There are a few differences between the Red Boxes besides the depth and the publisher name. Below the picture, the 1983 box says, “This game requires no gameboard because the action takes place in the player’s imagination with dungeon adventures that include monsters, treasures and magic. Ideal for 3 or more beginning to intermediate players, ages 10 and up.”

The Essentials red box says, “The ultimate game of your imagination, complete with monsters, magic, and treasure. For 1 or more beginning to intermediate players.” Definitely a trimmed-down version of the text: gone is the disclaimer about the lack of a game board (Essentials does contain a poster map, which sort of is a game board) and gone is the reference to “dungeon adventures”. Also, “treasure” and “magic” have swapped places. Just for alliteration? Or is magic more important now than it was in 1983?

Also, the 1983 set is for 3+ players, 10 and up. The new set is for 1 or more players. In the top right corner it now says “Age 12+”. But you know what? I bet 11 year olds would still like it.

More Red Box thoughts…

Seeing the classic Elmore art on another D&D Red Box made me think about the continuity of the hobby. It’s good to know that another generation will grow up knowing that red dragons have knees. Also, is it possible that the treasure trove has even more ewers than I had previously counted?

More Red Box thoughts…

I just picked up the D&D Essentials box, and I’ll blog my thoughts as I read through it.

The new Essentials Red Box is bigger than the 1983 Mentzer Red Box. The box is the same height and width, but about 50% deeper. Mentzer D&D just required the two booklets, dice, marker crayon, and MY IMAGINATION. The new box packs two booklets, dice, power cards, tokens, maps, and also, presumably, MY IMAGINATION. There’s also a large triangular cardboard insert propping up all the components, which has the effect of making the box look fuller than it is. Without it, everything would fit in a Mentzer-sized box. I guess the cardboard insert is to protect MY IMAGINATION from getting crushed during shipping.

More Red Box thoughts…