Today we're ranking the top 10 old-school horror-themed board games. So roll, the dice and see what happens...
10. MONSTER SQUAD (1977)
Based off The Monster Squad TV show from the '70s and not the '80s movie of the same name.
9. MILTON THE MONSTER (1966)
Being a huge fan of Milton (the monster, not the game company who, ironically released this monster-game), this board game was always a favorite. Very reminiscent of another Milton Bradley game, Candyland, complete with spinning dial.
8. THE MUNSTERS CARD GAME (1964)
A fairly simple game of cards with a few token pieces and a play sheet. Nevertheless, for a Munster's fan, this was always a fun time.
7. HAUNTED MANSION GAME (1969)
Based off the Disney ride, years and years before the company ever considered a Haunted Mansion movie.
6. GREEN GHOST GAME (1965)
A game with a green ghost that glows-in-the-dark? How could it not be a winner.
5. BARNABAS COLLINS: DARK SHADOWS GAME (1964)
Even a Gothic soap-opera could spawn their own board game in the '60s thanks to our friends at Milton Bradley.
4. ALFRED HITCHCOCK 'WHY' MYSTERY GAME (1958)
This one harkens back to the '50s, though was re-released a decade later in the '60s. A fun little romp where you get to assume the role of a farcical private eye to solve the mystery.
3. THE TWILIGHT ZONE (1964)
Okay, we admit it, gameplay wise, this is one of the weaker additions to the list. However, The Twilight Zone game scores much in the way of bonus points for its fantastic box art.
2. KRESKIN'S ESP (1967)
Back in '67 Milton Bradley gave kids a chance to test their extra sensory perception by way of Kreskin's ESP. The 'Mystery Pendulum' was always a hoot, but the game would have benefited from a shock device similar to Peter Venkman's setup in Ghostbusters.
1. BORIS KARLOFF'S MONSTER GAME (1965)
What horror fan wouldn't want to play a round of Boris Karloff's Monster Game - a rare treat that could run up to $500 in excellent condition. Sadly, many who once had this game no longer possess this monstrous treasure.
Now, despite this top 10 list, we kind of lied. Even Boris Karloff's Monster Game doesn't deserve the #1 spot. What does, you ask? Your answer dwells a little further down the page...
A TRUE HORROR GAME:
OFFSHORE OIL STRIKE
Hey,
ReplyDeleteNice stroll down memory lane... I particularly enjoyed the Milton the Monster game.
Three honorable mentions come to mind...
The only one I can remember the name to is Nightmare, a neat little interactive board game that came with a video tape. Players would react to the narrative that was provided by the video. It's too bad the idea of the game couldn't be revisited with an updated format, ala DVD. This could provide more variety to the storyline, which became stale over time, the more the game was played... Oh well.
Do you recall a game that was set in some sort of castle-haunted house, that used rubber bands as snakes, feathers and other things to mimic creepy-crawly sensations. These were put in boxes within an elevated board. You went around the board, and when landing on the proper square, would stick your hand into one of the "boxes", trying to find keys or something similar, to win the game. I'm in my early fifties, so this game went back to the late sixties/early seventies... Definitely a great game!!
Oh yeah, do you also remember the plastic mold injection set, where you made up the head, hands and feet of various monsters? You then assembled these parts onto a stock body that had gear works that would make your creation walk and move its arms. Although not really a game, it was very cool!! Sadly,such a toy wouldn't have survived today in our lawsuit happy society. Thanks for your blog!! Dave
Thanks, Dave! Very happy to hear that you enjoyed the blog post. As for Nightmare, I do vaguely recall that one. I think it was from the early '90s. If I'm not mistaken, they had a few "expansion packs" for that (Nightmare II, III, IV), all with a VHS and such. I agree, It would be great if they brought that back with an updated version and DVD!
ReplyDeleteI think the castle/haunted house game you're referring to may be the Green Ghost from 1965. It had small plastic sticks to resemble bones, along with the the rubber bands for snakes and feathers you mentioned. It also had those keys to unlock "the crypt" and the player pieces resembled a bat, rat, vulture and cat.
As for the plastic mold injection set, I sadly don't remember that -- but it sounds awesome! It's a shame that so many of these great toys and games aren't being released, at the very least for collectors, and even more of a shame that so few original board games are being released today.