Description of The Wizard of Oz
Telarium's 1985 release, Wizard of Oz, seems to be entirely inspired by the famous Judy Garland movie and, as far as I can tell, has very little to do with the L. Frank Baum books (which I've never read).
At first, the game suffers severely by following much too closely to the movie (although it's interesting to try to click your heels as soon as you get the ruby slippers), but as it progresses and the plot diverges, it becomes more and more enjoyable.
Before you know it, you find yourself in a rather cute adventure. For the most part, in the Telarium tradition, the puzzles are quite easy but there are a couple head-scratchers. Always keep in mind what characters are with you as the game doesn't always remind you, and like in the Infocom text games, NAME, COMMAND is the proper way to talk to NPCs.
Overall, I'd say this is a fun, easy game that will be especially enjoyable to young children and Wizard of Oz fans.
Review By HOTUD
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Comments and reviews
archcorenth 2022-01-20 1 point Commodore 64 version
In The Wizard of Oz text adventure, you move through a story rather than explore an area, like in most interactive fiction games. I think more games should work like this, since it plays more to the genre's strengths. It's relatively good for kids because you don't have to map anything. Essentially, you move from scene to scene from the book, and solve little puzzles along the say. --That is until you get to the Emerald City, and that's why I want to review this unreviewed game. Once the Wizard sets you the task of killing the Wicked Witch of the West, the game starts bringing in characters and scenes from the book's first sequel, the Marvelous Land of Oz. I think this is a really good idea, and if they ever try to do a new adaptation of the book as a movie or TV show, this would be a good way to make the new version different enough from the original to not invite constant comparison, as well as to handle the problem of Dorothy not being in the second story if their planning to do a series. Also, the sequel tells you so much about the Land of Oz and its history and answers so many questions you might have from reading just the first book, it gives you a much fuller experience.
The graphics (in the C64 version) are quaint, and I enjoy the little tunes the game plays for you from time to time. The writing is appropriate for kids, but perhaps not as witty as the source material. I think this game doesn't receive the attention it deserves.
(As an aside, if you're playing this from a download, because, after all, magnetic disks don't last forever, don't play the DOS version, I'm pretty sure all the DOS versions available online are missing their second disks and your game will end when you get to Emerald City. C64 has better art and sound anyway.)
Gawd 2019-01-29 1 point Apple II version
Apple II version is missing Disk D, which is needed right after meeting Jinjur. The current version available on Asmiov has a memory corruption and the game just hangs at some point. Even tried 4am's crack (missing 4th disk as well.)
collector rob 2008-08-03 -2 points DOS version
works good on dosbox but how do i get those better colors like above in some of the screen shots. some one write me and let me know at royaltyguy@yahoo.com
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DOS Version
124 KBApple II Version
- Year: 1985
- Publisher: Spinnaker Software Corporation
- Developer: Telarium Corp.
Commodore 64 Version
- Year: 1985
- Publisher: Spinnaker Software Corporation
- Developer: Telarium Corp.
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