Lost Treasure (1982) Board Game

Lost Treasure is a board game released in 1982 by Parker Brothers. It is an electronic game centered around exploration and nautical themes, making it an exciting adventure for players to embark on.

Game Components of Lost Treasure

Game board featuring a large ocean area with numbered spaces

Electronic Dive Control Center

Four player ship pawns (buoys)

Treasure chests (each representing $50,000)

Dice for movement and piracy resolution

Gold and silver treasure markers

Money and port spaces

How To Setup Lost Treasure

To set up the game, each player starts with $150,000 and places their ship pawn at the edge of the board. The Electronic Dive Control Center randomly places two treasures (gold and silver) on the board. Players use four buoys to mark the possible locations of these treasures. The game board is divided into numbered areas, and players must navigate their ships to these areas to search for the treasures.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement: Players roll two dice to determine how many spaces they can move their ship. Movement can be in any direction (right, left, up, down, or diagonal) as long as the space does not contain land.

Treasure Search: Players use the buoys to narrow down the location of the treasures. The Electronic Dive Control Center provides clues through lights and sounds.

Diving for Treasure: Players can dive for treasure by paying $50,000 and using the Dive Control Center to locate the treasure. Successful dives yield treasure chests.

Piracy: Players can steal treasure chests from other players by landing next to them and winning a dice roll-off.

Converting Treasure to Cash: Players must navigate to a port to convert their treasure chests into cash.

Game Objective: The first player to accumulate $1,000,000 wins the game.

Player Experience

Playing **Lost Treasure** is an engaging and interactive experience. The game combines strategy with luck, as players need to navigate the board efficiently to find treasures while avoiding or engaging in piracy. The Electronic Dive Control Center adds a unique and exciting element, making each dive a tense and rewarding experience. The large game board ensures that players have ample space to maneuver, reducing direct interactions but keeping the game dynamic.

Pros

Unique Electronics: The Electronic Dive Control Center is a standout feature, enhancing the game’s excitement and realism.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance searching for treasures, avoiding piracy, and converting their finds into cash.

Interactive Gameplay: The combination of dice rolls, buoy movements, and diving mechanics keeps players engaged.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 8+, making it a great family game.

Cons

Complex Setup: The game requires careful setup, including configuring the Electronic Dive Control Center.

Luck Factor: Dice rolls and random treasure placement can lead to significant luck-based outcomes.

Space Requirements: The large game board and components require substantial space.

Personal Thoughts on Lost Treasure

**Lost Treasure** is ideal for those who enjoy vintage board games with a mix of strategy and luck. It’s perfect for families or casual gamers looking for a unique and interactive experience. The game’s nostalgic value, combined with its engaging mechanics, makes it a great addition to any board game collection. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking highly competitive or complex games, as the luck factor and simplicity of some mechanics might be off-putting.

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