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Original poster

70s/80s board games

104 replies

EdenGlen · 29/10/2025 09:43

Hi,

Any recommendations for vintage board games?

My dad introduced the kids to Careers which he used to play as a child and they love it. We also have an original Game of Life and that gets played every weekend.

We have tried newer games like Ticket to Ride but they aren’t that keen.

Does anyone know of any old games similar to Careers/Game of Life where you move around a board? It would be nice to find something on eBay I could get for Christmas.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Wincarnis · 29/10/2025 13:25

Go - International travel game (by Waddingtons)

Kensington

Scoop

SpruceWilloow · 29/10/2025 13:40

Business Game- Waddingtons, also called Mine a Million. I got this cheap at a school fair. Great game. Was going to say Totoploy but already mentioned.

Mydadsbirthday · 29/10/2025 13:49

Oh we also had Go for Broke! I think it's still at my mum's house. Sadly my teens aren't really interested in board games any more. We have a couple of the more modern ones like Catan but haven't even opened it.

I also remember enjoying rummikub.

My DC used to like Ker plunk, pretty sure that was around in the 80s/90s.

We bought Operation some years ago as well, I was so disappointed with the quality. It just felt so cheap and the pieces were so flimsy. It was my favourite game to play at my friends house in the 80s/90s as we didn't have a set.

Also Guess Who. I think this would be hard with multi racial characters wouldn't it? Or do they just make it all white people like in the 80s? 😂

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Christmas Games
AreThereSomewhereIslands · 29/10/2025 14:02

Escape From Colditz is a 1970s classic that we used to play for hours without end; and in the 1980s there was a game called Westminster based around the party politics of the day - that may be a bit outdated now but it was a good little introduction to how elections and the process of governing the country worked.

TeenToTwenties · 29/10/2025 14:11

AreThereSomewhereIslands · 29/10/2025 14:02

Escape From Colditz is a 1970s classic that we used to play for hours without end; and in the 1980s there was a game called Westminster based around the party politics of the day - that may be a bit outdated now but it was a good little introduction to how elections and the process of governing the country worked.

Ah yes Escape from Colditz. Rappel, Staff Cars, lengths of rope. Smile

HelloHelloHelloHowLow · 29/10/2025 14:23

Hotel was my fave! My teens love playing my old Game of Life. Think it's the setting up ha!

vixen996 · 29/10/2025 15:14

Go For Broke. You basically have to be the first player to get rid of all your money (easier said than done!) It’s a board game. My kids absolutely love it

Azurebird · 29/10/2025 15:44

Escape from atlantis is a huge favourite in our house. It's vintage but has had a couple of re-releases the new version tends to be cheaper but the game play hasn't changed.

hels71 · 29/10/2025 15:48

I played Coppit as a child in the 70s and still play it with my DD now.

Livinglaughingloving · 29/10/2025 16:00

We have all of the following which the kids love, and also played as kids ourselves:
go for broke
game of life
monopoly
cluedo
labyrinth
enchanted forest
scotland yard
escape from Atlantis
trivial pursuit

Runnersandtoms · 29/10/2025 16:01

Our favourite as kids was Elixir. You play wizards making potions in a quest to find the Elixir of life. I found a vintage set on ebay as it's not sold new anymore. My kids love it too.

celticprincess · 29/10/2025 16:10

When I had the game of like my sister had Going for Broke. We quite enjoyed that one. We also had the blockbuster game like the original blockbuster tv programme.

Andthatrightsoon · 29/10/2025 16:49

Ghost Castle. Played it to death (arf!)

Telescopichair · 29/10/2025 16:59

We loved the London game, wildlife game, business game, cabbie and go for broke.

Discobooloo · 29/10/2025 17:01

I loved 'Hotel' back in the day and also the 'Chinese detective game'

Tutorpuzzle · 29/10/2025 17:02

Mastermind is a fantastic game. Only for two players but can be got through quite quickly so you can take turns. It’s a strategy game, nothing to do with general knowledge or specialist rounds!

Dragondrums · 29/10/2025 17:23

Poleconomy and Wealth of Nations. Have you tried Settlers of Catan? Not 70s or 80s but a good game

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 29/10/2025 17:28

I loved being ar our neighbours and playing Buccaneer. Anyone remember it?

Hatty65 · 29/10/2025 17:28

Our favourite in the 1970s was The Great Game of Britain.

My (now) 30 somethings loved it as teens and still like to play it. I've checked and you can still buy it!

Hatty65 · 29/10/2025 17:29

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 29/10/2025 17:28

I loved being ar our neighbours and playing Buccaneer. Anyone remember it?

ME! My friend round the corner had it and I thought it was brilliant, but couldn't persuade her to play it half the time.

You got to gather pieces of treasure!

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 29/10/2025 17:37

Hatty65 · 29/10/2025 17:29

ME! My friend round the corner had it and I thought it was brilliant, but couldn't persuade her to play it half the time.

You got to gather pieces of treasure!

Show quote history

Yes! I loved the barrels!

Baital · 29/10/2025 17:43

Hatty65 · 29/10/2025 17:28

Our favourite in the 1970s was The Great Game of Britain.

My (now) 30 somethings loved it as teens and still like to play it. I've checked and you can still buy it!

This! It's carved into my memory. Complete the sayings..
You are feeling generous, send two players on a day trip to ?
Blown off course, go to?
You long to see a leprechaun go to?
You are tired of crowds, go to ? and stay there for two turns.
Rangers playing Celtic, sheepdog trials in Perth...

And the hoped for CHANGE ONE TRAIN SIGNAL

Those last desperate attempts to get back to London when everyone else ganged up to put signals in your way!

Baital · 29/10/2025 17:46

And Sorry. The original version with 4 pawns.

nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 29/10/2025 17:49

Has anyone said Ludo yet?
HRTFT and my tea is about to be served 😋

Limer · 29/10/2025 17:57

Baital · 29/10/2025 17:43

This! It's carved into my memory. Complete the sayings..
You are feeling generous, send two players on a day trip to ?
Blown off course, go to?
You long to see a leprechaun go to?
You are tired of crowds, go to ? and stay there for two turns.
Rangers playing Celtic, sheepdog trials in Perth...

And the hoped for CHANGE ONE TRAIN SIGNAL

Those last desperate attempts to get back to London when everyone else ganged up to put signals in your way!

Show quote history

Grimsby
Boulogne
Waterford
John O'Groats

It's MOVE one train signal, not CHANGE!

Best cards are: "You are a model passenger. Take three consecutive turns" and "You have been appointed traffic controller. Send all the other players wherever you like"

I think Rat Race is better though.

Escape from Colditz is too long, plus someone has to be the Germans which isn't as much fun.