Donald Duck’s Playground was the first Commodore game I remember playing. Our 1st grade teacher would use it as a reward on computer day if we had been good. I remember thinking it was neat that there was a joystick you could plug into the computer, just like in the local arcade. The basic concept of the game was that Donald Duck would go around town completing odd jobs to get money. He could then use the money to buy playground equipment for his nephews.
Donald Duck’s Playground was the first Commodore game I remember playing. Our 1st grade teacher would use it as a reward on computer day if we had been good. I remember thinking it was neat that there was a joystick you could plug into the computer, just like in the local arcade. The basic concept of the game was that Donald Duck would go around town completing odd jobs to get money. He could then use the money to buy playground equipment for his nephews.
My favorite of the odd jobs was one in which Donald would catch various types of fruit and put it in the matching box. If Donald caught the fruit and put it in the right
box, he would get money. If Donald didn’t catch the fruit it would smash on the ground and Donald would get mad and quack at you. In a similar game Donald worked in a toy store. He had to climb a ladder and catch items people wanted to buy. If the items fell on the ground Donald would… you guessed it, get mad and quack at you.
There were also two odd jobs involving transportation. In one game Donald controlled the switches on a railroad. Donald would earn money each time he successfully navigated a train car through the series of tracks. In another Donald put pieces of luggage on a conveyer belt to be put on an airplane. The letters on the luggage had to match the airplane with the same letters.
Once Donald had earned enough money he could visit three different stores to buy things for the playground. These stores were run by Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. Items ranged from slides and swings to rubber tires and fireman poles. After placing these items in the playground Donald’s nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie could play with them. While the point or reward of the game was to be able to play on the playground I have always found that part of the game a let down. The process of placing the playground equipment is rather complicated to a younger player. Also, the experience of “playing” on the playing is closer to watching someone to play on a playground. There is much more interaction and excitement involved in the odd jobs.
Donald Duck’s Playground is a great game for younger kids, Disney fans, and anyone who played it growing up. The three levels of play make it challenging for older players, Donald’s antics make it enjoyable for kids.
