• February 15, 2010

Hasbro launched the Game of Life, with its cute little cars and pink and blue game pieces, back in 1960. And to celebrate the board game's 50th birthday, the Pawtucket, R.I.-based toy marketer says it will release a special anniversary edition this fall.

The initial version of the game, which used a spinner to eliminate the need for dice, started everyone on life's highway with a high school diploma and $2,000, granting paydays of $6,000 to $20,000, depending on career choices; Hasbro has been adjusting the dollar amounts over the years.

In the anniversary edition, the spinner will be golden, and Hasbro has added five new "LIFE Coins," intended to "encourage players to have real life discussions" on such decisions as "starting a family or embarking on a new career."