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The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: KyleCHaight on October 20, 2004, 09:42:43 PM

Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 20, 2004, 09:42:43 PM
Which would you say is the best board game version of "Wheel of Fortune", and why would you say so?

Furthermore, do you know of any photographs of the contents of some of the materials in the games?

And one more thing, what is the newest version of the game (not "The Simpsons" one) like, comparable to other versions? What is contained there in? Puzzle board design, cash values, categories, specialty rounds (mystery round, toss-up, jackpot, etc.) wheel design, is it like a "Twister" spinner or a replica wheel?

Thanks.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: JasonA1 on October 20, 2004, 10:20:04 PM
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Which would you say is the best board game version of "Wheel of Fortune", and why would you say so?

Well, running all down the line...the first MB editions (Woolery Era) were a little odd. They offered a set of letters and blank puzzleboard - nice for keeping the game fresh forever with your own puzzles, but not so nice for set up time. Shopping is neat, I guess, but it's not a very sophisticated game.

The Pressman editions were nice, but the puzzleboard was a little clunky. Every edition I saw from my birth to now has had bad tracking on the doors, and you couldn't quite see the lines under where the letters were. That was the biggest flaw. The wheel was nice, and the light border, but...ehh.

The Deluxe version had the same puzzleboard, but the wheel more than made up for it, with all the wedges up to $5,000 and just a purely cool design. It makes the game much more fun to play at home.

Tyco had a terrible wheel, but defeated everybody with its great, great puzzleboard. The top was pretty solid, containing a defined slot for a category, and good flip-down doors for letters. Underneath that lied a used letter board set, where upon sliding a door aside, you would see which slots contained that letter, or just a blank space. This was by far the best one, and most functional too. Pressman included a wipe-off letterboard that was pretty decent, but this just eliminated the booklet on top of it.

Parker Brothers released a version that had a mini-wheel, but with only eight spaces (1 was bankrupt, 1 was LAT, and 1 Free Spin), it was kind of lame. Puzzleboard was decent and stuff, and the stack of tear-off letterboards neat, but overall a bland game.

The latest releases are just rehashes of Pressman's versions. They have the same wheel, only with the modern Free Spin graphic and $5000 replacing the yellow $100 slot. Take that for what you will.

I'd say, for the best game, get Deluxe Wheel. The cool prop, and changing wheel make it play the best at home. If they recreate that, and take the puzzleboard from the Tyco edition, it'd truly rule.

(Sorry for rambling...I won't post for two more days now ;)
-Jason
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 20, 2004, 10:28:27 PM
haha, actually, this information proved invaluable.

I have the Tyco version and I agree with your opinion of the puzzle board. Very functional. Trouble is, I've run through all the puzzles, so I'm looking to buy a newer version (or an older one) just to get some new games.

I disagree with your opinion on the Tyco wheel. At least it was a *wheel*, far better than the "Twister spinner" that many of the other versions had.

As far the "replica wheel" in the deluxe version, how well did it work? Did it spin well, because I've seen a photo of it and it doesn't look very functional. . .
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: SamJ93 on October 20, 2004, 10:43:32 PM
The Deluxe version's wheel is pretty cool, but it does break somewhat easily--particularly the pegs, and the white clicker that is easy to lose, unless you glue it in place.  The friction on the wheel tends to get larger with age, but you can abet it somewhat with a few drops of baby oil underneath. Hope this helps.

--Sam
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: JasonA1 on October 20, 2004, 11:02:32 PM
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At least it was a *wheel*, far better than the "Twister spinner" that many of the other versions had.

Mine never assembled properly. I never got a "ticker" for the wheel, and the wheel never fit well enough over the center. I'll change my judgement when I go look at it and try again, or see a correct version.

-Jason
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 20, 2004, 11:12:09 PM
"Updated" Tyco Wheel (http://\"http://dawsonbotr2d2.20megsfree.com/tycocustomwheel.jpg\")

Yes, the wheel looks different because I photoshopped the wheel from the "Wheel Of Fortune" background (which took a long time since there show's name was sprawled across it), printed it out and stuck it into the existing wheel, just to make the values more "up to date."

But at any rate, that's my wheel. The clicker tore into 2 some time ago, but the masking tape managed to work well enough to repair it. It works fairly well in spite of having been used hundreds of times.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: adamjk on October 20, 2004, 11:35:56 PM
I got a remote linking forbidden error.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 20, 2004, 11:53:36 PM
[quote name=\'adamjk\' date=\'Oct 20 2004, 10:35 PM\']I got a remote linking forbidden error.
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I should work. It works for me.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: gameshowguy2000 on October 21, 2004, 12:25:25 AM
I clicked on it, and I also got the pic to show up.

Anyway, Kyle, nicely done.

And I prefer the Deluxe version as well, because of the nice photographs of the Wheel's replica, which is what sets this game out from the rest of the pack.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: Craig Karlberg on October 21, 2004, 04:44:43 AM
I too like the Deluxe version over the Pressman version based on the wheel replica.  It had a few pegs missing when I first played it(apparently, the wheel lost its pegs while it was being assembled at the factory where it was made I guess).  The replaceable wedges added that realistic feel to it too.

As far as the image showing up, I got the picture & it looks very intresting even though it was doctored up a bit.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: zachhoran on October 21, 2004, 08:13:57 AM
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Oct 21 2004, 03:44 AM\']
I too like the Deluxe version over the Pressman version based on the wheel replica.  

The Deluxe version was also made by Pressman, it came out around the same time the second regular Pressman edition of WOF did in 1986.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: Mike Tennant on October 21, 2004, 11:22:33 AM
[quote name=\'KyleCHaight\' date=\'Oct 20 2004, 08:42 PM\']Furthermore, do you know of any photographs of the contents of some of the materials in the games?
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Here's (http://\"http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/inside/wheel/index.htm\") a photo of the inside of the MB 1975 game.  I'm somewhat surprised that Matt doesn't have pictures of any of the other, more popular editions, but at least this will show you what is certainly the least popular version.  I have this, and it's definitely an el cheapo game; setting up puzzles can take a long time.

I've owned both the Pressman regular and deluxe versions.  The only significant difference between them is the wheel, which is much better in the deluxe version.  I can't comment on the others, which I've never played.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: Matt Ottinger on October 21, 2004, 12:03:59 PM
[quote name=\'Mike Tennant\' date=\'Oct 21 2004, 11:22 AM\']Here's (http://\"http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/inside/wheel/index.htm\") a photo of the inside of the MB 1975 game.  I'm somewhat surprised that Matt doesn't have pictures of any of the other, more popular editions, but at least this will show you what is certainly the least popular version.  I have this, and it's definitely an el cheapo game; setting up puzzles can take a long time.
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It's been a back-burner goal of mine for a long time to improve on the Wheel page with info on the other editions.  I did a pretty decent Jeopardy one a long time ago.  However, I've been concentrating more on the Cullen site (also overdue for an update) and, frankly, this place.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 21, 2004, 01:51:48 PM
[quote name=\'Craig Karlberg\' date=\'Oct 21 2004, 03:44 AM\']As far as the image showing up, I got the picture & it looks very intresting even though it was doctored up a bit.
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Doctored? I assure you, that picture is 100% legitamate.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: JMFabiano on October 21, 2004, 02:40:08 PM
So, any pics of the Deluxe Pressman online?  The best I saw was a box picture.  I do remember that being a coveted item that I never got as a kid.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: Frank15 on October 21, 2004, 07:55:53 PM
Easy.  The Pressman Deluxe wheel was the best wheel.  The Tyco puzzle board was the best puzzle board.  Combine the two together for maximum fun.  That's what I do ^_^!
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: KyleCHaight on October 27, 2004, 03:29:54 PM
[quote name=\'Frank15\' date=\'Oct 21 2004, 06:55 PM\']Easy.  The Pressman Deluxe wheel was the best wheel.  The Tyco puzzle board was the best puzzle board.  Combine the two together for maximum fun.  That's what I do ^_^!
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Sorry to dig this one back up, but it seemed more efficient than starting a completely new thread.

For the Deluxe wheel, how many "additional wedges" come with it, and what are their values?
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: BrandonFG on October 27, 2004, 03:33:32 PM
Don't hold me to this, but IIRC, it was the "big money wedges," i.e. $2500/$3500/$5000? I know that there was a 2500 and 5000. Maybe even $1000?
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: aaron sica on October 27, 2004, 04:01:16 PM
[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Oct 27 2004, 03:33 PM\']Don't hold me to this, but IIRC, it was the "big money wedges," i.e. $2500/$3500/$5000? I know that there was a 2500 and 5000. Maybe even $1000?
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I believe there was a $1000 wedge (as the wheel went 100/200/300/400/500/100 like it did on the daytime version in that one spot), either $2500 or $3500, and a $5000 wedge to snap on the wheel.

I remember thinking that the $2500 or $3500 looked odd as there were not yet $2500 or $3500 on the show at that point (1985)....
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: GS Warehouse on October 27, 2004, 04:03:21 PM
[quote name=\'KyleCHaight\' date=\'Oct 27 2004, 03:29 PM\']For the Deluxe wheel, how many "additional wedges" come with it, and what are their values?
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[quote name=\'fostergray82\' date=\'Oct 27 2004, 03:33 PM\']Don't hold me to this, but IIRC, it was the "big money wedges," i.e. $2500/$3500/$5000? I know that there was a 2500 and 5000. Maybe even $1000?
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From someone who has this, they are $500, $900, $1000, $2500, $5000, and Bankrupt.  According to the instructions, a game is four rounds, with the $1000 space to be added in round 2, $2500 in round 3, and $5000 in round 4.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: gameshowguy2000 on October 28, 2004, 12:32:05 AM
Does it specify when that snap-on "Bankrupt" wedge should be added?

(BTW, Post #800 for me)
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: clemon79 on October 28, 2004, 12:37:13 AM
[quote name=\'gameshowguy2000\' date=\'Oct 27 2004, 09:32 PM\']Does it specify when that snap-on "Bankrupt" wedge should be added?
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Strictly a guess, but I would think it happens before Round 2.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: GS Warehouse on October 28, 2004, 01:00:11 AM
[quote name=\'gameshowguy2000\' date=\'Oct 28 2004, 12:32 AM\']Does it specify when that snap-on "Bankrupt" wedge should be added?
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Lemon's right, it goes over the Free Spin for round 2.

Quote
(BTW, Post #800 for me)
Nine-five-oh here.  [muttering]I can't believe Adam beat me to 1,000.[/muttering]
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: clemon79 on October 28, 2004, 01:32:17 AM
[quote name=\'GS Warehouse\' date=\'Oct 27 2004, 10:00 PM\']Nine-five-oh here.  [muttering]I can't believe Adam beat me to 1,000.[/muttering]
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Remember: quality, not quantity.
Title: Wheel of Fortune Board Games
Post by: alfonzos on October 28, 2004, 03:58:31 PM
[quote name=\'Frank15\' date=\'Oct 21 2004, 06:55 PM\']Easy.  The Pressman Deluxe wheel was the best wheel.  The Tyco puzzle board was the best puzzle board.  Combine the two together for maximum fun. 
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I agree.

To be complete it should be noted that the Milton Bradley editions include the long-forgotten rule of vowels can't be bought unless one spins "Buy a Vowel" or all the consonants have been revealed. You can see the "Buy a Vowel" space on the box art.

I bought a seldom seen edition of WoF at a Burbank, California drug store. It's made by Lucky Numbers, Inc. The wheel is battery powered and approximates the size and shape of a flashlight. The puzzle board is similar to Milton Bradley's only smaller.

Finally, there's Mattel old TV Play-along WoF. Two VHS cassettes could be purchased separately. This has always seemed a rather klutzy way to play Hangman and besides you can't save "Free Spins" for the next puzzle!