One of the most successful literary franchises for children is the Nancy Drew series. The amateur detective has solved many mysteries and crimes, delighting her legions of fans. In addition to the books, various Nancy Drew games have introduced the character to ongoing generations. The books were written by different authors, the first ever novel appearing in 1930. Since then they have been republished many times and now there is a series of Nancy Drew PC games to keep fans young and old entertained.

Lots of children and young teenagers identify with the plucky heroine and they like to imagine themselves in her world of finding clues and bringing crooks to justice. The well-known games manufacturer, Parker Brothers, introduced the first board game based on the sleuth in 1957. This pioneer Nancy Drew game proved very popular and the entire family could settle down to play together. It was called the Nancy Drew Mystery Game and it comprised of a game board, dice, 40 mystery cards, and four metal cars. The locations used for the board were taken from various novels in the series.

The Specialty Board Games company developed Nancy Drew games, along the lines of a party game. They were inspired by the Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Series and the first of these was titled One Step Ahead. Families sitting round the table playing board games has received competition from the electronic age and the young detective has been kept up to date in a series of computer games.

The adventure computer games are marketed for children aged ten or more and involve Nancy trying to interview suspects and spot clues, which lead her to solving the crime. Some of these Nancy Drew games can be played online and some of them are available for downloading. For anyone struggling, there is information on the Internet on walkthroughs and cheats.

Nancy Drew PC games have been developed by Her Interactive and titles include Secrets Can Kill, Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake, and Danger by Design. In 2007, the Majesco Entertainment Company created a game for Nintendo DS, called Nancy Drew and the Deadly Secret of Olde World Park. Nancy Drew Games have also been developed as DVDs, so anyone without access to a computer can still play. All that is needed is a DVD player and a remote control. One of these is called Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor. It is set in an English mansion from the 14th century. When all the books have been read and re-read, it's good for fans to be able to re-live the tales once more in the form of games. They are a lot of fun and they teach young minds the art of deduction!