Clue Gets a Makeover!

Image via npr.org

Say goodbye to Miss Scarlet and Colonel Mustard, and hello to a whole new persona of characters to join the newly-updated Clue game.

Hasbro Inc. has revamped the classic 60-year-old game for "today's tabloid culture" to include younger characters, different weapons, and new rooms.

The setting of the game is now a modern mansion, where parties of the rich and famous take place. New rooms include a spa, a theatre, and a guesthouse.

Although the characters' last names remain their sames, their first names and bios have been updated. Miss Scarlet is now Kasandra Scarlet, a famous actress often appearing in the tabloids, Mr. Green is now Jacob Green, an African-American "with all the ins," Colonel Mustard is now Jack Mustard, a former football player, and Professor Plum is now Victor Plum, a billionaire video game designer.

The characters also have special powers to help them discover clues more quickly. There are also new "intrigue" and "clock" cards to add clues and eliminate players.

The lead pipe, revolver, and wrench are no longer part of the game, and have been replaced with a dumbbell, trophy, and poison. Other newly added weapons include a pistol, an axe, and a baseball bat.

This new version will be a replacement for the original Clue that is currently in stores. Rob Daviau, one of the designers of the new version, assures that Hasbro was very conscious when updating the game.

"We wanted something that the mom or dad who's bringing home for the family [could say], 'This is what I remember, and this is what I want to play with my kids,' " Daviau says. "At the same time, we wanted something the kids would feel like it belonged to them."

This "21st century" Clue will be available in stores in the fall. Can't wait to try it out..I'm hoping it'll be a lot more enjoyable than the updated version of The Game of Life. I much preferred the original!