and fun long past its intended educational reach.

According to my two sixteen year old children (boy and girl) the game is "lame". They both agree (very rare occurance) Oregon Trail might interest a 6-10 year old but anyone with much computer/video games experience would find it boring and sadly lacking.

I love the game! Just like the old one i played in Elementary school. It was fun! Played both versions right when i got it. Glad i purchased it. It is really hard to find The Original Oregon Trail game, much less one that will work on Vista. Also got the newer version of the game. I love both of them. Would definitely recommend. Thank you so much for my game! Well worth the money.

I grew up playing this game! It's an old pass time for us. I was excited to find it here on eBay and now we're teaching our daughter to play it and she's beginning to love it too!

Perfect, works with Vista fine.. NOT for DOS. Small screen though, cannot maximize :-P Very happy with purchase!! GREAT price too