Play Designasaurus Amiga Online

Designasaurus came out on the Amiga in 1988 from Britannica Software. It was an educational title that let you step into the role of a paleontologist, a nice change of pace from the action and adventure games that were common on the platform at the time. The goal was straightforward: build your own dinosaur and then take it out into the world to see how it fared.

You start by using a simple design tool to piece together a dinosaur from various body parts, each choice affecting its abilities. Once your creature is built, you guide it through five different prehistoric environments, from swamps to forests, watching it hunt for food and avoid predators. The exploration is screen by screen, and the challenge comes from keeping your dinosaur alive long enough to learn about its ecosystem. It moves at a thoughtful, almost methodical pace, and the whole experience feels like a hands-on, interactive museum exhibit.