In the late 1960's and early 1970's NBC, the television network, produced a series of games in cooperation with Hasbro. These games covered a variety of topics, from business and sports simulations to word and trivia games.
The game designs and themes were in many ways similar to the 3M brand games which were out at the same time and it certainly appears as if NBC was aiming for the same audience that 3M was.
The main part of the line was a set of "bookshelf" games. The quality of this line varied greatly, both in rules and in components. Some are quite well done ( Mob Strategy, Vegas, Wall Street) while others barely qualify as more than overpackaged pencil and paper games ( Chain Letters, Rhyme Time). One or two barely qualify as games at all (Interpretation of Dreams, The Mating Game).
One has to wonder at the logic of NBC in releasing these games. After all, NBC is a television network and people playing games aren't watching television. It is possible that this was one of the factors leading to the end of the line.
While the quality of these games varies some of them are fascinating games almost worthy of the 3M line. Select any of the titles below to find out more about these games.
Bookshelf Games
- Chain Letters - Don't Break the Word Chain
- Interpretation of Dreams - Know Yourself and Your Friends Better
- It Takes Two - The Exciting New Couples Game
- The Mating Game - The Game that Matches Personalities and Tells It Like It Is
- Mob Strategy - The Takeover Game
- Rhyme Time - The Word Game that Fascinates
- Trivia - The 'Know a Little About a Lot of Things' Game
- Vegas - Land of Rising Real Estate Values and Gaming
- The World of Wall Street - A Fast Moving Investment Game
Sports Games
- Game of the Week - Sports in Action Baseball
- The Home Stretch - Official Thoroughbred Horse Racing
- Pro Playoff - Professional Football
- Straightaway - International Grand Prix Racing