It wasn’t until 1985, 14 years after the original, that the game most people associate with The Oregon Trail name was released for the Apple II. Benefiting greatly from the Apple II’s breakthrough success, especially in the education sector, Philip Bouchard reimagined The Oregon Trail as a real-time simulation, breaking from the text only, turn based adventure developed in the 70s. He built the game to work systematically, with interlocking systems for time, weather and health. Though simple by modern standards, it was a winning formula that propelled MECC to unprecedented success. Every version since, from the multi-media obsessed Oregon Trail II, to the current Apple Arcade version of the game have riffed and expanded upon Bouchard’s vision. How do all of these versions of the game stack up? And do they actually teach you about The Oregon Trail? Join us, as we continue our trek through the history of The Oregon Trail series and its legacy.
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