One game, six real versions

Jumanji Board Game: 1995 Original, 2017 Reissue, Deluxe & Replicas

By Updated

The Jumanji board game has appeared as a 1995 Milton Bradley original, a 2017 Cardinal reissue, Spin Master’s Deluxe editions and Noble Collection replicas. Compare the versions, get the rules and see how the riddles work.

  • 6 games
  • 1995 to 2020
  • 2 to 4 players

Do not begin, unless you intend to finish! Now, pick your version.

Jumanji started as a 1981 picture book, became a film in 1995 and later appeared as several different games. The shared name and premise make the editions easy to mix up. Start by sorting them out, then visit the movies based on board games hub to find the film among other board game movies.

For the original feel, look for the 1995 game or the 2017 reissue.

Choosing a Jumanji board game

For the display shelf, the Noble Collection replica copies the film's board.

  • The classic rules

    Jumanji: The Game (2017 Cardinal reissue)

    2-4 players, ages 8+. With new artwork but the same 1995 structure, the 2017 reissue is the easiest way to play the original-style game.

    Difficulty1.5 out of 5
    Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
    Player experience1 out of 5
    Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
    How we rate

  • Cooperative and electronic

    Jumanji Deluxe Game (electronic Green Dome)

    2-4 players, ages 8+. The electronic dome reveals riddles and events, and everyone wins or loses together.

    Difficulty1.5 out of 5
    Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
    Player experience1 out of 5
    Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
    How we rate

  • Collectors and display

    Jumanji Collector Board Game Replica (The Noble Collection)

    A full-scale film board replica, about 16 x 11 x 4 inches closed, with totems, dice and cards. For 2-4 players, ages 14+.

    Difficulty1.5 out of 5
    Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
    Player experience1 out of 5
    Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
    How we rate

This page lists six products: five playable games and one display prop. For the rules many film fans know, open the 1995 Jumanji board game. Each card links to a full explainer with components and a round-by-round guide.

Every Jumanji board game edition and replica

Check the age on the box: listings for wooden editions disagree between 6+ and 8+.

Showing all 6

Jumanji (1995 Milton Bradley original)

  • 1995
  • 2-4 players
  • Ages 8+

Milton Bradley’s original Jumanji board game was a tie-in to the 1995 film. Players race to the center while Danger cards, rescue dice and an eight-second sand timer get in the way.

How it plays

Travel along four winding paths and draw Danger cards on jungle spaces. Slide each card into the decoder to read it, then roll rescue dice before the timer runs out. Call out Jumanji at the center to win.

The film or show connection

A licensed game loosely based on the film, not a copy of its wooden prop. Like the film’s verses, its Danger cards rhyme.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type family board game Out of print

  • 1995
  • decoder
  • out of print
Publisher
Milton Bradley
How to play Jumanji (1995 Milton Bradley original)

Jumanji: The Game (2017 Cardinal reissue)

  • 2017
  • 2-4 players
  • Ages 8+

A 2017 reissue of the 1995 game, with colorized artwork and updated Danger-card messages. The core play stays the same.

How it plays

The structure follows the original: roll a number die, read Danger cards through the decoder, use rescue dice against a timer and watch the Doomsday Grid. Reach the center before the grid fills.

The film or show connection

Released around the 2017 film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, this is a refresh of the 1995 game, not a new design.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type family board game

  • 2017
  • reissue
  • classic rules
Publisher
Cardinal Games
How to play Jumanji: The Game (2017 Cardinal reissue)

Jumanji Deluxe Game (electronic Green Dome)

  • 2020
  • 2-4 players
  • Ages 8+

The Jumanji Deluxe board game makes play cooperative. Its electronic Green Dome plays the drums and reveals one of 100 challenges.

How it plays

Roll, move and let the dome reveal a riddle or event. Keep your Life Tokens: the group wins by reaching the center with at least one token each.

The film or show connection

The listing brings to mind Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level. No specific film characters are documented.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type cooperative electronic game

  • electronic
  • co-op
  • 100 challenges
Publisher
Spin Master Games
How to play Jumanji Deluxe Game (electronic Green Dome)

Jumanji Deluxe Wooden Box edition (Spin Master)

  • 2-4 players

The Jumanji wooden board game is a Deluxe edition with a wooden box and lid. The wood is in the box, not the playing pieces.

How it plays

This reworked game uses six-sided movement dice, challenge dice and challenge cards. Each player can lose 3 Life Tokens. If anyone runs out, everyone loses.

The film or show connection

It comes with four collectible rhino movers and a board built into the box. One retailer calls its version a 30 Years of Jumanji refresh.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type family board game

  • wooden box
  • 30 Years refresh
  • 4 rhino movers
Publisher
Spin Master Games
How to play Jumanji Deluxe Wooden Box edition (Spin Master)

Jumanji Collector Board Game Replica (The Noble Collection)

  • 2-4 players
  • Ages 14+

The Jumanji board game replica recreates the film's board at full scale and can also be played. It’s made of ABS composite, not wood.

How it plays

Roll the Jumanji die and two six-sided dice, then move or resolve the space or a Jumanji card. Life cards and tokens help players along. Reach the center with an exact move to win.

The film or show connection

It’s based on the film’s aged hinged box, with jungle imagery, a glass-like orb and animal totems. Whether it includes a replica orb hasn’t been confirmed.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type collector replica

  • replica
  • collector
  • totems
Publisher
The Noble Collection
How to play Jumanji Collector Board Game Replica (The Noble Collection)

Jumanji Mini Prop Electronic Board (The Noble Collection)

  • Ages 7+

This small display piece measures about 7 x 5 inches. Open it to light the logo and hear the drum theme. It isn’t playable.

How it plays

There’s no gameplay. The maker describes it as a prop replica with miniature totems and dice.

The film or show connection

A miniature prop modeled after the film board.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 5 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type prop replica In print

  • display
  • lights and sound
  • no gameplay
Publisher
The Noble Collection
How to play Jumanji Mini Prop Electronic Board (The Noble Collection)

Jumanji editions, side by side

Jumanji games compared by year, players, play time, age, type and print status
GameYearPlayersPlay timeAgesTypeIn print
Jumanji (1995 Milton Bradley original)19952-4Not listed8+family board gameNo
Jumanji: The Game (2017 Cardinal reissue)20172-4Not listed8+family board gameNot listed
Jumanji Deluxe Game (electronic Green Dome)20202-4Not listed8+cooperative electronic gameNot listed
Jumanji Deluxe Wooden Box edition (Spin Master)Not listed2-4Not listedNot listedfamily board gameNot listed
Jumanji Collector Board Game Replica (The Noble Collection)Not listed2-4Not listed14+collector replicaNot listed
Jumanji Mini Prop Electronic Board (The Noble Collection)Not listedNot listedNot listed7+prop replicaYes

Jumanji games by year

Jumanji started as a picture book in 1981, followed by several real board game versions since 1995.

For the original feel, look for the 1995 game or the 2017 reissue.

  • 1981

    Chris Van Allsburg's picture book features a dice game that brings the jungle to life.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • 1995

    The Jumanji film arrives, along with Milton Bradley's tie-in board game.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • 2017

    Cardinal Games reissues the game with colorized artwork as the film Welcome to the Jungle opens.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • 2020

    Spin Master's electronic Deluxe Game is listed for release in December.

Four playable versions share a name, but their rulebooks differ. The 1995 and 2017 boxes use the same timer-and-decoder design. Spin Master’s Deluxe editions make Jumanji a cooperative game with life tokens. The Jumanji Deluxe board game marks the biggest change from the original.

Jumanji 1995 vs 2017 vs Deluxe: what changed

Four playable versions share the Jumanji name, but their components and rules differ.

1995 Milton Bradley

2-4 players, ages 8+. Includes a decoder, 30 Danger cards, four wooden pawns, an eight-sided number die, four rescue dice, a plastic rhino and an eight-second sand timer.

2017 Cardinal reissue

It follows the same structure as the 1995 game, with colorized artwork and updated Danger-card messages. One review describes a folding cardboard board and cardboard organizer.

Deluxe electronic (2020)

A cooperative game with an electronic dome, 100 Challenge Cards, 12 Life Tokens, four rhino movers and challenge dice. Runs on 3 AA batteries.

Deluxe wooden box

The board is built into a wooden box. It includes six-sided movement dice, challenge dice and four collectible rhino movers. Listings disagree on the age and release year.

The steps below cover the 1995 and 2017 versions, which share a rule set. Most searches for Jumanji board game rules point to this version. The Deluxe games work differently; the wooden-box edition has a separate explainer.

For teamwork, try the cooperative Deluxe electronic edition.

Jumanji board game rules: how the 1995 and 2017 versions play

These steps cover the original-style game. Deluxe versions follow different rules.

  1. Roll and move

    Roll the number die, then move your pawn along one of four winding paths toward the central decoder.

  2. Read the space

    A wait 5 or 8 space keeps you there until someone rolls a 5 or 8. On a Rhino space, you can use the rhino to block another player.

  3. Draw a Danger card

    Land on a Jungle space and draw a card. Slide it into the decoder to reveal its secret message and symbol.

  4. Rescue with the timer

    The player in danger flips the timer, while the others roll rescue dice within 8 seconds. If all dice show the symbol, the player stays safe. The hourglass is wild. Otherwise, the player moves back or the card goes on the Doomsday Grid.

  5. Win or lose together

    Reach the center with an exact count and shout Jumanji. If all 10 Doomsday spaces fill first, everyone loses.

The riddle is what many people remember about Jumanji, but it works differently on screen and on the table. In the film, a rhyme appears in a glass orb. The 1995 game hides rhymes in Danger cards, while the Deluxe edition uses an electronic dome. For the film’s look, read about the Jumanji board game replica next.

How Jumanji riddles work in the film and games

The film's riddles and the games' riddles are connected, but they aren't the same.

  • In the film

    A rhyme appears in the board's central glass orb. One reads: In the jungle you must wait, until the dice read five or eight.

  • In the 1995 game

    Danger cards have rhymes you read through the decoder. The Ants card says: They march and eat and march and eat; if I were you I'd watch my feet.

  • In the Deluxe game

    The electronic Green Dome reveals a riddle or perilous event from its 100 challenges. The listing doesn't publish the full wording.

Collector pieces look most like the film prop, but only one also plays as a game. Check the size and material before buying: the replica is composite, not wood. For display, the Mini Prop Electronic Board is the smaller option.

Jumanji board game replicas and collector pieces

Three products appeal to collectors, but only two are playable.

  • Collector Replica

    The Noble Collection's full-scale replica measures about 16 x 11 x 4 inches closed. It comes with totems, dice and playing cards for 2-4 players.

  • Mini Prop Electronic Board

    About 7 x 5 inches, it lights up and plays the drum theme when opened. It comes with miniature totems and dice, but there's no gameplay.

  • Wooden-box Deluxe

    This playable edition comes in a wooden box. It's more toy-shelf piece than prop, since the board is built into the box.

Jumanji game facts

For the display shelf, the Noble Collection replica copies the film's board.

  • The 1995 Milton Bradley game came with an eight-second sand timer. One collector site says no other board game included one.

  • The original box contains 30 Danger cards, four wooden pawns and a plastic rhinoceros.

  • The film's verse about waiting until the dice read five or eight echoes the real game's wait 5 or 8 space.

    Source 1 (en.wikiquote.org)

  • The Deluxe electronic edition includes 100 Challenge Cards and a dome that plays Jumanji drums.

  • The Noble Collection's Mini Prop Electronic Board lights up and plays the drum theme, but there's no gameplay.

    Source 1 (noblecollection.co.uk)

  • In Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 book, every dice roll brings the jungle and its creatures to life.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

Jumanji board game questions

What are the Jumanji board game rules?

In the 1995 and 2017 versions, roll and move toward the center. Draw Danger cards at jungle spaces and read them in the decoder. Then players roll rescue dice within 8 seconds. Reach the center and call out Jumanji to win.

How many people can play the Jumanji board game?

The 1995 original, the 2017 reissue, and the Deluxe electronic game play 2-4 players. The 1995 and 2017 versions are for ages 8+, while the Noble Collection replica is listed for ages 14+.

Which game is the original Jumanji board game?

Milton Bradley's 1995 Jumanji game is a film tie-in for 2-4 players, ages 8+. It's out of print, though Cardinal Games reissued it in 2017.

What does the Jumanji game board look like?

Four winding paths lead to a central decoder. One side of the center has 10 Doomsday Grid spaces, and the board warns: Do not begin, unless you intend to finish.

How does the Jumanji Deluxe board game differ from the 1995 game?

The Deluxe electronic game is cooperative and electronic, with 100 Challenge Cards and Life Tokens. The 1995 game has a card decoder, 30 Danger cards, rescue dice, and a sand timer.

Can you get a Jumanji board game replica?

Yes. The Noble Collection's Collector Board Game Replica is a full-scale version, about 16 x 11 x 4 inches when closed. Its Mini Prop Electronic Board is for display, with no gameplay.

Is the Jumanji board game from the movie a real game?

Real games exist, but they're tie-ins. The film's game is an aged wooden box with a glass-like orb and animal totems; the toy versions loosely adapt it.

Can you get a wooden Jumanji board game?

Yes. Spin Master sells Deluxe editions in a wooden box with the board built in. The wood forms the box, and listings disagree on the age (6+ or 8+) and year.

Does the Jumanji board game include riddles?

Yes. The film shows rhyming verses in the glass orb, while the 1995 game has rhymes on Danger cards read through a decoder. The Deluxe dome reveals riddles or events.

Is there a Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle board game?

Not as a separate game. In that film, the board game becomes a video game. The 2017 board game release is the Cardinal reissue of the 1995 game.

Check the age on the box: listings for wooden editions disagree between 6+ and 8+.

For the original feel, look for the 1995 game or the 2017 reissue.

Sources

  1. The Noble Collection: Jumanji Collector Board Game Replica noblecollection.co.uk
  2. Wikiquote: Jumanji (1995 film) en.wikiquote.org
  3. Wikipedia: Jumanji en.wikipedia.org