It's been a long while since most people relied on a Blockbuster for any entertainment needs. These days, the idea of trudging out to rent a movie and then having to physically return it a few days later seems quaint ... and also kind of a pain.
But that doesn't mean there's no nostalgia for the once-monolithic multibillion-dollar chain (which, last we checked, has one open store remaining, in Bend, Oregon). And so, time to meet Blockbuster: The Game!
That's right, you can enjoy movie trivia dressed up in a Blockbuster package (the box hearkens back to the days of VHS tapes and the board is a recreation of a typical Blockbuster parking lot) as you and your fellow players battle for supremacy. The goal? Be the first team to collect one movie from each of eight genres: action, classic, comedy, horror, sci-fi, drama, animation and family.
"It plays a lot like Apples to Apples and Family Feud mixed together," Sandi Harding, general manager of the Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon told TODAY. She reports that they received the game in early May and have nearly sold out of their first order of 100 games. They plan to order more and restock it.
"And this isn't even our busy season, yet," Harding added.
According to Cosmopolitan, British board game company Big Potato Games asked the video-rental chain if they could use their logo. "We realized if we felt such heartfelt nostalgia for picking up rentals, then others would feel the same," said Big Potato head of marketing Massimo Zeppetelli.
He added that while most of the movies will remind you of the titles you could find on Blockbuster shelves, there are some more modern ones in there.
We're a little dubious: Are people really yearning for the days of VHS pickups, drop-offs, late fees, "Be Kind, Rewind" reminders, garbled tapes, lines at the store?
Yes, according to Harding. "People really love Blockbuster," she says. "Everyone has a smile on their face when they walk in here. Everyone has such happy memories; that's what they're taking home with them with the game."
And there is at least one thing we all miss: With video tapes, you never had to worry about having to sit through all of those trailers and privacy warnings — you could just fast-forward to the movie.
Still interested? Then get ready to plunk down $19.99 for your very own game today. Alas, there are only two places you can purchase Blockbuster: The Game. One of them is Target.
And one of them is at Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon.