The Best Price Is Right Games from the '80s

RIP Bob Barker. PS: Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered.

Hi hi.

We lost one of the greatest game show hosts of all time over the weekend when Bob Barker died at the age of 99.

Like so many others raised on The Price Is Right during sick days (avec Saltines and a ginger ale, natch) or summertime viewing, I loved that game show (and so many others) with a deep, deep passion. The neighborhood lore of the kids’ mom who went on TPIR was so major in North Willow Farms back in the ‘80s. I’m pretty sure I learned what spaying or neutering your pets was from Bob and his iconic, skinny microphone. I even lived near the studio where they shot the show in LA for a while. You could see people lining up to get into the studio audience for their chance at a big win.

In honor of Bob, here are the best games from back in the era when I used to watch—according to, um, me. These are what I imagined myself playing and winning so I could then spin that wheel and make it to the Showcase Showdown¹, all with that giant name tag I thought was just the coolest.

In no particular order, come on down!