When I was a kid, I used to play a D&D like board game with my brothers. Not the one you're talking about, though. There was a board that was always the same, and a book full of different places for the enemies to go depending on which scenario you picked.
The characters were pre-made as well. I seem to recall always picking the dwarf because he could detect traps, so every time I entered a room, the DM (always my eldest brother) would have to show where all the traps were in that room.

I wish I remembered what that game was called. It was really nice. Anyways, I haven't played much real D&D either. Actually, I was regularly reading at least 5 D&D webcomics before I played my first game of the actual tabletop RPG.

I think the conclusion here is clear: board games are awesome. Yours sounds pretty good too, I'll take a look at it if I get a chance.