What exactly are Forgotten 80s Game Shows?
The 1980s were a golden age for neon lights, synth music, and wild television experiments — and game shows were no exception. While hits like Press Your Luck, Wheel of Fortune, and Double Dare became staples of the era, there were dozens of other game shows that slipped through the cracks.
Here are 10 forgotten 80s game shows that were creative, bizarre, or just ahead of their time — and that totally deserve a reboot.
1. Hit Man (1983)
Why it’s worth remembering: A trivia game based on memory and short films.
Hosted by Peter Tomarken (of Press Your Luck fame), this show had contestants watch a short documentary clip, then answer detailed questions about it. It rewarded active listening and retention — a concept ripe for revival in the TikTok era.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
2. The New Battlestars (1981–1983)
Why it’s worth remembering: Hollywood Squares meets arcade-style graphics.
Hosted by Alex Trebek, this revival of the original Battlestars had contestants pick animated celebrity faces on a digital board to answer questions. The flashy graphics were cutting-edge for the time and the gameplay had a nice mix of strategy and celeb banter.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
3. Wordplay (1986–1987)
Why it’s worth remembering: Smart, stylish, and hosted by the always-cool Tom Kennedy.
In this word-definition game, contestants deciphered obscure words from multiple-choice options. It was both educational and entertaining, and the set design had peak 80s flair. A perfect streaming revival candidate for word-nerds and trivia fans alike.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
4. Blackout (1988)
Why it’s worth remembering: The most experimental sound-based game show of its era.
Hosted by Bob Goen, this game involved players trying to guess clues while parts of the audio were “blacked out” by opponents. It had a strange rhythm but genuinely fun gameplay — kind of like early audio editing meets game show strategy.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
5. Your Number’s Up (1985)
Why it’s worth remembering: A numbers-based quiz show that let the audience play along in real time.
Hosted by Nipsey Russell, this unique format gave contestants clues that corresponded to numbers, and audience members could win if their own randomly assigned numbers matched. It was interactive before interactive was cool.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
6. Go (1983–1984)
Why it’s worth remembering: The gameplay was literally about sentence construction under pressure.
Teams of contestants had to build clues one word at a time to get their teammate to guess a target word. Think Catch Phrase meets Taboo, but as a team relay race. Energetic, unique, and surprisingly tense.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
7. Time Machine (1985)
Why it’s worth remembering: A history-themed trivia show with a DeLorean-level retro vibe.
This NBC show tested contestants’ knowledge of past decades — prices, news, music, and more. Hosted by John Davidson, it leaned heavily into nostalgia, which makes it even more appealing now. Imagine a streaming-era reboot where each episode focuses on a different decade.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
8. Bargain Hunters (1987)
Why it’s worth remembering: A spin-off of The Price Is Right — but built for mall-crawlers.
This shopping-themed show had contestants guessing the lowest-priced items and choosing between real-life discount deals. Hosted by Peter Tomarken, it was short-lived but perfectly positioned for modern resellers or deal-hunting YouTubers.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
9. The Last Word (1989)
Why it’s worth remembering: A slick puzzle game built around word completion.
Co-hosted by Wink Martindale and Jennifer Lyall, this show had players complete words in a crossword-style layout, guessing one letter at a time while trying to finish “the last word.” It was sleek, quick, and ideal for casual game show fans.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
10. Bruce Forsyth’s Hot Streak (1986)
Why it’s worth remembering: Fast-paced word chains + the undeniable energy of Bruce Forsyth.
Two teams of five competed to get their teammate to guess words in a category by delivering rapid one-word clues. It was energetic, chaotic, and perfect for fans of shows like Chain Reaction. Forsyth’s energy made it even better.
Where to stream: Some elements can be found on YouTube.
Final Thoughts
The 1980s may be remembered for big hair and bigger budgets, but it also gave us a wave of clever, underappreciated game shows that took risks. Whether they were too smart, too strange, or just scheduled poorly, these formats still hold up — and some might even thrive in today’s game show renaissance.
If you’re hunting for a reboot that doesn’t involve trivia or spinning wheels, this list is your retro treasure map.
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