Why is the original red box so special

[MadLordOfMilk]

I, personally, think it's the best D&D rules system out. It's the game system I primarily play

(Well, OK, I tend to stick to the Moldvay/Cook/Marsh basic/expert books, but they're close enough to the Mentzer books to be more or less the same)

If you want to check out more or less the same rules, check out the retro-clone Labyrinth Lord, which clones the Moldvay Basic/Expert books. Dark Dungeons clones the 5 Mentzer books/the Rules Cyclopedia, but it includes things like weapon mastery/etc. by default which isn't quite as straightforward as playing with just the red box.

 

[WheresMyD20]

The '83 Red Box was my introduction to D&D, too. The fact that it was sold in stores like Toys R Us and Kay-Bee Toys alongside classic games like Monopoly and Clue meant that it was very easy to find. At my grade school only a few of us ended up sticking with the game, but it seemed like everyone had at least tried D&D at some point. Since the rules were so dead simple and all you needed to play were some paper, pencils, and dice, it was easy for friends with absolutely no RPG experience to drop in on a game and be playing within 5 minutes.

 

[WheresMyD20]

If you want to check out more or less the same rules, check out the retro-clone Labyrinth Lord, which clones the Moldvay Basic/Expert books. Dark Dungeons clones the 5 Mentzer books/the Rules Cyclopedia, but it includes things like weapon mastery/etc. by default which isn't quite as straightforward as playing with just the red box.

It's also worth mentioning Basic Fantasy, which is a Moldvay/Marsh/Cook Basic/Expert clone. It uses the ascending AC system from 3e and it makes race and class separate, but other than that, it's really close to B/X.

 

[Boregar]

Add another one to the list of 'This was my first taste of D&D, and that's what makes it special to me'.

It wasn't me who got it, it was my older brother, as I was only six at the time, but I still hate rust monsters due to losing my short sword fighting the one in the solo adventure and carrion crawlers due to one killing my first proper character, over twenty five years later.

 

[Kaiyanwang]

- It was my first D&D.

- It was simple, easy to learn.

- It was the best written introduction to the game, as well the best advices for players and DM ever.

- The art and the adventure were a great introduction into the gameworld.

 

[amerigoV]

... a complete set of funny dice...

Even the funny dice (multi-colored, right?) had a purpose.

DM -"Roll a d12."
New player - looks at you like a deer in headlights
DM - "Roll the orange die"
New player - "Ah, ok" <rolls>

 

[Rel]

It was the first complete set of rules that I ever had for any RPG.

My introduction to the game was pretty weird in terms of actually getting a set of books together. I got my first taste of D&D in the Boy Scouts and immediately liked what I saw. I wanted "D&D stuff" for Christmas and I think I got a DMG and a Monster Manual. That was enough to fuel my imagination and I remember devouring the "Gygaxian Prose" all winter and spring. But I had no PHB so I really couldn't make characters and play the game. It wasn't until my birthday in June that I got the Red Box and suddenly it all made sense and got me on the path of being a genuine D&D player.

 

[JDragon]

The Red Box was my introduction to D&D so it will always be special in that regard. Because it was a "first" for me, it justs sits in the consciousness as a fundamental part of my gaming being. It was a step forward from the choose-your-own-adventure and fighting fantasy game books that I loved (and still love) so much.

Whatever the case, I'll be purchasing essentials even if when it boils down to it, it is just the nostalgic chance to own that Elmore Dragon once again.

I think this best sums it up for me.

I'm not a 4e player, but their is a good chance I'll pick it up to get that box back, since in my youth I didn't keep my original.

 

[billyy2288]

According to:

Print Run

there was around a million copies of the basic D&D box set sold during 1989.

Such a very amazing link!
_________________
Watch The American Online Free

 

[InVinoVeritas]

What made the original red box so excellent was the way it introduced you to the game.

We've seen all those threads around here asking about who brought you into the game, right? Was it your friends, your classmates, your family, whatever. It's sort of taken for granted that someone introduces the game to you.

Not with the red box. For those whose first experience is with the red box, no one introduces the game to you; you introduce yourself!

From a marketing perspective, that's the big win of the red box. You don't need an established group in order to grow the hobby. You can start new groups out of thin air.