Top 10 90s & 2000s Games We All Played
#10: “Trouble”
This board game’s been providing a safe way for kids to get into mischief for years, as players try to be the first to move their assigned pieces around the board. That means getting sent back to the starting point by their competitors as rarely as possible. Thanks to its innovative die jumbler — aka the “Pop-O-Matic” — “Trouble” became famous. Who hasn’t pressed that button just to hear its fun sound? Although it was created decades prior, the game became a major staple in everyone's family game collection around the ‘90s. It continues to reinvent itself today, with “Trolls” and “Star Wars”-themed versions hitting stores in recent years.
#9: “Chutes and Ladders”
Inspired by the Indian game known as Moksha Patam, “Chutes and Ladders” hit US stores in the ‘40s. The Milton Bradley - now Hasbro - version requires players to climb up ladders and head down chutes based on good and bad deeds. Which direction you go in ultimately depends on the number you get. The simple premise and easy-to-follow rules have made it a fan-favorite for even the youngest of players. It’s also commonly known as “Snakes and Ladders,” a nearly-identical counterpart with some different visuals. But whatever you call it, the game by any name continues to be popular all over the world.
#8: “Hungry Hungry Hippos”
This delicious game was a hit from the start. The setup assigns a colorful title animal to each gamer, and requires them to feed the famished mammals. Players push levers attached to their hippo in a bid to devour as many marbles as possible, and whoever gets the most wins. It first saw the light of day in the late ‘70s. But thanks to a catchy jingle and memorable characters, "Hungry Hungry Hippos'' blew up well into the ‘90s and beyond. A film was even proposed in the early 2010s, though plans haven't gone forward with the project thus far. If they ever do, we're sure the nostalgia will be off the charts.
#7: “Mall Madness”
Back before social media became ubiquitous, there was nothing more exciting for teens than hitting the mall. Milton Bradley knew that, so they cleverly capitalized off the fun pastime by creating this game. The board is laid out like a mall, and features fake money and credit cards. Players win by being the first to purchase everything on their shopping list. Did we mention most versions had a talking component too? “Mall Madness” perfectly captures the thrill of shopping without actually breaking the bank, making it a favorite for teens and parents alike! It’s not as popular anymore, but it should be.
#6: “Girl Talk”
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A must-have item at every slumber party in the ‘90s, “Girl Talk” was all kinds of fun. Marketed as a "truth or dare" style activity, the board game was mainly aimed at adolescent girls. Participants use a spinner, which determines if they have to answer a question or complete a challenge. They’re rewarded if they follow through, but are forced to wear the dreaded "zit sticker" if they don't. And the game’s popularity didn’t end when the century did. "That's So Raven," "Hannah Montana," and "One Direction" spinoffs, among others, arrived, turning out a new generation of “Girl Talk girls”.
#5: “Candy Land”
This game has one of the most touching origin stories ever. Former school teacher Eleanor Abbott created it while on the mend from polio. There were kids dealing with the disease in the same hospital as her, so naturally they demoed it. Thanks to their feedback, she was persuaded to pitch the idea to Milton Bradley. It debuted in 1949, and history was made. As the name suggests, the fantastical game requires players to embark on a sugary adventure across “Candy Land”. Its popularity resulted in generations of fans, and even prompted a 2005 animated film. It also inspired a baking show hosted by Kristin Chenoweth on the Food Network. Needless to say, its legacy is as sweet as ever.
#4: “Mouse Trap”
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You may not think rodents and fun really go together, but this game would beg to differ! Featuring a more elaborate setup than many of its counterparts, “Mouse Trap” took things up a notch with its 3-D board. The concept revolves around participants trying to capture mice - aka the other players. Initially thought up by Marvin Glass & Associates, the game has achieved global success in the decades since its 1963 release. In the UK, a kid-centric programme known as “Motormouth” even featured a segment based on it. It’s loads of fun, and will always remain a childhood favorite. Who knows, “Mouse Trap” might even give the adults an idea of what to do the next time an unwanted cheese-loving visitor shows up in the house!
#3: “Twister”
Unlike most games, “Twister” requires some athleticism. The rules are simple: players spin a dial that tells them to put down their hand or foot on a coloured circle. The tricky part is maintaining your balance on the giant plastic sheet while the others attempt to do the same. If you’ve ever played, you know that people can end up in some wild positions! In the mid-60s, an episode of the “Tonight Show” featured Johnny Carson and Eva Gabor playing the game. And it proceeded to become a hot commodity. But apparently, not everyone was a fan. Some thought the game was too provocative due to its physical nature. Fortunately, that didn’t stop “Twister” from standing the test of time.
#2: “Guess Who?”
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The catchy jingle for this popular board game played on repeat in the minds of every ‘90s kid. “Guess Who?” only requires two players - and some investigative skills. Participants attempt to successfully uncover the character assigned to their opponent by asking a series of yes-or-no questions. It sounds relatively simple, but the result was endlessly entertaining gameplay. In the late ‘90s, it went digital with a computer edition. At one point, “Guess Who” even got a Disney-themed version! Though the game was called out for its lack of representation in the 2010s, it’s seemingly taken steps to be more inclusive. There’s also reportedly an unscripted TV series based on the pastime in the works, which is a testament to its enduring popularity. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “KerPlunk” The Fewer Marbles End up in Your Compartment, the Better “Yahtzee” Nothing Compares to the Thrill of Yelling This Dice Game’s Name Out “Sorry!” Insincere Apologies Abound in This Timeless Board Game “Operation” You Don’t Need a Medical Degree to Play Doctor “The Game of Life” Luck & Decision-Making Combine on the Road to Retirement
#1: “Dream Phone”
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The ‘90s were full of games that defined millennials' childhoods, but the decade's pièce de résistance has to be "Dream Phone." And we have toy designer Mike Gray to thank for that. Marketed toward young girls, the game requires players to try and guess which of the eligible boys is crushing on them. Participants use an electronic plastic phone to reveal clues, and whoever guesses correctly first wins. Whether you got Steve. Mark, Dan, or any of the other contenders, it was always an insanely fun ride. Milton Bradley really outdid themselves with this one!
