1971 brought about a variety of board games which included publications from Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI), the popular Mastermind first came on the market, and Avalon Hill, 3M Bookshelf Games, and Guidon Games got a few games out on the market within the year.
Buying Collectables – We have tried and continue to try our best to find places selling the games listed online for those interested in the collectables. (see each game if it has an available @ link).
Alexander the Great
An ancient war themed game first published by Guidon and then by Avalon Games in 1971 was Alexander the Great. Of course there are so many Alexander the Great games published. This was a hexed based game.
Dunkirk: The Battle of France
Another board game published by Guidon Games in 1971 was Dunkirk: The Battle of France, a World War ll wargame. The game could be played within three different scenarios which involved the British, French, Dutch and Belgians. The most difficult was Fortress Holland!
Executive Decision
Executive Decision was published by 3M Bookshelf Games. This was a economic game of negotiation which was heavy of on the math side of games and required a serious mind set. A one of kind game of its time.
Grunt
Grunt: The Game of Tactical Level Combat in Vietnam was published by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) and was redesigned as the popular Search and Destroy. Printed with (Strategy and Tactics) the Simulations Publications, Inc. magazine. A great collectable.
Landslide
Landslide was published by the popular Parker Brothers and had a very unique political theme. Players simply played along to get the most electoral votes to win the game. Another good collectable.
London Cabbie
An excellent theme of game was London Cabbie which was a card based game where players drive a taxi around the city of London to collect fares. Especially loved by the British and anyone attracted to anything about London. A cool and fun city based game!
Mastermind
Mastermind was a code breakers game and a huge hit in the 70’s, first published in 1971. A simple abstract strategy game of logic with many versions published since the original including electronic versions.
Nebula 19
Nebula 19 of interstellar war was a game published by the Mishler Company. A science fiction wargame that couldn’t really rival the likes of Stellar Conquest, Starforce, and Star Fall. Many players did get into playing the game while others couldn’t.
Origins of World War II
Origins of World War II, published in 1971 was quite a serious bookshelf game published by Avalon Hill with various mechanisms combined that made it an engaging wargame. There are similarities with this game and Diplomacy. Plays out in about an hour so it’s just a filler game.
Search & Destroy
Search & Destroy: Tactical Combat Vietnam 1965-1966 was a reworking of the board game Grunt published by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.). A tactical wargame with the scenarios being more broader than the former Grunt and a superb game of its time. A lot of stuff going on, or just enough without over complicating it.
Speed Circuit
Speed Circuit was first published by 3M games and then Avalon Hill. Great to see a distraction from wargames in the 70’s and the theme was superb for a game that required strategy. An excellent sports game for families and adults. One of the best racing games of its time.
Stay Alive
Stay Alive was first published by Milton Bradley and was widely advertised on TV. This was an abstract game using marbles that are placed on sliders, and these sliders open trap doors. Was published again during 2005 by Winning Moves. Simple and fun strategy game.
Voice of the Mummy
The Voice of the Mummy should have been the best fun and unique board game of the year and other years. This was an electronic, adventure and fantasy game with a difference……it had a mini record player. If you can get hold of one, then snap it up, they’re rare and so unique.
See all Board Games Published in the 70’s Here.
