From HandWiki - Reading time: 6 min
| Clue | |
|---|---|
![]() Super NES cover art. | |
| Developer(s) | Sculptured Software |
| Publisher(s) | Parker Brothers |
| Platform(s) | Sega Genesis SNES |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Strategy Board game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Clue: Parker Brothers' Classic Detective Game is a North American-exclusive video game published for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis video game consoles. It is based on the popular board game of the same name.
The game was shown for preview at the Summer CES in May 1992 with plans of distribution for that fall at a MSRP United States dollar $49.99.[2]
Up to six people can play, using any controller. The object, as in the board game, is to determine who murdered Mr. Boddy, where the crime took place, and which weapon was used.
Each player is dealt a number of cards. Each card eliminates a suspect, weapon, or room. Each player can view their own cards during their turn. A die is rolled, and the six players (represented by the six suspects Miss Scarlet, Col. Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Prof. Plum) move around the board. Upon entering one of the nine rooms on the board, the player must make a suggestion, choosing a suspect and a weapon (the room the player is in is automatically chosen). The suspect is summoned to that room, a vignette is shown, showing who or what was in that room, or who held the weapon. This would result in a clue given, such as "Miss Scarlet was in the Lounge" or "No one had the wrench". On the highest difficulty, the clues given are less broad, like in the board game, with clues only given that the chosen suspect or weapon was or wasn't in the room.
A player can, on their turn, make an interrogation, wherein they can choose a suspect, a weapon, and a room. A longer vignette is shown, playing out the scenario as the player chose; for example, if Miss Scarlet is in the lounge with the lead pipe, the vignette goes: "The lounge was warm. It was cozy enough for a nap... A long nap. Miss Scarlet laughed as she fixed her hair. She picked up the pipe". At this point, one of the other players, if they are in possession of a card that eliminates any of those factors, shows on screen that they have proof that the scenario could not have happened. If none of the other players are in possession of such a card, the interrogating player is not proved wrong. Players may make two interrogations per game.
A player can, on their turn, make an accusation, which plays out similar to an interrogation, unless if the player is incorrect, they are eliminated from the game. If they are correct, the actual suspect is seen killing Mr. Boddy in addition to the vignette and is then seen being arrested. The accusing player is the winner.
Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]
Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]
In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]
On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]
In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]
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