10 Retro Weather-Themed Board Games You Forgot Existed
Dive into the unpredictable world of retro weather-themed board games, where stormy seas, blizzards, and tornadoes test your survival skills in wild and whimsical ways!
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Step back into the history of board games when weather wasn’t merely a setting, but the ultimate obstacle. From sailing through treacherous waters in Stormy Seas to fighting off lethal blizzards in Frostbite, these classic games made natural disasters into exciting challenges of strategy and chance. Whether you’re avoiding tornadoes or forecasting the next downpour, these classic games allow players to fight the elements in unforgettable fashion.
1. Stormy Seas (1975)
Image from Geeky Hobbies
This seafaring adventure game saw players navigate turbulent waters and battle fierce storms. The game used a clever mechanic with dice and a storm dial that dictated how much chaos the weather would bring to your journey. Winning required not just navigating the seas but also outlasting the fury of unpredictable weather.
2. Tornado Rex (1990)
Image from Google Arts & Culture
A strange but fun game in which a gigantic tornado was set to destroy every dinosaur on the board. The players had to move the land without destroying the Tornado Rex, which could move randomly anywhere on the board, making each turn a thrill. The 3D board gave an additional thrill as players could see the devastation happening in front of their eyes.
3. Cloud 9 (2000)
Image from BoardGameGeek
In Cloud 9, you play as air travelers trying to land the highest, most secure cloud before storms or crashes knock you down. The catch? Each round, a random weather event appears that can disrupt your flight. This was a game of combining luck and strategy as you endeavored to outfly your competitors’ cloud-leaping flights.
4. Hurricane (1983)
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Players control a small island while attempting to weather the approaching hurricane in this game. They have to collect resources and escape the island while keeping tabs on capricious weather systems that shift across the board. It’s a stressful game, with increasing water levels and shifting weather making every choice paramount.
5. Blizzard: The Game of Survival (1994)
Image from A Board Game A Day
It is a survival game during a blizzard where players are stuck in the snow and must scavenge for supplies to survive the storm. Players must contend with dropping temperatures, hazardous conditions, and even wildlife as they rush to find shelter. The game put your survival skills to the test, as even a minor mistake could result in failure.
6. Weather or Not (1987)
Image from eBay.ph
It is a light-hearted game in which players take turns trying to guess the weather for the following day. The twist? Everyone has varying weather forecasts, and the board adds wild cards, such as thunderstorms or sun breaks, to mix things up. It was a great, quick-playing game that also provided an early glimpse of how various weather events might affect daily life.
7. The Weather Game (1981)
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In this timeless game, players compete against one another to construct their ideal weather systems by drawing cards for the weather. Natural disasters and unusual weather phenomena such as floods and tornadoes were part of the game, which could hinder players or compel them to change their strategies. The combination of strategy and luck made the players work harder while attempting to construct the perfect climate.
8. Rain or Shine (1972)
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This easy but entertaining game was all about forecasting the next change in the weather on a day-to-day level. Players had to wager on whether the next roll of the dice would result in sunshine, rain, or storms. The closer your forecasts, the more points you score, resulting in a fun, fast-paced game of weather forecasting.
9. Thunderstorm Challenge (1980)
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It is a competitive strategy game in which players guard a village against an approaching thunderstorm. They must strategically position their “weather defenses” like umbrellas, sandbags, and barricades to minimize the storm damage each turn. If the storm is too much, the player loses the game, giving each move an element of urgency.
10. Frostbite (1993)
Image from 3DJoes
It is a terrifying game in which the player tries to survive in the harsh winter, coping with frostbite while exploring the barren, icy wild. The game consists of a series of challenges where players will collect food, construct shelters, or succumb to frigidity. Planning and risking it, and it’s literally a battle between time and chilly weather conditions.