Stratego
by Hasbro
Our Price: $39.99
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Buy Used: from $25.00 (click here)
Category: Toy
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: HasbroBrand: Milton Bradley
Release Date: 2008-09-01
Model: 45068
Product features:
- The new Stratego-the classic game of battlefield strategy with optional special powers for an exciting level of play
- Choose to lead warriors from an ancient arctic realm or a fierce army from a land of fiery molten lava
- Command knights, wizards, even a mighty dragon as you advance your pieces or strategically attack your opponent
- Play by the classic rules of Stratego or include special powers that bring an added level of excitement to the game
- Includes 1 game board, 30-piece Fire Army, 30-piece Ice Army, 2 storage bags and instructions
- Then, secretly set up your pieces on the game board--a frozen battlefield where the 2 powerful armies prepare to clash
Toys and Games Reviews of Stratego
Customer Review: Stratego is a classic, BUT be sure to get the right version!
Summary: 2 Stars
Stratego was introduced in the United States in the early 1960s. Offering strategic elements of chess on a familiar board game motif, it became a very popular game in American households during the 1960s and 70s. By 2000, no doubt caving to constant reports of how stupid American children were becoming, Hasbro changed the numbering system on the pieces, completely inverting the familiar 1-9 scale. Historically, the most powerful piece (Marshall) was marked "1" while the least powerful piece (Scout) was marked "9." More recent editions contain pieces marked in the opposite manner, with higher ranked (i.e., stronger) pieces displaying higher numbers. This decision was not met with universal applause, and in response (or perhaps it was planned all along to generate multiple streams of revenue?), Hasbro released a "Vintage" edition. So if you wish to own the same Stratego game you grew up playing, you are forced to find an older game or else purchase the more expensive Vintage edition. Another pitfall for would-be buyers is that Hasbro recently capitalized on the popular fantasy theme, releasing a version of Stratego which replaces the classic Napoleonic army with medieval themed pieces (i.e., dragon, dwarf, slayer). Confusingly, this version is NOT named Stratego--the D&D Battle or Stratego--the Fire and Ice Edition or any other moniker that might be helpful in distinguishing among them. Note also that this version also reduced the number of pieces from forty to thirty.
To recap, there are three current Hasbro (Milton Bradley) offerings. They are all offered on Amazon (at varying price levels) and I will cross reference the manufacturer's part numbers and also provide the relevant links to the games on Hasbro's Web site, although you cannot purchase directly there.
Stratego Nostalgia
Hasbro Item #40836
(See Comments section below for link.)
The Vintage edition (confusingly titled "Nostalgia" by Amazon) offers the proper (in my opinion!) numbering system, and comes in a keepsake wooden box.
Stratego-Milton Bradley Board Games
Hasbro Item #04714
(See Comments section below for link.)
The basic Stratego (post-2000) edition offers the proper number of pieces (40) but the inverted ranking system. This last and most important point is not obvious until you scrutinize the Product Details. ("This new, updated version of Stratego is slightly different than the original, though the gameplay is the same.") Plus you need to apply the stickers yourself! Ouch, Hasbro cheaped out.
Stratego
Hasbro Item #45068
(See Comments section below for link.)
The fantasy-themed version with 30 pieces. Again, Amazon has failed to adequately label the game, simply titling it "Stratego." However the Product Features make it clear. ("Choose to lead warriors from an ancient arctic realm or a fierce army from a land of fiery molten lava.")
Your best bet? If you simply want the same game you grew up playing, just look for a cardboard boxed set from the 70s or 80s. For example, this version (Stratego - The Classic Game of Battlefield Strategy 1986 Edition) is the same one I have. I have owned it for many years with no complaints. Finding one for yourself, however, might be trickier than you think. Unless you buy it here from a Amazon Marketplace vendor--which is not recommended, given the ridiculous prices--you are left to your own devices to find it in a used game store or at a garage sale. Alternatively, you can buy one of the currently offered versions. But as I have demonstrated, they are not all the same as one another, and indeed very few are identical to what you may have grown up playing.
P.S. After much further research, I believe either of these two sets (Stratego Vintage Wood Book Edition) or (Library Stratego Game Set) are equivalent to the Vintage edition described above, and at least one may be available inexpensively at Target.
Description of Stratego
Step onto the battlefield and put your strategy to the test in this classic game. Each player must use cunning and luck to outwit their opponents and win the game. It's the same classic "capture the flag" gameplay, but with an all-new heroic fantasy theme. For 2 players.Board Games Toys
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