10 Classic Board Games: Then and Now

Flickr user Will Folsom
Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

A recent moment in nostalgia had me wanting my children to learn to play the games that I played as a kid. So we headed to the store, which is where I got to see that while my favorite board games are still in existence, nearly every single classic also has a newfangled, tricked-out version perfectly tweaked for appealing to today's tots. Which they did, by the way, as my daughter was less than thrilled when I chose good ol' Candy Land over the glittery Disney Princess version. It's fun to see how things have changed, so take a walk down memory lane to see some of our favorite games then and now.

Twister Then

Twister Then

The classic Twister game ($13) uses a mat and a spinner and provides hours of simple fun.

Twister Now

Twister Now

Forget simplicity; Twister Dance Rave ($15, originally $35) is the dancing version of the classic game. Learn dance moves by following the lights and stepping on the moveable spots, all while connecting to an MP3 player.

Jenga Then

Jenga Then

In the classic Jenga game ($6), players stack the wooden blocks into a tower and then take turns pulling out blocks one by one until it crashes down onto the table.

Jenga Now

Jenga Now

Just like the original game, except there are earthquake tremors involved. In Jenga Quake, ($20) kids have to move fast and get their block out before the tower vibrates and the stack literally quakes and crumbles.

Sorry Then

Sorry Then

Sorry ($12) was, and still is, fun because you just drew cards to see how far you got to move one of your pawns on the board. If you landed on a Slide, you got to zip to the end and metaphorically bump off the other pawns.

Sorry Now

Sorry Now

The classic game has been tricked up with Sorry Sliders ($20), except kids literally take aim and slide their pawn down the track in order to score big points and slam opposing pawns out of the game.

Candy Land Then

Candy Land Then

Candy Land ($10) is an adorable classic board game with Peppermint Forests, the Lagoon of Lord Licorice, and Princess Frostine's Ice Palace.

Candy Land Now

Candy Land Now

The description of Candy Land Disney Princess Edition ($17) says it all: "Will you be the first princess to dance at the Candy Land ball? Move along the sparkling Candy Land path with all of your favorite Disney Princesses — and have lots of sweet adventures along the way!"

Chess Then

Chess Then

Chess ($11) is the ultimate game of skill and patience.

Chess Now

Chess Now

Afraid of stressing out your kiddo with all that learning and waiting? No Stress Chess ($15) has kids today playing chess instantly.

The Game of Life Then

The Game of Life Then

In The Game of Life ($16), you'll get the chance to make big decisions (go to college, have a family, etc.) and do good deeds to earn game tiles.

The Game of Life Now

The Game of Life Now

Will you be a supermodel, pop singer, pro athlete, or movie star? In The Game of Life Fame Edition ($12), kids get to travel along the star-studded path in a stretch limo while hiring agents, building an entourage, and making it rain in order to elevate themselves to megastar status.

Operation Then

Operation Then

Grab your tweezers and hold your hand steady as you play doctor to Cavity Sam in the classic game of Operation ($13). Don't let your tweezers buzz!

Operation Now

Operation Now

Forget Cavity Sam; Stuart the Minion's the one who needs help in Operation Despicable Me 2 ($23). Beware of the electric shock that kids get when they aren't steady enough with the tweezers — just joking, but that wouldn't be too far off these days.

Scrabble Then

Scrabble Then

Scrabble ($18) is the classic game where players compete to see who can earn the most points by placing letters strategically on a board.

Scrabble Now

Scrabble Now

In Scrabble Flash ($18), players user the interactive SmartLink tiles to build words, and the tiles will flash and beep with each word that's made. The tiles also automatically time turns and display the score with the maximum possible score.

Dominoes Then

Dominoes Then

Dominoes ($15) are plastic tiles with multicolored dots that can be played in various ways. What's more? Kids can even stack them in a pattern to watch them fall onto each other.

Dominoes Now

Dominoes Now

Forget all that boring linear stacking; the Dominoes Rally ($20) comes with four custom tracks and speed dominoes crafted to fall as fast as lightning.

Monopoly Then

Monopoly Then

The original Monopoly ($9) is a property trading game for the whole family that involves making deals and staying out of jail.

Monopoly Now

Monopoly Now

Monopoly Millionaire ($19) ups the ante as the Top Hat is no longer the best part for kids, it's sending the economy into an economic depression all while earning $1 million.