I found a copy of the 1998 reissue at a local thrift shop for $4.14. It was hiding among piles of random crap close to the cashiers' counter and it's STILL in its original shrink wrapping!
As a 12 year old kid in 1995 widget workshop was definitely educational. It was fun building circuits and machines to do things. I never made a computer in a computer or anything but I have spent my whole adult working life repairing, designing and building things so I'd say it played a roll in my love for mechanics, electronics and engineering of all types
HOLY SHIT, FINALLY. AFTER OVER 15 YEARS I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE NAME OF THE GAME FROM MY CHILDHOOD! This game has been on my mind since I played it at the age of 6, I've never forgotten what it was, only the name. And only rediscovering it all these years later feels wonderful.
Of course! Though I don't remember much coming of it. It was around 1997, when they were in the middle of some pretty bad times financially, so I don't blame them.
You know, I always end up coming back to your reviews. I just love how you teach us about the history and story behind the games before you jump into the reviewing process.
I loved this as a kid. I just installed it on a retro computer build I made and as an engineer, it struck me how similar it is to circuit CAD programs like PSPICE or VHDL design programs. Cool stuff.
The thermometer is great for keeping an eye on the ambient temperature inside a server cupboard. I'd forgotten where that little cardboard thermometer came from until I watched this vid!
It is a strange occurrence! I know part of the reason they're memorable for me is that they were more of a "reward" than other games. Like, you do well in class you get the reward of playing this awesome game. And it's automatically awesome because it's a game in school! And yes, I have fond Number Munchers memories. Awesome game that I hope to review eventually.
It is quite similar on the surface, actually. Although really, it's a pretty intuitive design based on logically connecting electronic components, so I doubt WW was any real inspiration. More that they were both inspired by the same simple premise.
LGR, I have to thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite games growing up as a little kid. I had completely forgotten about this, but after seeing it, I remember a bit. I think I also remember me liking the menu music and arguing about it with my sister because she didn't like it. I think the last time I even THOUGHT about this game, let alone play it, was about 15 years ago... NOW I FEEL OLD!
Just haven't felt like it, to be honest. Everyone and their mother knows about the game now, and I really don't have much to add. I might cover its various versions once the Xbox 360 port comes out, since the split-screen multiplayer intrigues me.
So glad I found this on your channel! I regularly checked this out of the local library and have spent the last few years trying to remember what this was called.
When I was a kid my parents bought me the Maxis Kids pack for our family's PC. I probably had the most fun with the games in the pack. It came with Widget Workshop, SimTunes, SimTown, and SimAnt. Let me tell you I was a happy child after opening that box!
Excellent as usual! And what a cool game, this must be my favorite edutainment title of all the ones you have edutained us with. Being able to turn your completed designs into a shareable executable is such a smart feature! Oh, and the music at the end sounds like...Zool...2? Can't place the tune though, it might just be some of the samples in there that I've heard in Zool 2 on the Jaguar. Just sounds Zooly.
2:00 You've got rubber bands, straws, a magnifying glass, a thermometer, a compass, a circular... wood piece of... wood with a Sega Dreamcast logo on it.
I used to play this all the time as a kid in the 90s. I had a compaq presario that had just enough ram to run this and simcity... I loved it though, I didn't have access to the internet and this was the only thing that kept me entertained for hours.
I was totally addicted to this game as a kid since I had a copy of it. Unfortunately, that CD broke. But a few years ago I found it online and bought it immediately, so now I have it again! I'm a Swede btw, and the Swedish version of this is called "Uppfinnarverkstan" (meaning "Inventor's Workshop").
Something tells me that Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet series) must've used the same layout that's used in this Maxis title for programming levels or films
FARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTS You make me laugh so much! Keep up the great, informative work. Your videos are edutainment in themselves I find. I can't wait for the MSX review.
Several reasons: I got bored of it, I currently prefer shorter and simpler intros, removing it made applying for revenue sharing easier, using it took more effort to re-work it every video, and lots of people complained about it and thought they were being RickRoll'd for some reason.
Please tell me you'll be doing a review of that awesome looking Commodore CBM. I've always wanted one, but it was obsolete by the time I was computing in 1986 and they're just so expensive now.
Ive never actually seen this outside of the catalog. I always assumed it was a sequel to an Apple II business simulation game involving widgets I used to play in elementary school.
Hey Phreakindee, when do you think you'll be reviewing Minecraft? It's been officially released in November, and I think it's been long overdue, since you said before you planned to. Not that I need help on deciding to buy it or not, but I look forward to seeing your view of the game in your own Phreakish way.
I played this back in the day. On my dad's Mac. I remembered it as being an awesome game. So I decided to look for a video about it, and found this. Great video. I recently re-installed it (today) and guess what? It IS an awesome game. lol I installed the Windows version onto my new Mac with Wine. It works so perfectly, I'm gonna be ditching TF2 for a month to play this. Today I made a working 2.3 octave piano with a drum kit. I could do a 3 octave piano, but then no drums. lol
(can't find your comment now) And it is the same scene. George McFly struggles to find the word destiny and says density instead. It is the exact line you quoted hahahaha.
Will you some day do Simtown. It was my very first game, and I still own it. But I am sure that my version is different than yours. Mine is in Danish language.
i came to your latest video because i just had to ask if u would review mass effect 3. so much talk of the ending and the dlc and i want your thoughts. personally, i hate the ending and day 1 dlc shouldnt be payed but now they are giving free stuff to calm me down. was just wondering your thoughts on all this and the game itself (:
I know this is a bit off-topic, but why did you change the intro from drinking the cola and turning on the xbox controller to what it is now? Just curious.
I found a copy of the 1998 reissue at a local thrift shop for $4.14. It was hiding among piles of random crap close to the cashiers' counter and it's STILL in its original shrink wrapping!
Wow! Did you pick it up
As a 12 year old kid in 1995 widget workshop was definitely educational. It was fun building circuits and machines to do things. I never made a computer in a computer or anything but I have spent my whole adult working life repairing, designing and building things so I'd say it played a roll in my love for mechanics, electronics and engineering of all types
"Oh, it's a top"
This is why I am subscribed.
Also, holy crap. I had this game as a kid! Wouldn't have remembered it without watching this.
HOLY SHIT, FINALLY. AFTER OVER 15 YEARS I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE NAME OF THE GAME FROM MY CHILDHOOD! This game has been on my mind since I played it at the age of 6, I've never forgotten what it was, only the name. And only rediscovering it all these years later feels wonderful.
Saaaaaame!!!
Doing binge watching all these old reviews of LGR. Its kind of therapeutic!
Read the book endlessly as a kid, only ever played the software once at a local library. I remember it having sweet animations!
Now that I'm looking back, this probably kick-started my interest in science. Maybe I have widget workshop to thank for my career in engineering!
Of course! Though I don't remember much coming of it. It was around 1997, when they were in the middle of some pretty bad times financially, so I don't blame them.
You know, I always end up coming back to your reviews. I just love how you teach us about the history and story behind the games before you jump into the reviewing process.
"Off-computer exploration tools"
Also known as junk drawer grab-bag.
I still have some of these and I had forgotten where they came from
It's a Windows game, and works just fine on any modern machine I've tried it on!
I loved this as a kid.
I just installed it on a retro computer build I made and as an engineer, it struck me how similar it is to circuit CAD programs like PSPICE or VHDL design programs.
Cool stuff.
The thermometer is great for keeping an eye on the ambient temperature inside a server cupboard. I'd forgotten where that little cardboard thermometer came from until I watched this vid!
Had this as a kid on my first PC and loved it, probably was what drove me to study engineering.
It is a strange occurrence! I know part of the reason they're memorable for me is that they were more of a "reward" than other games. Like, you do well in class you get the reward of playing this awesome game. And it's automatically awesome because it's a game in school!
And yes, I have fond Number Munchers memories. Awesome game that I hope to review eventually.
I've posted one in the video description!
It is quite similar on the surface, actually. Although really, it's a pretty intuitive design based on logically connecting electronic components, so I doubt WW was any real inspiration. More that they were both inspired by the same simple premise.
LGR, I have to thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite games growing up as a little kid. I had completely forgotten about this, but after seeing it, I remember a bit. I think I also remember me liking the menu music and arguing about it with my sister because she didn't like it. I think the last time I even THOUGHT about this game, let alone play it, was about 15 years ago... NOW I FEEL OLD!
Fantastic stuff, happy to hear!
Just haven't felt like it, to be honest. Everyone and their mother knows about the game now, and I really don't have much to add. I might cover its various versions once the Xbox 360 port comes out, since the split-screen multiplayer intrigues me.
Totally plan on it, yes! Can't say for sure when though.
Thanks lazy game reviews, I've been trying to remember this game for 25 years
So glad I found this on your channel! I regularly checked this out of the local library and have spent the last few years trying to remember what this was called.
Totally will be, yes! It has some memory issues that I hope to sort out first, but rest assured its day in the limelight will come.
I love all the Back To The Future quotes you sneak in!!! Absolutely great channel!
Absolutely. George McFly is the man.
When I was a kid my parents bought me the Maxis Kids pack for our family's PC. I probably had the most fun with the games in the pack. It came with Widget Workshop, SimTunes, SimTown, and SimAnt. Let me tell you I was a happy child after opening that box!
Haven't reviewed it yet, but I will someday.
Excellent as usual! And what a cool game, this must be my favorite edutainment title of all the ones you have edutained us with. Being able to turn your completed designs into a shareable executable is such a smart feature!
Oh, and the music at the end sounds like...Zool...2? Can't place the tune though, it might just be some of the samples in there that I've heard in Zool 2 on the Jaguar. Just sounds Zooly.
inject that pure nostalgia directly into my eyes
2:00 You've got rubber bands, straws, a magnifying glass, a thermometer, a compass, a circular... wood piece of... wood with a Sega Dreamcast logo on it.
"Because I'm drinking milk. Chocolate. And it is my density." That reference just netted you a subscriber.
Holy poop. Its crazy. This game is like an early kids version of Max Visual Programming. Clint you should check out a trial of Max and be blown away.
Casey Kleypas yes!
Widget Workshop was the game I most played in the Maxis Kids Collection that I got for my birthday one year. SimTunes was pretty great too.
I had this game and played it quite a lot as a kid. The statement about making your own fun is spot on. It's kind of like digital LEGOs!
I used to play this all the time as a kid in the 90s. I had a compaq presario that had just enough ram to run this and simcity... I loved it though, I didn't have access to the internet and this was the only thing that kept me entertained for hours.
I didn't know LGR reviewed Widget Workshop, I loved using this when I was a kid
I love your channel, the nostalgia is real!
I see Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon on your shelf, with the original box art too! AWESOME!
I was totally addicted to this game as a kid since I had a copy of it. Unfortunately, that CD broke. But a few years ago I found it online and bought it immediately, so now I have it again!
I'm a Swede btw, and the Swedish version of this is called "Uppfinnarverkstan" (meaning "Inventor's Workshop").
Had this channel and username for years before I started Lazy Game Reviews. Since I can't change channel names it stuck.
I can't believe this was a 2012 LGR video.
It's cool that kids can learn about and/or/not logic from a game like this.
Works great on the Steam Deck :D well as long as you bind Alt key to access the menus.
Something tells me that Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet series) must've used the same layout that's used in this Maxis title for programming levels or films
FARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTSFARTS
You make me laugh so much! Keep up the great, informative work. Your videos are edutainment in themselves I find. I can't wait for the MSX review.
Phreakindee,are you going to make a review of Maxis' Simtown ? I saw you had it in your Maxis Collection video. Or did you already review it?
I loved this so much as a kid.
This is really cool, gotta find a copy! Always great reviews. 100% clued me in
Dat game cover. I swear, the weirdest stuff gives me an overwhelming sense of nostalgia...
Several reasons: I got bored of it, I currently prefer shorter and simpler intros, removing it made applying for revenue sharing easier, using it took more effort to re-work it every video, and lots of people complained about it and thought they were being RickRoll'd for some reason.
Please tell me you'll be doing a review of that awesome looking Commodore CBM. I've always wanted one, but it was obsolete by the time I was computing in 1986 and they're just so expensive now.
Good times, good times....
I loved the back to the fututre reference your references are the best
Wait, does this actually have the full set of logic gates? That's really friggin' cool, I might have to download this and play around with it a bit.
Can you do a review of Tropico 4? I loved the original Tropico game, but I wasn't sure how good 4 was... I love your reviews, keep them up!
I always thought the intro to this game sounded like Streets of SimCity. I'm so glad someone else noticed this, too.
Ive never actually seen this outside of the catalog. I always assumed it was a sequel to an Apple II business simulation game involving widgets I used to play in elementary school.
"Fartsfartsfartsfarts".
Oh LGR, how you amuse me haha.
I played this in elementary school, it was the coolest thing ever!
I haven’t seen this game since my childhood 😊 I want to play this game again
0:07 I see that you have "Putt-putt goes to the moon" on your pc game boxes shelf!
I still have this game and it still works
Holy crap I played this game at someone else's place and thought it was cool, but completely forgot it's name. And now I know. Thanks.
Heck yeah! Kids games or not I love that game, haha.
Do you think you'll have a review on Spore?
Hey Phreakindee, when do you think you'll be reviewing Minecraft? It's been officially released in November, and I think it's been long overdue, since you said before you planned to. Not that I need help on deciding to buy it or not, but I look forward to seeing your view of the game in your own Phreakish way.
that sounded really loud im surprised the glass survived
I played this back in the day. On my dad's Mac. I remembered it as being an awesome game. So I decided to look for a video about it, and found this. Great video.
I recently re-installed it (today) and guess what? It IS an awesome game. lol
I installed the Windows version onto my new Mac with Wine. It works so perfectly, I'm gonna be ditching TF2 for a month to play this.
Today I made a working 2.3 octave piano with a drum kit.
I could do a 3 octave piano, but then no drums. lol
Travel back in time to circa 1995, send in your registration card :)
How is the audio so good???
Awesome Review. Keep up the great work!
Did you know theme hospital is out on GOG.com?
(can't find your comment now) And it is the same scene. George McFly struggles to find the word destiny and says density instead. It is the exact line you quoted hahahaha.
Will you some day do Simtown. It was my very first game, and I still own it. But I am sure that my version is different than yours. Mine is in Danish language.
Nice Back To The Future reference!
i came to your latest video because i just had to ask if u would review mass effect 3. so much talk of the ending and the dlc and i want your thoughts. personally, i hate the ending and day 1 dlc shouldnt be payed but now they are giving free stuff to calm me down. was just wondering your thoughts on all this and the game itself (:
I still have it! both on my ancient Compaq Presario (Windows 95 ftw) and on my current Win7 machine :) Wish I was 6 again hehe
omg i played this game a lot as a kid, as well and the incredible machine
Certainly not. It's made of pure enjoyment.
How the hell you did not spill the milk?
I had a demo for this game, but couldn't figure out what it was supposed to do. It had no instructions. I wish I'd understood it better, now.
Oh god I remember this one!
Sorry for asking, but which soundtrack do you use in the intro? It's pretty catchy!
My 14-year old self is still completely overwhelmed by what the heck you were even supposed to use the Boolean gates for
So I'm not the only one who read the Maxis catalog for fun.
You Should review "3D Movie Maker" which was a very nice edutainment software
10 years ago 😮
I should have been playing with this as a kid. That would have been awesome.
1:04 Back to the Future reference?
This was my childhood!
Though it lacks music and good graphics, its quite good
this loooks reeeeally cool!!! wish i had this as a kid.
The weird thing is... I was drinking chocolate milk while watching this video. Hmm..
I know this is a bit off-topic, but why did you change the intro from drinking the cola and turning on the xbox controller to what it is now? Just curious.
Awesome game! Great review as always.
Great work 👍
I wonder if they accept orders still.
Please tell me that your going to review gizmos and gadgets! :D
Im a fullstack widget workshop developer. Built my first server with Widget Workshop.