Trivial Pursuit has been around forever, but I bet you there are still some gaps in your knowledge of the game! Do you know the difference between the Classic and Master Edition? Do you know how many editions of the game have come out since the 1980s? Do you know if there are any Spanish editions of the game?
Stick around to find out 12 crazy and absolutely essential facts about Trivial Pursuit!
What Year Did Trivial Pursuit Come Out?
The first ever edition of Trivial Pursuit came out in 1981. The memorable edition was Trivial Pursuit: Master Game Genus Edition. The game was designed in Canada by a couple of friends. Chris Haney and Scott Abbott were big board game enthusiasts, which they translated into their very own trivia board game.
The first edition of Trivial Pursuit had the following categories: Geography, Entertainment, Art & Literature, Science & Nature, and Sports & Leisure. Since then, Trivial Pursuit has come out with over 100 editions. There’s been a new edition almost every year, and Hasbro (the company that owns Trivial Pursuit now) continues to surprise us.
Who Invented Trivial Pursuit?
The game was invented by Chris Haney and Scott Abbott. Chris Haney was a photo editor at The Gazette in Montreal, and Scott Abbott worked as a sports editor in The Canadian Press. The two loved board games so much that they made their own.
One day they were struggling to find missing pieces from their Scrabble game. That nudged them towards Trivial Pursuit, as after that incident they started working on their game. John Haney and Ed Werner, friends of the duo, helped with the making of the game.
How many Trivial Pursuit editions are there as of March 2021?
This question doesn’t have a definitive answer. Try to find every single Trivial Pursuit game ever released! See, I’m telling you, it’s an impossible task. Wikipedia counts over 130 editions since the first game, with the last one dating 2019. That’s how we know that list is already outdated. However, it does include some international editions, which are generally even harder to find.
We got closer to the real number in 2020, when we created a comprehensive list of all Trivial Pursuit editions we could find. That list contains over 260 editions, which is double that of Wikipedia. The last edition on our list dates back to 2020. We’ve also included all the international editions we could get our hands on.
The search doesn’t stop there; there must be more editions out! Just imagine how many limited editions were never for sale, and how many foreign editions were released in the depths of Europe and other continents. We might never know the exact number, but 260 is as close as we can get for now!
What is the Meaning of Trivial Pursuit?
If you ever hear someone say the words “Trivial Pursuit,” there is no doubt they’re referring to the popular trivia board game. What else could they be talking about, right? Well, the game’s name is actually closely connected to the meaning of this phrase.
“Trivial pursuit,” if taken literally, means something that you’re interested in, but is ultimately unimportant. In the game, you succeed by showing off your knowledge of a myriad of useless facts and trivia tidbits.
Though you can argue that some historical and scientific facts presented in the game might be useful in school, at work, or even in life, you can’t say the same about all Trivial Pursuit editions. Just think about the Rick & Morty Edition or The Big Bang Theory version. When will this knowledge ever come in handy in real life, outside of playing trivia games?
Is Trivial Pursuit Updated?
Some editions of Trivial Pursuit are constantly being updated with new questions and pieces of trivia. Others just stay the way they are forever, or until they get a complete makeover in the form of a brand new game with all new questions.
Some of the versions that are constantly being updated are the classics, like Genus. If you’re going to buy a new Genus edition in your local bookstore, chances are it won’t have all the same questions as when the edition first came out. Besides, Hasbro works on creating new versions of the same editions, such as Genus 6—the latest Genus edition.
Harry Potter is another great example of a whole new game. After a few years of being bite-sized, it got a completely new full-sized game. Generally speaking, if you’re looking to buy the most up-to-date game you can find, search for the latest editions. Pay attention to the date the edition was published. If a game came out in the 1990s, some of the questions will be outdated. Besides, you can likely find a newer edition with the same categories and topics.
Which Trivial Pursuit Game Comes with a Stamp?
You’re thinking of Trivial Pursuit X Game, otherwise known as “the one with the stamp”! This adult version of Trivial Pursuit comes with an ink stamper in the form of an “X.” The purpose of the stamp in the game is to eliminate people. If you get a question wrong, you get a stamp on your forehead. Get five stamps and you’re out.
The game features adult content, hence its label as the adult Trivial Pursuit. Trivial Pursuit X Game is meant for players ages 18 and up. The game is still for sale on Amazon, in case you ever want to have some adult trivia fun!
- Adult themed trivia
- Ages: 18 years and up
- Get it wrong, get stamped on the forehead
- Player with 5 stamps loses
- Features custom die to determine who answers next question
Trivial Pursuit vs Bezzerwizzer: Which One is Better?
Bezzerwizzer is a Danish game. The name can be roughly translated as “know-it-all” or “smart ass.” That should give you an idea of what the game is about! Unfortunately, it’s not accessible to non-Danish speakers.
Bezzerwizzer comes with 5,000 questions in 20 different categories. Players are invited to separate into teams. The game can be as long or short as you want; it is up to you to determine the number of rounds you’ll play. One game equals one lap around the board.
Each game consists of rounds. During each round, each team draws four categories. If you answer correctly, you can move on the board. It sounds pretty straightforward so far, right? Well, this is where the fun begins. You can swap your question for a question from another team. Use the Bezzerwizzer token to answer an opposing team’s question. There are no restrictions, so if all teams want to have a go at answering, they can.
Trivial Pursuit needs no introduction. It is an iconic board game from the ’80s that made its way into the modern times. It managed to maintain its status as the best trivia board game in North America, so why are people comparing it to Bezzerwizzer, a Danish board game?
If you want a “yes” or “no” answer to the question, then only you can make that call. The two games are quite different in many elements. The ideas are similar; players answer trivia questions and race around the board. Some people prefer Bezzerwizzer because it’s more scalable and flexible.
You can decide how many games you want to play and you can play with more people. The game is meant to be played in teams, which is usually more fun than playing against individuals.
There is also a more pronounced gameplay element. While Trivial Pursuit invites you to collect wedges by answering questions, Bezzerwizzer gives you the opportunity to steal questions from other people and prevent them from winning. There is more strategy to it.
Though Bezzerwizzer is often referred to as a modern Trivial Pursuit, you can’t quite compare the two. With decades of experience, Trivial Pursuit seems to always win, even against the most innovative opponents. In this case, we leave it up to you to decide who the winner is. If you’ve played both games, sound off below and tell us about your experience.
- This is Bezzerwizzer
- The game of trivia, tactics and trickery
- It's a friendly competition to be the first to the finishing line
- A game of quick wit and tenacious tactics
- The real trick is to win
Trivial Pursuit Classic vs Master Edition: Which One is Better?
Classic, Master, Family, and Genus editions form the backbone of Trivial Pursuit. There are others, like Trivial Pursuit 2000s Edition and 40th Ruby Anniversary Edition, that collected amazing feedback from players and critics. However, Genus will never go out of style and it has decades of gameplay to show for it.
In other words, if you ever played Trivial Pursuit as a kid, it was probably one of these editions. Similarly, if you’re looking to buy your very first Trivial Pursuit now, you might be considering a game from this family of editions. To this day, many people can’t quite tell the difference among these editions.
It’s quite obvious that Family is for families. This is the game you would play with kids. If there are no children involved, you would reach for a different edition with no children’s questions. That edition might be Genus.
Genus is meant for people age 16 and up, and it is often considered the best Trivial Pursuit edition. It is definitely one of the best-selling series of Trivial Pursuit, so there is no question there. It stood the test of time and continues to sell out all over North America.
But, what’s the difference between the Trivial Pursuit: Classic Edition and the Trivial Pursuit: Master Edition ? And, which one is better? Trivial Pursuit: Classic Edition comes with 2,400 questions and a retro-style game board. It is meant for 2-6 players from the age of 16. Trivial Pursuit: Master Edition is a little different, with 3,000 questions, additional image question cards, and an electronic timer. Both games offer standard Trivial Pursuit question categories.
The latter is more fast-paced and challenging. The former is better for families and longer game nights. To answer the question, to each their own! If you’re looking for tougher questions and quicker gameplay, the Master Edition is calling your name. For something more family-friendly, reach for the Classic. Both games are available on Amazon.
Is There a Trivial Pursuit Bob’s Burgers?
Bob’s Burgers’ fans rejoice! There is a Bob’s Burgers Trivial Pursuit, though it’s only bite-sized. The 600 questions come in a die-shaped travel container. The edition can be used as a game of its own, as well as with any other full-size set.
In Bob’s Burgers Trivial Pursuit, you will find questions from the first nine seasons of the show. The categories are: The Belchers, Wagstaff, School, Songs & Music, Townies, and Who Said It. If you’re a hardcore fan of the show, you will find the questions quite easy. It’s fun nonetheless!
- Order up this collectible Trivial Pursuit game featuring 600 questions from the hilarious hit animated series Bob's Burgers
- Questions cover 9 seasons of episodes with categories - The Belchers, Food, Wagstaff, School, Songs and Music, Townies and Who Said It
- This fast-flying trivia game is officially licensed and sure to be a great collectible gift for Bob's Burgers fans
- Includes: 1 travel wedge/card holder, 100 question cards, 1 die, rules
- 2+ Players | Ages 8+ | 20+ Min Play Time
Is There Trivial Pursuit in Spanish?
Yes, Trivial Pursuit has come out with many Spanish versions of the game. Notably, Spain has its very own Genus Edition. Other Spanish editions include Edicion Olympica (Olympic Edition) and Edicion Familia (Family Edition). Trivial Pursuit is quite popular in Spain.
Other European countries, such as France and Germany, have their own Trivial Pursuit games too. The game is even popular in countries like Russia and Poland!
What is Trivial Pursuit Glass Edition?
Trivial Pursuit Glass Edition is a stunning piece of decor for your living room or library, and an actual Trivial Pursuit game. To put it simply, it’s Trivial Pursuit’s Genus printed on glass. The set comes with all the game components, including translucent pies and wedges. You’ll find 1,800 questions in the set too, so you can play a few rounds with your friends.
Trivial Pursuit Glass Edition is a game that can be played, but it’s also a decoration to admire and show off to your trivia-loving friends. The piece goes for just under $70 at Barnes and Noble (as of March 4th, 2021). And if that price seems a bit above your budget—wait until you see the price of the most expensive Trivial Pursuit game currently for sale!
What is Trivial Pursuit Unhinged?
Trivial Pursuit Unhinged is a Trivial Pursuit video game for Xbox. The game offers classic Trivial Pursuit gameplay on your TV. Hear your questions from real stars. There is a different celebrity for each category. Brooke Burke, for example, will ask you questions about People & Places.
The game has three modes: Classic, Flash, and Unhinged. In Unhinged mode, you can earn bonus points, steal wedges, and bet on other players’ performance. Do you think your opponent will get the question right? Bet!
The gameplay can get quite long if you’re playing with many people. Overall, the Trivial Pursuit Unhinged is rather outdated now, but it was all the rage in 2004. Don’t let that deter you from playing, though. Some people continue to play it to this day and love it!
- Bring the classic gameplay of the world-famous trivia game to life on your TV -- with all-new multimedia options
- Celebrities will appear to ask question in every category -- Terry Bradshaw takes Sports & Leisure, Brooke Burke asks about People & Places, John Cleese talks Hstory and more
- In the Unhinged Mode, players can earn bonus points, bet on other players' performance, and even steal wedges from others
Those are some fun facts every Trivial Pursuit fan should know! Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!
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