Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
1961 is a Cold War card game where players take turns bolstering their nation, spying on enemies, and launching missiles. As tensions mount, the threat of nuclear war looms overhead, and players strive toward technological victory, world peace, or mutually assured destruction.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Read the full game description
1961 is a Cold War card game where players take turns bolstering their nation, spying on enemies, and launching missiles. As tensions mount, the threat of nuclear war looms overhead, and players strive toward technological victory, world peace, or mutually assured destruction. Players take turn drawing one card, playing one card, and activating any available buildings. There are three ways to play a card - as an Action (one-time use), as a Building (permanent, destructible resource), or as Supply (face down on a building, acting defensively). Launching missiles is the primary mechanic of the game. Players must take caution though, as each launch risks activating enemy counter missile known as Response Systems. 1) Win the Space Race by stacking five cards on your Moon Lander. 2) Build 3 Embassies to achieve diplomatic world peace. 3) Be the sole survivor of a nuclear wipeout. - Description from the Publisher