Red Menace (2nd Edition)

Price increase in August 2024: due to a larger than usual increase in printing costs from The Game Crafter, price will now be set to automatically adjust as needed to maintain a specific profit amount.

Red Menace is a solitaire wargame pitting the strategic nuclear and defensive forces of the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom against those of the Soviet Union and its client state, Cuba, in 1959. The game focuses primarily on the role of strategic bombers, but other types of supporting aircraft such as Interceptors, Airborne Early Warning aircraft, and Aerial Refueling Tankers are also represented. The player takes control of the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Decisions for the Soviet units are made by the game system using random events and dice.

During the Cold War, the U.S. believed that thousands of Soviet bombers could be unleashed at a moment's notice. This turned out not to be true (the Soviets had several hundred bombers at best, and many had significant range limitations). The game is not meant to be an accurate simulation of the actual capabilities of the strategic forces involved, but rather reflects what the governments and citizens of the U.S., Canada and the U.K. believed could happen.

The 2nd edition includes all new artwork for the map, counters, reference sheets, cards, box cover and new rules, units, and scenarios. The use of cards for Random Events and Soviet Cities (for Soviet AI Target Assignment) instead of chit-pull is also new for this edition.

• Number of Players: One
• Playing Time: 60-90 minutes
• Age: 12+
• Complexity: 5 (out of 10)
• Solitaire Suitability: High
• Unit Scale: Groups, with some Squadrons; Soviet Air Divisions.
• Time Scale: 1 to 1.5 hours per game turn
• Map Scale: 500 miles per hex
• Designer: R. Brent Ward
• Developer: Barry Kendall

Please note the following important information:

Laser-Cut Counters: the laser-cutting process leaves soot around the edges of the 3/4" counters. This soot can easily be removed by using a damp soft cloth (water is fine but rubbing alcohol is preferred). Visit this page for tips on removing soot: Red Menace - Soot Instructions | Battlespace Games

New Box: as of March 4th, 2019: the box has been upgraded to a version with printing on all sides, including the back. This change was required because The Game Crafter discontinued the original box. This change required a price increase to $54.99. See pictures below for box comparison.

Reference Sheets: the two reference sheets are UV-coated and allow the use of the included dry-erase marker (with Eraser cap). The game relies on the use of the dry-erase marker to track important information on both reference sheets. If the dry-erase markings are left on the sheets for a few hours, a dry-erase cleaner may be necessary to remove them. An optional acrylic plastic sheet (i.e. Plexiglass) may be purchased at a hardware store and placed over the map and reference sheets and allow the use of the dry-erase marker on the plastic. Each of the three components (map + two reference sheets) measures 11" x 17". A single plastic sheet measuring at least 33" x 17" will cover all three components.

Transparent Cubes: as of August 24th, 2022: due to low stock levels, the 10mm red and blue transparent cubes have been replaced with 12mm.