TV Guide: The Game (1997) Board Game

TV Guide: The Game is a board game released in 1997 by Milton Bradley. It is based on the popular television listings magazine, TV Guide. The game is designed for 2 to 10 players, with a runtime of approximately 45 minutes. It falls under the category of electronic and movies/TV/radio themed trivia games.

Game Components of TV Guide: The Game

Game Board: Features various TV categories and scoring zones.

Question Book: Contains 2,700 questions ranked as easy, medium, and hard.

Talking Remote: A battery-operated device that selects categories (requires 2 AA batteries and a screwdriver for assembly).

Player Tokens and Scorekeeping: For tracking progress and scoring.

How To Setup TV Guide: The Game

To set up the game, players need to assemble the talking remote using 2 AA batteries and a screwdriver. The game board is laid out, and players choose their tokens. The question book is ready for use, with questions organized by category. The game is designed for 2 or more players, ideally in teams.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Team Play: Players are divided into teams.

Category Selection: The talking remote randomly selects a TV category.

Question Answering: Teams answer questions, with options including multiple-choice and true/false.

Scoring: Questions are worth 1 to 3 points, with bonus questions available but risking points.

Objective: The first team to reach the finish on the board wins.

Player Experience

Players embark on a nostalgic journey through decades of TV history, from “I Love Lucy” to “Friends” and “Seinfeld.” The game is suitable for families and TV trivia buffs, offering a fun and interactive way to test knowledge. However, some players have noted that the game’s design, such as having answers directly below the questions, can make it less engaging for the ‘reader’ who is supposed to guess along with the other players.

Pros

Nostalgic Value: Covers a wide range of TV shows from the 50s to the 90s.

Variety of Categories: Includes sitcoms, game shows, sports, and kids’ shows.

Team Play: Encourages collaboration and teamwork.

Ease of Play: Simple to understand rules make it accessible to a broad age range (12 to adult).

Cons

Outdated Content: No 21st-century TV shows are included.

Question Format: Answers are directly below the questions, which can make gameplay less engaging for some players.

Remote Issues: Some users have reported problems with the talking remote, including battery corrosion and malfunction.

Personal Thoughts on TV Guide: The Game

TV Guide: The Game is perfect for those who enjoy retro TV and are looking for a light-hearted, family-friendly game night. It’s ideal for decade-themed parties or casual gatherings where nostalgia is a key theme. However, it may not appeal to fans of modern TV shows or those seeking a more complex trivia experience. Despite its drawbacks, the game remains a fun and nostalgic trip through television history.

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