Difference between revisions of "Fireball Island"
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[[Image:Fireball Island - Box - Cover.jpg|thumb|256x256px|Box cover.]] | [[Image:Fireball Island - Box - Cover.jpg|thumb|256x256px|Box cover.]] | ||
| − | '''''Fireball Island''''' is a board game designed by Bruce Lund and Chuck Kennedy and published by [[Milton Bradley]] in 1986. The game uses a raised plastic game board with Vul-Kar, a tribal idol, sitting at the top protecting a huge ruby. Several paths lead up to the ruby, and players work their way up to it, however, the idol also spews forth fireballs which roll down on the players impeding their progress. | + | '''''Fireball Island''''' is a [[board game]] designed by Bruce Lund and Chuck Kennedy and published by [[Milton Bradley]] in 1986. The game uses a raised plastic game board with Vul-Kar, a tribal idol, sitting at the top protecting a huge ruby. Several paths lead up to the ruby, and players work their way up to it, however, the idol also spews forth fireballs which roll down on the players impeding their progress. |
| + | ==Personal== | ||
I first played this game at my brother's friend's house around 1988. We were really impressed with game, and convinced our parents to buy it for us as well. If memory serves, we only played it a handful of times before becoming bored with it. Despite the game being a bit repetitive, I was especially fond of it because it had such an imaginative aspect to it. All the art and detail of the board and cards made the game more exciting, and I remember adding the game pieces into my toy collection and playing with them outside of the game. | I first played this game at my brother's friend's house around 1988. We were really impressed with game, and convinced our parents to buy it for us as well. If memory serves, we only played it a handful of times before becoming bored with it. Despite the game being a bit repetitive, I was especially fond of it because it had such an imaginative aspect to it. All the art and detail of the board and cards made the game more exciting, and I remember adding the game pieces into my toy collection and playing with them outside of the game. | ||
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===Good=== | ===Good=== | ||
* An amazing amount of detail was put into the game's presentation. The box is fantastic looking, the game board has all sorts of little details, the card art is well-painted, the plastic miniatures that come with the game are well-sculpted, etc. | * An amazing amount of detail was put into the game's presentation. The box is fantastic looking, the game board has all sorts of little details, the card art is well-painted, the plastic miniatures that come with the game are well-sculpted, etc. | ||
| − | * The rolling fireballs, though they're only red glass marbles, gives the game a very interesting action element not present in most board games. | + | * The rolling fireballs, though they're only red glass marbles, gives the game a very interesting action element not present in most board games. I especially like how they knock over bridges and hit other fireballs causing them to move as well. |
* The random cave system is a nice addition because players might find a short cut, or waste several turns trying to get a decent position. I especially like cave #4 on the cliff face over the rapids. | * The random cave system is a nice addition because players might find a short cut, or waste several turns trying to get a decent position. I especially like cave #4 on the cliff face over the rapids. | ||
* The game's manual adds flavor by naming the various paths. | * The game's manual adds flavor by naming the various paths. | ||
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* The game is targeted for kids, and it shows. The mechanics are fairly basic, so there isn't much room for strategy. | * The game is targeted for kids, and it shows. The mechanics are fairly basic, so there isn't much room for strategy. | ||
* The glass marbles aren't heavy enough, and they often just gently push the player pawns a few inches. Steel marbles painted red would have been a better choice. | * The glass marbles aren't heavy enough, and they often just gently push the player pawns a few inches. Steel marbles painted red would have been a better choice. | ||
| − | * The game play never really lives up to the amazing artwork. The artwork makes the game feel like [[Indiana Jones]], but the game is more like playing with [[plastic army men]]. | + | * The game play never really lives up to the amazing artwork. The artwork makes the game feel like ''[[Indiana Jones (universe)|Indiana Jones]]'', but the game is more like playing with [[plastic army men]]. |
| + | * The raised plastic board, combined with the marbles being placed precariously on it, means that fireballs often fall down when they're not meant to, and player's pawns are frequently knocked about. | ||
* The plastic pieces, the bridges especially, are easily broken. | * The plastic pieces, the bridges especially, are easily broken. | ||
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* Nothing. | * Nothing. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Media== |
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Fireball Island - Box - Cover.jpg|The cover of the box. | Fireball Island - Box - Cover.jpg|The cover of the box. | ||
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==Videos== | ==Videos== | ||
| − | + | {{YouTube|0ujgywX-z9c|Commercial.}} | |
| − | + | {{YouTube|VJ0xw3KGZTM|Board Game Museum - Review.}} | |
| − | + | {{YouTube|AfA6KxGAdOk|Board James - Review.}} | |
| − | + | {{YouTube|i4CBkIgRySI|Remake announcement.}} | |
| − | |||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
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[[Category: Games]] | [[Category: Games]] | ||
[[Category: Board Games]] | [[Category: Board Games]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Multiplayer Alternating versus]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:01, 30 March 2024
Fireball Island is a board game designed by Bruce Lund and Chuck Kennedy and published by Milton Bradley in 1986. The game uses a raised plastic game board with Vul-Kar, a tribal idol, sitting at the top protecting a huge ruby. Several paths lead up to the ruby, and players work their way up to it, however, the idol also spews forth fireballs which roll down on the players impeding their progress.
Personal
I first played this game at my brother's friend's house around 1988. We were really impressed with game, and convinced our parents to buy it for us as well. If memory serves, we only played it a handful of times before becoming bored with it. Despite the game being a bit repetitive, I was especially fond of it because it had such an imaginative aspect to it. All the art and detail of the board and cards made the game more exciting, and I remember adding the game pieces into my toy collection and playing with them outside of the game.
Review
Good
- An amazing amount of detail was put into the game's presentation. The box is fantastic looking, the game board has all sorts of little details, the card art is well-painted, the plastic miniatures that come with the game are well-sculpted, etc.
- The rolling fireballs, though they're only red glass marbles, gives the game a very interesting action element not present in most board games. I especially like how they knock over bridges and hit other fireballs causing them to move as well.
- The random cave system is a nice addition because players might find a short cut, or waste several turns trying to get a decent position. I especially like cave #4 on the cliff face over the rapids.
- The game's manual adds flavor by naming the various paths.
Bad
- The game is targeted for kids, and it shows. The mechanics are fairly basic, so there isn't much room for strategy.
- The glass marbles aren't heavy enough, and they often just gently push the player pawns a few inches. Steel marbles painted red would have been a better choice.
- The game play never really lives up to the amazing artwork. The artwork makes the game feel like Indiana Jones, but the game is more like playing with plastic army men.
- The raised plastic board, combined with the marbles being placed precariously on it, means that fireballs often fall down when they're not meant to, and player's pawns are frequently knocked about.
- The plastic pieces, the bridges especially, are easily broken.
Ugly
- Nothing.
Media
The cover of the box.
The back of the box.
The game board.
Another picture of the board.
The various game cards.
The instruction manual.
Videos
Links
- boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1768/fireball-island - Board Game Geek.
- restorationgames.com/fireball-island - Restoration Games remake.
