Changing with the times is not welcome in beloved childhood board games

I love a good board game.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved games. Before I started school, I’d play board games with my Nanny nearly every day. I’d play all day if she were up for it.

The farthest back I can remember is playing a version of Memory. Scrabble was always a favorite of ours, as well as a game called, “It’s Only Money,” which makes me think that’s where my shopping addiction began, but that’s another column.

So while sitting for an hour or so waiting on my car to be fixed the other day, I decided to download The Game of Life onto my phone to help pass the time. That was always one of my favorites when I was little.

I always chose the white car, always went to college, always wanted to be a doctor and live in the log cabin. Always.

To my dismay, the new cellular version of Life doesn’t give the white car as an option, and the computer player always seems to steal my occupation. The game was pretty much what I remember, although some of the Life squares seem to have been updated with the times.

“Win $100,000 on a TV Dance Show” and “Win the Ultimate Idol TV Show” certainly weren’t on the version I used to play some 15 years ago.

But playing this version on my phone really made me want to buy the board game again. The urge to splurge came on Friday, but I had already been to Wal-Mart that morning to take pictures of some early shoppers. There was no way I was going to step foot back into any store until the Thanksgiving deals were long gone.

But there’s no waiting in line on the Internet, I thought. I went to Walmart.com to look up the game. I was sure they’d have the best price of anyone around. Don’t you know The Game of Life is non-existent in Wally World’s eyes?

There’s only one version available—Game of Life: Twists and Turns sells for $34.88.

Milton Bradley wants the consumer to believe it’s an even bigger and better version of Life, but it’s really an evil imposter that left me unimpressed. So long to pink, yellow, white, orange and green dollar bills.

This game includes a Visa card for everyone. So long to my cherished white station wagon. This version gives each player a skateboard. (I wonder how my 76-year-old Nanny would feel about that!)

And that little white spinner that always flew across the room if you spun with too much elbow grease? Forget it. A “LIFEPod” takes care of all the work for you.

The Game of Life used to teach children and adults alike how to budget money, how to save, how to spend wisely. With a Visa card and a LIFEPod, it takes all the real lessons Life had to offer out of the equation.

While I may be unimpressed with Game of Life: Twists and Turns, I’m sure it will bring hours of joy to people all over the world, just not me. I don’t think stores should get rid of this version by any means, but I definitely think the original version of the game needs to be offered as another alternative.

After all, isn’t variety the spice of life?