If there’s one thing we learned from computers in the early 90s it’s that dysentery is bad. Anyone with a computer at school at that time probably played the pseudo-educational game, Oregon Trail, that involved buying supplies and rationing for the difficult journey to the Frontier. There were many ways to die, but dysentery is one that sticks.
Fun fact: another name for dysentery is the Bloody Flux which was coincidentally the name of my band in high school.
I recently stumbled upon the original Oregon Trail at the Blanton Museum of Art of all places. In the multimedia room surrounded by relatively modern computers was an Apple II with little on it other than the classic game. I futzed around with it for a while before attempting to be classy again with the “real” art. Later in the day I searched for a Flash version, but the closest thing I could find was this.
Organ Trail, doesn’t just alter the vowels of the game title, it completely recontextualizes the game to “modern” sensibilities. Can’t relate to old-timey wagons and lame oxen? How about a zombie epidemic? Who can’t relate to that? Gather supplies, hop in the station wagon, and cross your fingers as you cross the country to a rumored safe zone on the West Coast. Organ Trail follows an almost identical path as the original and the graphics are pleasantly dated. There are some word problems (remember those?) to figure out at the beginning to ensure you have enough food and gas. Of course, if you’ve seen any zombie movie, things don’t go according to plan. Even if you’ve done all the math right, zombie hoards, car troubles, inclement weather, and various ailments hinder your progress.
In other words, enjoy.
Click here to play Organ Trail.
You might also want to check this out if your nostalgia gland is working overtime.
This article appears in May 11 • 2012.
