--- product_id: 232983 title: "Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game" brand: "gamewright" price: "VT9944" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Gamewright" url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/232983-gamewright-forbidden-island-the-cooperative-strategy-survival-island-board-game store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # 58 strategic playing cards 2-4 cooperative players 24 dynamic island tiles Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game **Brand:** gamewright **Price:** VT9944 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > 🌊 Race the sinking islandβ€”only the sharpest teams survive! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game by gamewright - **How much does it cost?** VT9944 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/232983-gamewright-forbidden-island-the-cooperative-strategy-survival-island-board-game) ## Best For - gamewright enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted gamewright brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Skill-Building Teamwork:** Enhance problem-solving, strategic thinking, and collaboration in a fun, family-friendly environment. - β€’ **Adaptive Difficulty Slider:** Customize your challenge level instantly with a simple water level settingβ€”no complex setup needed. - β€’ **Compact, Premium Components:** High-quality cards, chunky tiles, and collectible treasure figurines packed in a sleek, travel-ready box. - β€’ **Immersive Visual Storytelling:** Rich, evocative artwork transforms every game session into a thrilling adventure on a perilous paradise. - β€’ **Pulse-Pounding Cooperative Strategy:** Join forces to outsmart the sinking island and secure four sacred treasures before time runs out. ## Overview Forbidden Island by Gamewright is a fast-paced cooperative board game for 2-4 players aged 10+, designed by Matt Leacock. Players work together to collect four sacred treasures on a sinking island, using 24 modular tiles and 58 cards to navigate dynamic challenges. With adjustable difficulty, stunning artwork, and a 30-minute playtime, it’s a perfect blend of strategic teamwork and edge-of-your-seat excitement for family game nights or casual competitive play. ## Description desertcart.com You and your team can be the first to breach the borders of the Archeans' ancient mystical empire in the collaborative card game Forbidden Island, by Gamewright. In this game, teamwork proves essential to locate the Earth Stone, the Statue of the Wind, the Crystal of Fire, and the Ocean's Chalice as the Island floods beneath your feet. Adventure... if you dare! Mega T-Rex Ages: Ten and upRequires: Two to four players At a Glance: Be the first team to breach the borders of the Archeans' ancient mystical empireLocate the Earth Stone, the Statue of the Wind, the Crystal of Fire, and the Ocean's Chalice before the Island sinksFind the treasures through collaborative play and teamworkStimulates problem-solving and strategic skills Breach the borders of the Archean empire to locate the four sacred elements. View larger. Work collaboratively with two to four players to locate the treasure.View larger. The Legend of the ArcheansThis game is centered on the legend of the Archean empire, a civilization that possessed the ability to control the Earth's core elements--fire, wind, water, and earth--through four sacred treasures. These treasures stayed hidden from enemies for years on the Forbidden Island, which was designed to sink if intruders ever attempted to capture them. Set the appropriate water level for your gaming skill, and let the adventures begin!Capture the Four Sacred Treasures Before the Island Sinks!Your team of adventurers must work together to keep the Forbidden Island from sinking as you seek the four treasures hidden within. The mission is carried out using different combinations of Flood, Treasure, and Adventurer Cards on the 24 tiles that make up the Forbidden Island. Once you've captured each treasure using the appropriate cards, you must make it to Fools' Landing and escape by helicopter in order to win. If the island sinks before you complete your tasks, the mission ends in defeat.Use Collaborative Play to SucceedEach player is dealt an Adventure Card and given a corresponding pawn before the game starts, designating him or her with a certain set of strengths. This game is designed so that instead of competing with other players, you work to find the treasures and find out how to best use each Adventurer's strengths through collaborative play. This stimulates problem-solving and strategy skills.What's in the BoxWater level marker, water meter, 58 playing cards, 24 island tiles, 6 pawns, 4 treasure figurines, rules of play, Gamewright catalog, and comment card. Product Description Dare to discover Forbidden Island! Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise. Your team will have to work together and make some pulse-pounding maneuvers, as the island will sink beneath every step! Race to collect the treasures and make a triumphant escape before you are swallowed into the watery abyss! From the Manufacturer It’s a great honor to introduce the latest creation by cooperative game master, Matt Leacock. There are so many things we love about this unique game: from the rich illustrations, to the collaborative nature of play, to the innovative set of rules, to the infinite possibilities generated by the tiles and cards. Don’t be surprised if your pulse starts pounding faster soon after you start playing – it’s a game that instantly generates an electrifying atmosphere of tension and excitement. Dare to discover Forbidden Island. Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise. Your team will have to work together and make some pulse-pounding maneuvers, as the island will sink beneath every step. Race to collect the treasures and make a triumphant escape before you are swallowed into the watery abyss. Review: Nail-Biting Cooperative Adventure in an Inexpensive Package - *designer: Matt Leacock *publisher: Gamewright *date: 2010 *BoardGameGeek rank/rating: 2090/8.04 *age: 10+ *# of players: 2-4 *print status: in print Maybe it's because I started writing this review during the final few weeks of the TV series, LOST... but the whole "island full of crumbling ruins & ancient secrets" vibe resonates pretty strongly with me right now. But don't take my (admittedly gamer-oriented) word for it: listen to my (gamer-in-training) 8 year old son... or his non-gamer 8 year old friends... or my long-suffering wife (who games because she loves me!)... or even other actual gamers who've played the game. It's been a hit with everyone who has had the opportunity to play! Forbidden Island is a cooperative game for 2-4 players, though since the game is played with open hands, it works just fine as a solitaire game as well, with the player controlling two (or more) pawns. (Another odd Lost reference: this is definitely a "live together or die alone" kind of game.) Regardless of the number of players, it seems to clock in at right about a half hour of playing time. The color text of the game has the players on a search for elemental treasures (The Crystal of Fire, the Statue of the Wind, The Ocean's Chalice & the Earth Stone) created by an ancient civilization. Of course, it's not a simple archaeological expedition - the island is booby-trapped to begin sinking when anyone attempts to steal the treasures... and that's exactly what you're here to do. I could go into a detailed rules explanation... but that seems pretty pointless when a PDF of the rulebook is available online, thanks to the good folks at Gamewright. Simply put, you're using 3 actions per turn to move your piece across an island made of tiles, attempting to collect the treasures, shore up the sinking parts of the island, and generally survive long enough for all of you to grab the last helicopter off the island (is Frank Lapidus the pilot?). At the end of each turn, you draw cards to increase your hand (and potentially increase the rate of flooding) as well to sink more parts of the island. There are lots of ways to lose: *if the helicopter landing pad sinks, you lose *if one of your team doesn't survive, you lose *if you fail to recover all four treasures, you lose *if the island floods completely, you lose But it wouldn't be much of a cooperative game if you won all the time, right? So far, we're doing very well playing at the Novice setting, while we're about 50/50 at the Normal setting. I have yet to convince my son to try it at the more difficult settings. (BTW, a clever game feature - you only have to change the starting level of the water - indicated on a sliding scale - to change the difficulty of the game. No re-mixing the deck, no convoluted alternative set-up.) The components are high quality - nice cards, great chunky tiles with evocative "forbidden island" artwork that reminds me a bit of the computer game Myst, and nifty plastic "treasures" - all packaged in a cool-looking tin with a well-designed box insert. (For those of you non-gamers, the "well-designed insert" may not sound like a big deal, but I can tell you from experience that it makes it easier to transport & keep the game in top-notch condition... and that not all companies think this part through.) A side note: since the designer, Matt Leacock, is best known for his OTHER cooperative game, Pandemic, it's helpful to note that while the games share some mechanics (most notably the Infection/Waters Rise restacking of the decks & the various player roles that allow each person to "break" the rules in a particular way) but that the board play (due to the sinking tiles) and kid-friendly theme make for a very different game experience. Finally, the recommended age of 10 is correct - but only if the kids are going to be playing without any adults helping run the game. With a friendly adult, the game can easily be played by kids as young as 5. The cheap price point (the MSRP is only $15.99) means that Forbidden Island will be likely be one of the best kid gaming investments you're likely to make this year. Review: Edge-of-Your-Seat Fun - Another Co-op Winner! - We're on a bit of a cooperative board game kick lately, and Forbidden Island did NOT disappoint! After loving Pandemic, we were looking for something similar, and this one was a blast. The whole "island sinking" thing really amps up the tension – you're constantly scrambling to keep tiles from flooding while trying to find the treasures. It's a really fun and unique mechanic. We played with four players, and it was the perfect amount of challenge. Each player has a different role with special abilities, so you really have to communicate and work together to succeed. There were definitely some tense moments where we thought we were going to get swamped, but we managed to pull through in the end! It was a really satisfying feeling to escape with all the treasures. The game is easy to learn, but there's still plenty of strategy involved. It's perfect for a family game night or a get-together with friends. We loved that it's cooperative, so everyone's working towards a common goal. If you're looking for a fun and engaging game that will have you on the edge of your seat, Forbidden Island is a great choice. Highly recommend it! Five stars! ## Features - 2010 Mensa Favorite Brainy Games Winner - Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise - 2 to 4 players - Strategic thinking, problem solving and cooperation required - Ages 10 and up - Playing time: 30 minutes ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B003D7F4YY | | Age Range Description | 10 years | | Are Batteries Required | No | | Best Sellers Rank | #7,288 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #163 in Board Games (Toys & Games) | | Brand Name | Gamewright | | CPSIA Cautionary Statement | Choking Hazard - Small Parts, No Warning Applicable | | Color | Multi | | Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 8,905 Reviews | | Edition | 1St Edition | | Educational Objective | To enhance strategic thinking and teamwork skills | | Estimated Playing Time | 30 Minutes | | Game Mechanics | area control, card play, cooperative | | Genre | Strategy | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00759751003173 | | Included Components | Playing card | | Indoor Outdoor Usage | Indoor | | Is Assembly Required | No | | Item Dimensions | 6.5 x 8.75 x 2.75 inches | | Item Dimensions L x W | 8.75"L x 6.5"W | | Item Part Number | FI, XGY-030 | | Item Type Name | Forbidden Island | | Item Weight | 0.63 Grams | | Language | English | | Manufacturer | Gamewright | | Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS) | 180.0 | | Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS) | 120.0 | | Manufacturer Part Number | CSG-FORI | | Manufacturer Warranty Description | No | | Material Type | Paper, Plastic | | Minimum Age Recomendation | 120 | | Model Number | CSG-FORI | | Number of Items | 1 | | Number of Players | 2-4 | | Operation Mode | manual | | Rulebook Availability | Printed Included | | Set Name | Forbidden Island | | Size | Standard | | Sub Brand | A-Team | | Supported Battery Types | No batteries required | | Theme | Adventure | | UPC | 793631630813 791385029822 692000176030 759751003173 787799706459 086009011674 059751003174 798257474575 013031012485 057800156840 607052442521 | | Unit Count | 1.0 Count | ## Images ![Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71pGcv2wdkL.jpg) ![Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71hXQrQ2B4L.jpg) ![Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ys8bcYw2L.jpg) ![Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71axbDch1nL.jpg) ![Gamewright Forbidden Island – The Cooperative Strategy Survival Island Board Game - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61DlSNLrW-L.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Pattern** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: Can anyone recomend games similar to this and Forbidden Desert that work well with just 2 players? Thanks!** A: Try Castle Panic (with the Wizards Tower expansion is best). It's a fantastic cooperative game and can be played with up to 6 players, but it still fun with just two. **Q: How would you regard the replay value of this game?** A: There is a lot of replay value. Because of the random game tiles and cards you can get a lot out of it. Plus you can adjust the difficulty of the game for a bigger challenge. **Q: Is this a good game for adults** A: Yes and no. It is a fun and easy game. The replay value is good because the board and characters change. Unfortunately, most adults will outgrow this game. Since the game mechanics are so easy to learn, it's a great game to get into collaborative gaming or for playing with younger children. **Q: Is this good for children** A: We play with our 8 yo daughter and 6 yo son, starting when he was 5. He's very insightful about good moves and understands entirely what is going on, but we play collaboratively so I don't know whether he would do as well on his own (that is, whether a group of kids would enjoy it as much on their own). ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Nail-Biting Cooperative Adventure in an Inexpensive Package *by M***N on June 30, 2010* *designer: Matt Leacock *publisher: Gamewright *date: 2010 *BoardGameGeek rank/rating: 2090/8.04 *age: 10+ *# of players: 2-4 *print status: in print Maybe it's because I started writing this review during the final few weeks of the TV series, LOST... but the whole "island full of crumbling ruins & ancient secrets" vibe resonates pretty strongly with me right now. But don't take my (admittedly gamer-oriented) word for it: listen to my (gamer-in-training) 8 year old son... or his non-gamer 8 year old friends... or my long-suffering wife (who games because she loves me!)... or even other actual gamers who've played the game. It's been a hit with everyone who has had the opportunity to play! Forbidden Island is a cooperative game for 2-4 players, though since the game is played with open hands, it works just fine as a solitaire game as well, with the player controlling two (or more) pawns. (Another odd Lost reference: this is definitely a "live together or die alone" kind of game.) Regardless of the number of players, it seems to clock in at right about a half hour of playing time. The color text of the game has the players on a search for elemental treasures (The Crystal of Fire, the Statue of the Wind, The Ocean's Chalice & the Earth Stone) created by an ancient civilization. Of course, it's not a simple archaeological expedition - the island is booby-trapped to begin sinking when anyone attempts to steal the treasures... and that's exactly what you're here to do. I could go into a detailed rules explanation... but that seems pretty pointless when a PDF of the rulebook is available online, thanks to the good folks at Gamewright. Simply put, you're using 3 actions per turn to move your piece across an island made of tiles, attempting to collect the treasures, shore up the sinking parts of the island, and generally survive long enough for all of you to grab the last helicopter off the island (is Frank Lapidus the pilot?). At the end of each turn, you draw cards to increase your hand (and potentially increase the rate of flooding) as well to sink more parts of the island. There are lots of ways to lose: *if the helicopter landing pad sinks, you lose *if one of your team doesn't survive, you lose *if you fail to recover all four treasures, you lose *if the island floods completely, you lose But it wouldn't be much of a cooperative game if you won all the time, right? So far, we're doing very well playing at the Novice setting, while we're about 50/50 at the Normal setting. I have yet to convince my son to try it at the more difficult settings. (BTW, a clever game feature - you only have to change the starting level of the water - indicated on a sliding scale - to change the difficulty of the game. No re-mixing the deck, no convoluted alternative set-up.) The components are high quality - nice cards, great chunky tiles with evocative "forbidden island" artwork that reminds me a bit of the computer game Myst, and nifty plastic "treasures" - all packaged in a cool-looking tin with a well-designed box insert. (For those of you non-gamers, the "well-designed insert" may not sound like a big deal, but I can tell you from experience that it makes it easier to transport & keep the game in top-notch condition... and that not all companies think this part through.) A side note: since the designer, Matt Leacock, is best known for his OTHER cooperative game, Pandemic, it's helpful to note that while the games share some mechanics (most notably the Infection/Waters Rise restacking of the decks & the various player roles that allow each person to "break" the rules in a particular way) but that the board play (due to the sinking tiles) and kid-friendly theme make for a very different game experience. Finally, the recommended age of 10 is correct - but only if the kids are going to be playing without any adults helping run the game. With a friendly adult, the game can easily be played by kids as young as 5. The cheap price point (the MSRP is only $15.99) means that Forbidden Island will be likely be one of the best kid gaming investments you're likely to make this year. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Edge-of-Your-Seat Fun - Another Co-op Winner! *by S***. on February 22, 2025* We're on a bit of a cooperative board game kick lately, and Forbidden Island did NOT disappoint! After loving Pandemic, we were looking for something similar, and this one was a blast. The whole "island sinking" thing really amps up the tension – you're constantly scrambling to keep tiles from flooding while trying to find the treasures. It's a really fun and unique mechanic. We played with four players, and it was the perfect amount of challenge. Each player has a different role with special abilities, so you really have to communicate and work together to succeed. There were definitely some tense moments where we thought we were going to get swamped, but we managed to pull through in the end! It was a really satisfying feeling to escape with all the treasures. The game is easy to learn, but there's still plenty of strategy involved. It's perfect for a family game night or a get-together with friends. We loved that it's cooperative, so everyone's working towards a common goal. If you're looking for a fun and engaging game that will have you on the edge of your seat, Forbidden Island is a great choice. Highly recommend it! Five stars! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I thank and blame Wil Wheaton *by H***K on May 9, 2014* Not long ago I spent a few days binging on the web series Table Top (in which Wil Wheaton plays a boardgame or other table top game with various guests), and I purchased this specifically because of the Forbidden Island episode of the series. (There is a link to the episode in the questions and answers section above -- spend the time to watch this and it will give you a pretty good idea of how the game works and should give you a pretty good idea of whether or not you'll enjoy it.) The box is metal, and comparable in size to an especially thick hardcover novel; the tray inside organizes the pieces/tiles/cards quite well. The tiles are sturdy. The cards are a bit thinner than standard playing cards; my husband was afraid to shuffle them the way you'd shuffle a poker or pinochle deck. A standard card table is fair estimate of the area needed for layout (and should allow room for drinks or snack plates). I suspect the tile layout would fit on the table of a camper or RV, but might be cramped. The description here says ages 10-12, and the box says 10+ -- my husband and I certainly enjoyed it as adults. The cooperative nature makes it work well as a family game, even young children can likely join in and still have fun (depending a bit on the individual child). Our 5yo felt involved and had a blast. He didn't fully grasp the details or strategy, but he followed the general plot of the game and was quite happy to flip tiles, draw cards, move pawns, and listen to his parents and 13yo brother handle strategy, and was excited when his pawn got to do important things. The game seems to have a good mix of chance and strategy, and allows for starting at varied difficulty ratings. The artwork is beautiful; the names of individual tiles (parts of the island) are evocative. The premise of trying to collect treasure and escape before the island sinks appeals to a sense of adventure (especially for those of us whose own childhoods included Indiana Jones movies). Because it's cooperative, it fosters a sense of teamwork and shared accomplishment/responsibility, and encourages collaboration; players take turns, but the rules explicitly encourage everyone to discuss the best options regardless of whose actual turn it is. It might be a great way to get a break if your usual group of board game friends can get competitive. It's definitely a great game for people who'd rather not be competitive. ## Frequently Bought Together - Gamewright - Forbidden Island - Cooperative Strategy Survival Board Game, 2-4 Players - Gamewright - Forbidden Desert Cooperative Survival Adventure Board Game for 2-5 Players – Family Strategy for Ages 10+ - Gamewright - Forbidden Jungle - Cooperative Board Game --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/232983-gamewright-forbidden-island-the-cooperative-strategy-survival-island-board-game](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/232983-gamewright-forbidden-island-the-cooperative-strategy-survival-island-board-game) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-06-05*