This strategic board game has fun gameplay and has been popular since its first release.
Risk is a good family game, which comes in many different themed versions, giving you plenty of choices.
Keep reading to find out which version of the game should be your next purchase!
A Brief History Of Risk
First introduced to the market in 1957, Risk has remained one of the most popular strategy board games.
And now, it comes in a variety of limited edition versions, all with slightly different gameplay.
The game is played on a world map divided into different territories.
Each player has a different army which they place on the map.
They can gain ground on various territories by engaging their opponents in battle.
The aim of the game is to conquer as many territories as possible.
The winner is the player with the biggest army at the end of the game.
9 Best Risk Board Games Versions
With the vast number of variants available, it can be challenging to know which is the best version of Risk to add to your Risk game collection.
We’ve compiled a list of the most popular and most enjoyed versions to make your decision slightly easier.
Keep reading to find the perfect risk variant for your family:
Star Wars Edition
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30-45 mins
Age: 10+
This is a fantastic version of Risk for any Star Wars fans.
Not only is the board shaped like a TIE fighter, but many themed components make the game extra special.
The game centers around the fight to destroy the Death Star.
It’s the Rebel Fleet vs. The Galatic Empire, and if the former loses, the Death Star will be able to destroy any ships of their choosing, resulting in destruction and Chaos.
The Rebel Fleet must use their extensive fleet carefully to prevent vast destruction.
Lord of The Rings Trilogy Edition
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 180 mins
Age: 10+
If you want to attempt to be as brave as Sam and Frodo, this is the game for you!
Follow their journey from the Shire through Rivendell, past Isengard and into Mordor to destroy the One Ring.
Depending on which version of the rules you follow will depend on how you play the game.
It can be played using the classic rules, or you can try the Lord of the Rings rules, which include a fun twist!
You can choose to represent the forces of evil or good and battle each other for control of Middle Earth.
An exciting addition to the game is the double-sided board.
The underside allows you to visit other realms, such as Gondor and Rohan.
The further you travel, the more likely you are to discover ancient sites of power and uncover adventure cards that will increase your points.
Once the Ring is destroyed, the game is over.
The Classic Risk Board Game
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: About 1-2 Hours
Age: 10+
We can’t have a list of the best versions of Risk without including the Classic version!
It has undergone many iterations over the years, improving its design, both the board and game pieces.
Not only is it always enjoyable, but it is an excellent choice for a beginner player.
If you’d like to change things up a bit, you can play in secret mission mode – not only can this make the classic game more fun and works out slightly differently each time, keeping the gameplay fresh.
For younger or new players, it is best to start with conquer mode so that they get used to the rules and the game’s strategy.
Once they have the hang of things, you can begin playing secret mission mode with them.
The map is slightly inaccurate, so if you are playing with young children, show them an accurate map so they can identify the differences.
Risk Legacy
Players: 3-5
Playing Time: 1 hour for each game (15 hours to reach the conclusion)
Age: 13+
Want to invest in a game where you can make permanent changes to the game as you play?
Then Risk: Legacy is the game for you.
When you play Risk: Legacy, you’ll literally rip up cards, removing them from play permanently.
You’ll also get to open a box filled with new components at the start of each session, which in turn will change the game.
This particular Risk game is designed to be played for 15 rounds, after which no changes will be made.
However, the game can still be played.
There was an expansion pack for this board game in the past, but unfortunately, Hasbro discontinued it.
If you have a board game club that you meet with regularly, this will be an excellent addition to the club’s collection, as it is great to play all the rounds with the same group of people.
They will get to live through the repercussions of their decisions in previous rounds.
It also is a perfect choice for families, as it gives you a fun game to play together regularly.
There are plenty of other legacy games on the market, so once you’ve completed Risk’s version, you can start another one.
Risk Europe
Players: 3-5
Playing Time: 45 – 180min
Age: 13+
Widely considered by Risk fans to be one of the best Risk board games, Risk: Europe has a similar gameplay to the original but is set during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.
Players will battle each other for control of different countries and territories.
An exciting addition to this version of the risk board game is the introduction of a particular card pack.
The new cards allow you to call for reinforcement, participate in surprise attacks, and declare war on an opponent.
The classic strategy game has also updated its secret mission version with the ability to include secret mission cards in regular gameplay, activating Secret Mission Risk.
While trying to become the dominant force in Europe, players will also need to participate in covert missions to advance in the game.
Secret Mission risk is a more challenging game, requiring excellent strategy skills to take on your opponents successfully.
If you’ve played the standard version and feel tired of it, this is a great way to upgrade your Risk board game.
Risk Junior Board Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 20–30 minutes
Age: 5 +
Great news: you can start them young! Risk junior is a great way to introduce your kids to the game without requiring them to concentrate for an extended period.
It is also more luck-based than strategy-based, making it easier for younger players to win without assistance.
This version is designed for children, so many opportunities that arise in the adult game for bullying a single player have been excluded.
This can make it less fun and interesting for adults and older children, but the aim is to introduce the young ones to the game, which is worth the sacrifice.
Godstorm
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 120 minutes
Age: 10 +
One of the more recent versions of the Risk games, Risk: Godstorm, is centered around various myths and legends.
Using different mythical characters and Norse or Greek gods can help players take over territories.
Released in 2006, it is based on the original Risk game but with a few key differences.
The map has also been changed and includes interesting mythological locations such as Hades and Olympus.
There are also some variations from the basic Risk rules, including the fact that players can win the game by controlling the ancient world’s seven wonders.
If you’re a fan of Risk and a fan of mythology, then this version of the strategy board game will be a great addition to your collection.
Risk: 2210 AD
Players: 3-5
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 13+
If you enjoy games with a science fiction storyline, you’ll likely enjoy Risk: 2210 A.D.
It is set in 2210 and requires players to conquer all plants while defending their home planet.
There are six planets represented on the board by six different segments.
Each player has a home planet and will use their board pieces to attack other planets to gain control.
The game board is divided into six sections, each representing a different planet.
Players start the game with units on their home planet, and they can use these units to attack other planets.
The winner is determined by who has the most planets at the end of the game.
Risk: 2210 A.D. is a thoroughly enjoyable version of the classic board game, providing a new spin on the game’s usual strategy.
Walking Dead Survival Edition
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 13 +
Fancy battling out the Zombie Apocalypse with your friends as your enemies?
Risk: The Walking Dead Survival Edition will be a thrilling experience for you.
Set on a map of the United States, each player must try to control as many key locations as possible to win.
You can also win the game by securing the most victory points without having control of the map.
This exciting game features various locations found in the series and has a few practical changes while sticking to the classic Risk gameplay.
There is a new set of cards, fewer players, and a different game board.
While designed for fans of The Walking Dead, this game sticks closely to the original rules of the Risk game, making it possible for any lovers of the apocalypse and strategy games to join in with ease.
Risk Game Versions FAQs
How is Risk Legacy different?
While based on the classic Risk rules, the Risk: Legacy board game has several modifications.
The most obvious is that it is a Legacy game, meaning that one can only play a certain number of rounds before the game board becomes stagnant.
With this version, the gameplay changes with each round, requiring players to destroy cards and add new components at the start of each new round.
Risk Legacy lasts for a total of 15 rounds and is great to play with your family or a set group of friends.
Is there an online version of Risk?
If you love the classic board game Risk but cannot take it on holiday with you, fret not!
There is a fantastic online game version that you can play anywhere with a decent WiFi connection.
The classic game is available, as well as various gameplay and map design upgrades.
In Risk: Global Domination, you can also play against friends, alone, or with strangers on the internet.
Which of the Risk board games is the best?
Many argue that Risk: Europe is the best Risk version available, followed closely behind by the strategy board game based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Classic version of the game.
The Junior game also made it to the list of the best Risk versions, as it is a great way to introduce kids to the game.
How many variations of the Risk game are there?
The classic Risk game line has 16 different versions of the strategic board game, and this only includes the English versions!
They have been translated into many different languages, and Hasbro regularly brings out new versions.
Final Thoughts
Lovers of strategy games will always love Risk, but it can take time to choose the correct version.
Luckily there are many versions available, from Risk: Lord of the Rings to Risk: Game of Thrones, as well as the Star Wars edition game and Risk Europe game.
If you have all of the above, plenty of other Risk games and similar strategy games are available to keep you entertained.