Car Wars

Name: Car Wars
Brand: Steve Jackson Games
Rating: 5.90978 (2306 reviews)

Build your own armed car for the freeways of the future and survive as a driver who grows with every fight.

Designers: Steve Jackson (I), Chad Irby
Published by: Steve Jackson Games
Editions by: Hobby Japan, Fanpro, Siroz Productions

In the freeways of the future, the right of way goes to whoever has the biggest guns. Car Wars (1981, Steve Jackson Games) lets you design a car, truck or cycle from the chassis up: choose weapons, armor, power plants, suspension, even body style, then take it out on a grid of highway and try to come home an ace instead of a wreck. Drivers who survive improve and earn money for bigger and better vehicles, which gives the game a campaign feel. Movement is by impulse, shooting is dice-based, and a duel can turn into a spectacular pileup. This entry covers the first two editions. Plan for lots of arithmetic, loud table talk and the occasional flaming wreck.

Design cars, trucks and cycles with weapons and armorSurviving drivers improve and buy better vehiclesImpulse movement with sliding and crashes

Who it's for

You enjoy vehicle building and arena combat, with a group of a few friends who like a crunchy rules set and big, bold hardware.

Not for you if…

You want a light game or fast setup. It is a 1980s design with lots of bookkeeping, and the first two editions are old-school.

Vibe's take

Crunchy, explosive and chatty. Between the design and the dice, there is a satisfying build-then-break loop, with a good chance of a flaming accident.