The Game Of Life With 1960 Artwork & Gameplay, Winning Moves Games USA, Classic Game: Original 1960's Version, Spinner, Mountains, Insurance, Career Options, Marriage, etc. 3-4 Players Age 10+

Short review: Yes, this is the original version of Life that you are looking for. If you want the version that you had as a kid, this is it. Buy it. Long review: I had The Game of Life when I was a kid (in the '70's). I don't know what eventually happened to it, but I do not have it anymore. I bought a new edition of the game a few years ago. It was NOT the same as the old version that I had as a kid. It was a BAD new version. There was too much chance involved, little interaction between players, and the details of what happened to you during the game had little effect on the outcome because there are these dopey little tiles that are worth a huge amount of money that dwarfs any money you might have made during the game. So, although the new version of the game might reflect real life in that what you do during your life has no effect on how it ends, it wasn't very fun. This version that I'm reviewing now is the GREAT old version. You have to actually make decisions that have an effect on the outcome, although there is still quite a bit of chance involved. The box says it's for ages 10 and up, but my 7 and 9 year olds really enjoy it and they're learning a little about insurance, taxes, making money decisions, and, of course, revenge. Contrary to what another reviewer said, I don't notice any difference in the quality of this game versus what I recall of the version of my youth. The buildings look great and the printing on the board is fine. I was excited to see that the print style on the Share the Wealth cards was exactly the same as my childhood version. It is true that there are no images of Art Linkletter on this edition of the game, but if that is extremely important to you, you can probably print some from the internet and tape them to the box. The game takes us about an hour to play with 4 people, two of whom are children who are occasionally somewhat distractible. So although you may disagree with one of the ultimate lessons of this game, that the person who ends life with the most money is the winner, it's really a good game and there are actually other useful lessons about how life works that I didn't really notice as a kid. I gave it four stars for durability only because the money and cards and board will probably start to show some wear after awhile, but that can't be helped. And four stars for educational value because not all of the events that occur are entirely plausible or realistic. But five stars for fun and five stars overall because it is really a great game and because I was so excited to see that future generations will not have only that horrible new version of the game available to them.

Pros: Vintage Design: Brings back the charm of the original 1960s version. Engaging Gameplay: Perfect for family game nights with players of all ages. Easy Instructions: Clear rules make it beginner-friendly. Durable Components: Cards and board are high quality, ensuring long-term use. Cons: Limited Replay Value: Can feel repetitive after a few rounds. Lengthy Game Time: Sessions can stretch longer than anticipated. Tips for Use: Keep It Organized: Use small storage bags for the cards and pieces to avoid losing them. Add a Twist: Introduce house rules to keep the game fresh and exciting. Engage Younger Players: Explain choices in an engaging way to involve kids more actively. This is a wonderful way to spend quality time while reminiscing about simpler times.

Yes, it was worth the high cost of this reproduction(I paid 35 bucks during Xmas, it's cheaper now). Sure, it may not be the exact quality of the original, but i don't really expect that when the original was made 40 years ago in the USA and the repro is made in china. So with that in mind, this is pretty darn nice! Most importantly the game play is the same as I remember, in fact I had to read and retread as we played the instructions because of how nuanced the rules are. I purchased it as a Xmas gift for my 9 year old who was wishing for it and I'm sure he played the new dumbed down version because he seemed surprised and confused by this version. I'm glad I went with this, it has so much more interaction and opportunities to make decisions that will affect the outcome. This really maes it way more fun.The collect/pay spaces are hilariously worded, and so nostalgic! Overall, I think the critics of this version are being too picky, and in reality buying a new game versus searching out and gambling on a vintage used version is way more practical. At least you know you are getting all the pieces and there is a reputable company to contact if you have any Issue. I can vouch for this because our game came with a defective spinner, which was a total fluke as one peg was missing between numbers which was clearly a factory mis-cast. I contacted Winning Moves Games via email and they got right back to me and promptly sent out a new spinner, free of course. So, worth it to buy it new in my opinion. About the only thing I can remember being different is that the buildings and landscapes are secured and no longer fall out and need to be put back in place before each game, which is a clear improvement, unless you enjoyed sliding all of those pieces into place each time with the possibility of loosing them. Even though the weight of the board and quality of the pieces and graphics is not quite as nice, I still felt that this game is of a far superior quality to any of the new versions of classic games I have purchased in recent years, and is worth the extra cost. I am pleased that Winning Moves Games chose to make this reproduction and will certainly buy others made by them in the future. I believe they make the classic Candy Land game which is another one that has been ruined by updated graphics and poor quality.

The recreation of the original version of life is hands down amazing. Brought me back to childhood. The got it all right on point, even the spin knob , the cars the pegs, the entire board the spaces all details of this design is spot on. The game is fun to play always has been. If your looking for the Verizon you grew up with this is it

I played my old game of original Life with my granddaughter. Although I had all the money, cars, people and boxes, the game board and number board, and the boxes, were disintegrating. Of course, I have had the game for more than sixty years. I decided to order a new one and was glad to see that a replica of the original was available, albeit pricier than other versions. It does not disappoint. I am truly delighted with it and who ever worked so hard to make it like the original, I thank you. It is worth every penny.

A fun game but which game to choose might depend on how intense you like your games...this one keeps you on your toes, kind of reminded me of the rat race game. I think the "dumbed down" version might be more fun... less "work." I think we must have had the dumbed down version growing up because I remember kids coming in and out of your car and lots of laughter, but all in all a fun game.

This was a favorite game growing up, so we bought it for our family for Christmas. It made for the usual laughs--the original version on which this is modeled has gendered language that confused the kids, amused the adults, and got some great laughs all around. I still remember in the early 80s how when a female player would get married, she would instinctively move over to let her husband drive; someone would also always make a joke of sneaking a same-sex partner in the car of anyone who got up for a bathroom break. What really struck me was the amount of gambling in the game. A lawyer earns $20k salary, but all sorts of squares provide windfalls of $100k or more from beauty pageants, prizes, gambling weekends, or robbing another player of her winnings. I guess the lesson was to quit your job and stark a gambling and/or stock trading career. But then if a house only cost $15k in the game, and divorce isn't an option, why not?

Finally I have found the REAL version of life that I had as a child. When I had children I went to the store to purchase the game of life. I was totally floored to find the new version which is one of the worst games I have ever come across. Seriously, what on earth did the makers of this new version think they were doing? The new version totally ruins what was most enjoyable about the original. Anyway, I could go into detail, but others already have so I won't bore you. Just suffice it to say that if you, like me, were dismayed when you found the new version was nothing like the old, then you have found your salvation in this product. I have already given my old version to goodwill as my kids hate it and will only play this version. One note. I have a 1960 version I got off of ebay and the "buy a house" space is all red. This version has it with white letters but it is surrounded by a red outline. I just told my kids it is supposed to be red so we play it that way. You can always use a read marker to color the white letters if you wish. The difference is that you are required to buy a house when it is a red space while you only have to do what it says when you land on it if it is a white space. Maybe they put the red outline there with white lettering to give you the option? Anyhow, in the 1960 version the "buy a house" space is ALL RED, so keep that in mind as it can either cost or save you 15,000. By the way, I want to know where this 15,000 dollar house is located. While others gave it low stars for educational value I gave it four. My reason is that it teaches your kids to keep track of money and it sort of gives them a very quick glance at stuff that happens in real life. Taxes for instance. My kids hated paying those dang taxes. I just told them to remember that next time they vote. Have fun playing!