The Great Waldo Search (video game)

Lore & Background

The Great Waldo Search was released in 1992 for the Super NES. Its gameplay involves scrolling through animated Waldo scenes to locate Waldo, his dog Woof, and other hidden objects. Finding Woof triggers a bonus game where the player controls Woof on a flying carpet to collect points. The game includes five levels: The Carpet Flyers, The Underground Hunters, The Battling Monks, The Unfriendly Giants, and The Land of Waldos. The Super NES credits list William B. Norris IV for programming, Philip Ho and Doug Braun for production, and several artists including Wendy Salin, Mike Mangano, Kevin Kirk, Maurice Morgan, Steve Jasper, and Melanie Seghetti. Music was by Doug Brandon, and Howard Phillips served as executive producer.

Reader's Guide

Almost two decades after its original release, in 2009, a remake titled Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey was developed by Ludia and published by Ubisoft on iOS, Microsoft Windows, Wii, and Nintendo DS. This remake took advantage of pointer-based motion controls to locate search targets, though motion controls were only included in the Wii version. The remake also supported versus multiplayer. The original game is notable as an early adaptation of the Where's Waldo? book series into an interactive format, using scrolling scenes and a magnifying glass mechanic that anticipated later hidden-object game conventions. Its legacy is primarily tied to the 2009 remake, which updated the experience for modern platforms and control schemes.

Did You Know?

• The game is based on the third Waldo book, originally released under the same name in North America.
• Finding Waldo's dog Woof in each level allows the player to play a bonus game controlling Woof on a flying carpet.
• Motion controls in the remake were only included in the Wii version.