Wheel of Fortune (board game)
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Wheel of Fortune is the classic home game version based on the TV version of the same name, which was first published by Milton Bradley in 1975. Much like the actual show, contestants must solve puzzles in order to win the game.
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[edit] Milton Bradley (1975)
Milton Bradley made the first two editions of the NBC version starting in 1975. Each game would contain instructions/puzzle book with 168 puzzles, play money, gameboard (30 spaces), a large supply of cardboard letters, a "Wheel" spinner, 20 prize cards (three $100 prizes, two $200 prizes, one each from $300 to $1700 except for $1300, and one $3000 prize), and 4 "Free Spin" cards.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is virtually similar to the early NBC years of show. The host chooses a puzzle from the booklet and inserts the letters into slots on the game board so that they're only visible to him. Bucks are used to keep score during the round, but only the player who solves the puzzle can buys prizes with his bucks or puts the money "on account" (saving it for the next round), while everyone else gives the money back.
[edit] "Buy A Vowel"
You only buy a vowel when you land on the "Buy a Vowel" space on the wheel, and then only if you have the $250 (otherwise you lose your turn). This rule actually was on the TV show for short time in 1975.
[edit] The Wheel
There are 24 (very colorful: not representing the ones on TV) spaces on the wheel with the top dollar value on the wheel is $500, and there's one each of "Bankrupt", "Lose a Turn", "Free Spin" and "Buy A Vowel":
$100-$275-$200-$150-"Buy a Vowel"-$100-$250-$100-"Bankrupt"-$500-$175-$300-$200-$500-$125-$100-$300-$200-"Free Spin"-$100-$200-$150-$450-"Lose a Turn"
[edit] First Pressman Era (1985-1991)
Pressman created five editions, plus a Junior edition, and two Deluxe editions based on show. Each edition would have the "Conceal-N-Reveal" Puzzle board (looks similar to the actual TV board with 33 spaces), spinner, play money, Free Spin Tokens, 24 puzzle cards with four puzzles on each (96 puzzles), instruction & solutions manual and a used letter board with crayon.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is virtually similar to the syndicated version. The host chooses a puzzle sheet and inserts it into a slot on the game board. Rules are like the TV show (without the shopping round; even though the syndicated version ended that in 1987, daytime in 1989). Money are used to keep score during the round, but only the player who solves the puzzle keeps the money, while everyone else gives the money back. The player with the most money after 4 rounds is the winner. No Bonus Round is Played.
[edit] The Wheel
The Wheel is more similar to the TV show with the correct colors and never changes in each edition. The top dollar amount is $750.
[edit] Layout of the Wheel
$750-$250-$300-$200-$100-$500-$400-$300-$200-"Free Spin"-$100-$200-$150-$450-"Lose A Turn"-$400-$250-$200-$150-$400-$600-$250-$300-"Bankrupt"
[edit] "Deluxe Edition"
The Deluxe Edition has more puzzles, a money bank, and replica of the Wheel that spins with extra spaces to add ($500, $900, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000, and Bankrupt). The rules are still the same.
[edit] Tyco/Mattel Era (1992-1998)
Tyco created two editions in 1993 with hostess Vanna White on the box and in 1998, Mattel reproduced the game. Each edition would have a similar "Conceal-N-Reveal" Puzzle board with a "Used Letter Board", a Wheel, play money, Free Spin Tokens, 50 puzzle cards, and instructions.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is virtually identical to the syndicated version and the rules are similar to the Pressman version. No Bonus Round is Played.
[edit] The Wheel
The Wheel is more similar to the TV show and spins like the Pressman Deluxe Editions.
[edit] Parker Brothers Edition (1999)
Like Jeopardy! and Hollywood Squares, Parker Brothers released a version in 1999. This edition would have a similar "Conceal-N-Reveal" Puzzle board, a Wheel, play money, Free Spin Tokens, puzzle cards (96 puzzles), and instructions.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is virtually similar to the syndicated version and the rules are similar to the previous editions. No Bonus Round is played.
[edit] The Wheel
The Wheel is smaller and has less spaces unlike the previous editions and spins like the Pressman Deluxe Editions.
[edit] Second Pressman Era (2002-)
Currently, Pressman revisited the Wheel and created four all-new editions (20th Anniversary Edition, Original Edition, a Simpsons edition, and the 2nd Edition), plus a Deluxe edition based on the show. Each edition has similar materials to First Pressman Era with an updated look for the current version (however the gameboard for the Original and 2nd Edition has 30 spaces instead of 33).
[edit] Gameplay
The game is the same as the First Pressman Era.
[edit] The Wheel
The Wheel is more similar to the TV show with the correct colors and never changes in any edition. The top dollar amount is $5,000.
[edit] "Deluxe Edition"
The Deluxe Edition has more puzzles, a money bank, and replica of the Wheel that spins with no extra spaces. The rules are still the same.
[edit] Simpsons Edition
The Simpsons Edition has Simpsons related puzzles and board, Simpsons money, and the Wheel is same as the classic Wheel in the previous editions. The rules are still the same.