This week, The Atlantic pointed out a troubling development in Candy Land: namely, all the updated (read: sexy Bratz-doll) versions of classic characters and what looks like altogether too much 2D glitter. So how have the other classic games of your youth aged? After the jump, check out the original versions, ’80s incarnations, and current models of your favorite board games, from LIFE to Chutes and Ladders. My, how things have changed.
The original Candy Land, from 1949.
The ’80s version.
The hyper-sexed Candyland of today.
LIFE began in 1860 as The Checkered Game of Life, created by Milton Bradley. Check out the options for “Ruin,” “Disgrace,” and “Suicide.” You lose!
The ’80s version had more plastic cars, less revenge.
The current version.
One of Monopoly‘s earliest incarnations, from 1933. [via]
The version we all know and love, which lasted for many years, until a graphic upgrade in 2008.
The current version, complete with 3D Monopoly Man.
Chutes and Ladders originated as a traditional Indian board game, known as Moksha Patam, and was played in England as Snakes and Ladders. The above is a version from the 19th century. According to Wikipedia, the squares of virtue in the original game are: Faith, Reliability, Generosity, Knowledge, and Asceticism. The squares of vice are: Disobedience, Vanity, Vulgarity, Theft, Lying, Drunkenness, Debt, Rage, Greed, Pride, Murder, and Lust.
In 1943, Milton Bradley adapted the game for the US as Chutes and Ladders.
Here’s the version that was kicking around in the ’80s.
And today’s incarnation.
The game we know as Clue was originally published by Waddingtons in Leeds, England in 1949 as Cluedo. [via]
The 1986 version, released by Parker Brothers.
And the horrible-looking modern incarnation.
Possibly sexist board game Guess Who? was created by Ora and Theo Coster, and first manufactured by Milton Bradley in the UK in 1979.
The 1987 version.
Somehow, the current version looks just as dated.
Sorry! was originally trademarked in 1929 by William Henry Storey in the UK.
Today’s version.
The original Mouse Trap, published in 1963.
The ’80s version.
And the kind you can buy today.
Trouble, developed by the Kohner Brothers, was originally launched in the US by Milton Bradley in 1965.
Now it looks like something related to drugs.
Pretty Pretty Princess was invented by Peggy Brown in 1990.
The modern versions are mostly connected to Disney princesses.