Compute! called Run for the Money "an interesting game for a broad age group", being both "competitive for adults and fast-moving for children." The reviewer suggested games like it had "the potential to become the modern-day equivalent of the sidewalk lemonade stand for lessons in economics."[2]
Commodore Power/Play called Run for the Money "a very entertaining program as well as a super learning tool" and suggested the game's fast-paced action would "keep your child's attention as he or she learns about the business world."[3]
Creative Computing said the game balanced fun gameplay with teaching "many sophisticated economic concepts, including the laws of supply and demand, bidding practices, production processes, marketing decisions, as well as good old fashioned business sense and customer service".[4]
Family Computing called the game fast-moving and complex but "relatively easy to master" due to the documentation and in-game tutorial. The review play-testers enjoyed the game, although players aged 10 to 15 took longer to grasp the game's concepts.[5]
Enter said the game was enjoyable and would teach players "a lot more about economics than Monopoly did."[6]
K-Power called the game "a typical business situation" despite the bizarre setting, with gameplay that was exciting but not too hectic and time to strategize during the game.[7]
PC Magazine rated the game 16 out of 18, calling it "surprisingly deep" and praising the game manual's "clarity and organization".[8]
Games called Run for the Money a "solid introduction to basic economic principles" and "a lot of fun."[9]
Electronic Games nominated Run for the Money for the 1985 Arkie Award for Best Electronic Money Game.[10] The award was won by Millionaire: The Stock Market Simulation.[11]
