I did a nice trade with a swell gent from the west coast recently, and scored something that I've been wanting ever since I was 8 years old! Dare you enter this ghostly post retreat and read more? H-m-m-m? Lakeside's Haunted Mansion Game from 1975 is probably one of the most beautifully designed board games of all time, and based on my all time favorite Disney World dark ride, well, --let's just say that finally possessing this game was a serious long time comin'. From the box lid art, down to every square inch of the mind-blowing board, as well as the looming, double-sided background detail, not to mention the Doom Buggy player pieces (I'm unfortunately missing one), and the creepy clever, spinning, game-changing gear action to simulate the actual dancing ghosts of the Disney ride, --it really seems that tons of care and endless thought was put into every aspect of this visually breathtaking, frighteningly fun game. I've taken photos of it from every possible angle too, so you can really see just how spooktacular this thing is. I've also included the game play instructions so you can read for yourself just how this heavenly haunted gem operates. And yep, the whole ghostly gang is here: Madame Leota, the Hitching Ghosts, Constance Hatchway, the singing busts, etc... so kindly step all the way inside, please, and make room for everyone. There's no turning back now. Our tour begins... here...
And take a look at these Lakeside '75 Haunted Mansion game catalog pages that I posted way back in 2010. These catalogs are also EXATLY what I traded to finally own the game, FYI!
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Wow, that is pretty brilliant. I love the fact that the box is square, and the board doesn't fold up. I love the spinners. I love that there is a backdrop. This feels so much more immersive and less predictable than the usual board game. Even today--but not nearly to the same degree--Disney stuff is just top-notch quality. Every bit of construction, every dot of art, every light bulb of creativity--it's totally obvious that they've spared no expense to have only the best, most advanced creative minds producing every level of their stuff.
ReplyDeleteIf I were to try to pick a favorite part out of this work of art, it's that attic ghost, coming out of its steamer trunk. But really I love the whole backside of that backdrop best of all.
An excellent trade!
I have a feeling a Disney Imagineer or two helped design this game.
ReplyDeleteA fun game for All Hallows, Day of the Dead or any day or night.
Interesting change: The hanging scene is much more comical in this one (the skeleton seems alive and happy, no tattered clothes, etc.)
ReplyDeleteInteresting angle on the ballroom scene. Don't know if I would have picked that.
Art is great the whole way through, there's really no way to pick the best bit.
Dude that thing is seriously so amazing! I want to see you play it! You have to take a video and post it on youtube or something!
ReplyDeleteI love all the art soooo much! But my faves are the family crypt, the hand holding the glass of champagne, and the detail on the wraparound porch and metal gate.
Man this is awesome! Thanks for posting it in teeny detail!
Thanks for all of the angles. The Mansion was my favorite Disney attraction, just ahead of Pirates of the Caribbean.
ReplyDeleteSuggested listening while playing the game is the Haunted Mansion lp starring Ronnie Howard. "He took the coward's way out!"