The 1995 Board Game of Jumanji

The Jumanji board game was produced by Milton Bradley in 1995 and is based off the 1995 movie of the same name.  Both (movie and game) revolved around the picture book which was written by Chris Van Allsburg in 1981.  Jumanji means ‘many effects’ in Zulu, and playing the game brings about ‘many effects’ for players.  They find themselves engaged in risky actions and weird situations which were found in the movie and book.  Underneath the title of ‘Jumanji’ on the game box, the play is described as ‘a game for those who seek to find…a way to leave their world behind.’

For those who didn’t see the movie starring Robin Williams, it is about the discovery of a magical, treacherous board game.  When played, the perils encountered in the jungle on the board come alive, and threaten the players in actual life.  The game must then be completed for all to return to normal. (which is hard to do when a lion and other creatures are chasing you!)

The board game embraces this play.  Although the game is basically determined by the chance roll of dice, the adventurous theme and suspenseful possibility that all players could lose if the jungle overtakes them before finishing the game, does make Jumanji fun to play.  Especially, if players enjoyed the excitement in the movie or book.

Jumanji is recommended for ages 8 and up and for 2 to 4 players.  The board consists of four winding paths with a Jumanji decoder positioned in center.  On one side of this central playing area are 10 places for ‘jungle releases’ and is called the Doomsday Grid.  If these places are filled before a player wins the game (which is done by reaching center and yelling ‘Jumnaji’), all players lose.  The other side marks where to set the draw and discard pile of danger cards.  This side reminds players of the following:

Adventurers Beware:
Do not begin, unless you intend to Finish!

To play, each player rolls the dice and moves his piece accordingly towards center.  There are four different spaces on the jungle trail which involve special instructions to follow.  A player landing on a ‘wait 5 or 8 space’ indicates he must wait for another player to roll a 5 or 8 before moving on.  Landing on a ‘Rhino space’ allows a player to set the Rhino piece in front of any player.  This blocks the player from moving normally.  If the player rolls an even number, he can go around the Rhino. If not, he must wait until the Rhino is moved by another player landing on a ‘Rhino space.’

The two spaces which require the drawing of cards are the ‘suspenseful’ ones.  Special Jungle and Blank Jungle spaces have players draw ‘danger cards.’  A player slides the danger card into the center Jumanji decoder to read the secret message, and obtain the secret symbol and number.

Players then need to attempt rescue of that player by each rolling their own ‘Rescue die’.  The card drawn displays the symbol that needs rolled by players.  If the symbol revealed on the card (or the ‘wild’ symbol of the hourglass), is rolled by all players within the 8 second time limit, the player is rescued.  If not, the card is placed on the Doomsday Grid.  Like mentioned, if all ten Doomsday spaces are filled, before there is a winner, the game ends with all players losing. There are a few other details on rolls and game play, but these are the basic instructions.   The game can be exciting to play.

A Jumanji game picked up on Ebay, with the movie, along with some other jungle items, like stickers, a stuffed animal, or popcorn to munch on while playing the game and watching the movie, makes a unique gift basket idea for children between the ages 8 and 12.  It can then be played on a family game night.

A family game night which includes something other than playing Monopoly or Life is a welcomed change.  Although those games are classics and are enjoyed, finding and playing an old game adds something special to the family’s night of entertainment.  Jumanji is only one example of the many games which can be played.

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