Manitoban selling off massive board game collection
A Manitoba teacher is selling off his colossal board game collection that he’s amassed through more than a decade of scouring thrift stores, pawn shops and garage sales.
Matthew Bencharski has over 800 board games in his collection, featuring classics like “Risk” and “Apples to Apples” to more obscure finds like “Trump: The Game.”
He started casually collecting over 10 years ago, picking up games he thought looked fun or retro at second-hand shops for a couple of bucks.
“One shelf of games leads to two shelves and three, then four and before you know it, you have a room full of board games.”
Now, the time has come for Bencharski to pare down his collection that’s overtaking a spare room at his Stonewall, Man. home.
He posted a photo of his collection to Facebook Marketplace, inviting folks to message him if they are after a specific title and propose a price.
A small portion of Matthew Bencharski's board game collection, featuring classic and obscure releases, is shown in an April 18, 2024 image. (Matthew Bencharski)
Four days later, he has received over a thousand messages from board game buffs. Some of the most sought-after games in his inbox – “Hamburger,” “Moolah” and “Mall Madness.”
Bencharski is keeping a few dozen games he’s not able to part with, like “The Omega Virus.” The Milton Bradley game from the ‘90s calls on players or “heroes of the planet Earth” to save the BattleSat1 space station from an evil virus.
Another favourite - “Dream Phone,” a beloved artifact among the Lisa Frank-era of girls, tweens and teens alike. Players have a secret admirer. To find out who, they must call up boys whose mushroom-cut headshots adorn a deck of cards one by one, seeking out clues.
Despite multiple requests for it, Bencharski says his copy is not for sale.
“It’s actually a really fun game. My wife and I have had like friends over and we’ve played it. It's so cheesy and corny, but it's funny at the same time.”
He’s already sold off a number of games. So far, Bencharski says he’s had zero sellers’ remorse. It’s a sign, he says, he’s doing the right thing by scaling back.
Besides working out a fair price, it’s important to him that each game is going to someone who will appreciate it.
“I met this person yesterday to sell “Heartthrob.” Her face just lit up when she saw it,” he said. “I’m glad they’re going to a good home.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard found not guilty of sexual assault
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago. The former Hedley frontman had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.
Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
Missing B.C. climber died from fall on Mount Baker, medical examiner says
The body of a British Columbia mountain climber has been located and recovered after the 39-year-old man was reported missing during a solo climb on Washington state's Mount Baker earlier this week.
Following child's death in Ontario, here's what you need to know about rabies and bats
An Ontario child died last month after coming into contact with a rabid bat in their bedroom, which was the first known human rabies case in Canada since 2019.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Anne Hathaway confirms 'Princess Diaries 3': 'Miracles happen'
You might be thinking, 'Shut up!' but it’s officially true: the 'Princess Diaries' franchise is finally growing.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
Sask. man pleads guilty in U.S. after unknowingly providing videos of men raping toddlers to FBI agent
A Saskatchewan man living in the United States has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography after he unknowingly provided disturbing videos to an FBI agent he thought was a pedophile.