# Gold Rush! Anniversary HD

> Interactive adventure game simulating the 1849 California Gold Rush. (iPhone/iPad app by Marco Sowa-Israel.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-rush-anniversary-hd/id951054338 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Marco Sowa-Israel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1794831962)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Adventure, Strategy
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 16 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: +4
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1002 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2015-03-04
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-rush-anniversary-hd/id951054338/reviews.md

## What is Gold Rush! Anniversary HD?

In 1988, Rush appeared with Gold! in one of the most comprehensive adventure games of the 1980s. Now, the fondly remembered game, Gold Rush! has been developed anew, to today’s highest standards. No aspect of modern gaming has been overlooked. You can experience the famous California Gold Rush with high-resolution graphics, speech synthesis, a superb sound track and modern user interface features. Optimized game-flow will enhance your traveling and interactions with other characters of the period.
Gold Rush! takes you back to the year 1849, when gold was discovered in California. It was certainly one of the most exciting times in American history. Gold Rush! includes the three routes tens of thousands took to the gold regions. Become Jerrod Wilson and experience each trek as you travel from New York to California.

Whichever route you decide to take, you will see many historical sights. Try going overland across the Great Plains and huge mountain ranges, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, or rounding Cape Horn on the tip of South America. If you survive and arrive at Sutter’s Fort, the adventure is still only half over! Many other puzzles remain to be solved before you achieve your goals in California.

Features:
• Far more than 130 pre-rendered images and animated scenes
• Three different approaches
• High quality voices in English and new recorded music
• Subtitles in English or German
• Optimized quests, dead-ends and random-dies
• New intelligent Point&Click control, optimized for touch!

• This game is optimized for devices from 7", because the small details are better visible and better to control. But it runs also on smaller devices.

## Key features

- Three distinct historical routes
- Over 130 pre-rendered images and animations
- High-quality voice acting and new music
- Subtitles in English and German
- Intelligent Point & Click control optimized for touch
- Optimized quests and gameplay

## Recent user reviews (10 of 16)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-rush-anniversary-hd/id951054338/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Regarding viewing text at button

*2022-04-04*

For those reporting difficulty reading the text at the bottom (because of nav bar in the way), look into using the Guided Access feature under Accessibility options. This removed it for me. Thanks for bringing this game out. Would love to see more classic Sierra Online games. One feature request would be to allow scaling of UI items (such as press-hold menu, inventory, and text) for smaller screens. Thanks again for keeping the classic adventure genre alive!

### 4/5 — Decent but questions...

*2021-04-23*

I don’t know why people say they can’t use the key— press down in it for a second and drag slowly and you won’t pull down your notifications. 

The only problems I’ve noticed:

1) iPhone puts the minimizing bar at the bottom of the screen in white, right where the text appears for narration and dialogue— so I can’t play without my sound on (I’d prefer to read it personally and it means I can’t play unless I’m pretty much home alone). 

2) the blotter— I missed the points because no matter where I clicked... developer, you get the gist (any guidance you could give on that would be helpful. I still remember what to do from all those years ago— I just can’t get it to click right!)

I’ve only played the first half of this version— if it wasn’t those two issues, I’d have 5 starred it. The first isn’t a deal breaker just a preference. The second was a total bummer— cause it kept me for perfect scoring the first half).

### 3/5 — Unusable on iPhone

*2020-04-13*

Love the fact you have remade this game. The inventory is unusable as brings up control center when you drag up there.

Looking forward to playing

### 5/5 — Gold rush

*2020-04-13*

I purchased both Gold Rush & Gold Rush 2, and find absolutely, no problems with the controls or anything for matter.  The graphics are outstanding and I couldn’t a#k for anything better. Great job.
Tony P.

### 3/5 — Could be a good game

*2018-12-20*

Same issue as the other person. Trying to drag key from inventory bar keeps pulling down Notification Center. Hard to talk to people who are moving. I thought I’d tapped them but nope I’m looking at the street over and over 

Good game in need for more forgiving touch controls

Ps original fan here. Was exited to play this new edition. I’m rooting for the game..

Pps. Funny story. So you’re supposed to keep off the grass in Brooklyn. I tried to talk to the cop, but my character walked across the grass to talk to him. He blew his whistle and said “freeze!” And then the game froze.

### 1/5 — Najaaaa ...

*2018-10-25*

Nichtalte Menschen finden irgendwie gar nicht ins Spiel. Niemand sagt einem was man tun soll, was das Ziel des Spiels ist, ... ich klicke hier und dort und weiß nicht was das Spiel von mir will. Es fehlt die Startgeschichte, um reinzukommen. Ich komme mir vor wie in einem OpenWorldSpiel ohne Zielvorgabe.

### 1/5 — Not worth 4.99! Save your money...

*2018-08-05*

First, it’s nothing like the original I played growing up! I tried to give it a chance. Even the original changed things up a bit. I really would like my money back and perhaps give gold rush 2 a chance. I’m ok with graphics but the storyline is horrible. In all honesty save your money! If Gold Rush 2 is anything like this storyline I will be HIGHLY upset!

### 1/5 — This game needs an update!

*2018-05-17*

Stay away at all cost.  Great graphics, great port; unfortunately, the game is impossible to play on iPhone.  Every time you go to use an item, the IOS pull down screen appears and the item becomes impossible to use.  There is no way you’re going to get anywhere in this game until they figure out another place to put the item menu.  It’s unfathomable to me that this bug made it through testing and still appears in the finished product.  I was really looking forward to playing this game too; but there’s no way to use your key to unlock your front gate which is the first thing you must do in this game.  This game would have a much higher rating from me if it was even semi-playable.

### 1/5 — Not made to play on your phone

*2017-10-13*

I literally love this game and have been playing it since I was a kid, so imagine my excitement when I found it in the App Store. However, the problem is you can't get the controls to work properly using your phone. A pervious reviewer also mentioned that your finger covers everything as you try to drag items.

I've been trying to get the gate key to open forever. At this rate I'm assuming I will never finish this game, which is a real bummer. Builders of this version really need to optimize this for smaller devices.

### 5/5 — Toll

*2017-06-25*

Super mal wieder ein gutes altes Point/Klick Adventure zu spielen..ganz toll.das einzige was manchmal nicht so ganz auf Anhieb klappt,ist der Wechsel von einem zum anderen Bild,man muss etwas viel am Rand entlangtippen.Ansonsten super!

## Frequently asked questions about Gold Rush! Anniversary HD

### What is Gold Rush! Anniversary HD about?

Gold Rush! Anniversary HD is a paid adventure game that immerses you in the 1849 California Gold Rush. You'll choose one of three historical routes from New York to California, solving puzzles and experiencing the challenges of the era.

### Does Gold Rush! Anniversary HD have ads?

No, Gold Rush! Anniversary HD does not contain advertisements. It is a premium game that you purchase once.

### What devices does Gold Rush! Anniversary HD support?

Gold Rush! Anniversary HD is optimized for iPhone and iPad devices. While it runs on smaller devices, it is best experienced on screens 7 inches and larger for better visibility and control of details.

### How much does Gold Rush! Anniversary HD cost?

Gold Rush! Anniversary HD is available for a one-time purchase price of $1.99.

### What languages are available in Gold Rush! Anniversary HD?

The game features high-quality voices in English and offers subtitles in both English and German for a broader player experience.

### What are the main gameplay mechanics in Gold Rush! Anniversary HD?

The core gameplay involves making choices about your route, solving puzzles, interacting with historical characters, and managing your journey to reach California. It utilizes an intelligent Point & Click control system optimized for touchscreens.

### How often is Gold Rush! Anniversary HD updated?

The game was last updated on September 4, 2025, with version 1.15. This indicates a commitment to ongoing support and improvements.

### What is the age rating for Gold Rush! Anniversary HD?

Gold Rush! Anniversary HD has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players interested in its historical adventure theme.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.15 — 2025-09-04

Changelog of all fixes in version 1.15 (2025):
- Engine updated to a latest version.
- Saving was developed completely new.
- Some artworks were better trimmed in a few the scenes.
- Some collisions were optimized in a few scenes.
- Some layer problems were fixed in a few scenes.

### 1.1.3 — 2018-04-28

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

iOS 11-support

### 1.1.2 — 2015-05-20

Devices under 7 "are now supported, however we recommend a 7” device or larger, because the game it is optimized for that sizes.

### 1.1.1 — 2015-03-18

- minor issues fixed
- new title screen added

### 1.1 — 2015-03-02

No release notes.

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## More apps by Marco Sowa-Israel

- [Funny Scoreboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/funny-scoreboard/id385186583)
- [Scoreboard LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scoreboard-lite/id385246478)
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- [Icehockey Soundboard LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icehockey-soundboard-lite/id385257164)
- [Basketball Soundboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basketball-soundboard/id385257282)
- [Basketball Soundboard LITE](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basketball-soundboard-lite/id385257360)

All apps by Marco Sowa-Israel: https://appshunter.io/developer/1794831962

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*