The Game Of Life, also known simply as ‘Life’, was originally created in 1860 by Milton Bradley under the name ‘The Chekered Game Of Life’.
The modern version of the game was released in 1960, 100 years after the original. Since then many variations of the game have been released, including a version that uses an electronic bank rather than cash.
DESCRIPTION
The game simulates a person as they make their way through life, this includes college, marriage, kids and retirement. Two to six players can play the game at any one time. Some variations of the game have been known to accommodate up to ten players.
GAMEPLAY
Each player chooses a different coloured car and inserts a little blue or pink peg, this represent you, the player. Your car is the playing piece which moves around the board by way of a rainbow coloured spinner. This is one of those things that people remember the game for most, as it was very different from your standard dice rolling.
Depending on what you land on, different life choices will be made. You will get married, don’t even get a choice! Then squares further round the board will present you with a child…or twins! However you do get to choose whether you go to college or straight in to work. College of course meant a better job and more money, since the aim of the game was to finish with most money, college was always a wise choice.
As with many other board games, squares around the board that you land on may provide you with a financial reward, or a penalty that costs you money such as a fine or house repairs. You could even buy insurance, wealth symbols and much more. Finish the game with more than a million dollars and you would end up in the Millionaire’s Mansion! A sign you had truly exceeded in life…this time.
In terms of difficulty, The Game Of Life was your run of the mill roll (or spin) and hope for the best type game. It didn’t have the strategy of similar style games such as Monopoly, but was far quicker to play and still incredible fun. The 3D board, with central mountain (that housed the spinner), and plastic buildings really brought the game to life and made it a family favourite in the USA and across the world.
THE GAME OF LIFE - HOW TO WIN THE GAME
When you have reached the end of the game, you must choose to retire at Millionaire Estates or Countryside Acres. If you retire at Millionaire Estates, you have the chance to receive four additional LIFE tiles if you’re the richest person there.
At the end of the game, all players repay their loans and add up their LIFE tiles and money. The player with the most money is the winner of the game.
