Nicolas Ricketts of The Strong examines the current renaissance in tabletop games and three game designers championing the revitalization.

Released in 1969 by Ideal, the Oh, nuts! game had players scrambling for marble-filled nuts as they searched, swiped, and bluffed their way to victory.

Released in 1982 by Milton Bradley, the Donkey Kong board game mirrors the storyline, characters, and obstacles of the Nintendo video game that inspired it.

Released in 1971 by Ideal, the Tornado Bowl game had players battle the frenzied forces of a tornado inside a tabletop arena. 

Released in 1968 from Whitman, the Dark Shadows board game was based on the cult Gothic soap opera television series of the same name, which aired on ABC from 1966-1971.

Released in 1969 by Whitman, The Archie Game called upon players’ alertness and quick reflexes to avoid capture by Archie and progress up the scoreboard.

Released in 1979 by Parker Brothers, the Full House board game saw players take the role of innkeeper and advance the status of their property and guests to become the wealthiest hotelier in the game.

Nicolas Ricketts of The Strong looks at player-endorsed board and video baseball games.

Released in 1978 by Parker Brothers, the Little House on the Prairie board game hurried players to move family members away from danger and to the safety of the Little House.

Released in 1960 from Lowell Toy Mfg., the Humpty Dumpty game challenged players to be first to navigate their way through Story Book Land.

Released in 1969 from Ideal, the Marblehead game used players’ observation skills to drop marbles from a clear plastic marble head.

Released in 1965 by Milton Bradley, the I Dream of Jeannie Game roll-and-move board game engaged players in a race to be first to place their magic discs on each letter of the word JEANNIE.