Today's entry: BOARD GAMES!
To all the young-uns:
Once upon a time there were things called "board games" that families and friends used to play together. This was way before cable TV, the internet and videogames. 'Course... you can get the videogame version of boardgames on compilations like "Hasbro's Family Game Night"... so it's the circle of life, I guess---but I digress.
These days board games seem to be a dying breed of fun relegated to camping trips, cabin rentals and evenings when people want to be "quaint."
Though the rules haven't changed much, there's a ton of fun to be had with different scary or Halloween-themed games that you, your friends and a little thing called "imagination" can enjoy. Let's take a look...
1) SKELETON JENGA
Most people know what Jenga is. The trademarked name has become a "proprietary eponym" to represent games where people take turns pulling parts out of a tower and the last one to topple it, loses.
But here's a cool tower o' bones that I found and it's simply called "Bones Stacking Game."
Yep that oughta do it.
Best thing about Jenga is that it travels well. A small rectangular box holds everything you need.
Worst thing is that you need a stable, flat, raised platform which isn't always available.
Still, the set is cool and can be pulled out in October or anytime.
Also of note and included in the link at bottom is an official "Halloween Jenga." Though it's cool because it's in black and orange blocks, it's not nearly as cool as having a skull on top and each piece looks like a femur.
2) BOO-OPOLY
The title doesn't lie: you can probably tell what this is without reading anymore about it.
It's an un-official scary monopoly game.
Complete with a skeleton and jack o' lantern on the box this is specifically Halloween-centric with Haunted Houses for hotels and cards like "Win pumpkin carving contest."
3) SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR MONOPOLY
Looking for a Monopoly that's a little more official but still with a Halloween twist? How about the official Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Monopoly?
Comes with glow-in-the-dark pieces (which ALREADY makes it awesome) and is based on the 20 year-running Halloween specials of the series.
4) IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN YAHTZEE
YAHTZEE!!!!!!!
Charlie Brown Halloween special images on the dice. Seriously.
Same game, with a Peanuts twist.
5) BUMP IN THE NIGHT
I know absolutely nothing about this game except that it's got a cool box and is called "Bump in the night."
Anyone?
Anyone?
Bueller?
6) GLOOM
Sometimes bad things happen to pathetic people.
Featuring artwork that's a cross between Tim Burton and Charles Addams, the game premise is simple and morbid: make your characters suffer the greatest tragedies possible before dying.
7) NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS SCRABBLE
Branding old games seems to be the cool thing to do (see Yahtzee above) but this one gets special points for having a spectacular board featuring smiling Jack and tombstones on the tile holders. Fantastic.
8) LAST NIGHT ON EARTH THE ZOMBIE GAME
Some of the Amazon reviews have proclaimed this the "Best of the Zombie board games..."
You'll have to play it yourself to find out if that's true. Choose your hero... multiple outcomes and the game is supposed to create a cinematic feel.
Yay! More Zombies!
Is this one fun? Dunno. But it's from the infamous Archie McPhee, makers of rubber chickens, bacon band-aids and avenging unicorns... how can it NOT be?
Click HERE to buy.
10) ZOMBIES!!!
What's that? You'd like ANOTHER zombie game? Well here you are.
This one sounds like a board game version of Left 4 Dead. With multiple map tiles you can get an endless supply of different play-throughs. Collect weapons... don't lose a life... fight through zombies. And a box that is certainly stealing--er, paying homage to Ash from Evil Dead 2. What's NOT to like?!
11) IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN BOARD GAME
Not into Yahtzee?
Trick or treat with the Peanuts gang and the 1st one to share their candy with Linus (waiting for the Great Pumpkin, I would assume) WINS.
I TOTALLY want to play this while watching the special next year. It's even got a spinner.
A SPINNER!
Like I mentioned at the top of this article, board games have been around a while and some of the golden age ones are better than anything we'll find on store shelves today. Check eBay for a monster (no pun intended) of a game called the Green Ghost Game.
Just look at the picture: lots of scary pieces... a ghost spinner... it's HUGE!
Maybe it's even in your basement right now.
To know more check out THIS website for info and even links to the latest eBay listings. Or check HERE too.
A game from the 1960s, IDEAL's Haunted House most noted feature was that it was the board game you played VERTICALLY.
Seriously, check your basement or attic. Your parents or grandparents might have this one too.
Go HERE for more info and eBay links to current auctions.
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