Look, Carmen Sandiego was legitimately revolutionary in 1985. It proved games could teach without being boring, and an entire generation of kids learned world capitals because of it.

But let's be real: this game is 40 years old. The graphics are primitive even by retro standards, the interface requires patience that modern kids simply don't have, and you needed physical reference books to play it properly. It's like asking your kid to get excited about a rotary phone.

The Carmen Sandiego concept remains excellent, which is why it's been rebooted multiple times. If your kid is interested in geography mysteries, point them toward the 2019 Netflix series or newer game versions. This original? It's a museum piece. Respect its legacy, maybe show them a YouTube video of gameplay for historical context, but don't expect them to actually play it.

The WISE components are solid, but the playability penalty is massive. It's not the game's fault—it's just old.