By ToddEveryone has to hear about how rough the generation before them had it growing up. One radio in a household used to be the standard, and when the television came out, it was unheard of to have two in one household (think Back To The Future). Even cell phones used to be the size of footballs. Before there were 3D televisions, Blu-ray players, Xbox 360, iPod, Nintendo Wii, Netflix, and DVR; kids all around the world had to entertain themselves in much different ways than today’s youth. Here’s a look back at vintage board game advertisements, and the generation of kids who arguably had it the worst.
Milton Bradley Catalog
There wasn’t a cooler day to be a kid in 1979 than when the Milton Bradley catalog came in the mail. The catalog is full of classic games, and Operation was especially cool.
Vintage Monopoly Board Game
Monopoly is one of the most recognizable board games ever. It also showed which neighborhood kid was going to grow up and become a filthy rich investment banker.
Pop-O-Matic
Trouble and Headache were some fun childhood games to play growing up. The other games aren’t quite as familiar, but it’s certain that board game purists and kids without many friends played them.
Vintage Santa Game Ad
Santa had a special surprise for the children who were exceptionally good; a five class, thirty-two game combination board. This board game was standard on long road trips before in-car DVD players and TV screens were built into headrests.
Vintage Parker Bros.
Nothing complimented a dinner party like some Parker Bros. board games. Dinner parties and board games are big social events for the married crowd. In the 50s, this was the best night out away from the kids.
Uncle Wiggly
Look at poor old rabbit gentleman Uncle Wiggly, it looks as though he’s hurt his leg and needs to see Dr. Possum’s and get medicine for his rheumatism. Hurry up and help him before his rheumatism gets too unbearable.
Vintage Colt 45 Board Game
“The new ‘Bottoms Up’ game is very much like Colt 45 Malt Liquor. It is designed for adventurous adults (2 or more) and is not recommended for the shy or faint of heart. Enjoy both Colt 45 Malt Liquor and the fun and excitement of this adult game. Who wins and loses is between you and your playmates(s).”
Weetabix Board Game
The coolest part of Weetabix cereal was playing the board games that came with the cereal. Eating the cereal itself was too depressing because the cereal resembled wheat biscuits that were made out of cardboard.
German Board Game Ad
In Germany, it was common for kids to go absolutely bonkers over any new board game their mother brought home from the toy store. They would practically climb up her arms like monkeys to get at them. It was board games, or learning to play the glockenspiel, in those days.
Famous Vintage Parker Games
These four games are the most recognizable from Parker Bros. Clue was always the most fun, trying to figure out who killed Mr. Plum, with the candlestick, in the library. Hint: Colonel Mustard is a tough man to accuse, so make sure you’re right.
Vintage Milton Bradley Ad
How did teenagers in the Midwest ever survive winters before the invention of the Internet? It was tough, but luckily their hallway closets were loaded with all these Milton Bradley board games.
Vintage Sorry Ad
The best thing about the game Sorry! is that the players never know what’s coming next. Those slides can be extremely forgiving, or unforgiving, depending on where a player lands. They even give the youngest player a chance to win.
Vintage Kenner’s Q*bert Board Game
Q*bert is a super cool video game character that found his way into other platforms. Q*bert has no arms, and a huge nose. His main goal is to hop away from his arch nemesis, a snake named Coily. During video game development, Q*bert was known as Snots And Boogers and @!#?@!?
Welcome To Milton Bradley Land
This ad has some very strong Wizard Of Oz imagery going on. Even the girl on the far right is dressed up like Dorothy, she’s just missing her ruby slippers. How’s she going to get back to Kansas?
Air Hockey And More
This ad is king of the variety department. When the kids are done with board games and miniature versions of air hockey, the real fun awaits. The race to see who’ll be the first to put their eye out with bow and arrow target practice has begun.
