Described by the developers as a "3-D Animated Adventure", Gold Rush! is based on the mid-19th century rush for California gold. Three completely different expeditions challenge your character, Jerrod Wilson, to travel treacherous paths to reach the mother lode. In the first quest, you'll journey by ship to Panama through the Gulf Stream and then northward by foot through Central American jungles. The second expedition is an overland path across America by various means of travel (e.g., stagecoach, wagon train, canal boat) and the third adventure has you boarding an east coast ship bound for California by way of Cape Horn. The game is based on actual historical events and features geographic accuracy (map included). Gold Rush! uses the text parser method of inputting (typing) verb/object on a command line and features nearly 150 artfully drawn scenes and locations.