Microgames was a phenomenon of especially the 1970’s and early 1980’s. One of my favorites was the gem of Barbarian Prince released by the long defunct Dwarfstar Heritage games. One of the things that separated it from other games of the time it was a solitaire game with endless adventures
From the box:
Evil events have overtaken the Northlands. You — Cal Arath, Barbarian Prince — are in hiding and the usurper who killed your father, the Old King, now sits on his throne. Now you must flee south and raise enough gold by adventuring to equip an army with which to regain your rightful heritage. The way will not be easy, for the men of the south are strange, and some are schooled in the black mysteries. The passes are guarded by monsters, it is said, and in the ruined cities lurk foul things never born of this earth. But you have your stubborn Northland will and your great sword — and woe to anyone or anything which stands between you and your quest . . .
BARBARIAN PRINCE is a solitaire game of heroic adventure in a forgotten age of barbarism and sorcery. No opponent is necessary as the Event Booklet takes you through a pre-programmed sequence of encounters which is different each time you play the game. For each event, you, as the Barbarian Prince Cal Arath, must make the decisions which will make your quest successful — or may cost you your life.
BARBARIAN PRINCE is a new concept in Adventure Gaming. No rules reading is required; the programmed event sequence lets you begin play as soon as you open the box.
BARBARIAN PRINCE contains — A full-color 12″x 14″ mapboard, a die, rules folder, Event Booklet, and summary sheet — and a detailed cast metal figure of the Barbarian Prince to mark your position on the board.
PLAY LEVEL – Introductory
Back cover:
Game Board:
For a game that was only a few dollars ($4.95) when In was released in 1981 it has grown in significant value among collectors or those just wanting to relive their youth. If you’re lucky enough to find a good copy with all its pieces on eBay or somewhere else it commonly sells for $200 or higher.
There is an alternative where you can download the game as well as other Dwarfstar Heritage microgames, but somehow it’s not the same. You can download it here:
Mark Bere Peterson’s Hauntings, Urban Legends the Northern Tradition and Southern Witchcraft 