The Game of Life

Spin the wheel and live a life — college or career, marriage, kids, retirement. Whoever ends richest wins.

🌤indoor
Photo · Wikipedia

What is The Game of Life?

The Game of Life is Milton Bradley's flagship family board game, originating in 1860 as 'The Checkered Game of Life' and relaunched in its modern 3D-track form in 1960 for the company's centenary. Players drive tiny plastic cars around a winding path, choosing college or career, collecting a spouse and children, and making financial decisions. The player with the most money at retirement wins.

Quick facts

Category

Board Games

Type

Individual

Players

2–6

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇺🇸 United States

Estimated origin

1860, Milton Bradley — 'The Checkered Game of Life'

Olympic

No

Popularity

global

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified