Battleship
$16.99
Battleship at a Glance
| Game Type Deduction | Play Time 30 mins | Skill/Complexity (1 - 5) Easy |
| Age 8+ | Publisher(s) Hasbro | Published 1931 |
| Categories Children's Classic Classic | Players 2 | Rules Manual Official Rules PDF |
| Our Rating 7/10 | Cost $16.99 |
About – Description
Battleship was released in 1931 although it does have some links to L’Attaque which was played during the First World War. It was designed by Clifford Von Wickler and is a game that can only be played by 2 players aged 8 and over.
It’s a game of guess work and deduction that is considered to be more suitable for the younger audience.
Who’s it best suited for?
This is a great game for children (ages 8+) to enjoy as it is based on both guesswork and a tactical approach to eventually work out where the ships are located. Therefore, once children begin to play the game and hit targets, they have to take a methodical approach to how the game is played as well as work out the overall position of the ships.
Skill – Complexity
The game is very easy to play and does not require players to have any knowledge or real skill.
In the beginning, it involves guessing the target but as the game moves on, players then have to identify where opponents ships are located in order to hit them.
Set Up – Playing Rules & Instructions
Set up is simple, as players have to place their ships on their own grid, with each part of the ship being positioned on a corresponding grid marked by a letter and a number such as P10 or A6.
There are different ships of different sizes, adding a level of difficulty to the game. Once all of the ships are in place, the first player picks a target square and calls it out. If the player misses the opponent’s ship then the opponent places a white peg in that area, if it is a hit they mark it with a red peg and the player who made the move also marks their own tracking grid in order to keep track of where they have targeted.
Once all of the squares have been hit for a specific ship, the player declares the name of the ship that has been sunk.
The winner of the game is the first player to sink every ship of their opponent.
Versions – Editions
Battleships has been released in a number of countries although a wide range of editions have been released including a Pirates of the Caribbean Edition, Grab and Go Edition, Movie Edition and Travel Edition.
There is a long history to this game and its origins that you can read about on Wikipedia if game history is your thing.
Likes & Dislikes
This is considered to be a simple and light-hearted game that can be played in a matter of minutes and that is something that appeals to players.
Players see this as more of a filler game because of the way in which it can be set up and played in the middle of doing something else. However, it does have an element of nostalgia for some although some think that it can become slightly boring.
Final Thoughts
This is a bit of a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. The fact that it can be played by younger players makes it a great game for parents and children to challenge each other.
The short playing time should keep children engaged but overall, this is a very pleasing and enjoyable game.
