Containing a rich history dating back to ancient times, board games delight children and adults alike with their playful nature. Though these games come in a wide variety of topics and themes, many games connect with the culture of their times. Wealth accumulation games reflect the growth of a consumer society, war games re-create familiar battles, and educational games prepare children for school and work. Popular television shows, films, books and other entertainment media also find their way into board games, allowing players to actively participate in their favorite fictional worlds.
This board game is based on the American crime television series "Columbo," which originally aired on NBC from 1968 to 1978. The show starred Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, a homicide detective based in Los Angeles. Best known for popularizing the inverted detective story format, almost every episode began by showing a crime taking place, thus allowing the audience to identify the criminal and see exactly what happened. The rest of the show focuses on Columbo and his efforts to solve the crime. The board game follows this basic plot, with the players taking on the detective role and using "clue cards" to determine the identity of the criminal, the weapon used, and the motive for the crime.
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