Introduced in the early 1980s, Trivial Pursuit has become a staple in households worldwide. With its catchy tagline, “Every home should have one,” this trivia game has certainly lived up to the hype. Not just a hit in the UK, but globally, it stands tall amongst the best board games with its ever-evolving editions and adaptations, including TV shows inspired by the game’s format.

What is Trivial Pursuit?

Sporting an elegant logo, Trivial Pursuit seamlessly blends sophistication with fun, appealing to both the intellectuals and quiz lovers. The game’s core lies in its simple board adorned with “pies” or game tokens which players fill with colored wedges as they move around the board answering questions.

The objective? Keep answering the trivia questions right, roll the dice, progress on the board, and earn a colored wedge for every correct answer in the category space. The first player to collect all six different colored wedges and answer the final question wins the game!

Boasting about 1,200 question cards, players test their trivia knowledge across six categories in the classic edition. Categories include entertainment (pink), arts and literature (purple), geography (blue), sports and leisure (orange), science and nature (green), and history (yellow).

Trivial Pursuit: More than Just a Game

What makes Trivial Pursuit stand out is its ability to unite people for a good time. It’s a great game for group settings, providing an engaging alternative to screen time. From mimicking a TV quiz host while reading out questions to sharing tidbits on how one acquired such niche knowledge, it’s all about having fun and striking conversations.

The brains behind this iconic board game are two Canadians, Chris Haney and Scott Abbott. Both from the media industry, they reportedly brainstormed the game over beer and board games. However, their journey to success wasn’t without challenges. They faced legal battles, like the one with trivia author Fred Worth, and navigated the rising video game market.

Eventually, their perseverance paid off when American game manufacturer Selchow and Righter acquired the rights, leading to a surge in the game’s popularity. Fast forward to 2008, Hasbro Gaming purchased the rights for a whopping $80 million.

Trivial Pursuit’s legacy includes a 1988 TV movie detailing its origin story. Additionally, its adaptability is evident in the multitude of editions available, from the family edition to themed ones like Harry Potter Ultimate Edition. The game even boasts special editions celebrating milestones like its tenth, twentieth, and fortieth anniversaries.

Innovations like card subsidiaries ensure the game remains fresh. Players can expand their card collection without cluttering their space with multiple game boxes. Collectors might be interested in limited editions like the Star-Trek fiftieth anniversary one, which has since become a coveted item.

Trivial Pursuit has also embraced the digital age. From its first arcade version in 1984 to online adaptations, it has seamlessly transitioned across platforms. Though not currently available in the App Store, many trivia apps have drawn inspiration from its iconic design.

Trivial Pursuit Questions:

Curious about some of the game’s intriguing questions? Here are five to test your mettle:

• Which amphibian was once believed to strengthen teeth when tied to one’s jaw, as suggested by Pliny the Elder? Answer: a frog!
• What record was shattered in Oxford, England, on May 6, 1954? Answer: the four-minute mile!
• Which artist made waves by shredding their artwork the instant it sold at an auction? Answer: Banksy!
• Which artist originally penned and sang Whitney Houston’s hit, “I Will Always Love You”? Answer: Dolly Parton!

So, the next time you gather with friends and family, consider bringing out this board game classic. Dive into the world of trivia, flaunt your knowledge, and most importantly, have fun!

Frequently Asked Questions about Trivial Pursuit

Curious about Trivial Pursuit? We’ve got answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

What is Trivial Pursuit?

Trivial Pursuit is a popular board game where players answer trivia questions from various categories to earn colored wedges. The goal is to fill their game token with all six wedges and then answer the final question to win.

When was Trivial Pursuit created?

Trivial Pursuit was conceptualized in 1979 by two Canadians, Chris Haney and Scott Abbott.

How many versions of Trivial Pursuit are there?

There are over 100 versions of Trivial Pursuit, including themed editions like the Harry Potter Ultimate Edition and genus edition.

How many categories are in the classic edition of Trivial Pursuit?

The classic edition has six categories: entertainment, arts and literature, geography, sports and leisure, science and nature, and history.

Who currently owns the rights to Trivial Pursuit?

Hasbro Gaming purchased the rights to Trivial Pursuit in 2008.

Can I play Trivial Pursuit online?

Yes, various online versions of Trivial Pursuit have been released over the years, though its availability might vary across platforms.

What are the colored wedges in Trivial Pursuit for?

In Trivial Pursuit, players earn colored wedges by answering questions correctly in each category. Collecting all six wedges is crucial to winning the game.

Are there Trivial Pursuit editions for younger players?

Absolutely! There’s a family edition and a junior edition designed to be more accessible for younger players.

How many questions come with the Trivial Pursuit game?

An average Trivial Pursuit game comes with 1,200 question cards, each containing multiple trivia questions.

Is there a movie based on Trivial Pursuit’s creation?

Yes, a TV movie titled “Breaking All the Rules” was released in 1988, detailing the game’s origin story.

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