The ET Board Game

Ah, the iconic rainbow motif of the 1980s never fails to evoke a sense of nostalgia. While many of us are well aware of the infamous ET video game debacle by Atari, not as many know about its board game counterpart. Who would have thought that our favorite extraterrestrial, E.T., would find his way into a board game adventure?

In this game, you and your fellow E.T.s embark on a mission around the board, all with the grand objective of constructing an intergalactic phone. Picture this: a circular jigsaw puzzle right at the heart of the board, representing this vital cosmic communication device. The concept might sound simple, but the gameplay was surprisingly engaging.

Now, let's be honest, the ET board game might not have achieved the monumental success of its video game sibling, but it did find its niche. From my personal experience playing it with my E.T.-enthusiast cousin, I'd say it was more of a "just okay" kind of game. The real charm, however, lay in the E.T. pieces themselves. These little alien figurines were downright awesome.

In our imaginative play sessions, these E.T. pieces took on a life of their own. We'd incorporate them as an extra race in the bustling ambiance of the Star Wars Cantina. And let me tell you, messing with the Aliens from Brodo Asogi (yes, I proudly wear the badge of being that kind of nerd) was not a wise move. These aliens, with their glowing fingers and wicked cool powers, added a whole new level of excitement to our gaming adventures.

So, while the ET board game might not have reached the same level of fame as its digital counterpart, it certainly had its unique charm, especially for creative minds eager to explore new realms of play. And hey, who wouldn't want to have glowing-fingered aliens with cool powers in their gaming universe? It's these quirky, unexpected delights that made the 1980s a playground of endless imagination and fun.

Enjoy this amazing commercial for the ET Board Game

On a more serious note. Sure, this wasn’t the greatest board game ever made, but at least it didn’t destroy Park Brothers and bring down an entire industry.