Iwo Jima 1945

About this board game

Iwo Jima 1945 is a solitaire board game for one player that recreates the USMC invasion of Iwo Jima in a playing time of about 60 minutes.

Step into the role of the USMC commander during one of the Pacific War’s most costly island assaults. On February 19, 1945, 30,000 marines landed against roughly 21,000 Japanese soldiers, and the 36-day campaign eventually involved more than 70,000 marines and over 25,000 US casualties.

The game is driven by cards that simulate the strategies of the Japanese defenders, often referred to as the Japanese AI. This card-based system brings the defensive response into the solo experience while placing you in command of the invasion.

Mountain positions add a significant tactical obstacle: attacking USMC units roll one fewer attack die when assaulting them. The play deck is also larger than the one in Tarawa 1943, while the USMC player may play any number of cards from their hand during their turn.

• Solitaire play for one player
• Approximately 60 minutes of play time
• Card-driven Japanese defensive strategies
• Mountain positions that reduce USMC attack dice
• Freedom to play any number of cards from hand during a turn

Players familiar with Tarawa 1943 will recognize the core system. Most other rules remain almost the same, allowing experienced players to begin with only a brief read of the rules.

Released in 2024, Iwo Jima 1945 combines historical context with a focused solo command experience centered on the difficult advance across the island.