The 10 Games Collectors Want Most

By Bruce Whitehill

• Red Barber's Big League Baseball Game, 1950s, G & R Anthony. This game seems to be every baseball collector's dream, maybe because it represents the youth of many male baby boomers. It plays well, it's rare, and since so many people are looking for it, it could fetch $1,000 at auction.
• Star Reporter, 1952, Parker Brothers. This game was originally issued in 1937 as Boake Carter's Star Reporter, but the name of this American newscaster (1898-1947) is virtually unknown today, making the earlier game no more valuable than the latter. This appears to be another one of the games boomers played growing up. It affords players the excitement of making headlines and comes with six metal planes and six metal telephones. Its value is in the $75 range and is going up - provided you find one unused since one facet of the game consisted of sticking pins in the board. A 1960 reissue is worth considerably less.
• Boom or Bust, 1951, Parker Brothers. This was the most desirable game for years, and people still want it. It depicts the childhood of someone in his 50s, and it plays well - one board is superimposed over another board to represent the changing market conditions to those of "boom" or "bust."
• Mystery Date, 1965, Milton Bradley. Gaining in popularity year after year, this game of social significance is now selling for as much as $100. It's obviously popular among women since it was designed for girls, but it also has a following in New York's gay community.
• Dark Tower, 1981, Milton Bradley. This could be the only electronic game that's a hot item. The large, plastic tower dictates each player's move, and it's wonderful to play - apparently not a well-known fact. Value is going up quickly. It commands between $75-$100.
• Jonny Quest, 1964, Transogram. Games based on Hanna Barbera cartoons are hot, and this game leads the parade. It's based on an animated TV show that aired in the 1960s. Recent sales have reached $800. If you know why this particular title should be pursued so passionately, please let me know.
• Nancy Drew, 1957, Parker Brothers. This game used to be at every antique show, then it disappeared, and now everyone wants one again. It's affordable ($50-$75) and it's more popular than its counterpart - Hardy Boys games.
• Park and Shop, 1953, Milton Bradley. This is yet another game that's gaining in popularity with baby boomers. It used to be easy to find and only cost $10. It's possible to find the original game made by the Traffic Game Company in Allentown, Pa., for the same price because people often don't notice the difference. But Park and Shop usually costs between $40-$60. This game has social significance because it represents the beginning of America's attraction for shopping malls.
• Green Ghost, 1965, Transogram. Why is everybody asking for this game when there seems to be one at nearly every antique show I go to? It has lots of interesting pieces, so it could be hard to find complete. In addition, the oversized box means it's not easy to find in pristine condition. Prices range from $50 for an incomplete game to $100 for one Near Mint.

  Other desirable games, although less requested, include Séance, 1972, Milton Bradley; Ka-Bala, 1965, Transogram and Voice of the Mummy, 1971, Milton Bradley. Buying one sure beats calling The Psychic Network.

• Outer Limits, 1964, Milton Bradley. Additional desirable other-worldly games include Time Tunnel - the 1966 Ideal game is worth far more than the lesser-known 1967. Pressman release - and others based on short-lived science fiction TV series. Prices exceed $100.

Other desirable games include the scarce Roy Rogers Rodeo Game, 1949, The Rodgen Co. and the Elvis Presley Game, 1957, Teen Age Games. It's so rare people don't even ask for it. There have been more sightings of Elvis than of this game. Expect to pay $1,100.

The preceding material was written by Bruce Whitehill. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.