Parker Brothers Games

Throughout the years, Parker Brothers games have been at the forefront of the board games industry in general. I'm not a person who is particularly conscious of brands, so it took me a while to notice. Nonetheless, when I looked at my boardgame collection, I was struck by the number of Parker Brothers game sets. Monopoly, Risk, my Ouija board, Scrabble, and even my Clue game had all been put out by Parker Brothers. Although not all of them originated with the company, it is still neat to see how much effect one company could have on the boardgame business. Most, if not all, of the classics were made by them.

The Parker Brothers Monopoly game is not currently my favorite, but it was my first love. If there is any Parker Brothers game board that is known all over the world, it is Monopoly. Families who can't sit through a TV show together still manage to spend hours playing a single Monopoly game. Sometimes, they go on for days, but people keep at it. Everyone is so determined to make a killing that the game doesn't stop for hours. Even if you have never played a Monopoly game to completion, you have to admit – it is exciting while it lasts.

Of course, my current favorite Parker Brothers game is Risk. I have been a big fan of strategy board games for a long time. I play them in person and online, but you really can't beat having a board in front of you and people to talk with. Although the most elaborate strategy games are now on the computer, there is just something about getting all your friends together for  a night of global war or world conquest that is pretty appealing. Risk is so simple, but the strategies involved are so complicated. A game can be over in 20 minutes, or it can take three hours. It is all up to you and the way you play.

Of course, Clue is also a great Parker Brothers game. What is so great about it is that it works for all ages. Adults like it because it is a murder mystery, but the strategy is simple enough for a child to do reasonably well. The fact that it is just a little bit ghoulish only makes it that much more fun to play! All in all, it is a treasure of a game in my opinion. That is why it is still around today.