The 80’s and early 90’s were a weird time for television, and it didn’t help matters that companies like Hasbro, Parker Brothers, and Pressman had money to burn on ridiculous board game commercials. Lets take a look at a few of them, shall we?
Mouse Trap: Good Luck Setting it Up Right
I bet you forgot about the weird cat mascot.
Life: A Depressing reflection on Reality
Everything about this commercial screams “normal”. Right?
Chutes and Ladders: Nothing you do matters
Splat: Literally Crush your little sister’s Dreams
This child takes no pleasure in it, but the murder must be carried out.
Forbidden Bridge: Weird Architectural decisions
Let’s protect our jewels with a giant stone mech that shakes a pretty rickety bridge?.
Don’t Wake Daddy: You Wouldn’t Like Him When He’s Woken
Tiptoe to the fridge for a snack? Or tiptoe to escape?
Candyland: A Game Where you don’t need counting or reading
Can I get a fact check on whether or not this is Nancy Wheeler?
Connect 4: Fill it up just for fun
You will never be as happy as these Connect 4 pieces.
Fireball Island: Because the INDIANA Jones License Is Expensive
13 Dead End Drive: Get Really Excited about Murder
Later these children proceeded to murder their parents for the inheritance money.
I also just want to take a quick moment to appreciate the truly horrifying muppets used in the 13 Dead End Drive commercial that they’ve paired with equally horrible puns.
See you “ladder” chef.It’s Knighty Knight for the Hair DresserLights out for the “boyfriend”.
Did I miss any of your favorite board game commercials? Are you perplexed as to why Crossfire isn’t on this list? Come to our Reddit Forum to get into a fight about whether or not Crossfire counts as a board game.
I’m not the only poor fool on the internet obsessed with board games. Youtube is rife with board games and board gamers. Here are some of my favorite youtube vids featuring board games.
We certainly see a lot of board games show up in pop culture, but in the world of webcomics there are series totally devoted to them. Below, in no particular order, are some of my favorites.
Table Titans chronicles the adventures of Alan, Andrew, Val, Darby, & Darius (the Table Titans themselves), as they embark on many adventures both at and away from the gaming table.
A group of friends are playing a tabletop role playing game, with all the cool, sometimes frustrating, sometimes surprising things that happen to you when you’re involved in such an activity.
DORK TOWER is the award-winning fan-favorite comic strip and comic book about five gamers, and the real world. It’s also about the worlds they create, the games they play, the technologies they abuse and misuse and the conventions they road-trip to.
Order of the Stickis a webcomic set in a world that follows Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 Edition rules created by Rich Burlew about six adventurers on their journey to slay the lich Xykon and prevent him from taking over or destroying the world through the use of the gates holding back the creature known as the Snarl.
NPC Comic is a series about the gaming lives of 30-somethings and their cats. It’s part situational comedy, part geeky goodness, and a lot of bizarre feline fantasy. The comic is now over and ran from Feb 2009 until Sep 2016.
Rusty & Co. is a webcomic about a party of monsters that band together to prove that they, too, can be fearless heroes. Just like all those elves and humans and other “pretty” races.
Semi Co-op is a webcomic mostly about board games started by a couple that became two board game enthousiasts with absolutely no history in comic-making. The definition semi co-op does of course directly reflect to games with a ‘maybe’ coorperative element in them, but it also reflects our relationship in real life – with a wink. With Semi Co-op we like to share our experiences, opinions and hopefully bring a smile on your face or even better: spark your interest in a game that was mentioned.
d20Monkey focuses on the lives of gamers and longtime friends, Sam and Brett. Throughout the comics contained within you will experience gamer habits and culture, game sessions based on unlkely holidays, witness fist fights with Santa Claus, and the wrath of a heartbroken DM.
Tiny Wooden Pieces is a webcomic about board games and other pop culture fun. But mostly board games. We update every Friday with a comic, and some words from the author and the artist. Tiny Wooden Pieces comes from our love of comics and, of course, board games. We have both always loved comics, and have come to board-gaming more recently.
Going Overboard was my own personal foray into the webcomic space. The site is a bit in shambles and a big chunk of the last comics were a lead in for a kickstarter attempt, but it was very much a learning experience for me. I think there are a few solid comics in there, and I am constantly pestered by ideas for it. Sadly it lays dormant for a long while to come.
Have some of your own favorites that you think I missed? Interested in starting up your own board game webcomic and want advice? Start a discussion on our Reddit Forum.
Board Games have been with us a long time, and artists have worked tirelessly to capture those moments and feelings that games arose in us. Lets look at some examples of board games in Western Artwork.
1. This looks like the climax of a sports anime
2. Gotta have that third person in chess to criticize your moves
3. Wait for the Children to leave before the shouting begins
4. TFW The Date is going poorly but now you’re in it just to watch him struggle5. When he promises you a Fun Night out, and Then Breaks out Backgammon
6. Chess is a lot harder when all the pieces look the same
7. Your Opponent only has one piece left, Why are you still playing?
Because they’re drinking absinthe, apparently.
8. Looks like this Clown is about to send your soul to the shadow realm
Nice try Yugi-boy
9. When He plays solo Board Games, He’s an intellectual, but when I do it its Sad
10. Can’t we finish one goddamn Turn without the Angel Showing up?
Like the artwork? Tell us about your own favorite pieces of fine board game artwork at our Reddit Forum.
We love our fandoms, and love seeing our characters in new and different circumstances. These 10 artists have cast their favorite shows and games through a board gamers lens.
5. When he promises you a Fun Night out, and Then Breaks out Backgammon
