[joezydeco]

I play it once in a while with the kids, but all they really enjoy doing are the typical game mechanics: spinning the clacky spinner, moving the toy cars, and counting money.

And I agree: there's nothing else in that game that has any use to children today.

[secabeen]

Milton Bradley has changed the game over the years, so it plays a little differently now than it did.

[twic]

Apparently a huge amount:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=210009

And here's some ancient history:

http://thebiggamehunter.com/games-one-by-one/checkered-game-...

I remember playing an edition that was probably early '80s, and being really struck by the fact that there were three different kinds of points - wealth, fame, happiness - which you often had to trade off against each other, and any of which could net you a victory. I think that was the first time i played a game like that.