Vintage Tabletop Games

Computer to Cardboard: Video Game-themed Board Games

Nicolas Ricketts of The Strong takes a look at board games that were inspired by popular video games such as Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, and Frogger.

The Jetsons Game from Milton Bradley (1985)

Released in 1985 by Milton Bradley, The Jetsons Game takes kids on a cosmic adventure in search of their favourite Jetsons characters.

Branded from Milton Bradley (1966)

Reputation management was center stage in Milton Bradley’s Branded, a game based on the NBC series of the same name.

Frosty the Snowman from Parker Brothers (1979)

Released in 1979 by Parker Brothers, the Frosty the Snowman game tasked kids with bringing Frosty back to life by being the first player to reach his Magic Hat.

Strawberry Shortcake Berry-Go-Round from Parker Brothers (1981)

Released in 1981 by Parker Brothers, the Strawberry Shortcake Berry-Go-Round game appealed to young fans of the whimsical characters first established by American Greetings in the 1970s.

Bat Masterson from Lowell Toy Mfg. (1958)

The Bat Masterson race game was based on the TV series of the same name and took place in the fictional Western town of Dry Gulch.

Hurry Waiter! from Ideal (1969)

Released in 1969 by Ideal, Hurry Waiter! tested memory, nerves, and patience as players took on the role of waiters racing to complete the orders of anxious guests.

The Funky Phantom Game from Milton Bradley (1971)

Released in 1971 by Milton Bradley, The Funky Phantom Game invited players to explore a spooky home in an effort to release the Funky Phantom ghost from the grandfather clock.

Clock-A-Word from Topper Toys (1966)

In Topper Toys’ Clock-A-Word, players competed to form the longest possible word from a random selection of 9 letters in the shortest amount of time.

King Oil from Milton Bradley (1974)

Released in 1974 by Milton Bradley, the King Oil board game challenged players to acquire land, drill for oil, and financially decimate opponents. 

Mr. Mouth from Milton Bradley (1987)

A famished frog demanded feeding in Milton Bradley’s now-classic Mr. Mouth game from 1987.

Hey Pa! There’s a Goat on the Roof from Parker Brothers (1966)

Jumping goats were center stage in Parker Brothers’ whimsical Hey Pa! There’s a Goat on the Roof.