Where in America’s Past is Carmen Sandiego?

Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego? is an educational adventure where the player assumes the role of a new detective for the ACME Detective Agency. The core objective involves tracking down Carmen Sandiego and her gang to recover stolen historical artifacts.

Gameplay centers on using a time travel device called the Chronoskimmer 450SL to navigate different periods. Progress is made by solving trivia questions related to American history, which provide clues to locate thieves and stolen items. The visual presentation represents a significant upgrade from earlier titles in the series.