Enlarge image
Cornering on the gaming table: Formula 1 as a board game
Photo: Hendrik Breuer
The new Formula 1 season begins this Saturday.
Fans will meet up to watch TV together, long for Günther Steiner's analyzes on RTL and the majority hope that things will be more exciting this year than last.
If Max Verstappen wins again two hours later, a distraction is urgently needed.
For example in the form of an exciting Formula 1 board game.
If the professionals can't manage to organize an entertaining racing series, maybe we can do it at the living room table.
Racing games are, after all, one of the classic board games.
Just think about “Don’t get angry.”
If you're now shouting "Don't!" in fear, you probably haven't tried any of the newer racing games yet.
We present five strong representatives of the genre here.
One is even perfect for motorsport haters!
Heat
»Heat« is the newest Formula 1 board game on the market.
Thanks to a third place in the election for the “German Games Prize 2023” and many enthusiastic reviews, it is currently the most played racing game in the world.
Justifiably so, because »Heat« is well made and exciting.
The heat in the title refers to the fact that the engines in our cars from the early years of Formula 1 were constantly overheating.
That's why we don't always make progress as quickly as we would like.
If you only give full throttle, you will not only produce burning engines in this game, but also fly out of the corners.
However, clever driving and perfectly timed playing of the right racing cards will be rewarded.
An expansion called “Wet Asphalt” has just been released, but you don’t really need it because the base game already includes four route maps and plenty of extras.
Fans have also drawn up game plans for almost every real race track.
This means you can race through the entire Formula 1 season.
Where does “Heat” get the pole position?
»Heat« is a medium difficulty strategy racing game.
Perfect for a serious game night after watching Formula 1.
By Asger Harding Granerud and Daniel Skjold Pedersen, published by Days of Wonder/Asmodee, for 1 to 6 people, ages 10 and up. Entry level: medium.
Downforce
The newest game on this list is followed by the oldest: “Downforce”.
New editions have been published regularly since the mid-1970s and have included "Niki Lauda's Formula 1" (1980), "Formula 1 Nürburgring" (1985), "Daytona 500" (1990) and "Top Race" (1996).
The modernized version has been available as “Downforce” since 2017.
Unlike “Heat,” you don’t just race, you also bet.
So you can still win even if you don't end up on the winner's podium.
At least as long as you bet on the right car during the betting phase and give the others a few horsepower on the fast tour.
The combination of racing and gambling is obvious and gives “Downforce” its flavor.
You quickly feel like you're at the Circuit de Monaco and are just throwing your millions around - which can sometimes backfire.
Where does “Downforce” get the pole position?
The bets make “Downforce” a particularly exciting game.
It is also quickly explained and can be played with up to six people.
By Wolfgang Kramer, newly published by Rob Daviau, published by iello, for 2 to 6 people, ages 8 and up. Getting started: easy.
Formula Fun
“Downforce” is not the only classic racing game that has been revised and re-released in recent years.
“Formula Fun” was released in the early 1990s as “Devil Take the Hindmost”.
This already describes the principle of the game.
Instead of a long race, “Formula Fun” is a series of short races in which the last car is eliminated.
This makes “Formula Fun” more of a qualifying than a Grand Prix.
Luckily, all players have more than one car at their disposal, so no one can just watch after the first round.
However, it may happen that someone has to watch the last third of the game from the pit lane.
The game then drags on a little for someone.
Where does “Formula Fun” take pole position?
This game is the underdog among racing games.
Others may be better, but "Formula Fun" takes advantage of its opportunities when they arise.
It's different, more direct, faster, more family-friendly.
By Terry Goodchild, published by franjos Spieleverlag, for 2 to 7 people, ages 8 and up. Getting started: easy.
Rallyman: GT
Modular hex fields make it possible to build many different routes in “Rallyman: GT”.
This is vaguely reminiscent of “The Settlers of Catan” and looks promising.
However, there are more than 200 markers, tiles and dice in the game box.
Experienced players suspect that such a wealth of material does not necessarily contribute to a smooth and fast-paced gaming experience.
That's how it happens.
“Rallyman: GT” has a sophisticated locomotion system.
Although dice are used - cards are used in the other four games - you can't just gamble if you want a chance of winning.
Every move must be carefully thought out.
Where do I put my dice?
Do I throw them in order?
What other markers are lying around here?
That's pretty cerebral.
Where does “Rallyman: GT” take pole position?
It is the most demanding of the games presented here and is therefore the right thing for inventors with a penchant for risk.
There's no real racing feeling, but it can still be exciting.
“Rallyman: GT” is only a moderate fit for a Formula 1 party.
By Jean-Christophe Bouvier, published by Synapsis Games, for 1 to 6 people, ages 14 and up. Entry level: medium.
Flame Rouge
Even if you're not interested in Formula 1, you don't have to miss out on racing games.
In “Flamme Rouge” you get on a racing bike instead of a racing car.
Similar to “Rallyman: GT” or a Brio track (the first association that comes to mind when many people look at “Flamme Rouge”), the flexible and winding track structure is fascinating.
You immediately feel like you have been transported to the Alps or the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees.
What follows is a quick card laying and moving forward without having to count off a lot or get tangled up in tactical little-little.
Just get on your bike and go.
Who will win the yellow jersey at “Flamme Rouge”?
The racing bike game is the predecessor to “Heat” and comes from the same game designer.
It is more straightforward and less detailed than “Heat”, has few rules and moves faster.
When it comes to cyclists, it is clearly ahead!
By Asger Harding Granerud, published by Pegasus Spiele, for 2 to 4 people, ages 10 and up. Getting started: easy.