Best Co-op Board Games for Couples | E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Light Years From Home Game | Fun, Strategy & Replayability
by Eliza
Hey friends! Today’s post is about E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Light Years From Home Game, a game that feels just as warm and comforting as the movie that inspired it. Before jumping into the gameplay, I think this one really deserves a quick nod to its roots. Back in 1982, Steven Spielberg gave us E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, a film that became an instant classic. It’s a story about friendship, kindness, and helping someone find their way home wrapped in pure 80s magic. Many of us grew up with this movie, and even today it still hits that soft, emotional spot. This board game captures that feeling beautifully. It’s calm, thoughtful, and cooperative, focusing more on connection than competition. The artwork, theme, and pace all echo the heart of the film, making it a relaxing experience rather than a stressful one. If you love nostalgic games, cooperative play, or simply want something cozy to put on the table, this one is definitely worth talking about. Let’s start!
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Light Years From Home Game (2022)
Into the game and to the Box
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial Light Years From Home is a fully cooperative board game that can be played solo or with up to four players. With its light complexity and cooperative nature, it’s also perfect to play with kids (around ages 10+) or with friends who don’t usually play board games.
Published by Funko Games, the box itself is a joy to open. The artwork is beautiful and instantly nostalgic, capturing the heart of the movie. Inside, you’ll find sturdy components, clear iconography, and lovely details, especially the colorful item tokens, which add an extra sweet touch to the experience. Everything feels well made and thoughtfully designed, from the board to the dice, making setup easy and inviting. It’s one of those games where the presentation alone already puts you in the right mood to play.
How to Play
Setup Place the board in the center of the table and set up the character pieces, E.T., agents, and items as shown in the rulebook. Shuffle the cards and place them in their decks, then give each player a character with their special ability. Everyone is on the same team, working together to help E.T. get home!
On Your Turn
- Move your character around the board, flipping face down item tokens and picking them up. Each item has a color, and your goal is to deliver matching items to the correct locations on the board. When four items of the same color have been delivered and E.T. is there too you can build part of the phone home device. This creates a special die in that color, with phone symbols on some sides.
- Players can build up to three of these dice. Once a die is made, it must be carried to the forest clearing. There, E.T. rolls the dice to try to contact his spaceship. Every phone symbol rolled moves the mothership one step closer to Earth. To win the game, players must bring E.T. and the mothership together at the clearing before the police surround it.
- Meanwhile, the pressure is always on. Police cars move closer after every player’s turn, acting as a ticking clock. Agents are also chasing the players, if you’re caught, you drop the items you were carrying, return to the starting space, and E.T.’s health track goes down. If that track ever reaches zero, the game ends and everyone loses.
Winning the Game To win, players must help E.T. complete his objectives and successfully send him home before the agents capture him or time runs out.
Why You’ll Love It
- Easy to learn, the rules are straightforward, making it perfect for families and casual players.
- Cooperative gameplay, everyone works together!
- Beautiful presentation, the box art, board, and components are high quality.
- If you love the movie, the 80s vibes, or thematic games, this one really is for you.
- Great value for what you get, especially for a licensed game.
Keep in Mind
- Experienced gamers may find the gameplay a bit too light, especially after multiple plays.
- If you’re not a fan of the E.T. movie, the game might not have the same emotional impact.
POV
As a big fan of 80s movies and E.T. in particular this game was an instant must have for us. It captures that warm, nostalgic feeling so well and turns it into a cozy, cooperative experience. We love bringing it to the table on relaxed evenings or slow Sunday afternoons when we just want to enjoy a story together without stress. It’s comforting, charming, and full of heart, just like the movie. If you feel the same love for classic films and cooperative games, this one will be a lovely addition to your collection.
Until next time, happy gaming!
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