10 Game Shows You Forgot Existed But Used to Watch Religiously
These game shows might have faded from TV, but they still live rent-free in your memory.
- Daisy Montero
- 3 min read
Before binge-worthy reality shows and streaming took over, these game shows ruled your TV screen. You might not remember that exact rules anymore, but their catchy intros, wild formats, and oddly specific challenges had you glued to the couch every week. This list brings back those almost-forgotten favorites that once felt like appointment viewing.
1. Shop ‘Til You Drop
Karin Beate Nøsterud on Wikimedia Commons
Part obstacle course, part shopping spree, this mail-themed madness had contestants crashing through fake storefronts like it was Black Friday. The show was pure ’90s chaos, and somehow, you understood every rule—despite there being about twenty. Admit it: you wanted to run up that escalator more than anything.
2. What Would You Do?
Miguel Pires da Rosa on Wikimedia Commons
Hosted by Marc Summers in his prime, this show was pure unpredictability. Audience members got called down to perform messy stunts just for the thrill of it. It was the kind of show that made you worry you’d get picked if you were ever in the crowd.
3. Twenty One
Evert F. Baumgardner on Wikimedia Commons
This reboot tried to reclaim its 1950s glory but without the cheating scandal this time. Regis Philbin brought this smooth voice, but the intensity never quite landed like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Still, it gave you that trivia fix before trivia apps existed.
4. Debt
KoolShooters on Pexels
A game show where you could literally win your way out of financial ruin—how ’90s is that? Wink Martindale hosted it with the same energy he brought to the classics, but the concept was wild: answer pop culture trivia and reduce your debt. The title said it all.
5. The Big Moment
Wesley Davi on Pexels
Contestants had just one week to master a bizarre talent for their big on-air moment. Juggling, memorizing cards, spinning plates—you name it, someone tried it. It was the most low-key game you had ever seen.
6. Win Ben Stein’s Money
Volker Thimm on Pexels
This one blended dry wit and actual trivia chops, which felt oddly intellectual for a game show. Ben Stein played both the host and the opponent, and he was surprisingly smug about defending his cash. Jimmy Kimmel helped balance out the nerd vibes.
7. Legends of the Hidden Temple
ACharmedLife on Wikimedia Commons
Okay, this one you probably remember—but did you forget how confusing the final temple run really was? Kids were getting lost in those rooms like it was a corn maze. It looked fun, but deep down, you knew you would have fumbled the Silver Monkey.
8. Remote Control
Nenad Stojkovic on Wikimedia Commons
MTV’s first game show, and it was exactly as weird and wonderful as you’d expect. Set in a fake basement, contestants answered pop culture questions from recliners. It was peak ’80s rebellion game show style.
9. Starcade
User:Jonnyboyca on Wikimedia Commons
This was the only game show in which knowing how to crush it at arcade games actually counted. Kids competed on classics like Donkey Kong and Frogger while nerds at home silently judged. It was like Twitch before Twitch.
10. Pictionary
Unknown on Wikimedia Commons
You thought it would be as fun as game night, but then the timer started, and people forgot how to draw anything. This televised version of the classic party game had the same frustration but somehow way more pressure. You yelled at the screen even though you had no clue what that blob was supposed to be.