Timeless Games, Timeless Fun

From retail shelves to living rooms, some games will forever remain staples. Although opinions can shift and demand can change, nothing beats a classic game. This year, three perennial favorites are celebrating major anniversaries as Hasbro’s Clue and Candy Land turn 75 and Connect 4 turns 50. So how do these classics remain fresh? Subtle reinvention and radical expansion.

“To design [for] a classic game, it’s important to prioritize player insights, observe families, and obsess over the details,” says Brian Baker, Senior Vice President of Board Games at Hasbro. “This approach can help in enhancing gameplay, storage, and modernizing aesthetics for current and future players.” 

Candy Land, Clue, and Connect 4 all implement gameplay that has been resonating with players for years. This includes the simple path play in Candy Land, the mystery-solving aspects in Clue, and the accomplishment a player often feels when four discs finally line up in a game of Connect 4. 

Herman Hernandez, owner of Greenpoint Toys in Brooklyn, New York, recognizes the lasting impact of the iconic trio. The brick-and-mortar store has been serving Brooklyn residents since 1979, and families are certain to find these classics on the shelf.  “Hasbro’s Candy Land, Connect 4, and Clue are a must-have in store … they have been around for a while and they all have an easy concept of play,” Hernandez explains. 

For decades, Hasbro has released updated versions of each title, all while staying true to the features and gameplay that made them desirable.  New character designs and alternative themes are incorporated into the games as Hasbro expands its offerings.

“Enhancing characters, storylines, and artwork can spark imagination and generate interest among current and new generations of players,” Baker says. Collaboration with licensing partners is another way to keep momentum, and Hasbro is doing all of the above in this milestone year.  

More than seven decades after its release, players are still guessing who, where, and what. In the murder-mystery board game Clue, the endless number of solutions result in a new and exciting game each time the board is unfolded. 

This year, players can add the Clue: 75th Anniversary Edition from WS Game Company to their game room. This special version of the game features a two-toned wood cabinet with gold-toned metal accents and a storage drawer. It includes wood movers with die-cast bases and a foil-stamped solution envelope. The game, designed for players ages 18 and up, also includes 75th Anniversary-themed cards. 

Clue’s evolution includes a refresh of the well-known game, new Clue series, and editions inspired by different brands and IP. Kids can rely on the familiar gameplay while interacting with characters besides Professor Plum and Mrs. White. Throughout the game’s long reign, The Op Games has released different versions such as Clue: Scooby-Doo Edition, Clue: Squishmallows Edition, and more. 

Hasbro also produces the Clue Escape Series, where players utilize a 3D board, attempt to unlock rooms and escape, and then solve a mystery. Additionally, the Clue franchise has extended to include games like Clue Conspiracy, in which players team up, sabotage, and swear to secrecy while deducing who, where, and what to solve the crime.

While the game ascended its board with the 1985 film Clue, the mystery continues to unfold outside the living room with the new theatrical production Clue: Live on Stage. Based on the film and game, the new comedy features characters like Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard, as well as life-sized versions of the mini tools used during the board game. Families can also participate in Clue — A Walking Mystery, an interactive walking experience that is available in different cities in the U.S.

“We’re expanding the ‘Clueniverse’ even further, as we just announced that Hasbro Entertainment closed a deal with TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Television to develop film and TV adaptations of Clue,” Baker says. “Branded experiences like stage productions and movies go hand in hand with our products, helping amplify brand awareness, popularity, and consumer fandom overall.”

From homemade Halloween costumes to sweet scented candles by GooseCreek, the board game Candy Land and its characters have served as inspiration for crafts and collaborations for years. In 1948, school teacher Eleanor Abbott invented the path game for recovering polio patients to pass the time. Milton Bradley published the game in 1949, and named characters were added soon after. Now, millions of grown-up kids note Candy Land as their first board game. 

Several editions of the game have been released since its inception, including editions with updated character and location designs. Despite changes in outfits and more, the residents of Candy Land still represent the same sweetness and fun while representing a broader audience. “Nostalgia ties generations of players together, inspiring parents to share game experiences from their youth with their own children,” Baker says. “Hasbro has been thoughtful in ensuring characters, themes, and content remain relevant to today’s audiences. We pay attention to shifts in tastes and trends to make timeless games and avoid becoming obsolete or outdated.”

To celebrate decades of Mr. Mint, Princess Frostine, and others, Hasbro designs branded, interactive programs. At the American Dream Mall in New Jersey, players can visit the Candy Land Shake Bar in The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro. The Shake Bar produces themed milkshakes for guests to sip on while exploring other attractions inspired by Hasbro IP. The company also collaborated with Sugarfina to launch a limited-edition Candy Land game board, with different candies hidden inside removable boxes that resemble the Candy Land path. 

While the gameplay remains unchanged — kids still need to line four discs of the same color on the grid in each edition — Connect 4 has evolved throughout the past 50 years. “Our goal is to always engage new generations of players by evolving our beloved classic games with insightful innovation and thoughtful design,” Baker says. “Connect 4, our classic strategy game, has seen evolution primarily in its materials and presentation since its introduction in 1974.”

EastPoint Sports’ Connect 4: Giant Edition is a super-sized example of Hasbro’s dedication to maintaining the life of a classic game. The bigger edition is a great fit for outdoor, larger-than-life play. 

Looking on the horizon beyond this year’s milestones, Hasbro is planning for another major anniversary: Monopoly turns 90 next year. The company and its licensing partners have produced countless versions of the game, including recent IP-based editions, inspired by Harry Potter, Grey’s Anatomy, Family Guy, One Piece, and rockers like AC/DC and Metallica. As part of the 90th anniversary, Hasbro is releasing the Monopoly Go! Board Game, which is based on Scopely’s Monopoly Go! app. 

Despite the constant stream of updated offerings, in terms of popularity, the original games reign supreme — a true mark of a gaming classic — as the gameplay remains beloved by consumers and marketable for retailers. “A great toy store needs to carry Hasbro products … all three games have a fast turnaround and we need to constantly order them to keep in stock,” Hernandez mentions. 

“While we’ve done many co-branded games with popular IPs and different formats, nothing stands the test of time like our classics,” Baker adds. “However, variations of those games create energy in the marketplace, spark conversation, and ensure our brands stay relevant and top-of-mind for our players.” 

Whether it’s the newest version of Candy Land, Connect 4, or Clue, or the one passed down for generations that’s missing a few pieces here and there, these timeless games are poised to remain family favorites for years to come.

A version of this feature was originally published in The Toy Book’s 2024 LA Fall Toy Preview Issue. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!