RETRO TOY FLASHBACK # 79: Buck Rogers: Battle for the 25th Century Game (TSR; 1988)

In 1988, TSR (the company behind the mega-popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons) released an expansive and fun strategy board game based on the classic Dille character Buck Rogers. The game (which is for 2 to 6 players, ages 10 and up) was not related to the 1979 NBC-TV series (starring Gil Gerard and Erin Gray). Rather, in some sense, it sought to make the BR universe a bit more believable (and less campy). All the familiar characters were here, but made a little more "serious." There was no sign of Twiki (bi-di-bi-di...) anywhere.

"The fate of the solar system is in your hands!" the back of the box shouted. And looking at all the various and sundry pieces of the game (including spaceships, killer satellites and industrial factories), it seems like you do have an entire solar system at your command.

In all, there were over 360 playing pieces, 54 playing cards, over 200 heavy cardboard counters, 50 plastic chips, five 10-sided dice and 2 rule books. In other words, if you were to get a few of your friends together with this game, you'd be assured of hours (perhaps days...) of geek glory. Break open the Doritos...

Here's the set-up for the game: "It is the 25th century. A fierce war of colonization and Imperial conquest has thrown the Inner Planets of Our Solar System into Chaos." Specifically, warships "scream across the blackness of space, cutting swaths of destruction" throughout out solar system.

Into this world comes "Buck Rogers - a man of the 20th century," to fight injustice. "In this game, you pick sides; you control vast armies and one of several heroes (or villains)...The onslaught is coming."

Opposing you as Buck Rogers were space pirates "led by Black Barney" and "would-be conquerers, Killer Kane and Ardala."

Sounds fun, doesn't it? Sadly, I never really got to play this terrific-looking game with any buddies. By 1988, I was away at college and off on other things (namely, shooting no-budget movies with titles such as Slaves of the Succubus and Intruder). I *think* this game came into my possession for about a dollar sometime in the early nineties (courtesy of a flea market). But it sure as hell looks fun, doesn't it? Anyone out there remember it?

I'm saving this game for Joel (who turns 2 soon). Of course, by the time he's ready for it, we'll all be playing games like this on virtual reality head sets...