Some predictions
by Bruce Whitehill
2001
Based on consultations with one of my swinging pendulum talking boards, here are my predictions of what some newer spooky games will be worth on Halloween night, in the year 2001.
Nightmare on Elm Street (Victory Games, 1987) won’t fare that well, especially compared with the larger, more gloriously packaged Nightmare on Elm Street, The Freddy Game (Cardinal, 1989). This later game has quite a nice three-dimensional playing set-up. Of course the game has Freddy’s picture on the front and back of the box. The object of the game: “Find out who Freddy really is–before it’s too late.”
The Addams Family Find Uncle Fester game (Pressman, 1991) is based on the movie. I doubt this game will approach the value of any of the Addams Family games linked to the original television series.
Thirteen Dead End Drive (Milton Bradley, 1994-still available) may show only a slight increase in value over time, but it’s said to be an excellent game to play.
The Shadow (Milton Bradley, 1994) is my pick for the spooky game of the ’90s to increase most in value. The game builds into a wonderful three-dimensional set, and the graphics are great. The film didn’t do as well as predicted, and the game disappeared quickly, so there may not be that many around in the next century.
Many board games get their collectible value from the characters they represent or from the intriguing illustrations on their boxes. But please, peek inside. Some games have wonderful things to look at and play with. Others have things that will jump out at you. Play some with close friends (maybe with the lights out). Just possibly the eerie silence of the night will be shattered by the sounds of creatures laughing.
