Track down Carmen Sandiego with Google Earth

Netflix and Google Earth partnered for a new Carmen Sandiego game for Google Maps and Earth!

I have many fond memories of spending hours playing games on the family computer. One of my favorite games was Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? I was excited when Netflix announced that they were releasing a new animated show based on the game, according to a report from The Verge. I binge-watched the show the weekend it came out. It is a worthy addition to the series as far as I am concerned.

The other day, I went on to Google Maps, partially because of the need to look up a location, but mostly out of boredom at work, as one does. To my utter delight, underneath the search bar, was a familiar figure. “Catch Carmen Sandiego,” it beckons. “The world’s greatest super thief is back. Follow clues and track her down!” I clicked so hard on the link that I’m surprised I didn’t break my mouse.

Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego? has the 90s nostalgia that players of the original game will enjoy mixed with screenshots of actual Google Earth locations. From the first screen of  “Welcome to ACME, Gumshoe” to the successful end of the episode, we are plunged into the excitement and educational factoids of the original game. Sadly, there is no music or sound effects, but we won’t hold that against them.

Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego: The Crown Jewels Caper is only the first assignment. There will be more assignments released in the coming months, though there is no word yet on how many more assignments we can expect. We will have to keep an eye out for the ones which are scheduled to released in May and June. For now, we will have to content ourselves with replaying the current game and rewatching the Netflix series.

Good work, Gumshoe! We will never rest in our endeavor to stop V.I.L.E and protect the world’s treasures.