Pass the Bomb

About this board game

Pass the Bomb is a frantic word game for 2–10 players that takes about 20 minutes to play. Players race to think of a word containing a required sequence of letters before the ticking electronic time-bomb in their hands explodes.

At the heart of the game is a simple but tense challenge: find a suitable word, then pass the bomb to the next person. A player may only pass it after giving a word that contains the needed letters, turning every turn into a quick exercise in word-summoning and creative thinking.

The bomb uses a variable time allotment, so players cannot know exactly how long they have. As the timer continues to tick, familiar words may suddenly disappear from memory, while unusual possibilities become increasingly valuable.

• For 2–10 players
• Approximately 20 minutes of play time
• An electronic timer with a variable time allotment
• A word challenge based on required letter sequences

Spelling is part of the tension. While creative spelling may be frowned upon, the player next to you decides whether your answer is acceptable, making each disputed word part of the experience.

Released in 1994, Pass the Bomb combines fast word association with the pressure of a ticking timer. Its accessible premise makes it easy to explain, while the unpredictable countdown keeps players alert from one answer to the next.

Pass the Bomb won the 1996 Årets Familiespil award for Family Game of the Year in Denmark, recognizing its appeal as a lively word game for family and group play.