Summary
- Release Year: 1972
- Genres: Point-and-click
- Platforms: Odyssey
- Developers: Magnavox
- Publishers: Magnavox
States (1972): The Original Video Game Geography Lesson
Released in 1972 alongside the Magnavox Odyssey, the first home video game console, States is a simple but effective geography game that challenges players to identify the 50 states of the United States. The game comes with a deck of 50 state cards, each featuring a map of a different state and a multiple-choice question about that state.
To play the game, players insert a state card into the Odyssey console and then use the console’s controllers to select one of the four possible answers to the question. If the player chooses the correct answer, they score a point. The game can be played by one or two players, and the first player to reach 25 points wins.
States is a great way to learn about the geography of the United States, and it’s also a lot of fun to play. The game is challenging but not too difficult, and it’s a great way to test your knowledge of the 50 states.
Gameplay
The gameplay of States is very simple. Players insert a state card into the Odyssey console and then use the console’s controllers to select one of the four possible answers to the question on the card. If the player chooses the correct answer, they score a point. The game can be played by one or two players, and the first player to reach 25 points wins.
There are three different types of questions in States:
- Location questions: These questions ask players to identify the location of a particular state on the map. For example, “Which state is located in the northeast corner of the United States?”
- Capital questions: These questions ask players to identify the capital city of a particular state. For example, “What is the capital of California?”
- Fact questions: These questions ask players to identify a particular fact about a state. For example, “Which state is the largest in the United States?”
Educational Value
States is a great way to learn about the geography of the United States. The game teaches players the location of each state, its capital city, and a variety of other facts about each state. The game is also a lot of fun to play, which makes it a great way to learn without even realizing it.
Legacy
States is one of the 12 original games that were released with the Magnavox Odyssey, and it is considered to be one of the first video games ever created. The game was a commercial success, and it helped to popularize the Odyssey console. States is still played today by retro gaming enthusiasts, and it remains a great way to learn about the geography of the United States.
Conclusion
States is a fun and educational game that teaches players about the geography of the United States. The game is simple to play, but it is also challenging and addictive. States is a great way to learn about the 50 states, and it is also a lot of fun to play.
Review Score
8/10
