There are many versions of Clue, two of which are the original version and Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition. If you’re wanting to get one of those two games, I’m going to compare them for you. In other words, this is my comparison between Clue and Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition.
When it comes to a comparison between Clue and Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition, they have the same game mechanics and components (except for Clue Cards). In terms of differences, Clue has Clue Cards and the Simpsons version has a Simpsons theme, fully painted figures instead of player pawns, makes little sense, has a higher production quality, is more humorous, and its rulebook is printed on a cardboard game insert. Overall, the Simpsons version is better unless you’re looking for a game with a classic feel.
Table of Contents
What Is Clue?
Clue is the classic murder mystery game first published in 1949 in the UK as Cluedo. It’s still known as Cluedo in the UK in 2023 while in the US it’s known as Clue. It has a ton of versions, including Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition.
Back-Of-The-Box Facts About Clue
- Player Count: 2-6
- Time To Play: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Age Range: 8 and up
- Difficulty: Beginner/Easy
- Price Range: $10-$20
- Release Year: 2018
- Publisher(s): Hasbro
- Designer(s): Unknown
- Artist(s): Unknown
What Is Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition?
Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition is one of many, many different versions of Clue. The 1st edition of this version had pewter pawns instead of the fully painted miniatures in the 2nd edition.
Having looked at some images of the pewter pawns and having seen the fully painted miniatures in person, the fully painted miniatures are way better. If you’re going to get a Simpsons Clue version, go with the 2nd edition.
Back-Of-The-Box Facts About Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition
- Player Count: 3-6
- Time To Play: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Age Range: 8 and up
- Difficulty: Beginner/Easy
- Price Range: Under $50
- Release Year: 2002
- Publisher(s): Hasbro
- Designer(s): Unknown
- Artist(s): Matt Groening (Simpsons creator) for some art – the rest is unknown
- Where To Buy: Amazon is an option, but you’re better off going to eBay for a better price
A Comparison Between Clue And Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition
When it comes to Clue and Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition, there are quite a lot of differences and only a couple of similarities. However, let’s start with the similarities before we get to the differences.
What Are The Similarities?
Let’s start with the game mechanics.
Game Mechanics
Both of these games use the same mechanics. If you want Clue with a Simpsons theme, then that’s exactly what you’re going to get with Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition. The only exception is that the Clue Cards from Clue don’t exist in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition (more on that below).
Components
Aside from the Clue Cards not being present in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition, you’re getting the same number and kind of components in both games. The quality of them is different, as explained more below, but you’re not being cheated on the number or kind.
What Are The Differences?
Let’s start with the Clue Cards.
Clue Cards
I mentioned this above under Game Mechanics in the Similarities section, but it’s worth repeating here since it is a difference between the two games. There are no Clue Cards in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition.
Theme
Clue’s theme follows guests at a mansion party trying to solve a murder mystery. Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition still follows guests at a mansion solving a murder mystery, but with all the Simpsons characters, settings, and references people know and love.
The Player Pawns
Clue has those little colored pawn pieces that, while brightly colored and easily differentiated, are not as great-looking as the fully painted miniatures in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition. In fact, having seen the fully painted miniatures in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition, it makes me wonder why Hasbro doesn’t do the same thing for all versions of Clue. They’re better than the player pawns of Clue and leagues better than the cardboard standees of Game Of Thrones Clue.
One Doesn’t Make Sense
Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition’s game board makes no sense. The game board shows an overhead shot of a mansion, but the “rooms” inside that mansion are actually locations like a house and so on. I don’t know why Hasbro decided to make this game this way instead of making it more like Clue: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas where the board is showing an overhead shot of a town with the different “rooms” being locations in that town.
Oh well, at least the game board is incredibly detailed.
Production Quality
This one goes along with the player pawns and detail of the game board mentioned above, but Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition just feels like a better quality game. It has a highly detailed game board, fully painted miniatures, and everything feels like it was built with quality in mind. Unfortunately, Clue doesn’t feel that way.
Game Feeling
Speaking of feeling, Clue has more of a serious feeling to it, while Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition feels more silly and humorous. The serious feeling of Clue isn’t overbearing, but there definitely isn’t any humor in the art, weapons, or setting, whereas there’s plenty in Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition.
The Rulebook
For whatever reason, Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition decided to print their rules on the cardboard insert included in the game box. This isn’t the worst creative decision made with a “rulebook,” but it is a difference between that game and Clue, which has a traditional rulebook.
Is Clue Or Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition Better?
Of the two games, I’ve only played Clue. However, having looked at Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition several times now, that’s the game I’d recommend. It will be more expensive, but it’s worth it, in my opinion.
There are only two exceptions to this. One is if you’re looking for a cheap game that still provides a good time. If that’s your goal, then Clue will fit the bill.
The other exception is if you want a more serious feeling or a more period-specific theme for Clue. The original Clue has both of these things, whereas Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition is sillier and lacks the period-specific theme.
Did You Know?
(Each time you refresh the page you will get a new “Did You Know” fact!)
Did you know that Ludo is also the name of a game? That’s why Cluedo was renamed in the US! Not as many people knew of the game, Ludo, in the US as they did in the UK, so it was felt they wouldn’t understand why the game was called Cluedo.
Something else that’s cool is that in Brazil Clue was, or maybe still is, called Detetive. And no, that’s not a misspelling either. Really cool!
Conclusion: A Comparison Between Clue And Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition
So, when it comes to a comparison between Clue and Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition, I’d pick Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition. Yes, it doesn’t have the Clue Cards, which are an important addition to the Clue games, but I think you could just slip those in from another version of Clue. If you want quality, go with Simpsons Clue 2nd Edition.
So, what do you think about these two games? Which one would you pick? Let me know in the comments below!
And, as always, keep on gaming, fellow board gamers.
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