Forbidden Bridge
A 1992 board game of treasure hunting and a shaking bridge.
Terre Arctica · CC BY-SA 4.0
Forbidden Bridge is a board game first released in 1992 by Milton Bradley. It simulates being a treasure hunter, with players assuming the role of explorers who seek ancient jewels guarded by an angry spirit.
- first_released
- 1992
- publisher
- Milton Bradley
- players
- 2 to 4
- ages
- 7 and up
- components
- bridge, idol, cliff, gameboard, explorer pawns, boats, jewels, dice, label sheet
- win_condition
- First player to retrieve two jewels and return them to their boat wins
Lore & Background
Forbidden Bridge was first released in 1992 by Milton Bradley. The game features a motorized idol that, when its head is pressed down, winds a motor and causes the idol's hands to shake the bridge, potentially causing players' pieces to fall. Players roll two dice: one numbered die and one special die with three possible outcomes—Idol, Explorer, and Jewel icons. The Idol icon triggers the bridge shaking; the Explorer icon allows moving another player's piece; the Jewel icon permits stealing a jewel from a player on the same space.
Reader's Guide
Forbidden Bridge is significant as a motorized board game from the early 1990s that combined luck and player interaction. Its shaking bridge mechanism, powered by pressing the idol's head, added a physical element to gameplay. The game's 2021 remake by Hasbro Gaming, sold exclusively at Target, indicates enduring interest. The game's box art and actual idol design differ, with the idol featuring five glyphs—stick figure, jewel, figure with jewel body, lightning, and skull—serving as thematic warnings. The game remains a notable example of Milton Bradley's output in the period.
Did You Know?
- The idol is motorized and does not require batteries; pressing its head winds the motor.
- The special die has three possible icons, each appearing on two of its six sides.
- The idol in the actual game has a space below its head containing five glyphs: a stick figure, a jewel, a stick figure with the jewel as its body, lightning, and a skull.
- The 2021 remake by Hasbro Gaming is exclusively sold at Target.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Forbidden Bridge?
Forbidden Bridge is a 1992 treasure-hunting board game from Milton Bradley where two to four players take on the role of explorers racing to claim ancient jewels. A vengeful spirit guards the treasure and keeps the rickety bridge in a state of dangerous vibration. It is rated for ages seven and up.
What role does the angry spirit play in Forbidden Bridge?
The spirit serves as the game's central antagonist, shaking the bridge and threatening to send any explorer tumbling toward the cliff below. Players must time their crossings and manage the hazard before they can reach the jewels on the far side.
How do you win Forbidden Bridge?
The first player to retrieve two jewels and carry them safely back to their own boat wins the game. The return trip across the unstable bridge, with the spirit still active, is what separates a near-miss from an actual victory.
Why is Forbidden Bridge notable in board game history?
Coming out in 1992, it gave the adventure-board-game genre a tangible, physically shaking bridge component rather than relying purely on cards and dice. That tactile hazard, paired with a simple two-jewel goal, made it a standout family title of its era.
What components are in a Forbidden Bridge box?
The set ships with a physical bridge, an idol, a cliff piece, a gameboard, explorer pawns, boats, jewels, dice, and a label sheet. Together they create the hands-on, wobbly-bridge experience that defines the game's feel.
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