Wednesday 12 August 2015

Gaming 1997: "Theme Hospital" (Dell Pentium)

Sim-type games were all the rage at one time – if there was an industry, business model or commercial enterprise, there was a sim game for it, whether it be funfairs, airlines, zoos or pizza factories.

And - despite the fact that of all PC games, they tend to feel most like 'work' - I must have played the vast majority. But the one I tried first was Bullfrog's 'Theme Hospital':



Long before 'The Sims' really hit the scene, this quirky little game, with its bright graphics and childish sense of humour really was the ultimate timewaster. I could spend hours in front of the PC (my brand-new Pentium, no less!), managing my little hospital, trying to avoid epidemics and survive earthquakes.

And best of all, it's now free! Give it a try. You might be surprised.

5 comments:

Laban Tall said...

Theme Hospital ('bloaty head' - a very nasty ailment) reminds me a little of the hospital in Idiocracy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpFUrjq8nWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXzJR7K0wK0

PJH said...

That article is 7 months old Julia, and following the link (to EA Games/Origin) there shows they're charging £4.95 now, even when logged in.

Tim Almond said...

If it's not still free, it's worth getting on GOG.com's email list to get cheap prices.

I never fancied Theme Hospital, but really liked Theme Park. It's an interesting lesson in business - all the stuff that makes money, but also, all the stuff you have to do to make money (like providing toilets and rest areas)

Mark In Mayenne said...

Knew a girl whose fax was a doctor, came home from work and played Theme Hospital every evening. Scary

JuliaM said...

"Theme Hospital ('bloaty head' - a very nasty ailment) reminds me a little of the hospital in Idiocracy."

Heh! True!

And long time no see, Laban! Hope you are well,

"That article is 7 months old Julia, and following the link (to EA Games/Origin) there shows they're charging £4.95 now, even when logged in."

Yeah, sadly, I selected my year's posts in January. But it might be a free option once again, I've noticed Steam sometimes repeats offers.

And as The Stigler points out, even at a nominal fee, it's still worth it.

"...came home from work and played Theme Hospital every evening. Scary"

LOL!