Battleship Retro Board Game Review - Milton Bradley (1967) vs. Hasbro (2022)

[@berjo516]

Dang dude! You’re pumping out this awesome content! Please don’t overwork yourself or run out of board games lol. Found your channel right after the Grape Escape video! I love board games and these types of videos!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@berjo516 Thanks so much! I thought I'd try talking about my love for antiques and vintage toys, and seems to be working out!

[@jhoch5]

@@OldCrappyCouch You also seem to have hit upon a niche that really nobody else has, and that's comparison reviews for original or vintage and remade board games, see a lot of reviews for vintage ones, but I think your videos are the first I've seen where two versions are compared in depth, and that you also don't just automatically call the original one better is an even bigger plus. I've now purchased a copy of Forbidden Bridge based on your review!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@jhoch5 Thanks so much! Forbidden Bridge is really a treat. I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it!

[@bigcheese6855]

I’ve been watching for around a week or so now, exclusively your board game reviews/comparisons. I don’t own any board games but have been really enjoying your presentation style and attention to detail. Thank you for making these, you’re very entertaining and your content is really informative!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@bigcheese6855 Thanks so much! These videos are a blast to make, I'm glad you're enjoying them!

[@lipranditoys]

Again, a very complete and deep analysis of both games, thank you

[@el_puma_real]

This video reminded me of Electronic Talking Battleship from the 80's, which I wanted for Christmas and never got 😆. So many variations of this classic game. Great comparison!

[@spiritofvoljin8561]

Great comparison review! Hard to mess up a simple gameboard like Battleship. The new addition is a win for me, less required storage for it without the box and the pegs look easier to grab, not the original pegs were difficult to grab. Though it would have been nice if the Battleship logos were more noticeable and not the exact same coloring as the cover. Can't wait to see a Guess Who comparison.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@spiritofvoljin8561 Guess Who is a good one!

[@joelsytairo6338]

I like the blue plastic on the ship board of the new one. Like you’re looking down through the water and seeing down below idk

[@Kris_2213]

I have that vintage battleship and a vintage hangman that's made the same way. The cool thing about the vintage hangman is it has Vincent price on the cover. Lol Another classic and great hit. Thanks didn't even know they did an updated version.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Hangman is a great game, I should add that one to my review list!

[@weaselwolf]

My sister and I reached a point years ago where we could no longer play Battleship together because we knew each other's tactics and search grids too well

[@Trishapurpleprincess]

New one is missing the iconic holes at the top where we kept track of our victories! Lol Plus in the older (80s/90s) vrsn you had a chart inside beside the upper game board that listed each ship and how many hits it took to sink it

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Ya know, I forgot that the clasps on the older game boards served as score keepers! Good point!

[@DeathInTheSnow]

I love the cosy setup you've got going on here, mate. It's bloody comfy, like watching Ashens. I hope your channel gets to last at least as long! You know, as a follow-up, I'd be interested to see how the different electronic versions of Battleship compare, as well as the unusual "Battleship Command" by Vtech. I wouldn't care if the video was hours long - I watched Cathode Ray Dude talk about telephones for two hours. I enjoy longer videos. :D

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@DeathInTheSnow Thanks very much! It would be fun to look at different electronic Battleship games through the years. It was one of the first board games to be converted into a video game. All the way back in 1979!

[@everettbrown2955]

I still have my Electronic Talking Battleship I received in 1989. Had to take it apart and clean the board about 20 years ago, but the last time I put batteries in, it still worked

[@james_baker]

I got my set on my 10th birthday, in 1973. I really don't care for the newer version. It's called "Battleship!" not "what is this?" this is where I learned destroyers are smaller than cruisers but bigger than pt boats, So when my dad (WWII Vet) talked about the Pacific naval battles, I knew what kind of ships he was talking about. Just take that new version and get off my lawn! Nicely balanced video.

[@wadepittenger5661]

Naval

[@robertbrunello]

I remember a special needs student getting mad at me while playing Battlehip in the 4th grade because he thought I was cheating.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@robertbrunello NO PEEKING! 😆

[@truedeth]

Good job on opening the blue clamshell without spraying pegs all over!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

A little finesse goes a long way!

[@Nexus942]

I had the 1998 version of battleship growing up and recently picked up the retro series version of it. I do like how the 1998 edition had holes for each ship, but it also had curved tops, making them impossible to stack in the closet. Aside from that I was surprised to see all the parts aside from the clamshell were exactly the same. Was sort of expecting the ships to be simpler in the retro version

[@PsychicLord]

I came across your game version comparison vids a few days ago. I really like your presentation style and have subscribed. There are good pairings looking at different versions of games such as Scoop!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Thanks, I'll have to check Scoop out!

[@sunnyTPM]

great video as usual! i'm very glad to have found your channel. if you're interested in suggestions, consider Space Hulk which famously has classic and modern versions. keep up the great work! your joy and enthusiasm are infectious and plain to see.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Thanks so much! I'll add Space Hulk to my list!

[@Diamondfist1]

The 2002 edition was my first copy of Battleship, and is my favorite. I saw the 2022 edition you reviewed in a Target, and I said, "NOPE". I didn't know about the plastic that you mentioned about changing color. Nice review!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@Diamondfist1 Thanks so much!

[@ericgray5497]

Battleship is an all time classic. Another naval combat game I loved was Torpedo Run. If you’ve never played I highly recommend it. Love the videos keep up the good work!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@ericgray5497 Thanks! I'll have to take a look at Torpedo Run. I'm always up for something new!

[@paulyd2406]

Honestly, you've done an Amazing Job explaining the vintage Battleship to the New Battleship BUT I always will go with the old school Battleship; though mine were black boxes and NOT Red & Blue! Anyway Great Video 😃

[@OldCrappyCouch]

I remember the black boxed Battleship games. They did look pretty slick!

[@ThisSourKraut]

Love your work, big fella. Don't upload too much and burn out on us. =)

[@daltagnan230]

I had to fill in the bottom grid labels with Silver Sharpie because both my mother and myself had a hard time reading the recessed letters/numbers on the clear plastic. That's my only complaint with the new edition and my son loves it. I grew up with the Electronic Battleship that called out attacks and gave miss/hit noises. It was really fun for my brother and I!

[@chadparris8892]

great video!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Thanks!

[@colt5189]

I remember when they started adding sounds to the Battleship board games. I guess they took that out.

[@timothydoom]

I still have my 1998 version. Love it

[@jhoch5]

Very pleased to see from your reviews that Hasbro actually seems to be caring about putting some good quality into these classic, even legendary, board games that they have taken ownership of This is another game I have fond memories of playing as a kid, I had a version released by Milton Bradley in 1993 which had some cool extra details on the case, but also seemed to use a lot more cardboard in the game sets themselves, including a blue cardboard square to make the clear plastic look blue! Good to see that Hasbro went back to the original look of the game for inspiration instead of the 90s one, which to my recollection also felt pretty fragile

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@jhoch5 The new game boards do feel very sturdy. Aside from some very minor details, Hasbro has done an excellent job with the modern update of the game. Battleship is one of their better updates for sure.

[@kirkandersen4474]

Classic board game. Grew up in the 1970s youngest of 4. So most of our family games were the 1960s versions sometimes 1950s for older games. Other than the box getting damaged the biggest problem with classic battleship is keeping track of the pegs and eventually the ships.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@kirkandersen4474 All those little parts do run away from time to time!

[@fearlesswee5036]

Amazing that you upload this right as I was feeling nostalgic for Battleship... As much as i love the simple, classic design of the original, the new version feels very "tactical", like you're actually sat at a monitor aboard a battleship. Those pegs are incredible too. (But the fact you can't doublestack them like some early 2000's versions does create issues for some custom rulesets... but hey, nothing you can't work around!) I'm surprised too that all the electronic versions still require you to tediously and manually punch in your ship locations and stuff like the old 1970's ones. I vaguely recall one that used a laser pen to automatically detect ship placements and hits, and would spray your opponent with water if you scored a hit.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

I always felt the the electronic Battleship games did nothing but over complicate the game. The commercials were always really cool though! 😆

[@fearlesswee5036]

@@OldCrappyCouch The only thing that would make an electronic battleship set worth it, is if it automatically detected ship placements, and hits/misses. Manually needing to punch in ship positions makes it too much setup work for an otherwise quick boardgame. And maybe it could have a "VS computer" mode like some electronic chess boards.

[@andie2155]

I picked up a new edition of Battleship as a Christmas gift this year for my sister and her boyfriend to be able to play together over the phone while in different states. I overall love the new design, but I have one major criticism. The gameboards are difficult to open gently, and these tiny pieces are bound to go flying while trying to pry into the game. I enjoy the spaces on each side to store your red and neon yellow pieces, but I'm more happy that I had just the right sized bags to contain the small pieces yet still fit in those spaces without compromising closing and storing the game neatly. Also, my version also has that same issue with the corners not fully closing.

[@justicierodelaliga]

Great job!

[@mr-fh2be]

Just a recomendation: 13 13 Dead End Drive. Had it as a kid, and it was one mad cap game.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

13 & 1313 Dead End Drive are on my list!

[@pkmoutl]

I had the same shirt as the kid on the box. My friends used to point that out every time we dragged the game out.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Stylish! 😆

[@MelvinWillikers]

The 1967 edition box art I've seen has a man and boy playing and a girl and woman doing dishes in the back ground, amazing box art.

[@TR-cy5fg]

I think I prefer the 1978-1990 versions of the game. I'm not sure that time frame is exactly right, Im just going by what came up with an eBay search. But anyway, I like the look of the navy blue boards better. It gives them a more realistic militaristic look of which I personally think goes with the theme of the game better than the bright colors.

[@princesskatarina351]

Just found your channel, starting with Mouse Trap. Love your presentation, and cannot wait to see more of this type of content. But maybe pace yourself. I'd hate for you to burn out, or run out of new vs. old games to compare. But then, there are plenty of games to go through: Life, Monopoly (traditional version, of course), Clue. You could also maybe look for old games that time has forgotten: Transformers, X-Men, Quicksand (these 3 are all board games I have, btw). Is love to see a retro review of these games. Thanks again. 😊

[@Detroit_Dawg]

Man I wish you would have compared the 80s/90s version, thats the one I grew up playing, never seen or had these versions. Also Electronic Battleship.

[@jensboffin7225]

Fun fact: MB released a version with sounds in 1977. It had many visual updates as well. What I don't know, but I'm guessing here: did Battleship become public domain? Because I noticed many companies reproduce it (Noris, Clementoni to name a few) and they even use the ''Battleship'' name.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Battleship is an odd one because it was a pen and paper game sold throughout the 1930's. The pegboard concept was first created by Ed Hutchins and licensed to Milton Bradley in 1967, so that would have been what gave them a patent, not the name. The design of the game board might be the only thing Hasbro actually owns exclusive rights to. That would explain why they redesign the game every so often.

[@jensboffin7225]

@@OldCrappyCouch ow I definitely didn't know that. But I can see the way it can be made easily on a sheet of paper or a template sheet That's a nice piece of Trivia there. My guess is as good as anyone's but considering the re-use, I think you are probably right about Hasbro/MB not having the sole ownership of the name. My public domain guess wouldn't accurate then either because I believe public domain enters after 95 years (which is close now) but I could be wrong. Anyhow, point of all this... I look forward to every video you put up. Really well done, informative. Merry Christmas!

[@mikesilva3868]

Both look like fun to play 😊

[@nixonnow08]

I agreed with a lot of your comments however I think for me I like having a box. A box is practical for shelf storage, and I like to see the box art which you lose with the 2022 edition as you throw it away so the game looks dull as you can't see the vibrant colors of the box art, it might have been a nice touch even if they could have sprayed colour onto the embossed title. Also obviously the rule book has really nowhere to go. I noticed as another viewer mentioned there is no victory tracker in the 2022 edition. One final note is that I have noticed, with my copy of the 2022 edition at least, the clip at the top to hold each container closed doesn't clip closed properly and often pop open as soon as you release the side lock to unhook the two game boxes. So unless that was just a design fault in my own copy this could have been a little better designed.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

I'm also partial to having a game box. For me it's an art thing. It sorta feels like part of the experience of any modern game to have compelling art. I also had some trouble with the snap closure on the 2022 Battleship. It was very touchy for me, but solid once it was snapped all the way. I agree though, in the end the 2022 edition could handle a little more precision in the manufacturing department.

[@FrumpyJones]

The shaped pegs: It's helpful for people with color blindness

[@zach.0]

Would've been cool if the pegs were shaped like missiles. Also I wonder if the "3D print" texture was supposed to look like brushed steel?

[@OldCrappyCouch]

It's definitely a style choice to add that texture. I just think it didn't come out looking very good.

[@adammartin793]

The lines are probably to help with grip even if it's not great it could be smooth was to slippery

[@OldCrappyCouch]

I can see that logic.

[@odarkeq]

9:00 About your big fingers: if you're an adult then there should be a pocketknife on your jeans that you can use to pry them up. Grown ups get tools because we're chubby and slow. Thanks for the review; this is one product where I like the new look better. 9:30 Nevermind, those pegs are gross.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Thanks so much! Truth be told, as an Eagle Scout, I've always got a Victorinox Classic in my pocket. My dad and I have carried Classic SD's for years, and I dare say everyone should have one! Here's a link to the model I've got: amzn.to/4iTTfg2 The screwdriver has come in clutch may times when fixing these old games!

[@bmhedgehog2]

How I would fix the pegs would be white pegs with a minus sign for a miss and red pegs with a cross or X for a hit.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

That's viable. Someone else commemted that the modern pegs are easier to grasp. So I can understand adding any variation to the pegs like a plus/minus if it further enables accessibility.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

In the UK the Milton Bradley game was advertised by two old men in a club ( I think) playing it and one eventually shouting, "you sank my battleship." Weird ad, but it must have worked 😊

[@OldCrappyCouch]

It's a classic line!

[@kibble-net]

There's also another version of the box art for 1967 Battleship that is somewhat infamous. If you know, you know!

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@kibble-net Not feeling like "dishing" out details? 😆

[@princesskatarina351]

For anyone who just wants to know, without looking for it yourself; One version of the box art had the father ("It's a hit!") vs. his son ("G-4"), while the mother and daughter are seen in the background, doing the dishes.

[@LazurBeemz]

I don't like the futuristic theming, it makes no sense because ship-to-ship combat basically stopped after WW2. Thats why it makes sense to use the classic WW2 ship designs. I would like to see a revamped version that leans into that retro feel, make the boards look like attache cases, the pegs like radio operator pins, etc

[@andreholleymartin44]

do you have the vanilla spice electronic rap game? very important btw

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@andreholleymartin44 I feel like that game was a precursor to Karaoke Revolution. I should add it to my list.

[@jesternario]

Bought the travel version a while back. One-piece plastic is a little annoying. I like the modern edition.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

If it's the travel version I just looked up, I can see why it was annoying!

[@justicierodelaliga]

Did you like the movie? I did...though not remember anything about it.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@justicierodelaliga I thought it was a decent popcorn flick. Fun fact, the board game was redesigned in 2008 replacing the grid with hexagons. When the movie came out in 2012, Hasbro reverted the game to its original grid design to match consumers' nostalgic expectations and boost sales. So the movie had a direct impact on the game's design. Pretty cool!

[@justicierodelaliga]

@@OldCrappyCouch Nice to know. I don´t think the original source material has to change in order to reflect a movie. That they want to make a Special Edition that reflects the movie? Fine. But don´t make the change to the original source. Doesn´t matter if the movie turns good or bad. As a movie is a blink in time. Meanwhile the original source preceeded it and its going to still be a thing after.

[@eldergeeks7301]

pegs have different marks for colorblind players.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@eldergeeks7301 That makes a lot of sense. Another viewer commented that the new pegs are easier to grasp as well. It's a nice touch to add for accessibility.

[@FoulOwl2112]

The new ships look like crap to me.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

Honestly, I prefer the old ships as well. The new ones just look silly to me.

[@127dot0dot0dot1]

Another great video. Good to see a modern version that unambigiously better than the original I remember having Talking Battleships in the 1990's. It was one solid unit rather than two cases (obviously to have the computer component). The game did come with a bulky manual, most of which was pre-set positions for the ships you could select by a simple code (You could place manually, but this was IIRC pushed as a secondary option but didn't take too much effort. I seem to remember it supporting different rules variations as well (the only one that comes to mind was 1 shot per surviving ship each turn). Of coure you could just leave the computer component off and just play plain old battleship however you liked. As a tip, might be worth having a few seconds before the show starts with the music (and maybe a logo), and then turning it down as you talk, makes it easier to follow you.

[@OldCrappyCouch]

@@127dot0dot0dot1 I'll keep that in mind, thanks!

[@DuraheLL]

I would just buy the version with the women doing the dishes in the background because that's the real G