Thunder Road (board game)
Post-apocalyptic racing board game with combat and infinite roadway.
Thunder Road (also called ThunderRoad or Le Survivant) is a board game with a post-apocalyptic racing theme. Designed by Jim Keifer, it was originally released by Milton Bradley. Players control four different vehicle types, ranging from a souped-up dune buggy to a gyrocopter, and compete on a road that stretches indefinitely. The objective is either to be the last team with vehicles still running—by destroying all opposing teams—or to simply pull ahead of the other racers.
**Gameplay**
Before starting, players must assemble the game pieces, which can take about ten minutes the first time due to their complexity. The switch-and-link board is then set up with hazard areas (called wrecks), and each player picks a color. The first round has each player roll three yellow dice and move each of their vehicles the number of spaces shown on the corresponding die. After this initial movement, the rest of the game involves rolling to move and also trying to attack opponents.
Attacks can be made by ramming another vehicle, shooting at it with vehicle-mounted artillery, or using the aerial vehicle—the Gyrocopter. As the race continues, the board is constantly extended by adding the Rear Board section at the back. One way to beat an opponent is to get all of your cars and the chopper onto the forward-most section (the Lead Board) faster than the other players. If a player’s vehicles are still on the Rear Board when another player reaches the end of the Lead Board, those lagging vehicles are removed from the game permanently—they have been “outrun.” The Gyrocopter is an exception: it can stay in play as long as its owner has at least one car still running.
- Inventor
- Jim Keifer
- Publisher
- Milton Bradley
- Current rights holder
- Hasbro
- Year published
- 1986
- Modernized version
- Thunder Road: Vendetta (2023, Restoration Games)
- Number of vehicle types
- 4
- Win conditions
- Eliminate all other teams or outdistance them
Quick Facts
- Other Names
- Le Survivant
- Designer
- Jim Keifer
- Illustrator
- Paul Alexander
- Publisher
- Milton Bradley
- Years
- 1986–present
- Genre
- Board game
- Language
- English
- Players
- 2–4
- Playing Time
- 45'
- Ages
- 10+
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Thunder Road was invented by Jim Keifer and published by Milton Bradley in 1986. The game features four different vehicles, including a modified dune buggy and a gyrocopter, which players use to race down an infinite roadway. The goal is to be the last player team alive by eliminating all other vehicle teams, or to outrun the other teams. Hasbro currently owns the rights to the game, having acquired Milton Bradley in 1984. A modernized version, Thunder Road: Vendetta, was released in 2023 by Restoration Games.
Reader's Guide
Thunder Road is notable as a post-apocalyptic racing board game that combines movement with combat. Gameplay begins with each player rolling three yellow dice and moving their vehicles accordingly. Attacks can be made by ramming, shooting with vehicle-mounted artillery, or using the aerial Thunder Chopper. The game board is constantly extended using a Rear Board section; players can beat opponents by getting all their vehicles onto the forward-most Lead Board faster. Any vehicles still on the Rear Board when another player reaches the end of the Lead Board are permanently removed, except for the Thunder Chopper, which remains in play as long as the player has at least one running car. The game's significance lies in its unique blend of racing and elimination mechanics, and its enduring appeal led to a modernized version in 2023.
Did You Know?
- The game is also known as ThunderRoad and Le Survivant.
- First-time setup can take approximately ten minutes due to game piece complexity.
- The Gyrocopter can stay in play as long as a player has at least one running car remaining.
- Hasbro acquired Milton Bradley in 1984, before Thunder Road was published in 1986.
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