Secrets Can Kill (SCK)-November 23, 1998

A crime has been committed at the local high school and it’s up to you as Nancy Drew to crack the case! Look carefully in every nook and cranny for almost 200 hidden clues. Interrogate suspects and solve over 75 cryptic codes and puzzles to weed out possible suspects. Question everything to uncover the truth and catch a cunning criminal.

"This is the original SCK not to be confused with the 2010 remaster. This SCK most notably differs from the rest of the series in that it uses 2D animated graphics instead of 3D. Tonally has quite a bit in common with the Nancy Drew Files book series and is on of only a few games that involve Nancy investigating a death/murder. HeR Interactive no longer sells this title but you can find a copy if you know where to look."

Stay Tuned for Danger (STFD)- November 13, 1999

TV actress Mattie Jensen needs your help; an unknown enemy is threatening her co-star. As Nancy Drew, you'll pose as an extra on a television set filled with clues and plot twists. Look everywhere for evidence to unravel a web of lies surrounding the suspects. Interview and interact with 3D characters, solve over 100 puzzles and crack hidden codes to discover the truth before the final curtain call.

"STFD is a pretty bizarre game- for a few different reasons. The game quite literally contains the theme from Halloween. There's also the case of a website for a long-distance sex toy using the 3D models of Rick and Lillian in it's product photos. The whole game can be a bizarre and disjointed experience which is likely why many fans got their start with Message in a Haunted Mansion instead of this one. STFD has gone the way of the original SCK and is no longer being sold by HeR but like SCK you can find a copy if you know where to look."

Message in a Haunted Mansion (MHM)- November 23, 2000

In "Message in a Haunted Mansion," Nancy Drew is invited by a friend to San Francisco to assist in the renovation of a Victorian mansion. Mysterious accidents keep throwing the renovations off schedule. Is it unsettled spirits at work? Or is there something more sinister going on? In a house full of trapdoors and secret tunnels finding the answer won't be easy.

"The "two lesbians buy a Victorian mansion in San Fransisco" game. I don't have many thoughts about this one except this is the only time in the whole series that Hannah actually picks up the phone when you call home. Every other game that lets you call Hannah has your call sent directly to the answer machine- she's screening my calls and it's breaking my heart."

Treasure in the Royal Tower (TRT)- June 21, 2001

Nancy's ski vacation in an old castle has been interrupted by a fierce blizzard! Snowbound inside the castle, Nancy learns of an elaborate plot devised by Marie Antoinette over 200 years ago to hide a royal treasure. Nancy begins to uncover the rich history of the lodge, and some mysterious events, all leading to the hidden treasure. When Nancy is around, there is much more to the story than first appears!

"Oh, it's TRT! Most notable for the first appearance of fan favorite Professor Hotchkiss and the presence of the world's dumbest diamond thief. In my own opinion the atmosphere of this game is impeccable- it's like you can feel the cold. Most Nancy games fall under the "locked room" style of mystery- taking place in one fixed location with a set of suspects you're trapped with- but TRT really communicates that feeling of isolation in a wonderful way."

The Final Scene (FIN)- November 1, 2001

Nancy travels to St. Louis to visit her old friend Maya and attend the premier of a new blockbuster movie, “Vanishing Destiny,” at the Royal Palladium Theater. The historic theater is scheduled for demolition in just 3 days and Maya is covering the controversial story. But when Maya is kidnapped just before her big interview with the movie’s leading man, Brady Armstrong, Nancy’s night out at the movies turns into a nightmare.

"So FIN is great, like really great, I love it. But the fandom is right is right, this game is cursed and evil- but in a good way. This game produces some of the most real panic and terror in the whole series. The way no one listens to Nancy had me feeling CRAZY! Like everyone in this game is practicing the mantra of gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. In my opinion this game has some the strongest character work in the whole series (which is saying something) there's not a single character in this game I don't have a strong opinion of. This one is a must play and I would recommend it as an introduction to the series even above more fan favorite games like CUR."

Secret of the Scarlet Hand (SCK)- August 12, 2002

Between cases, Nancy Drew has taken an internship as Deputy Curator at the Beech Hill Museum in Washington, D.C. Nancy soon discovers she will be doing more than learning about ancient Maya artifacts—there have been a series of thefts and the only clue left behind in a mysterious scarlet handprint!

"N/A"

Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake (DOG)

- Nov 9, 2002
A friend’s frantic note sends you on the trail of a mysterious pack of dogs whose glowing eyes and mournful howls threaten to chase you away forever. Local residents say that the dogs have come back from the grave to protect the secrets of their master. Are the ghostly legends true, or is there a flesh-and-blood explanation for the haunting howls? You must solve the mystery before the hounds catch your scent!

"Stunning, incredible, wonderful, iconic- DOG is a fan favorite for a REASON! In writing about these games I'm finding myself repeating "amazing atmosphere" quite often but can you blame me? These games are incredible at capturing certain atmospheres and aesthetics and DOG is no exception. The fall vibes of this game are incredible! This game really nails the "backstory" plot element that these games love- making Mickey Malone a fan favorite character. This game also scared me half to death as a kid (if the dogs don't get you Red Knott will)."

The Haunted Carousel (CAR)- August 22, 2003

You are invited to the Jersey shore to investigate a series of mishaps at the Captain’s Cove Amusement Park. First, the lead horse was stolen from the carousel. Then the roller coaster suddenly lost power, resulting in a serious accident. Now the merry-go-round is mysteriously starting up in the middle of the night. Will you be able to unravel the mysterious happenings surrounding this beautiful antique carousel in Nancy Drew: The Haunted Carousel?

"This one is my favorite of all the games. Is it the best game? No. In fact comparatively CAR isn't very interesting and not very cohesive. But it's my favorite game because I have questionable taste. I love the amusement park setting and how much time Nancy spends in her hotel room (I like bland, almost domestic settings, I guess). I'm also a sucker for cheap and cheesy marine themeing. I would decorate my entire apartment like a cheap seafood restaurant if I could- alas my partner does not share my taste in interior decorating. But don't get me wrong- it's a good game! There are fun characters here- Elliot Chen, and Joy Trent are two of my favorite characters out of all the games. Also, Joy/Nancy is a godtier ship *send tweet*."

Danger on Deception Island (DDI)- October 3, 2003

George’s friend, Katie Firestone, invites you to Deception Island for a whale-watching excursion, the sleuth arrives to find Katie’s tour boat heavily vandalized. A threatening note warns Katie to “stop meddling.” Apparently, Snake Horse Harbor is divided over an orphaned orca whale that recently appeared in the channel and has apparently decided to stay. What was a simple vandalism case begins to unfold into something more mysterious and sinister. Can Nancy find the culprit, or will she be too late to “Save the Whales?”

"Iconic, beautiful, inspiring! The ocean is involved so of course I love it! In this game you can get arrested for picking the wrong crabs off the beach! Amazing! One of the first instances of stealth gameplay- it's Metal Gear Nancy! Remember to put on your bike helmet! Whales rule!"

The Secret of Shadow Ranch (SHA)- August 30, 2004

Ropin’, ridin’ and revenge. A ranch vacation takes a terrifying turn when a ghostly horse appears in this mystery game. Is it driven by the vengeful commands of its long-dead master, Dirk Valentine? Or is a living villain behind the ranch’s string of bad luck? It’s up to you to figure out who’s wearing the black hat before your investigation is ambushed!

"The most painfully romantic game in the series. If I know anything about the Clue Crew it's that they love them some Dirk Valentine. This is the game that birthed us Dave Gregory stans who each cried out in agony when they could not tell the handsome cowboy "No, in fact, I do not have a steady back home." Let us not forget about Shorty, a man that could be just as prolific as Big Island Mike if he were just a touch less off putting. This is a MUST PLAY.

Curse of Blackmoor Manor (CUR)- October 5, 2004

All is not well in Blackmoor Manor, a fourteenth century English mansion haunted by a tragic past. You embark on your first international adventure to visit Linda Penvellyn, your neighbor’s daughter and newlywed wife of a British diplomat. A mysterious malady keeps Linda hidden behind thick bed curtains. Is she hiding from something or someone, or is a more menacing threat stalking her?

"I'm not the best person to talk to about CUR. You see as a child I only owned the DVD game version of this game. Surely, you remember DVD menu games? This was that, it was slow and inefficient but the family computer wouldn't run ICE so this was all I had. The game operated like an NES game with no save states meaning you received a special password to use to return to the spot where you left off. Well, I was very bad at writing those passwords down. I also never knew how to quit so I just kept restarting the game, over and over and over and over.

I've probably seen the opening scene of this game more than anyone else on the planet. The constant restarting combined with the sluggish pace of navigating this game on a DVD player is a recipe for madness. Just looking at this game now makes me feel a little sick- something that's aggravated by some of the manor's interior decorating choices. My personal experience aside, the Pennvellyn family has captured the imagination of many members of the Clue Crew. CUR is a fan favorite with some truly iconic characters."

Secret of the Old Clock (CLK)

- July 12, 2005
It’s 1930 and Nancy Drew is asked to visit Emily Crandall, in Titusville, a girl whom Nancy knows only through a mutual friend. She and her mother had been counting on the generosity of their kindly but strange neighbor, Josiah Crowley, to leave them part of his estate to support the inn they own. But in his will, everything was left to Richard Topham, his ESP teacher. A contested will, a suffering girl, suspicious psychics — can Nancy solve the mystery before time runs out?

N/A

Last Train to Blue Moon Canyon (TRN)

- September 15, 2005

The Hardy Boys have invited you on a train ride out West hosted by beautiful and prominent socialite, Lori Girard. Lori has gathered the greatest minds in mystery to solve a century-old secret and the haunted train is their best clue. The luxurious train once belonged to Jake Hurley, who set out long ago to find the mother lode during mining mania. Years later, Jake’s train was found in Blue Moon Canyon with the engineer slumped over in the car – dead. Jake had mysteriously vanished… Climb aboard, as Nancy Drew, and see if you can uncover the truth at the end of the line.

"According to a poll I ran on my blog TRN is one of the most loved games in the entire series.I'm sure those darn Hardy Boys have something to do with it. This is the cheeseburger game after all. Personally, I love a game that takes place on a train (Last Express fans, what's up?) . This is the only ND game in which you're in transit for an extended period of the game- neat! The 19th century mystery also really does if for me as a student of 19th century American literature. Also, if I wan't aleady a Minette stan I'd be a Lori Girrard stan."

Danger by Design (DAN)

- July 24, 2006
You, as Nancy Drew, intern undercover in a prestigious fashion design studio in Paris. The lead designer, Minette, hasn’t quite been herself lately. She hides behind a white mask and often throws tantrums, even firing several employees. Mysterious threats arrive at the old windmill studio and other troubles lurk in the underbelly of the City of Lights. Can you help Minette release her latest clothing line on time? Or will your sleuthing abroad meet an unfashionable end?

"Aaaahh Minette, my beloved. While this may be the game that features my queen I think it sucks. This game has a lot of problems. For starters, the setting is completely wasted. I'm not sure how someone could make Paris look ugly but HeR managed to do it. The narrative is a MESS. Nancy doesn't even investigate what she was hired to investigate and instead spends the whole game looking for some stained glass because one guy she met once acted kinda fun in a park. Nearly all the "backstory" we "uncover" in this game is delivered through a long winded and completely unstoppable phone conversation. In the end Nancy only "solves" the mystery she was hired for by overhearing a conversation at the last second. But Minette is great, making parfaits and baking cookies is fun [shrug].

This game also features a sanitized history of World War II. The game is concerned with the story of Noisette, a member of the French resistance during the occupation of France by Nazi Germany. The word "Nazi" is never mentioned.

Noisette is written to have had a "romance" with a "German solider". I shouldn't have to explain why making your female resistance hero have a romantic relationship with at worst a Nazi or at best a solider serving the Nazi regime (so still a Nazi) in a game that has stricken the Nazi SS from the record. Considering recent years have seen a rise in antisemitic hate crimes and holocaust denial I find this game's "approach" to WWII to be pretty despicable.

I'm of the opinion that HeR should have never tried to tackle a subject as serious as WWII."

Creature of the Kapu Cave (CRE)

- October 1, 2006
"You go to Hawaii to serve as a research assistant to Dr. Quigley Kim. A devastating scourge is destroying the pineapple crop causing residents to whisper that a local research compound has awoken the legendary Kane ‘Okala. Upon arriving, Nancy discovers the camp ravaged and Dr. Kim missing. Coincidentally, the Hardy Boys are also on the Island to complete a top-secret mission, but it’s up to Nancy to uncover this intricate web of mysteries."

"BIG ISLAND MIIIIIKKEEE!!!!! It's the Big Island Mike game! Oh and the Hardy boys are back, I guess. All things considered this one is kind of lackluster. It did give the Clue Crew their favorite meme subject so we can be thankful for that at least. Making necklaces and playing Big Island Micheal's mini-games can suck up quite a bit of time too." 

The White Wolf of Icicle Creek (ICE)

- June 7, 2007
Nancy Drew travels to the Canadian Rockies to investigate the Icicle Creek Lodge. Chantal, the owner of the lodge has asked her to uncover the culprit behind a recent string of suspicious accidents. A wolf also appears at the site of accidents and then mysteriously disappears when the police arrive. As Nancy makes her way to the lodge, an explosion rocks the night. A wolf howls mournfully in the distance. Nancy has barely set foot on the premises and already trouble is afoot! Can Nancy solve this mystery before all the guests leave and Chantal is left out in the cold?

"A personal favorite! This was the first game I played back in 2015 when I was getting back into the series! I uhh really go in for "domestic" vibes in video games (life sim fans, what's up?), I LOVE getting to play maid/cook in a cozy ski lodge. The cooking mini game in this one is iconic. And if you have trouble with Fox and Geese just know you're not the only one." 

Legend of the Crystal Skull

- October 8, 2007
The Search is on for an Unearthly Artifact in New Orleans! Bruno Bolet was the proud owner of the “Whisperer,” a crystal skull rumored to protect its holder from almost any cause of death – except murder. When Bruno passed away, his nephew Henry came to wrap up his affairs, but he couldn’t find the skull among the clutter of the creepy Bolet manor. You’ll need to team up with Nancy’s best friend Bess Marvin to find this mystical artifact before it falls into the wrong hands!

"Ohh, the Henry Bolet game. I didn't play this game till I was 18 so maybe I missed the window for Henry Bolet attraction- but I digress. This one has eyeballs! And reptiles! And Bess as a playable character! It's honestly pretty creepy. I feel so bad for Lamont thought, I really like him! I wish we didn't have to abuse him like that. Try making this one a gateway drug to playing Gabriel Knight Sins of the Fathers. Maybe?"

The Phantom of Venice

- July 11, 2008
Infiltrate a Carnevale of Criminals in Italy! Somewhere beyond the bright piazzas and open markets of the Venice Carnevale lurks a masked thief. Despite months of investigations, the Italian police remain helpless as stolen treasures vanish in the night. That’s why the authorities asked you, as detective Nancy Drew, to join the case to infiltrate a dangerous crime syndicate and catch this phantom thief before he or she destroys the heart of Venice!

"Alright this one is wild. The things INTERPOL asks Nancy to do are illegal and unethical (she's 18!). This is also the game where Nancy puts on a literal cat suit and dances for money. This game is truly all over the place. It has to be experienced to be believed. But this game also has perhaps the worst series of endgame puzzles of any game in the series. The sewer sequence is truly awful, use a walkthrough and spare yourself some pain there's no shame in it."

Haunting of Castle Malloy (HAU)

- October 16, 2008
Unveil a Ghostly Legend and Find a Vanished Groom! Touted as the most romantic event to grace the ruined halls of Ireland’s Castle Malloy, the Simmons-Mallory wedding was supposed to be a fairytale beginning, but now the groom is missing! Did a banshee crash the wedding or is this a case of cold feet? Can you, as Nancy Drew, unravel the knot of scattered clues and scary superstitions? You’ll need to catch more than a bridal bouquet to make this a happily ever after!

"HAU has some good things about it. I mean a bar tending mini game AND a rhythm mini game, awesome! But the story is uhhh....crazy. I have a hard time swallowing the jet-pack (but that's me). The portrayal of the Irish is..problematic. It feels like they tried to recreate some of the elements that everyone loved about CUR. The castle is pretty creepy, even the worst ND game will have great atmosphere. I love the phone conversations in this game and Kit could get it. Not the worst but not a favorite."

Ransom of the Seven Ships (RAN) DISCONTINUED

- July 14, 2009
Dive into Danger to Rescue Bess from Kidnappers! Your friend Bess Marvin is kidnapped and the only chance you have to save her is by solving a 300-year-old Bahamian mystery! Dangerous waters keep treasure hunters from exploring the reefs around Dread Isle, but this remote island might hide the riches of El Toro’s lost fleet! Can you, as Nancy Drew, track down the treasure before time runs out?

"Sorry players, this one has been DISCONTINUED! You can't buy it (from official sources) anymore! RAN is one of only 3 games in the series to be discontinued. SCK and STFD were discontinued mostly due to age so why is this relatively recent game discontinued? Well it's because of BLACK FACE! The game was quietly discontinued in the summer of 2020 during widespread racial unrest in America because the culprit, a white man, spends most the game disguised as a Jamaican man of ambiguous race.

All in all, it's not a big loss because the game sucks. It's considered one of the worst in the series. The big twist relies entirely on the player having played STFD; which the majority of player haven't since it's been discontinued for years. Do not sweat missing this one."

;

Warnings at Waverly Academy (WAC)

- October 13, 2009
Enroll in a School Plagued by Suspicions and Lies! You, as Nancy Drew, are undercover at a prestigious girls’ boarding school to discover the culprit behind threatening notes and dangerous accidents aimed at its valedictorian candidates! Is there a secret someone wants to protect or are the girls playing games to scare away the competition – permanently? Solve the mystery before the threats turn deadly and you’re expelled!

"Fan favorite alert! Teen girl drama and a snack bar mini game? Sign me up! I don't have much to say about this one except that I love it. A girl's boarding school is a genius setting and all the girls therein are great characters that are beloved by the Clue Crew. Don't miss this one!"

Trail of the Twister

- June 29, 2010
Apprehend a Saboteur Stirring up Turbulent Trouble! $100,000,000 is at stake in this competition to discover a formula to predict tornado touchdowns. But when equipment starts failing and crew members are injured, you as Nancy Drew, must join the team to keep them in the competition. Is it just bad luck that’s plaguing the storm chasers or is someone sabotaging their chances of winning in the action adventure.

"I have mixed feelings about this one. I am one of the small group of people who think Scott Varnell is hot. I also LOVE the atmosphere of this one. This one also has driving (and crashing) which is neat. You can also make Nancy eat candy till she pukes- also neat! But the puzzles aggravate me and make the game feel like slog. I'm willing to chalk it up to that fact I have dyscalculia so I'm very bad at puzzles that involve numbers and this one seems to have quite a few of puzzles.. and numbers. My feelings aside, this has the makings of someone's favorite game!

Shadow at the Water's Edge

- October 19, 2010
Traditional Japanese family ryokans (inns) are charming places, but a vengeful ghost is terrifying you and other unsuspecting guests. Is there a shadowy specter haunting the placid inn or is something far more sinister driving away business?

"This is quite possibly the scariest game in the entire series. Seriously, Kevin Manthei didn't have to go as hard as he did on the soundtrack for this game. I'm a connoisseur of the survival horror genre so believe me when I say this game one of most the terrifying OSTs I've ever encountered. I've played this game more than once and the soundtrack still freaks me out even when I know where all the scares are. Outside of the scary stuff, this game has nonograms, sudoku, a pachinko parlor, collectable cellphone charms, a bento box mini game you'll either love or hate, and the ability to set Dave Gregory as Nancy's cellphone wallpaper. Incredible."

The Captive Curse (CAP)

- June 28, 2011
Nancy’s off to Germany to investigate mysterious sightings of a creature that’s been terrorizing the community of a remote Bavarian castle. Local legend tells of a creature that marauded the area centuries ago, wreaking havoc and ultimately causing the death of a young woman before disappearing without a trace. Can you, as Nancy Drew, unmask the creature before you suffer the same terrible fate?

"I've only played this one once so I don't have much to say about it. They way it's set up in SAW is pretty neat. This also the relationship trouble game where Nancy and Ned have an argument (to both Nedcy and Francy shippers delight). I am curious to revisit this one after my four semesters of German so this section may change sometime in the future!"  

Alibi in Ashes (ASH)

- October 18, 2011
A local contest turns into an arson scene and now deceit smolders among the charred ruins of the River Heights Town Hall. Police have several suspects, but well-placed incriminating evidence and poisonous local gossip compelled authorities to make only one arrest: Nancy Drew. Can you, as the teenage detective and her closest friends, catch the real arsonist and extinguish the accusations among the embers?

"This one really shook up the formula with this one. During the portion of the game where Nancy is in jail (gasp!) the player switches between controlling Nancy, Ned, Bess and George. Wacky! This game is also set in everyone's favorite hometown RIVER HEIGHTS! This game also introduces us to the iconic, beautiful, queen ♥♥♥ DEIRDRE SHANNON ♥♥♥!!! It's iconic for that alone! But really this game rules!"

Tomb of the Lost Queen (TMB)

- May 8, 2012
Egyptologists and archaeologists are abuzz about recent discoveries by a university dig team, but suspicious accidents left the group isolated and leaderless. Is a curse burying their progress or is someone sabotaging their success? Find out as you assume the role of Nancy Drew and uncover the lost secrets buried within the Tomb of the Lost Queen!

n/a

The Deadly Device (DED)

- October 23, 2012
Danger and Suspicion in a High-Tech Lab! Fear lingers in a remote laboratory after a physicist’s suspicious demise. A police investigation resulted in nothing except a case as cold as the secretive personalities and steel walls that enshroud a top-secret Tesla-inspired facility. That’s why the lab owner asked you, as detective Nancy Drew, to expose the terrifying truth about The Deadly Device!

n/a

Ghost of Thornton Hall (GTH)

- May 14, 2013
Jessalyn Thornton’s fateful sleepover at the abandoned Thornton estate was supposed to be a pre-wedding celebration, but the fun ended when she disappeared. While her family searches for clues, others refuse to speak about the estate’s dark past. Did something supernatural happen to Jessalyn, or is someone in Thornton Hall holding something besides family secrets?

"G-g-g-g-ghosts! The scariest thing about this game is that it describes a 19th century plantation as employing "workers". Well, this game is visually stunning and spooky. The characters (and their family tree) certainly captured the imagination of Clue Crew."

The Silent Spy (SPY)

- October 22, 2013
 Nearly a decade ago Agent Kate Drew left home to neutralize a biochemical weapon in Scotland. While her assignment was a success, Kate died in a car accident; or so we were told. Now the echoes of a similar plot reverberate and it’s up to you, as detective Nancy Drew, to thwart the sleeper cell and expose the truth about your mother’s tragic demise.

N/A

The Shattered Medallion

- May 20, 2014
No One is Immune to Sudden Death on this Reality TV Show! Ever since the Secret of the Scarlet Hand, the eccentric Sonny Joon always seemed a step ahead of Nancy Drew. That changes when Nancy and George travel to New Zealand and compete in the hit reality TV contest, Pacific Run. Sonny runs the show, but it’s spiraling out of control. Are the mishaps the result of cheating competitors or something beyond this world? Win big to uncover the truth!

"I don't want this..."

Labyrinth of Lies (LIE)

- October 14, 2014
A museum curator hires you to assist with the most anticipated event of the year, but artifacts from the exhibit are mysteriously disappearing. Are these mishaps connected to the amphitheater’s upcoming performance? Or is an unseen villain pulling strings behind the scenes? Uncover the truth and recover the missing artifacts from the Labyrinth of Lies!

"I don't know. It leaves me cold."

Sea of Darkness (SEA)

- May 19, 2015
The celebrated ship “Heerlijkheid,” is usually the centerpiece of an Icelandic town’s local festival. Now that its captain has disappeared, the renovated vessel has become an eerie distraction. Did Captain Magnus sail away with a legendary treasure, or was he carried off into the night? Take the helm as detective Nancy Drew and set a course for the Sea of Darkness!

n/a

Midnight in Salem (MID)

- December 3, 2019
Nancy Drew unexpectedly finds herself in Salem,  When Tuttle passed away, the estate became city property and while the mayor was seeking a manager to oversee the estate the home burst into flames. Concerned citizens have accused Mei Parry of arson and are pressuring the police to arrest the secretive teenager. ...Has Salem’s dark history come to life, or is there someone else to blame? Time is short, and Nancy must find the answers before the clock strikes midnight.

"Look I haven't played MID and I honestly don't intended too."