The Jumanji game, as depicted in the movies and books with its magical, perilous adventures, is not real.
Understanding the Jumanji Game
The concept of Jumanji originates from fictional stories, specifically Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's book and the subsequent film adaptations. In these narratives, Jumanji is portrayed as a supernatural board game that brings jungle-based dangers and creatures to life, requiring players to finish the game to stop the chaos.
As stated in the reference: "Jumanji is not directly based on any one real board game (that we know of)." The dangerous, life-altering game is a product of fiction.
The Real-World Jumanji Game
While the magical, hazard-spawning version of Jumanji isn't real, the popular franchise did indeed lead to the creation of actual board games that people can play.
- Real-World Tie-in Game: According to the reference, the fictional concept of Jumanji "did actually give birth to a real board game along the way." A tie-in game was released for home play in 1995, coinciding with the first major film adaptation.
- How it Differs: This real-world board game allows fans to experience a version of the game's premise without the supernatural risks. The reference explicitly notes that the real tie-in game did not include "actual jungle animals and big game hunters." It's designed for entertainment, simulating the journey and challenges from the story in a safe, non-magical format.
Therefore, while the perilous game of Jumanji from the fictional universe is not real, physical board games based on the franchise exist and are available for purchase and play.
