Gold Miner Games

Identification

• As of 2011, Gold Miner Game refers to a widely accessible set of personal computer games located on the Internet. The aesthetics and graphics are somewhat cartoon-like, presenting an older looking character dressed as the quintessential, 19th-century gold rush miner. The game is usually free to download from websites.

Features

• Each player aims, perhaps predictably, to acquire as much gold as possible. Control keys, differing slightly depending on your computer's operating system, maneuver a crane descending below ground to pick up the gold. To make play more difficult, the crane has a tendency to swing back and forth over the desired mineral. Grab bags containing anything from power-up points and cash to sticks of dynamite are available to aid you.

Basic Play

• The games progress with increasing levels of difficulty, largely determined by a preset target value for the gold you acquire. The amount you pull up must match or exceed the target. To make things more interesting, you must accomplish a task before the running clock at the top of the screen expires. If you fail, the game is over and you cannot advance. If you mess up and need to restart the game, click the end level button.

Types

• Aside from this original version, several variants of Gold Miner games offer different features and challenges. "Gold Miner Vegas" allows for two players to play at the same time or in a single game. Another product in the franchise is "Jewel Miner," when you hunt for rare gems. These games, too, should be available for free download from the web -- sites offering pay-to-play or fees for download could be a scam, offer a virus, or both.