Broadside

About this board game

Broadside is a two-player American Heritage nautical board wargame with an approximately 45-minute playing time, first published by Milton Bradley in 1962.

Part of the Command Decision series, Broadside introduces players to Napoleonic naval combat on the high seas. Players take turns maneuvering frigates and other ships, seeking the best position from which to fire their cannons at the opposing fleet.

The central objective is to destroy the masts on enemy ships. Positioning matters: a well-placed vessel can bring its guns to bear, while a poor approach may leave it exposed. The game focuses on accessible tactical decisions rather than the complexity intended for hardcore wargamers.

• Two-player naval combat
• Turn-by-turn ship maneuvering and cannon fire
• Enemy masts as the key target
• Land-based cannon batteries guarding some ports
• Plastic miniatures included for play

Ports add another danger to the open-water battle. Some are protected by land-based batteries of cannons, so ships that stray too close risk being lost. These fortified areas create additional hazards as players maneuver across the battlefield.

With rules that are easy to learn and striking plastic miniatures, Broadside offers an approachable introduction to naval wargaming. Its combination of ship movement, cannon fire, vulnerable masts, and guarded ports makes it a straightforward choice for players curious about classic board-game combat at sea.