Alright, so Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? on NES is basically the history nerd’s version of the original Carmen Sandiego games. Instead of just chasing thieves across the globe, you’re hopping through time—Ancient Egypt, Renaissance Italy, you name it. The criminals still pull their usual disappearing acts, but now you’ve got to figure out when they were last seen too.

First thing you’ll notice? The interface is pure old-school point-and-click (well, as much as an NES controller allows). You interrogate witnesses, sift through clues, and match historical facts to narrow down the time period. Mess up, and you’ll waste precious days chasing dead ends—which, honestly, happens a lot at first. The game doesn’t hold your hand, but that’s part of the charm. You actually learn stuff without realizing it, like how Vikings weren’t just pillagers (who knew?).

It’s got that classic 8-bit vibe, complete with chiptune renditions of period-appropriate music. Just don’t expect flashy graphics—this one’s all about the brainwork. If you’re into mysteries with a side of history, it’s a weirdly satisfying time capsule (pun intended).