By: Restoration Games Players: 2-4 Ages: 7+ Time: 45 mins
Fearless explorers have traveled to Vul-Kar’s island to seek out his treasure. They must first traverse the treacherous beaches and jungles and scale the volcano to retrieve the heart of Vul-Kar from the idol. Only then will they be rich beyond compare…if they can escape the island that is
Fireball Island Board Game is a great choice for game night due to its engaging gameplay and suitability for family and younger players.
After 30 years Fireball Island is back! This reboot of the classic offers a new island, a new narrative, stunning components, and gameplay.
The game maintains an impressive table presence with its large board and visually striking components.
Gather treasure, avoid fireballs, grab the jewel, and get to the choppa to win!
About Fireball Island Board Game?
Fireball Island was originally published in 1986 by Milton Bradley and designed by Bruce Lund and Chuck Kennedy. The adventure game saw players explore a tropical island, navigating winding paths around the island and dodging fireballs that rained down from the sky. This island was also home to an ancient idol, Vul-Kar, that sat at the top of a mountain, containing a jewel of immense wealth. The objective of the game was to steal the jewel and escape the island with it. This task was easier said than done as the player harboring the jewel would then become the target of the others, who would try and steal it for themselves.
This game made our list of the best games of the 80s, so check that article out for more nostalgic gems from that era.
In 2018, an updated version of the game was produced by Restoration Games that was funded through Kickstarter in it’s first hour and raised over $2.5 million! There were significant changes made to this iteration including an expanded board and changes to the gameplay that made luck less of a factor when it comes to winning or losing.
Set-Up Fireball Island Board Game
The game can take a little while to set up as it comes packed full of well-crafted components, but the gameplay experience is well worth it! The board itself is so large it comes in a few different sections to piece together, but once done the idol of Vul-Kar is set atop the highest peak on the board with the jewel inside. Treasure tokens are randomly distributed across the board face down and the other relevant components like the palm trees, rope bridges, and ember marbles are placed appropriately. You can also add the spider launcher as part of the game’s expansion content. The several decks of cards (snapshot, souvenir, and action) are shuffled and placed face-down near the board. The cataclysm tracker is placed next to the scar on the island, and everyone chooses a figure to play as. This is then placed in the Hello-copter and the game can begin.
How to Play Fireball Island Board Game
Everyone begins the game in the helicopter situated near the helipad. The game is played by following action cards, which predominantly dictate the action in Fireball Island. Players start with two in their hand and they begin by playing one of them. These cards will indicate the number of spaces a player can move and dictate any actions that can be taken. Whilst a player must move the exact number of spaces indicated, it’s their choice whether they wish to perform the action or not. Players can move in any direction but cannot change direction mid-move, so much stick with their decision once it’s made. There’s plenty to explore on the island though so whichever way players go they’re bound to find something interesting. After playing a card and following its instructions they may take another one before ending their turn.
As players explore the island they will come across many obstacles and treasures. They’ll work their way across muddy patches, navigate their way through cave systems, and scale rickety bridges and ladders. Cave entrances are numbered and when entering them, players roll a dice to see which cave they exit out from. It’s a great way to span vast distances quickly but is very much luck-based. Tree roots that litter the floor can easily be hopped over, but any ladders and bridges are so unstable that as soon as contact is made with them players must stop immediately. If a player comes into contact with a snapshot space they may take the corresponding card which will grant them additional points at the end of the game. Whenever a player passes a treasure token next to a space they cross they may take it but keep it face down until the end of the game. There’s no limit to how many treasures can be collected each turn. This applies to the Heart of Vul-Kar also, when a player reaches the space where the jewel resides they can grab the treasure. However, if a player passes the person in possession of the jewel, they may steal it for themselves.
After players have moved, they can perform the action on their card if they wish, which involves doing one of three things. Players may rotate the Vul-Kar figure or a tree in any direction. This will have a knock-on effect on how the marbles come cascading down the island. Speaking of which: ember marbles can be pushed to cause chaos for everyone (sometimes the pusher included). One is pushed at a time and if it falls off the island that player loses a treasure and everyone that was knocked over stands back up. A cataclysm card sees all fireballs placed into Vul-Kar! Once this is done, a marble is added to the cataclysm tracker, which will lead towards the end of the game over time.
Obviously, during all this, players will inevitably be knocked down at some point and if they are they will lose a treasure. If they are knocked down by somebody else they must give up a treasure to them. Otherwise, if it was their own fault they must then sacrifice their treasure.
Play continues until the scar has four marbles, or a player enters the helipad with three different coloured snapshots. This will prompt the Hello-copter to return so players can escape the island. Players have a maximum of two turns to return to the copter before the game ends and if they reach it in time can take an additional treasure from the maw, a treasure token, or the lucky penny! When the game ends everyone totals up their points from all the treasures they collected and whoever has the highest score is declared the winner.
Fireball Island Board Game offers a hectic but fun experience for players but the fun doesn’t end there. Like plenty of games out there, there are several purchasable expansions to add to the mix. These offer the ability to add a fifth player, legendary artifacts to find, bees and tigers to dodge, new sections to the gameboard, and even a pirate ship!
Comparison: Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar vs. Fireball Island: Race to Adventure
Both versions of Fireball Island—The Curse of Vul-Kar and Race to Adventure—provide players with an exhilarating experience, but they each offer distinct gameplay elements and strategies.
Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar is a revamped and expanded version of the original game, replete with modern enhancements, including a larger board, well-crafted components, and refined mechanics that elevate the strategic aspect of gameplay. The focus in this version is on exploring the diverse terrain of the island, collecting treasures, avoiding various hazards, and navigating the game board through meticulous planning and a measure of risk-taking. The integration of action cards adds an element of strategy, influencing player movement and the impacts of the formidable Vul-Kar idol, all while managing the chaos brought about by ember marbles and different terrains.
On the other hand, Fireball Island: Race to Adventure keeps the core excitement and charm of the original game but simplifies the gameplay, making it more accessible to a broader audience. The emphasis here is on a streamlined race format, where players rush across the island to complete specific objectives while dodging fireballs. The linear nature of this version allows for a faster-paced and more direct gaming experience, which is particularly appealing for newer players or those looking for a more straightforward but still thrilling adventure.
In conclusion, while Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar provides a deeper, more strategic gameplay experience appealing to enthusiasts who enjoy nuanced planning and exploration, Fireball Island: Race to Adventure offers a more accessible and faster-paced alternative, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or for those new to the Fireball Island universe. Each version brings its own unique flavor to the table, ensuring that players can select the version that best suits their preferred style of play.
Expansions for Fireball Island
Expanding the realm of Fireball Island isn’t just an option; it’s a fantastic way to enhance and diversify your gaming experience. There are several expansions available, each bringing new elements, challenges, and opportunities to the volcanic island. Here’s a look at some of the key expansions:
1. The Last Adventurer: This expansion introduces a fifth player to the game, making it perfect for larger groups. In addition to the new player, this expansion brings a variety of new elements, such as snakes, a giant spider, and new treasures that add extra layers of excitement and unpredictability to the gameplay. The Last Adventurer also includes unique player powers that provide additional strategic options.
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Bees: Adding a delightful yet dangerous twist, this expansion features tigers and bees. Tigers prowl around the island and can pounce on unsuspecting players, while swarms of bees can chase and sting the characters, causing them to lose treasures. This expansion introduces new mechanics that require players to stay vigilant and adapt quickly to survive these new threats.
3. Wreck of the Crimson Cutlass: Taking the adventure onto the high seas, this expansion adds a pirate ship to the game. Players can explore the wreck of the Crimson Cutlass, uncovering pirate treasures and facing new hazards such as cannons and rolling cannonballs. This nautical addition provides a refreshing change of scenery and new strategic opportunities as players navigate the treacherous waters.
4. Treasure Trove: For those who crave even more variety, the Treasure Trove expansion offers a slew of legendary artifacts and unique treasures to discover. These powerful items grant special abilities or significant advantages, encouraging players to explore every nook and cranny of the island to find them. The addition of these unique items enhances the player’s treasure-hunting excitement and strategic gameplay.
5. Spider Springs: Adding to the island’s array of thrilling dangers, the Spider Springs expansion introduces an entirely new section of the game board. This eerie, web-infested area is home to giant, bouncing spiders that can leap across the board, knocking players off their paths and causing general havoc. Players will need to navigate this treacherous terrain with care, as the spiders can also seize treasures and move them to difficult-to-reach locations. New action cards specifically designed for Spider Springs add even more strategic depth, giving players the chance to redirect spider movements or protect themselves from their attacks. With the inclusion of Spider Springs, the stakes are higher, and the adventure becomes even more exhilarating as players vie to outmaneuver these creepy crawlers and secure their treasures.
Each expansion not only enriches the base game with new rules and components but also adds thematic flair that keeps the adventure fresh and engaging. Whether you’re looking to include more players, introduce new challenges, or explore uncharted territories, the Fireball Island expansions are sure to elevate your gaming experience and keep the volcanic excitement alive.
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Summary:
Fun and frantic gameplay
Well-made components
Simple rules
Expansions to try
Nostalgic feels
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Final Verdict
Fireball Island Board Game is an exciting adventure game full of thrills and surprises for all ages. Restoration Games have done an excellent job of revamping the original and it’s clear that a lot of thought and love went into the development of the game. The concept is simple but the challenge that’s offered is great. As frustrating as it is seeing your character knocked off the rope bridge, it’s just as fun seeing your opponents get flattened by the marbles you just dropped down Vul-Kar. Offering well-crafted components, fun gameplay, and a few expansions to expand on the experience, you’ll be visiting this island again and again.
Fireball Island makes our list of the best dexterity games for kids. Check out the rest of the list for other great options for flicking, stacking, and the like.
If You Liked This:
If your thrill-seeking lifestyle isn’t satisfied with Vul-Kar’s island, below are some similar games full of action and adventure :
Forbidden Island: Join a team of adventurers on a mission to capture four sacred treasures. Work together and escape the island before it sinks with you on it!
Lost Ruins of Arnak: Combining deck-building and worker placement, players explore an uninhabited island in search of lost artifacts and to uncover mysterious secrets. Choices and actions are limited so player must use their wits to utilize their resources properly.
King of Monster Island: Based off of King of Tokyo, players take the role of a Kaiju and work together to take on an even bigger boss monster. Fans of monster movies will love this action-packed, dice-rolling game.
The Lost Expedition: Search for the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett through a perilous jungle. Uncovering all kinds of dangers and pitfalls, players will have to use their resources responsibly in order to escape with their lives.
The Quest for El Dorado: Embark on a quest in South America to search for the legendary land of gold. Players assemble and equip their teams as best as possible to reach the riches first.