---
product_id: 90161135
title: "Terraforming Mars The Colonies by Stronghold Games, Strategy Board Game"
brand: "stronghold games"
price: "$109"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 4
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/90161135-terraforming-mars-the-colonies-by-stronghold-games-strategy-board-game
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# 120 min playtime 1-5 players 7.2" x 9.2" Terraforming Mars The Colonies by Stronghold Games, Strategy Board Game

**Brand:** stronghold games
**Price:** $109
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🚀 Terraform Your Game Nights!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Terraforming Mars The Colonies by Stronghold Games, Strategy Board Game by stronghold games
- **How much does it cost?** $109 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/90161135-terraforming-mars-the-colonies-by-stronghold-games-strategy-board-game)

## Best For

- stronghold games enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted stronghold games brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Compact & Portable:** Easily fits into your game collection with dimensions of 7.2" x 9.2".
- • **Age-Appropriate Fun:** Designed for ages 12 and up, making it ideal for family and friends.
- • **No Batteries Required:** Enjoy uninterrupted fun with a battery-free experience.
- • **Perfect for Game Night:** Engage 1 to 5 players in thrilling interplanetary competition.
- • **Unleash Your Inner Strategist:** Dive into a world of tactical gameplay and collaboration.

## Overview

Terraforming Mars: The Colonies is a strategic board game designed for 1 to 5 players, offering an immersive experience with an average playtime of 120 minutes. Crafted from durable cardboard, this multi-colored game is perfect for ages 12 and up, making it a fantastic addition to any game night.

## Description

Our world has widened before us. Corporations expand their operations to all corners of the solar system in pursuit of minerals and resources. Most places are not suited for performing, but building colonies may greatly improve your income and your possibilities in achieving that higher goal - the transforming of Mars. Send your trade fleet to distant moons! Colonize the clouds of Jupiter! And let your earth assets propel you to success!terraforming Mars: colonies lets you Visit the outer solar system. It features colony tiles where you can build colonies and send your trade fleet. It also includes new cards and corporations.

## Features

- 1 to 5 players
- 120 minutes average playtime
- For ages 12 and up
- material type: Paper
- number of players: 4

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Item Weight | 0.44 Kilograms |
| Item Dimensions L x W | 7.2"L x 9.2"W |
| Color | Multi-colored |
| Theme | Strategy |
| Are Batteries Required | No |
| Material Type | Cardboard |
| CPSIA Cautionary Statement | No Warning Applicable |

## Images

![Terraforming Mars The Colonies by Stronghold Games, Strategy Board Game - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71eAPSWPR-L.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: Can this be played as a stand alone game or only as an expansion?**
A: It can not be played alone. You have to have the base game.

**Q: Product Information says 4+ players. Can this be used as 1 player with the main game?**
A: Yes it could be used in a solo game of Terraforming Mars if you wished. I have used it myself that way.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ AMAZING game, solo and multiplayer
*by R***O on October 26, 2020*

Terraforming Mars (TM) is absolutely fantastic. I'd give it 6 stars if I could. It's that good. Definitely a gamer's game (ie. not intended for newcomers/nongamers), but worth every penny. With that said, TM has a bit of a learning curve.TM also has a wonderful solo variant, so if you're looking for a challenge, and you like to play solo (or at least have that option), look no further. That's actually the main reason I bought this game, and yet now I can't wait to try it multiplayer. And since it has the solo mode, I'll be able to teach it no problem and help move the game along as well. Another huge plus for me.At its core, TM is an engine builder, with cards and projects to help increase 6 main resources and production of said resources (MegaCredits=money, Steel, Titanium, Plants, Energy, and Heat). I won't go into great detail, but it's from these resources and a set amount of starting resources depending on which Corporation (think player) you play as that you start your engine building. There are 5 beginner corporations that are generic and all the same, and then there are an additional 12 that each have their own special ability(ies) and amount of starting credits, and possibly resources and/or resource production. I recommend starting with a beginner corporation, as knowing which cards to keep during setup also has a learning curve.Throughout the game, the player(s) are attempting to gain victory points (known as Terraform Rating, or TR) while simultaneously terraforming the planet. This terraforming includes 3 main elements: increasing temperature, oxygen levels, and water/ocean tiles.In the solo mode, you are attempting to complete all 3 of these before the end of your 14th turn. If you do so, you win. You can also keep track of your best scores, though TM isn't simply just a beat your own score solo mode. You actually have to WIN first (ie. complete the 3 elements to terraforming by end of turn 14), which is NOT easy. It's very clever, and very fun. Games typically take me 1-2 hours.In multi mode, you are trying to accrue the highest TR at the game end, signified by the completion of all 3 elements of terraforming. However, you score not only points from your base TR, cards, city tiles, and plant tiles (as in the solo mode), but also from any awards or milestones that you claimed. In that regard TM is somewhat of a point salad game...which I think is great. Again, looking forward to trying it multiplayer.While initially there is some luck of the draw, this is mitigated each turn during the refresh phase, as each player gets to look at 4 new cards from the deck and decide how many to keep, paying 3 credits per card. It is also and perhaps more so mitigated by the standard projects listed on the board, which every player has access to every turn regardless of which cards they may or may not have. These can be key in the solo mode if you don't get the best starting cards, which I assume would be true multiplayer.At a $41 price point, I can't recommend this game enough. It has numerous expansions (I think around 5 or 6), so even if you tire of the base game at some point (I haven't yet), there is much more you can add to TM. The Hellas & Elysium expansion is a double sided board with 2 new and different faces of Mars to terraform (ie different maps), so you have the option of 3 maps total. The Prelude expansion has additional cards and more importantly additional corporations, for even more variety. I have yet to get to either of these, but am looking forward to it when the time comes. There are also several others that I do not have yet.All this being said, the replayability is quite high on TM. And it's tons of fun if you like to think. There is a reason it's been in the top 20 on BGG the last 4 years since it's inception.EDIT: I forgot to mention that I highly suggest buying at least the 2 pack of wooden player boards from Smonex. They are great quality and completely take care of the problem of accidentally bumping/moving your production markers from the player boards that come with the game. Though not as vibrant or colorful, the wooden boards work so much better. Game on!EDIT 10/1/22: I have all the expansions except Turmoil, and I still love it. Favorite game of all time. Even better with the expansions; so much replayability.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great board game when you got plenty of time to commit
*by C***S on August 7, 2025*

I would caution that this game takes a long time to play, but it is fun once you begin to understand it. There are lots of ways to develop your strategy making it very replayable. After we bought this, we purchased it digitally on Steam and have alternated playing each version. Give yourself 2.5 to 3 hours to play it the first time.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent game.
*by J***. on July 14, 2025*

Always a fun game and entertaining for an afternoon. Playable over and over and good expansions available.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Terraforming Mars The Colonies by Stronghold Games, Strategy Board Game
- Stronghold Games - Terraforming Mars Prelude 2 - Strategy Board Game Expansion - for 1 to 5 Players and Ages 12+
- Stronghold Games - Terraforming Mars Amazonis & Vastitas - Strategy Board Game Expansion - for 1 to 5 Players and Ages 12+

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-01-22*