While there are many game companies that have made some exciting products, few came as close to perfection as The Learning Company.

Later publishers of MECC's Oregon Trail games, their edutainment defined a generation. Specifically, I'd like to consider the gamifying affects of the Super Solvers series.

This series covered subjects ranging from spelling to science. In each one, an avatar whom was very neutral in his/her appearance, was tasked with exploring a world freely in order to procure the necessary McGuffin needed to successfully win the day.

However, it was in this free exploration, the seamless interweaving of problem solving questions, and the drive to level up in order to better escape from player-chasing baddies that drove the fun. The learning almost was an afterthought, but that means it was happening despite students, and the outcome is that this is perfectly all right.

If math is being pushed through under the surface simply to gain an advantage of some sort in the game world, math is still being learned, just as movies transport yet can teach, so too can games.

The closest experience I've seen today would be the Prodigy Math games. They come close, and in some regards, exceed the fun I had with Super Solvers back in the day.

Reference

https://www.bestreviews.guide/the-learning-company-pc-games?loc_redirect=CA

https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/