The Best Game Shows of All Time: ‘Match Game’, ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ and More

They’ve entertained — and stumped — viewers for decades.

10. To Tell the Truth

The show, which ran from 1956 to 1968, has a fun premise and is charming in its simplicity. “Very odd things happen when you stick people out there with no preparation — that’s the To Tell the Truth story,” Adam Nedeff, author of This Day in Game Show History, told Closer of the competition where a panel of celebrities guess which of three challengers really is the person they claim to be. The Examiner ranks the show 10th because it just didn’t have the same enduring impact or cultural dominance as other classics.

9. You Bet Your Life

Groucho Marx’s wit was the reason to tune in. The actual gameplay was secondary, making it more of a talk-and-comedy show than a competitive one. The show started on radio in 1947. On TV, contestants — in pairs — answered questions to win cash prizes. If they happened to say the episode’s “secret word,” they received a cash bonus.

8. Hollywood Squares

Great for laughs and celebrity banter, this tic-tac-toe game debuted in 1965 and ran in its original format until 1981. The celebrity “zinger” responses to trivia questions were scripted, but the contestants’ gameplay was not. “We’d tape five shows in five hours,” Peter Marshall told Closer, who hosted from 1966 to 1981. “We became like a family.”

7. Password

“It was a classic game of word communication,” says Nedeff of the program that was the first to partner a celebrity (such as Betty White) with a regular person. Allen Ludden hosted the show from 1961 to 1975. It was clever and mentally engaging, though not as flashy as some of the other game shows.

6. Let’s Make a Deal

Unpredictable and visually fun, this game of trades, which debuted in 1963, became famous for the crazy costumes worn by audience members. A man dressed as the Jolly Green Giant was the first to catch host Monty Hall’s attention. “That was when Pandora’s box opened and everyone started wearing costumes,” says Nedeff.

5. Match Game

Known for its humor and cheeky charm, it stood out as a playful, personality-driven game show of the ’70s. “There are no wrong answers on Match Game,” says Nedeff, “but you’re trying to guess what other people have written down.” Premiering in 1962, the show’s 1970s iteration with Gene Rayburn became famous for its double entendre questions. “Gene was the perfect host,” adds Nedeff, “because he was a comedian, a ham and a goofball.”

4. Wheel of Fortune

Can I buy a vowel? Wheel is a true pop culture fixture, blending simplicity with addictive gameplay and broad family appeal. The letter board on this variation of hangman was supposed to turn automatically when the show debuted in 1975. “They couldn’t get the mechanism working,” explains Nedeff. So Susan Stafford was hired as the first letter turner, followed by Vanna White in 1982. “When you watch our show, people are happy,” says Vanna, who may have the best job in the world.

3. Family Feud

The high-energy show — which debuted in 1976 with Richard Dawson as host — is still infectious and hugely relatable. “Originally, it was supposed to be a one-on-one game where contestants tried to predict surveys,” says Nedeff. “They reworked it into families, which was unusual, but it worked because now you had five brains on a team instead of one.”

2. The Price Is Right

Variety, excitement and interactive elements make it universally appealing and endlessly watchable. Created in 1956, The Price Is Right returned to TV in 1972 with Bob Barker (who hosted for 35 years), and has never left. “It’s the comfort food of game shows,” says Nedeff. “If you don’t like what you’re seeing, wait five minutes and they’ll do something else.”

1. Jeopardy!

The uber-cerebral show debuted in 1964 after the quiz show scandals of the 1950s forced the cancellation of similar programs. “It became a legend very quickly,” says Nedeff. Alex Trebek began hosting in 1984 and helmed the show for 36 years. It’s the gold standard of quiz shows — respected for its intellect, longevity and its ability to challenge audiences while remaining engaging.