MishM*A*S*H 32: Milton Bradley Board Game

As readers know, my M*A*S*H collection primarily consists of objects related to the production of the show. Scripts, press material, objects from the set, books and memoirs, etc. are my primary focus. But there are some licensed products in my collection as well, and I thought I highlight some of the more fun items. M*A*S*H was a popular show in the 1970s and 1980s, so there were plenty of licensed products for fans to choose from. Some big name companies got on board with M*A*S*H merchandise including board game and puzzle maker Milton Bradley. They created a series of puzzles of the M*A*S*H cast, but, in 1981, they released a M*A*S*H board game. I’ve seen the board game for sale over the years, and I have always wondered what the object of the game was and whether it was fun to play. Let’s look at the M*A*S*H board game by Milton Bradley!

When you were strolling the aisles of your favorite store in the early 1980s, you would have likely seen items from M*A*S*H. One thing that you might have seen was this M*A*S*H board game by Milton Bradley. The box was likely to get a M*A*S*H fan’s attention with photos of Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Mike Farrell, and Jamie Farr on the cover. Then, there is a tag line “Excitement behind the front lines with your favorite T.V. characters.” That would have gotten my attention at least because I enjoy board games! The box indicates that the game was for agents 7 – 14, which is interesting because I think adults would enjoy the game as well. And after playing it, I also am not sure how many seven year olds would find it interesting.

Inside the game box, there are several components: 32 M*A*S*H cards, 24 patients, 4 Jeeps, 1 die, and 1 game board. The inside of the box lid has the game’s instructions. The object of the game is well summarized at the beginning in the following paragraph:

“Hawkeye Pierce, Major Margaret Houlihan, B.J. Hunnicutt, and Klinger of the M*A*S*H team, are hard at work once again bringing wounded safely to the Chopper Pad so the injured can start their journey home. It’s up to you to rescue at least six wounded and get a complete chopper to the Chopper Pad by moving along the path, in either direction…you do this by trying to land on M*A*S*H Spaces where you can collect wounded and chopper parts. But be careful, some of the M*A*S*H Cards on the M*A*S*H Spaces can hinder your rescue mission. The Supply Depot can help you complete your chopper so you can make a speedy escape to the Chopper Pad and send your wounded safely home. Beware of the Fire Zone Spaces where you will lose a turn and possibly lessen your chances of rescuing your wounded and getting your chopper. So select your favorite M*A*S*H character from the gameboard, roll the die, and begin your rescue mission.”

Game play for two to four players is pretty fun! It is an enjoyable, yet simple strategy game as you can move freely around the board to collect wounded and chopper cards. When you get to a crossroads on the game board, you really have to think about which direction to go. The real challenge is when the M*A*S*H Cards set you back or someone gets a card that allows them to steal wounded from your Jeep. Because of the open nature of the game board, things can get very competitive! I have played the game a few times, and I have really enjoyed it. It’s a good way to introduce non-M*A*S*H fans to the series at a game night.

There were hundreds, and likely thousands, of M*A*S*H products released over the course of the series’ run. As a fan of board games, this is one of my favorites. It is not a complicated premise, but board games don’t need to be. Some of the best games are simple and fun so people of all ages can participate. Unlike the M*A*S*H video game that Fox released in 1983, the board game is a better tie-in to the series as saving the wounded was the mission of the M*A*S*H crew. I have seen used M*A*S*H board games on eBay, and if you enjoy board games, I highly recommend adding this one to your collection.