The 1980’s sure were an interesting decade. Depending on who you speak to, they brought us some of the best or worst in music, movies, and fashion trends. OK, we can all agree that the clothing was abysmal. And the less said about the hairstyles the better! Regardless, the ’80s still gave us a bunch of cool stuff, but the one thing it was lacking was a diverse library of board games.
Board games nowadays are more popular than they’ve ever been and no period in time can compete with the vast catalogue that we have to choose from. It’s therefore unfair to weigh up the 80’s offering with what’s available now. Although, amongst the mountains of copies of ‘The Game of Life’ and ‘Dream Phone’, there are a few gems that are unique for the time and still hold up today!
80’s Board Games
Below are some of the better games to come out of the decade. Some were so popular in fact and played so well that they were re-released in recent years and new generations have been able to experience them for the first time.
Heroquest
By: Milton Bradley/Avalon Games Players: 2-5 Ages: 14+ Time: 90 Minutes
Embark on fantastical quests of epic proportions with the classic dungeon crawler that is: Heroquest! Take on the role of Barbarian, Dwarf, Elf, or Wizard, and work together to battle monsters, avoid traps, complete quests, and defeat the evil sorcerer Zargon to save the realm from his dark forces!
Heroquest was created as an answer to Dungeons and Dragons for the mainstream crowd. Its developers recognized the increasing popularity of D&D in the 80’s and decided to capitalize on it. They did an excellent job and whilst more linear than most RPGs, the game still feels like a robust RPG experience. Players work through over a dozen quests, making their way deeper into a dark, twisting labyrinth to stop an evil sorcerer’s forces.
With each game, one player will act as Zargon, the antagonist/dungeon master of the game, and the others will take on one of the heroes. Each quest comes with flavor text that is read to the adventurers at the start of each game, and the map is set out as per the instructions. Players will only be privy to the layout of the dungeon and will uncover details about the contents of each room as they enter it.
The heroes then work together to navigate the dungeon and complete the quest. Heroes can move and perform one of several actions on their turn such as attacking or searching for treasure, traps, and secret doors. They’ll also have a variety of spells at their disposal and may uncover items to assist them on their mission.
After the heroes take their turns, Zargon is free to move his minions and cat spells try to stop them. If players make it through the pre-written quests, there is an option to create your dungeon and a wealth of expansions with new dungeon tiles and monsters.
Heroquest is immensely fun and does an excellent job of putting you in the shoes of a hero on an epic journey. What makes it even better is it provides the same type of experience D&D does but in a bite-size ‘pick up and put down’ way, so that both roleplaying veterans and newbies can enjoy playing through one of the many quests the game offers.
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Labyrinth
By: Ravensburger Players: 2-4 Ages: 7+ Time: 20 minutes
From one type of dungeon to another: Labyrinth is a puzzle-like board game where players must use their wits to succeed. Players must navigate through an ever-changing maze and find the shortest route to reach all their treasures and targets before the others can.
In Labyrinth, players make their way around an ever-changing maze in an attempt to collect all their treasures. The game board is made up of many different dungeon tiles which are shuffled at the start of each game and placed randomly around the board, creating a new experience each time.
Once the board is set up, object cards are shuffled and dealt out evenly to the players. These are kept in a face-down pile, hidden from the other players. On a player’s turn, they will peek at the card on the top of the pile and will try and make their way around the board to claim it. Within the game comes one extra dungeon tile which is inserted into various slots on the board (indicated by arrows) to move a whole column or row.
Once this tile is placed, players can move as much as they like around the path they’re on. If a player reaches their treasure, they place the card face up for all players to see and will now try and reach the next object on the top of their pile of cards. The next player will have to use the new dungeon tile to manipulate the maze and do their best to reach their treasure card.
Players can choose not to move at all if they feel it will benefit them, but if a player is knocked off the edge of the board from the shifting tiles, they will need to go to the opposite side of the board. The player to collect all of their treasures first is the winner.
A great game for younger players and families with its short playtime, strategic elements, and replayability, Labyrinth offers something slightly different with each playthrough. If the vanilla version isn’t for you, there’s now a version for almost every franchise if you want something slightly different.
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Hungry Hungry Hippos
By: Hasbro Players: 2-4 Ages: 4+ Time: 10 minutes
A frenzied race for marbles, Hungry Hungry Hippos is a fast-paced and simplistic game that has delighted children since its release. In this colorful game, each player controls a plastic hippo situated at each corner of the board. The goal is simple: to make your hippo consume as many marbles as possible that are released into the central playing field. Players rapidly press a lever that controls their hippo, causing it to extend its neck toward the marbles. The game requires quick reflexes and a bit of strategy to anticipate where the marbles will go next.
Since its introduction, Hungry Hungry Hippos has become a household name, known for its straightforward gameplay and the sheer excitement it brings to family game nights. It’s a test of speed and dexterity that can get fiercely competitive, making it an enduring favorite among kids and a popular nostalgic piece for adults who grew up in the 80’s. Despite its simplicity, the game has proven to have lasting appeal, embodying the fun and innocence of board games from that era.
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Trivial Pursuit
By: Hasbro Players: 2-6 Ages: 16+ Time: 90 minutes
Venture into the realm of knowledge and challenge with Trivial Pursuit, a game that has stood the test of time as a beacon of trivia-based board gaming. Since its inception in the early 80’s, Trivial Pursuit has become a household name, encouraging players to test their knowledge across a variety of topics – from history, nature, and science to life, sports, and entertainment.
In Trivial Pursuit, players move around the board answering questions from six categories, each represented by its own color. The ultimate goal is to collect a pie piece from each category and make your way to the center of the board to answer a final question. The gameplay is simple yet engaging, allowing anyone from trivia novices to enthusiasts to jump in and enjoy.
What sets Trivial Pursuit apart is not just the wide array of facts and figures it presents, but the social experience it fosters. It has sparked countless debates, discussions, and discoveries, making it a beloved game for family gatherings, parties, and social events. Over the course of the years, numerous editions have been created and released, catering to different interests, age groups, and even pop culture themes, ensuring the game’s relevance and appeal across generations.
Trivial Pursuit’s legacy is undeniable. It encapsulates the 80’s spirit of the pursuit of knowledge and entertainment, while its adaptability and enduring popularity make it a classic that continues to engage and educate players around the world.
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Fireball Island
By: MB/Goliath Games Players: 2-4 Ages: 7+ Time: 30 minutes
Racing around to collect as much treasure as possible, players must do their best to avoid the many fireballs spewing from the volcano in the center of the island. Who will claim the heart of Vul-Kar and escape the island in time?
Fireball Island is an interactive adventure board game, where players race around the board to collect as much treasure as they can. The board is incredibly impressive with all its palm trees, ladders, bridges, and giant demonic volcano representing the god “Vul-Kar”. These are all placed around the board at the start of the game, along with several marbles representing fireballs, and treasure tokens that are placed face down around the board.
The board is full of branching paths that players will use to make their way around the island. On a player’s turn, rather than roll a dice, they will take a card from a face-down pile of action cards and follow the instructions. These will tell the player how many spaces they can move and if they take any special actions, like stealing treasures from another player. Every time a player passes a treasure token they get a chance to claim it, and the player coming out with the most treasure at the end of the game is the winner.
Action cards may trigger Vul-Kar, which causes him to start spewing fireballs, which is the best part of the game! On turns like this, players will take marbles and put them on the top of the volcano. These will start cascading down the paths in an attempt to knock over the other players but may knock down the player who drew the card if they’re unlucky enough.
This continues until a player makes their way to the helicopter in an attempt to escape the island. It’s at this point that everyone adds up the treasure they have and the player with the most points is the winner. Luck and strategy play a big part in this game and in order to be successful players should utilize the cave system in order to move around the board easier.
Fireball Island is a truly chaotic and random game that’s enjoyable and full of hilarity. Even with its simple mechanics, the unpredictability of how the marbles will roll down the island’s paths will keep players on edge and leave them wanting to play again and again.
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Axis and Allies
By: MB/Renegade Games Players: 2-5 Ages: 12+ Time: up to 180 minutes
Major powers of the world struggle for supremacy in this classic war game. Grandly depicting World War II, players will need to command their country’s military forces and finances carefully in order to be the winner.
Axis and Allies is a classic war game that places players in the middle of World War II to control one of the Axis or Allied powers countries. The game comes with a large, gorgeous game board representing a map of the world and hundreds of minis.
The object of the game is to hold a certain amount of victory tokens, which are won by controlling different sections of the map. Play is broken up into many different phases. Players will start by researching to help them have more resources at their disposal or greatly improve their unit’s capabilities in or out of combat.
After purchasing units, players can then mobilize and travel the map, invading different countries in order to initiate combat. There is air, sea, and land combat, all of which is resolved by rolling dice and using one of the many useful reference sheets to see how they fair up against the rolls. Any units that did not move previously can now move into friendly territories, after which new units are mobilized and enter the map.
At the end of a turn, players can then collect income or money which is relative to the amount of countries a player owns. Play continues until one side holds a certain amount of territories.
Axis and Allies is a great war game, fairly easy to get to grips with but with plenty of strategy to keep you busy for a couple of hours. Each unit has its stats, costs, and abilities so understanding how to utilize them and when is critical to victory.
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Dark Tower
By: MB Players: 1-4 Ages: 10+ Time: up to 90 minutes
Embark on an epic quest across four realms for three keys that unlock the gate of the Dark Tower. Fight off roving bands of brigands, secure assistants and supplies for your quest, and raise an army to storm the tower and overthrow the tyrant king.
Dark Tower takes place on a unique circular board and has the eponymous Dark Tower placed in the center overlooking gameplay. The objective of the game is that players must find three keys in four different kingdoms. These will unlock the tower and help you put an end to the tyrant king’s reign. The tower is electronic and has various keypads in the base of the tower, which you’ll press to confirm the number of players, the difficulty, and what actions you wish to take each turn.
At the start of each turn, players select which action they wish to take from the keypad at the base of the tower. You can move, visit various locations around the board, and even visit a bazaar and haggle a price with the merchants there. Purchasing soldiers and items from the bazaar is critical. Scouts will, for example, prevent your party from getting lost, and soldiers will help make your army stronger.
The tower will indicate what happens (if anything) once you’ve entered your actions, such as being attacked by a dragon, being cursed, or encountering a plague. This affects you and the size of your army unless you’ve bought the right item or comrade from the bazaar previously, as this negates the effects of your spell.
Balancing out hunger versus the size of your army is a tricky mechanic to get used to, but one that adds to the challenge of the game for sure. Ultimately, the tower will tell you how almost everything plays out and works as an electronic ‘choose your own adventure’ of sorts.
An innovative game for its time, utilizing a computer that would interact with the players is truly a testament to and product of its time. Especially with the synth music! Utilizing something like a computer to conduct the vast majority of the game is a little niche, but different enough to keep people entertained.
The new version of this game that was recently kickstarted, delivers on the nostalgia (and has an epic tower) while improving core gameplay. So if you remember this one with fondness, it’s worth a look.
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Wait! Where’s Mall Madness (or whatever game we missed for you)?
Check out our article on games from the 90’s. You’ll find that and other nostalgic gems there.
Conclusion: Revisit a Board Game From the 80’s
The 80’s was a golden era for board games, with many classics being released during this time. These games have stood the test of time and are still enjoyed by players today. Whether you’re looking for a fun and chaotic game like Fireball Island, a strategic war game like Axis and Allies, or an innovative electronic game like Dark Tower, there’s something for everyone in this decade of board games. So why not revisit one of these classics and relive the nostalgia or introduce new players to these timeless gems? You never know, you might just find a new favorite.
FAQ: Exploring Classics from the 80’s
Q: Are these 80’s board games suitable for children?
A: Yes, each game has its recommended age range, starting from 10 years and up. However, remember it’s always a good idea to consider the complexity of the game and the child’s individual maturity and interest level.
Q: Where can I find these 80’s board games to purchase?
A: Many versions of these classics have been reissued and can be found at games stores, both brick-and-mortar and online. Websites specializing in vintage games might also carry original editions.
Q: Can these games be played solo?
A: Dark Tower offers a solo-play option, making it a great choice for those looking for a single-player experience. However, Fireball Island and Axis and Allies are designed for multiple players who hope to enjoy the competitive aspect of the games.
Q: How long does it typically take to play a game?
A: Playtime can vary significantly. Fireball Island offers quick, chaotic fun typically lasting under an hour. Axis and Allies, being a more complex strategy game, can extend up to 180 minutes. Dark Tower falls somewhere in between, with sessions lasting up to 90 minutes.
Q: Are there any modern adaptations or similar games to these classics?
A: Yes, many of these games have seen reissues with updated rules and components to fit contemporary gaming standards. Additionally, the board game industry has exploded with new titles that draw inspiration from these classics, ensuring that fans of 80’s tabletop games will find plenty of modern experiences with a nostalgic feel.