The 1970s was one of the best decades for board games. While many classic games such as Monopoly, Risk, and Clue were rising in popularity, many new and innovative board games were introduced and published. A lot of these games have stood the test of time because even now they are still widely played and loved. Some of them have even been remade with changes in art, gameplay, etc.
Here we’ll go over a few board games that were published in the ’70s. Some games in this list are classic family games you’ve probably seen at a friend’s house or in a tv show, and others are heavier strategy games that are considered pioneers and paved the way for modern board game giants.
1. Dune (1979)
Dune is a classic strategy game based on the popular science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. It was first released in 1979 and has since become a cult classic. The game is set in the fictional universe of Arrakis, a desert planet where the most valuable commodity is the spice melange. Players take on the roles of various factions vying for control of the planet and its resources.
The game is designed for two to six players and can take two to four hours to complete, depending on the player count and the game’s overall flow. It is a game of strategy and a bit of resource management, as players must carefully manage their spice in order to gain control of the planet. Spice is the only resource and an extremely important one, too. Players must use their spice in order to recruit forces, bid on cards, battle other players, and more. The game also features a variety of cards which are either weapons for attacking other players, shields for defending against others, or special action cards which can fully influence the game.
The game has been praised for its complexity and depth, as well as its thematic elements as it captures the essence of the novel and its characters. It has also been known for its replayability, as the game can be played multiple times with different strategies, alliances, and outcomes.
Overall, Dune is a great game for those looking for a deep and engaging experience, whether you are a fan of the novel or not.
2. Cosmic Encounter (1977)
Cosmic Encounter is a classic board game that has been around and developing since 1977. It is a game of diplomacy and negotiation, where players take on the role of alien races competing for control of the universe. The game is set in a distant future, where each player is the leader of an alien race (some stranger than others), and they must use their resources and abilities to inhabit 5 foreign planets and gain control of the universe.
The game doesn’t have a board; instead, each player gets five home planet tiles and 20 ship tokens. Players take turns moving their ships around the galaxy through the hyperspace gate, attempting to colonize other home planets. Each player represents an alien race with a unique special ability that makes up the main strategy of that race. Some races are aggressive in nature, others are more diplomatic and peaceful, and others are downright weird. These special abilities are mostly asymmetrical and lob-sided, but that doesn’t mean some players are bound to lose. There are numerous methods to gaining victory, and only one of them concerns your special ability so never lose hope in Cosmic Encounter.
Cosmic Encounter is one the most replayable games yet because every combination of alien races causes a different flow in the game. Even if the aliens are the same in two different games, there are many elements that widely influence the game and make it a separate experience. I assure you; no two games of Cosmic Encounter will feel the same; after all, it is a game with endless possibilities.
3. Uno (1971)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you should know about this one. Uno is a classic card game that has been around for decades. It is a fast-paced game that is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.
The game is played with a deck of 108 cards. The cards are divided into four colors: red, green, blue, and yellow. Each color has 25 cards, numbered 0-9, and four action cards (Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, and Wild). The remaining eight cards are Wild Draw Four cards.
To begin the game, each player is dealt seven cards. The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table to form a draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is turned over to form the discard pile.
Players take turns playing a card from their hand. In order to play a card, it must have the same value or the same color as the top card in the discard pile. After that the action on the card must be performed, if any. Originally, Uno has 5 different action cards, but many players make their own rules for other cards to add to the fun. If a player can’t or doesn’t want to play a card, they must draw a card from the deck and skip their turn. At any point during the game whenever a player has only one card left in hand, they must declare “Uno”, hence the name. The first player to get rid of all of their cards wins the game.
Uno is a great game for family game nights or for a group of friends. It is easy to learn and can be played in a short amount of time. It is also a great way to teach children basic math skills, as they must add up the numbers on their cards to determine the total value of their hand. With its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay, Uno is sure to provide hours of fun for everyone.
4. Guess Who? (1979)
This one is another classic you may know about. Guess Who? is a classic two-player game suitable for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to get everyone involved in a fun and interactive game.
The game is simple; players each have a board with a set of characters on it and they take turns asking questions about the characters on the other player’s board. The goal is to eliminate irrelevant characters and figure out which one the other player has chosen. The player who guesses correctly wins the game.
The game is great for teaching kids about deductive reasoning and problem-solving. It also encourages them to think outside the box and come up with creative questions. It’s also a great way to get kids to practice their communication skills, as they have to ask questions and listen carefully to the answers.
5. War of the Ring (1977)
The War of the Ring is a 1977 board game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. It is a two-player game, with one player taking the role of the forces of the Free Peoples (Elves, Dwarves, and Humans) and the other player taking the role of the forces of Sauron. The game is designed to simulate the events of the War of the Ring, with the Free People attempting to destroy the One Ring and the dark forces of Sauron attempting to capture it.
The game is played on a large map of Middle-Earth, with the players taking turns to move their forces and engage in battles. The game also features a number of special rules, such as the use of the Palantir and the Nazgûl, as well as the use of special cards to represent the events of the War of the Ring.
The game was well-received by critics and fans alike, and is still considered one of the best board games based on The Lord of the Rings. It was also one of the first board games to feature a detailed map of Middle-earth, and its use of special rules and cards to represent the events of the War of the Ring was innovative for its time. The game is praised for its balance, with both sides having an almost equal chance to win.
Overall, War of the Ring is an excellent board game that captures the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Even though I have yet to watch a single Lord of the Rings movie, I fully enjoyed the remake on the table. It is a classic game that is still enjoyed by fans of the books and board games alike.
6. 221B Baker Street: The Master Detective Game (1975)
221B Baker Street: The Master Detective Game is a classic game based on the famous Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The game is designed for two to six players and is a great way to spend an evening with friends and family.
The game is set in the world of Sherlock Holmes and players take on the role of the detective trying to solve certain criminal mysteries. The game board is a map of London with 221B Baker Street at the center. Players move around the board, visiting various locations and gathering clues to help them solve the mystery. The game also includes a deck of cards with clues and suspects, as well as a set of dice to help players move around the board.
The Master Detective Game is designed to be challenging and engaging. Players must use their deductive reasoning skills to figure out who the culprit is and how they committed the crime. The game also encourages players to think outside the box and use their imagination to come up with creative solutions.
Final Thoughts
As you can see in the pictures above, even though we’ve come a long way since the 70s, board games published in that decade have retained their popularity. Time and again they have been developed and re-published in different themes and styles. And there is no limit to the continuation of their development. What will people think about these games in another 50 years? Are they going to enjoy them still? Or will newer and more modern games take the place of the classics? I hope you enjoyed this list of the best games of the 70s and learned something about the progression of the world of board games. I would love to hear your comments if you have any insights or remember playing games in the ’70s. Also check out our lists of the best board games of the ’80s and the ’90s.
