I'm super addicted to Fireball Island

[Le Chuck]

So for the last 25 years or so I've had a totally awesome addiction to the Fireball Island board game.  Milton Bradley straight hit their peak with that bad boy.  If you haven't had the pleasure you've been missing out.  I'm totally going to rant out on this game for a bit because it's totally worth the hassle to get a board together but the TLDR version:  If you're out popping tags like Macklemore and come across one of these bad boys in the Good Will snatch it up.  You won't be disappointed. 

It was Christmas in 1986 and MOKAN got hit with an icestorm that knocked out power for a week.  Like day after Christmas to New Years.  It was brutal.  Brutally awesome because that year I unwrapped the coolest present ever, Fireball Island.  Sure, we could have all froze to death, but, luckily we had the warmth of revenge found in Fireball Island to keep us warm. As a family we must have played 20 games that holiday.  You're an explorer, and you have to race all the other sceevy less cool explorers to the top of this mountain to snatch a forbidden jewel from a terrible fireball belching angry island god that goes by the name of Vul-Kar.  It is seriously fun.  The board is all 3D, there are bridges to fall off, caves, smoulder pits to recouperate after eating a hot lunch of f-ing fireball goodness... awesomeness. 

Over the years Fireball Island may have been relegated to my closet only to be brought out during power outages, family gatherings, and other special events but it always burned brightly in my heart.  After college I returned home and went through my room to get my board but found the box missing, seems my evil older sister had gone through the house looking for things to sell. Well, I swore to get a new board but unfortunately they had become something of a rare collectors item and I couldn't justify the expense so I waited.  Waited and watched for Fireball Island to present itself to me again when the time was ripe.  When Vul-Kar once again would spew his firey balls of rage towards my mini plastic avatar...and heart.

Once I had kids I decided that I needed to introduce them to the greatest board game ever.

I bought a beat up copy on ebay for $75 and some replacement marbles. I'm short one token and that's it. Well that box lived in the garage for a few years waiting to get played and my boys are finally old enough to enjoy it. A few weekends ago I cracked it open and off the three of us went into the wilds of Fireball Island. Three intrepid explorers, 30 something or other, 6, and 4 lol. It's a complete hit, and I'm so happy to be passing it on I just wanted to share.

Also, I made a rulebook based on the way we played when I was a kid (family rules and whatnot) and added several variations that I posted over on the boardgame site but figured you're an eclectic group of swells that you'd get a kick out them and the tale.

The rules are based loosely on the 25th Anniversary rule book - another fan creation, I changed what needed changing and added quite a bit of my own flavor. 

Variations I included:

Team Expedition - team play
Hurry Up - two dice speed play
Fireball Island Shots - party game for the grown ups
Most Dangerous Game - clue variation which heavily involves dueling and negates the digging found in other variations.  Dueling was always a big part of family play growing up and this variation capatalizes on that fun.  Plus, adding clue weapons to the FBI game makes it even moar ridiculously bad ass and my boys love it.  Like they play every day.  That ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- is so ridiculous its shidiculous. 

Go, get a board, play this rad game.  My rules are below for anyone brave enough to face the terror of Fireball Island. 





 

[drventure]

Damnation! 350$ for a boardgame

I'll have to keep a close eye out on the garage sales around here.

Looks like a pretty cool game.

[pbj]

This thing wasn't cheap when it was new, and it came out right when everyone wanted an NES or SMS for Christmas.  I knew exactly one kid that had one.

Collected a lot of dust compared to Space Harrier.   

[wp34]

Great story and it looks like a cool game.  Too bad the game is so expensive.

[Vigo]

I see you posted your variant on BGG.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for some Fireball Island as well.

For me, my childhood "boardgame" was crossbows and catapults. We didn't play it as a board game though.

[ChadTower]

I remember Crossbows and Catapults.  Man that looked cool in the commercials.  I knew a kid that had it but his parents had brand new carpets and wouldn't let anyone inside to play.  And he couldn't bring it outside.   

[pbj]

I remember Crossbows and Catapults.  Man that looked cool in the commercials.  I knew a kid that had it but his parents had brand new carpets and wouldn't let anyone inside to play.  And he couldn't bring it outside.   

Yeah, that's because his parents didn't like you. 

That's okay, I had a friend who's mom would tell us crap like "the sega is getting too hot, you need to let it cool off for an hour" and it was probably 20 years before I realized she just wanted us out of the damn house.  Granted, those Master Systems did run hot....

[epetti]

Love this game. I fortunately have had it since I was a kid and it's in really good shape, but yeah when I checked it out on eBay it's been going for crazy prices. That and newly boxed Crossbows and Catapults (another favorite). We still actually play it pretty regularly with friends when they come over. It's always a hit.

[Le Chuck]

I think I played crossbows and catapults at a friends sleepover but it was mostly just launching stuff at each other.

I also just made a giant Jenga set from 2x4s for a party we're having but once we're all hammered I might just break out the FBI and play for shots.

[HaRuMaN]

I just picked up a Milton Bradley Torpedo Run not too long ago and just replaced all the rubber-bands.  Very fun game.

[DaveMMR]

I still have my copy of Torpedo Run, unless I left it at my old apartment when I moved (strong possibility).

And yeah, I always keep an eye out for Fireball Island when I'm at garage sales. Even with missing pieces, it's a good find if the price is right.

[Well Fed Games]

I remember having to convince my parents the game was ok despite having an "idol" in it. 

[Xiaou2]

Well, I remember playing FB Island vaguely.   I thought the board looked really cool, and of course I love any kind of contraption and or ball-coaster device...

 That said... I dont think I remember it being as fun as your recollection.   Maybe it was the games balance.   Who knows.


 One of my Fav board games.. was  Dark Tower.    It was played constantly.   Many times, without the board & pieces... by just passing the machine around.  Using the board makes it more challenging, so its better to play that way.   Its a sort of Electronic / Board game - D&D / Quest game.

 Dark Tower has an electronic tower for the main interaction.  It has a spinning wheel inside of it, that contain various transparencies.  When the wheel stops.. it shines one of three lights through the windows... and that tells you what has happened.   In addition, it has LED readouts, and sounds.   Its quite reliable and durable.

 In Dark Tower.. you are on a quest to defeat the tower & the evil Briggins within it.   As you travel in your territory.. you may find Gold, get Lost, get Sick,  .. as well as visit the Bazzar (Shop).    You can even haggle with the Shop owner..  (losing your turn "empty handed"  if he gets angered / offended).

 At the Shop, you can buy:

 - Food (else you and your men will die of starvation)
 - Warriors
 - Beast ( to help carry more gold and treasure.. .else you max out, and lose out)
 - Scout (to keep you from getting lost)
 - Healer (To heal sick men, keeping them from passing away)


 Along the way, you will need to find one key in each 3 of the four frontier areas / kingdoms.  On every move... you may get attacked by enemies.. which if victorious, can be rewarding.   If not... can cost you a lot of your men.  Only you can decide to run away.. or stay and fight... at any moment during combat.

 You can search Tombs & Ruins, for treasures..   Get attacked randomly by a Dragon.. losing men and treasure.  Find a Sword, to Counter the Dragon, and get rewarded in the process.   Get attacked by... or be rewared with a One-Time Wizzard - in which you can Curse any of the 3 other players.  They will lose a turn, lose men, and lose gold... of which will be transferred to you.

 When you find a key, you are allowed to leave your Frontier.   You may find a quick way to get there & cross the boarder.. If you are awarded a Pegasus.

 As you travel and fight... you try to gain more Gold, to buy more warriors, food, etc...   So that by the time you are to attack the Tower... the odds are in your favor.    Depending on the difficulty level you have chosen to start the game with...  the number of Briggins in the tower can be quite insane.   As is the level of difficulty of keeping your men alive and well fed...

 Once at the Tower... you have to guess the order of the lock, using the three keys.   If you mess up the order.. you will have to wait till its your turn again... to try again.    If you unlock the door..  a massive amount of Briggins will battle your warriors.

 
 The game takes some strategy.. especially with the harder difficulty levels.    Its also not without its own flaws.   Still, its a really great and unique game.   Though. quite expensive to find these days.


 ---  Other Gems ---

 Skittle Bowl
 Careful - The Toppling Tower Game
 Motoriffic sets
 Class "A" Racing
 Getaway Chase
 Frenzy - Mechanical ball drop game with dial control
 Score Four
 Barrel of Monkeys?  (its been a long time... so not sure )
 
 
Green Ghost Game (original version)    *( I believe the gameplay was flawed.. but this glow in the dark game is very interesting, artistic, and a very memorable experience for kids)
 

[Le Chuck]

I dont think I remember it being as fun as your recollection.   

I recollect playing it yesterday.  Literally yesterday, not figuratively, not metaphorically, I played Fireball Island a mere 24 hours ago.  It was a freaking blast, it was the most fun you can have with your clothes on.  It was better than the time Michael Jackson's sister came over to my house just to use the bathroom.   

[DaveMMR]

It was better than the time Michael Jackson's sister came over to my house just to use the bathroom.   

LaToya or Rebbie?

[lcmgadgets]

Never even heard of it, but it sounds & looks cool. Glad to hear u found another board, & r able to relive your memories. Always a good time. 

[pbj]

Dark Tower... it was only a matter of time.....

"things from when I was 12 are better from things when you were 12!"

Carry on.

[Xiaou2]

Dark Tower... it was only a matter of time.....

"things from when I was 12 are better from things when you were 12!"

Carry on.

 Drama Queen.   

 I was merely stating what game I love to play.   I also stated that we did have an FBI game as well.   And lastly, I mentioned a list of games that may predate my very existence.. or at least, were unplayable at crawling age.   (These games were my Uncles when he was a kid.. and were kept in great shape.  We were very fortunate to have gotten to play them...  and honestly, most of them were far more fun than the more modern toys of my years, and beyond...)

[DaveMMR]

James Rolfe (AVGN) did a video on FBI:

[kahlid74]

It's a lot of fun for sure.  I played it several times in between games of Crossfire, Life, Trouble, Thin Ice.

I love the 2x4 Jenga.  Super fun but dangerous with super drunk fools.  I took it to a Curling Bonspiel and it devolved into people throwing 2x4's everywhere.  lol.

[ChadTower]

It's a lot of fun for sure.  I played it several times in between games of Crossfire, Life, Trouble, Thin Ice.

I love the 2x4 Jenga.  Super fun but dangerous with super drunk fools.  I took it to a Curling Bonspiel and it devolved into people throwing 2x4's everywhere.  lol.

Jim Duggan will never be invited there again, lemme tell ya.

[Generic Eric]

I bid on a near complete version.  Final price was $102.50.
Needless to say, I did not win.

[eds1275]

I remember seeing that game around. For me, it was always Hero Quest. I was a nerd. Not much has changed.

Nowadays, if we play board games it's Krokonole or Carcassonne or Catan.

[kahlid74]

It's a lot of fun for sure.  I played it several times in between games of Crossfire, Life, Trouble, Thin Ice.

I love the 2x4 Jenga.  Super fun but dangerous with super drunk fools.  I took it to a Curling Bonspiel and it devolved into people throwing 2x4's everywhere.  lol.

Jim Duggan will never be invited there again, lemme tell ya.

I think Hacksaw Jim thinks otherwise lol!

[Le Chuck]

I might try and build a Crokinole board.  I've never played it but it has a fair following and looks fun. 

2x4 jenga got out of hand rather quickly at the last party and my kids haven't been able to put it down - it's their favorite toy this week so that's a win. 

[eds1275]

You might also try your hand at Skittles. The game, not the candy!

[knightrdrx]

Because it's the greatest board game ever! All sorts of strategies that can be used. Do you go up to the mountain first or head for the bridges and wait to swipe the jewel away while loading your hand with good cards. In high school my friend had it and we'd go to his house and play 162 game series for a whole summer..
When taking a card from someone we had to conceal our hand because he could pick out certain cards based on the big crease it had. He still has it at his parent's house while he is living in Chicago...I can't believe how much it goes for on ebay now. I'd sure like to borrow it but he doesn't trust us.

[Xiaou2]

Skittles is pretty fun...   though, its pretty much random chance.

 One of my favorites actually , was Skittle Bowl.

[Le Chuck]

Because it's the greatest board game ever! All sorts of strategies that can be used. Do you go up to the mountain first or head for the bridges and wait to swipe the jewel away while loading your hand with good cards. In high school my friend had it and we'd go to his house and play 162 game series for a whole summer..
When taking a card from someone we had to conceal our hand because he could pick out certain cards based on the big crease it had. He still has it at his parent's house while he is living in Chicago...I can't believe how much it goes for on ebay now. I'd sure like to borrow it but he doesn't trust us.

Great to hear from another disciple of Vul-Kar! (wow, that sounded really ghey when I wrote it lol)

If I'm playing the regular FBI I use two strategies, if I'm first or second towards the jewel I head up the mountain and try for good cards and good rolls.  If I'm third or fourth I'll head for the bridges and plan to steal the jewel if it passes; however, if I'm woefully behind due to bad rolls and fireballs I head for the caves. 

All that simple strategy goes out the window once you start playing FBI-variants.  We almost exlusively play the Most Dangerous Game variant now as my kids love the clue weapons being included in the game.  We play about twice a week and even with my little kids we've had games that run over 40 minutes but most of the time we'll get through the island in about 20. 

[Xiaou2]

 FBI  Expansion Packs

[knightrdrx]

how do u play a variation? is it in the manual or on that fan website?

[Le Chuck]

how do u play a variation? is it in the manual or on that fan website?

See first post in this thread, there is a rulebook attached.  That has the variations in it.  One change I need to upload, through play testing we have made subtle adjustments to the rules for dueling with weapons.  The jist is that you have to roll a one or a six to beat the stronger weapon.  Whip>Gun>Knife>Whip.  Before it was just a one and it could get a little lopsided very quickly.  I'll upload the adjusted copy soon.