Blogamole › Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego

By Michael Lopez

Back in the day, it was pretty tough to find a strong Latina as video game character. But in 1985, Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? broke that mold with a jet-setting heroine who solved mysteries and traveled the globe. Now, more than 25 years after its original release, Carmen is getting the big screen treatment thanks to Jennifer Lopez!

According to Deadline.com, JLo will be producing and possibly starring in the Carmen movie adaptation. The pop diva will be partnering exclusively with Walden Media and may even be adding a bit of mystery into the plot.

The storyline of Carmen’s revamp will revolve around the games ACME detective agency. Sandiego (who will presumably be played by Lopez) would be going rogue for this outing, ditching the agency and leaving a bunch of intriguing clues behind.

We imagine the movie will shoot in a variety of countries and still keep the game's family-friendly vibe intact. Who knows? There may even be some roles for Max and Emme as junior ACME detectives!

Do you think Jennifer Lopez would make a good Carmen Sandiego? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Carmen Sandiego, Jennifer Lopez, Movies & CineMás, video games, Walden Media, Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego

By Michael Lopez

Way back before Xbox Kinect remotes and Wii dancepads, electronic thrillseekers had to spend their time staring at green and black Apple II screens. Worse yet, the computer games of the early 1980s were oftentimes (dare we say it) “educational.” But they were still entertaining, so much so that two of the all-time classics, The Oregon Trail and Where In The World is Carmen Sandiego?, are making their way to Facebook.

Manufacturer Blue Fang Games hopes these old favorites will enjoy the same success as other Facebook gaming apps, such as Mafia Wars and Farmville. And they very well could. According to Yahoo News, web searches for Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego have jumped up to more than 500 percent in the past week.

YouTube trailers advertising both titles have certainly helped build buzz. Long gone are the shoddy graphics and drawn-out keyboard commands. The new versions of Oregon and Carmen feature colorful scenery, easy point-and-click features and plenty of the flair that made the originals great.

Based on the real-life adventures of American pioneers, the 1981 game The Oregon Trail let players take the role of wagon leader on a trek from Independence, Missouri, to the Pacific Northwest, providing great insight into the lives of 19th century settlers and plenty of cool ways to die (with dysentery being the most popular).

Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?, on the other hand, allows you to explore the entire planet. First released back in 1985, Carmen came with its own almanac and sent gamers on a globe-trotting journey based on geographic clues. And it was one of the first video games to feature a Latina lead character.

We imagine the new Facebook versions will be just as addictive and just as educational, particularly on the subjects of history and geography. The Oregon Trail hits the social network on February 2, followed by Carmen Sandiego exactly one week later.

Which classic video games would like to see rebooted? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags Carmen Sandiego, Education, Facebook, Hot Stuff, The Oregon Trail, video games, Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego