Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? is a 1985 educational adventure game developed by Broderbund. Players work as rookie detectives for the ACME Detective Agency, chasing globe-trotting members of Carmen's V.I.L.E. crime ring across real-world cities by interviewing witnesses, following clues about geography, currency, flags, and culture, and issuing an arrest warrant for the right suspect before time runs out.
Its clever fusion of learning and detective gameplay made geography genuinely fun, and it famously shipped with a physical world almanac that players needed to decode clues. The game became a phenomenon that spawned sequels covering the USA, Europe, and time itself, plus a TV game show and animated series, all while players sharpened real knowledge pursuing the elusive master thief.
The franchise has been revived in various modern forms over the years, and the original remains a landmark of educational gaming, remembered fondly by generations who learned geography through the chase.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Case of the Golden Idol Indie | € 15,99 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| The Rise of the Golden Idol Indie | € 19,50 | Steam Deck Verified | PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch |
| GeoGuessr | Free + in-app purchases | Not on Steam | PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet |
| Carmen Sandiego (mobile) | Free + in-app purchases | Not on Steam | iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet |
| Carmen Sandiego (Switch) | € 19,99 | Not on Steam | Switch |
The Case of the Golden Idol Indie
€ 15,99A brilliant indie deduction game of piecing together mysteries.
The Case of the Golden Idol runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
The Rise of the Golden Idol Indie
€ 19,50Deduction puzzles where you piece together names, places and motives from scattered clues.
The Rise of the Golden Idol runs on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. Not available on Linux.
GeoGuessr
Free + in-app purchasesGuess where in the world you are from a street view drop, the geography quiz Carmen Sandiego always wanted to be.
GeoGuessr runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Carmen Sandiego (mobile)
Free + in-app purchasesModern Carmen Sandiego games, often via Google Play or Apple Arcade.
Carmen Sandiego (mobile) runs on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
Carmen Sandiego (Switch)
€ 19,99An adventure entry based on the modern animated reboot.
Carmen Sandiego (Switch) runs on Switch. Not available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox.
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