Computer Purple: Check Out Prince’s 1994 Video Game

Prince did an unbelievable amount of ground breaking work in his life, from his electric live shows, legendary eccentricities and record-breaking album sales to the cult classic Purple Rain and the only funny episode of The New Girl.
But did you know he also had a video game? It’s called Prince Interactive, it came out in 1994 and it is straight up magical. Mashable writer Adam Rosenberg decided to mourn our fallen hero by digging up this old-Internet relic and he’s released video clips of his journey into Prince’s digital lair.


Rosenberg described Prince Interactive as a Myst-knockoff, where you explore a silent interactive landscape, solve puzzles and find Prince-specific clues. In this case, you’re wandering alone through Prince’s recording studio/home, Paisley Park.

I want that Prince tattoo so bad.
I want that Prince tattoo so bad.

Journey through the jungle (of Minneapolis?) to Paisley Park, where you can explore Prince Rodgers Nelson’s closet and his private safe (where Prince may or may not store a gun with his whips and handcuffs), the recording studio where his guitar plays itself and even weirder rooms.

Is the water warm enough?
Is the water warm enough?

Except for a few mysterious, beautiful women who guide you, you’re alone in the house. Some of the paintings sing. If you solve the puzzles, you can access Prince music videos and interviews with other artists. Rosenberg has plenty of clips on his Mashable article and I strongly recommend you watch all of them.

Photo from Paper Magazine
Photo from Paper Magazine

If you know your Prince-tory, you know that he wasn’t called Prince in 1994. This was in the middle of his years spent as The Artist Formerly Known As, when his name was represented by an unpronounceable glyph to get around a stifling contract with Warner Brothers. So, how do you type out the LoveSexy symbol? It’s 0+>. Now you know.

Party like it's $99.99, I guess
Party like it’s $99.99, I guess

Watch Rosenberg’s videos and lose yourself in a weird, brilliant game release by an extraordinary human. If you can get your hands on Prince Interactive (which is currently available used on Amazon for $99.99) you’ll need Windows XP to play it. There are some downloads out there but I don’t know if any of them are decent or safe for download, also Prince might slap your ass with a lawsuit from beyond the grave. If you remember Prince Interactive or played it back in the day, let us know!

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