Even after four decades and several iterations, Genus 1 remains the best Trivial Pursuit edition. Hailed by many critics and players worldwide, the first edition of Trivial Pursuit really earned its title. There has not been another edition with such equally challenging and entertaining questions. The classic gameplay really seals the deal for most Trivial Pursuit lovers.
What is it exactly that makes the game so special? So many years have passed, aren’t the questions outdated by now? Well, that’s the beauty of trivia. If you hit important subjects that will remain relevant for years to come, the game never has to get old. Sure, there are some questions that no high school student will be able to answer now, but most of them are still pertinent.
Genus 1 has not been bested by any other game in difficulty of questions, but there is just something about it! Whether it’s the questions or the nostalgia; it keeps you wanting more. If you want my advice, don’t read any further and get yourself a Genus! And if you want something a little bit more modern and inclusive, reach for the Trivial Pursuit Master Edition.
The Master Edition came out in 2010 and it’s essentially a newer version of the Genus edition. It’s more suitable for younger generations and has more up-to-date questions. If you’re not feeling too confident or are simply looking for an easier alternative, this is a great one! There are others, too. Keep reading to find out about the best editions of Trivial Pursuit.
Buying Guide
Though Genus 1 from 1981 is the ultimate Trivial Pursuit edition, it is not suitable for everyone. To find out which game from this list should be in your collection, ask yourself some questions.
For starters, do you already have the first Genus? If you’re reading this guide, you must know a thing or two about Trivial Pursuit. Genus 1 is widely accepted as the best edition, so you might already own it.
How old are you and other players? The Genus Edition is suitable for players from the age of 16, and so are the Master Edition and Classic Edition. If you’re planning on playing with your adult friends, these are perfect!
However, if you’re looking for a game to play with your kids, try to get your hands on the original Family Edition from 1993. It’s not so old that the questions would be too outdated, and kids and adults have their own separate questions!
How well do you know Trivial Pursuit? Do you consider yourself a trivia whiz? Genus 1 is one of the most difficult Trivial Pursuit editions. The questions will knock you out of the water if you’ve never played the game before.
If you’re just getting into trivia, maybe it’s worth looking for an easier alternative, such as the Master Edition. That also works if you’re playing with the younger generation.
How much do you mind outdated questions? The questions in Genus 1 are not necessarily outdated, they are just old. You should still be able to answer them if you’ve ever played the game before. What you’ll struggle with is the Entertainment category.
If popular culture is an important topic for you, aim for a more recent game, such as Trivial Pursuit 2000s Edition. Similarly, if you’re playing with the younger generation, they will surely appreciate some modern questions.
Finally, are you looking for a general knowledge game? Genus 1 is the ultimate collection of general knowledge questions. The Family Edition is a bit more geared towards kids, and the Harry Potter Ultimate Edition only focuses on the movie franchise.
That being said, general knowledge is not for everyone! Go for a game that focuses on your unique area of knowledge. But, if you’re fine with everything, Genus 1 is the one.
Trivial Pursuit Genus 1 (1981)
The very first edition of Trivial Pursuit came out in 1981. That was the famous first edition of Genus. The game made quite the stir in the country; in the pre-internet age, people were rushing to stores to buy this new trivia board game. You can imagine how many people found the first edition of Genus under the Christmas tree that year!
Many Genus editions have come out since, and even more Trivial Pursuit editions, too many to count! But none got close to that first edition of Genus. If you’ve ever played Trivial Pursuit, you’re familiar with the classic gameplay. You move around the board, answer questions, and collect wedges. Genus 1 features classic Trivial Pursuit gameplay.
There are 6,000 questions in the first edition. This edition also brought us the familiar categories: Art, Sports, Literature, Geography, Entertainment, and Science & Nature. Contrary to popular belief, the game is not all about trivia. It’s about strategy; you get to move around the board. That’s why people like it so much! Enough of boring old trivia; Trivial Pursuit implemented the game element.
The questions in this edition are more challenging than the later editions, which add to the overall charm of the first Genus. What might be a positive to seasoned trivia whizzes like yourself, might discourage the younger generation from playing. Young adults will have a hard time answering the Entertainment questions.
However, those who grew up in the ’80s will have a blast! The modern editions of Trivial Pursuit are often criticized for focusing too much on popular culture and not enough on actual areas of knowledge. That’s another reason this edition remains on top for many people. It lacks questions focused on current events and pop culture that many trivia players don’t care about. Thus, it’s the perfect game for real trivia buffs.
Many people continue to come back to this edition because of the nostalgia element. This could be a game you played with your parents as a child or your first ever board game. Trivial Pursuit Genus 1 offers a window to the past that you can open whenever you feel like it. For an hour or so, you can be back in the ’80s. For many players, that period is associated with their teenage years, which is why they love to go back.
Trivial Pursuit Genus 1 is truly the original Trivial Pursuit and nothing can beat that. Some later versions can be complicated for no reason, with different gameplay, digital questions, and other elements we’re not used to. If you’re in store for some classic Trivial Pursuit fun, there is no edition that will do it better than this one, and that’s been proven by years of history.
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Other Great Editions of Trivial Pursuit:
Trivial Pursuit Family Edition (1993)
The original Family Edition of Trivial Pursuit from 1993 was the first of its kind. For the very first time in the history of Trivial Pursuit, there were two separate decks of question cards; 1,200 questions for kids and 1,200 for adults. Parents and children could finally enjoy Trivial Pursuit together without changing the rules or complicating the gameplay.
The game came with our favorite, kid-friendly categories: Geography, Entertainment, History, Arts & Literature, Science & Nature, and Sports & Leisure. The set included card holders, which made playing even more convenient.
As you can imagine, a group of adults would die of boredom playing this game alone. However, with kids, it was perfect! The game was great for family gatherings. Imagine a crisp Christmas morning: it’s snowing outside, and one of your kids unboxes this game. You decide to play a quick round at breakfast. Everybody’s laughing and having a great time. For once, your kids are not on their phones and actually enjoying some real-life fun.
Though the Family Edition is by no means a substitute for Genus 1, it is a great option for families. If you have children that haven’t reached 16 yet and you want to play Trivial Pursuit as a family, reach for this edition.
- Features cards for kids and cards for adults
- Includes over 1,400 trivia questions
- Includes over 1,400 trivia questions
- Quick play trivia for the whole family
Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s Edition (2005)
Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s Edition arrived in retro packaging. As you can see, the ’80s are a big theme in the world of Trivial Pursuit. For whatever reason, that era feels nostalgic to most people, even those who haven’t lived through it. Other ’80s editions have come out since 2005, but this is by far the best one.
The game came with 2,400 questions. The questions are more up to date than the original Genus edition and better than the latest ’80s edition. The game is family friendly, with no dirty or inappropriate questions. You can easily play with your kids.
One feature that separates all the best Trivial Pursuit editions from the rest is the difficulty of questions. The questions in Trivial Pursuit Totally 80s Edition are quite difficult, which is perfect for all trivia lovers.
- 2400 trivia questions in six categories
- Cool retro packaging and questions written in a flashback tone
- Includes 4 collectible tokens based on 80's icons
- For 2 to 4 players or teams.
Trivial Pursuit Master Edition (2010)
Trivial Pursuit Master Edition is suitable for everyone from the age of 16. It offers traditional Trivial Pursuit gameplay along with a quick gameplay version. There are almost 3,000 questions in the familiar categories: Geography, Entertainment, History, Art & Literature, Science & Nature, and Sports & Leisure. The game set comes with a handy timer for timed rounds.
The Master Edition offers a modern twist on the traditional game. If you’re not a fan of the long gameplay, you can speed it up and collect a wedge every time you answer correctly. Play in teams to make it even more fun.
This edition is way more up to date than the original Genus. It is a suitable alternative for the younger generation that is almost as popular as the 1981 game.
This edition is often the popular choice because some questions come with explanations. You no longer have to wonder why this is the answer, and that is not the answer; let the card explain!
Overall, Trivial Pursuit Master Edition is great if you want to play with younger people. They probably wouldn’t know the answers to the original questions anyway, and this will make the game fun for them.
Players have reported that some questions and categories are a bit off, but that doesn’t take away from the overall experience. You will find lots of tough questions, just the way you like it!
- The Trivial Pursuit Master Edition game is for the trivia buff who loves to show off how smart they are. Play traditional rules or quicker gameplay
- This Master Edition of the Trivial Pursuit board game includes 2,950 intriguing, challenging, and sometimes humorous questions
- This trivia game features 6 question categories including geography, entertainment, history, art and literature, science and nature, and sports and leisure
- Play the Trivial Pursuit Master Edition game following classic gameplay, or collect a wedge any time you answer a questions correctly, not just on the wedge spaces
- The Trivial Pursuit Master Edition game comes with a timer to keep up the pace
Best Modern Editions of Trivial Pursuit:
Trivial Pursuit continues to release new and improved editions of the game. Some of them are better than others. Here are some of the best modern editions that you can buy.
Trivial Pursuit 2000s Edition (2016)
Trivial Pursuit 2000s Edition focuses on, you guessed it, the 2000s! The game came out with 1,800 questions in the following categories: Places, Entertainment, Events, the Arts, Science & Tech, and Sports & Hobbies. This is a great edition for those who are looking for a change, as the gameplay is different.
Players can choose to answer a question or stump their opponents based on the topic at the top of the card. Of course, the game is much easier than the original Genus, but that’s to be expected with the more recent editions. The topics in this edition are great and there is a good range of questions.
Trivial Pursuit 2000s Edition made it to the list because many people enjoy the quick gameplay. It is often called the updated version of the original game, which is high praise in the world of Trivial Pursuit. The game is great for younger people, but some still find the gameplay too complex and don’t enjoy it as much as Genus.
- Players prove their knowledge of the 2000s
- Updated way to play the Trivial Pursuit game
- Includes 1800 questions from 6 categories -- something for everyone
- Now players can answer the question or try to stump their opponents
- 300 trivia cards totaling 1800 questions from the 2000s
Trivial Pursuit Classic Edition (2016)
The Classic Edition of Trivial Pursuit brought back traditional gameplay. There are 2,400 challenging questions in the following categories: Geography, Entertainment, History, Art & Literature, Science & Nature, and Sports & Leisure. The game comes in a retro design that will take you back to the ’80s.
The game is suitable for all players above the age of 16, just like the original Genus. 2-6 players can enjoy the game at the same time. The Classic Edition was released as an update of the original Genus. The packaging was designed to remind players of the original game from the 1980s.
There is a good range of questions for the whole family, but the game is not as challenging as Genus. Players have complained that there are not enough questions, but will there ever be enough? No game can compare to Genus 1 that came with 6,000 questions. There are some pop culture questions, but not so many that it would annoy people. The game comes with no cardholders, which is a bit of a disappointment.
- Features classic Trivial Pursuit gameplay
- 2,400 trivia questions from traditional game categories
- Features retro looking gameboard
- Includes gameboard, 400 cards, 1 die, 6 wedge holders, and 36 wedges
- Ages 16 and up, for 2 to 6 players
Trivial Pursuit: World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition (2018)
If there was ever going to be an untraditional Trivial Pursuit game on this list, it would have to be World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition! For starters, Trivial Pursuit picked an excellent theme. Harry Potter is one of the most successful movie franchises in the world. People of all ages and backgrounds love the books and the movies. It’s safe to say that most people know at least some Harry Potter trivia.
There are 1,800 questions in the set. Those cover spells, locations, events, magical artifacts, and so much more. Hasbro decided to not reinvent the wheel and follow the classic Trivial Pursuit gameplay; all you have to do is collect a wedge from every category before your opponents do.
The game is based on the movies, not the books. Some fans find that annoying, but that’s the case with most Harry Potter-themed games due to the copyright. The World of Harry Potter Ultimate Edition game got mixed reviews regarding difficulty; some people say it’s too easy for the biggest Harry Potter fans, while others say they found the game quite difficult. That means there must be a good variety of questions! Those include questions about cast members too, by the way.
- 1800 new questions from all 8 Harry Potter films
- Game comes with custom board and House Mascot movers
- Categories include Magical Locations, Magical People and more; that range in difficulty
- Includes: 1 Custom Game Board | 4 Custom House Crest Movers | 24 Wedges | 300 Cards with 1800 Questions | Instructions
- 2-8 Players | Ages 8 and Older | 30-60 Min Play Time
For Better or For Worse…
Genus 1 cannot be compared to any other edition of Trivial Pursuit, but you know that already! If you don’t own a copy yet, this is your sign; go and buy one! You won’t regret it. Genus 1 will provide many hours of fun and laughter. But, don’t limit yourself! Depending on your needs, you can pick up a different edition too.
The editions mentioned in this article are just some of the best ones, but that’s not all! Trivial Pursuit has come out with so many versions of the game, you will most definitely find something for your taste. Browse Amazon or go to your nearest bookstore and roll the dice!
Do you think Genus 1 is still the best Trivial Pursuit edition? What’s your favorite edition of the game? Share your opinion with us in the comments!
Looking for something you can play online? We’ve got the best Trivial Pursuit apps and the best places to play online, ready for your perusal.
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