Parcheesi is an American version of the Ancient game of Pachisi, the national game of India, in which you race around a track on the game board, attempting to block your opponents while moving your markers to the goal. The game is also known as Pachisi, Parchisi, Parchesi, and Twenty-Five, and is a descendent of the older game of Chaupar.

Parcheesi, a family classic since the 1860s, is the ultimate race-and-chase board game. The object is take four pawns from start to home, using rolls of the dice to dictate your moves. It sounds easy, but to accomplish your mission you have to first roll a five to even move off of start, and then you must avoid running into blockades and dodge your opponents, who threaten at every turn to send you back to the beginning. If you plot your moves strategically and use the safety zones scattered around the board, you might just make it.

American counterparts include Parcheesi, Sorry, and Trouble.

Parcheesi Games

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The classic race and chase game. Get your animal pawn from start to home first and you win. But you have to get past your opponent's blockades, or get captured and sent back to start. A favorite for more than 100 years. This new edition of the game includes a 20" by 20" Game Board, 4 Tiger Pawns, 4 Elephant Pawns, 4 Water Buffalo Pawns, 4 Camel Pawns, and 2 Wooden Dice.

Simple to learn, irresistibly fun to play, Parcheesi has just the right sprinkling of strategy mixed with all the elements of classic race-and-chase games: revenge, captures, lucky doubles, and rewards. The Deluxe Edition game board is quite generous (18.5 inches square). Players each get their very own dice and dice cups; brightly painted wooden pawns come with an extra in each color just in case one is lost. Deluxe Parcheesi is for two to four players.

A collection of twelve classic games including Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, Reversi, Pachisi, Gomoku, Chinese Checkers, and many more. You can choose to play against an animated computer player, who's skill level you can change, or play against another player on the same computer. You can also play all the games against another player over the Internet or through a network. A great value -- 12 classic games for only $9.98!

A Game for Every Player. A Game for Every Night! All of the best classic table games with a brand-new twist! Get ahead faster with In-Game Tutorials that walk you through the fun, step-by-step. Earn "Hoyle Bucks" and purchase extra content, music, and more! With animated opponents who talk back and speak their minds — now it's more than just a game! Adjustable skill levels with Beginner, Intermediate, or Expert modes. Choose game variations and music to suit your mood. Hoyle Table Games contains all your favorites, including Backgammon, Battleship, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, Mahjong Tiles, Pachisi, Maximum Pool, Reversi, and many more - 18 exciting and challenging board games that you'll want to play again and again! Also Available: Hoyle Board Games 2003, Hoyle Board Games 2002.

Aimed at casual gamers of all ages, pocketPachisi features colorful animated graphics, strong computer opponents and the same fun family gameplay of the original boardgame that will have you coming back for more! The game is now available for PocketPC (ARM & MIPS devices). Play against 3 computer opponents or up to 3 of your friends on one device. Multiple gameplay speeds let you customize the flow of the game to your own preference.

Parcheesi Links

Parcheesi Rules

Rules to the game of Parcheesi, as reprinted from an old game. From the excellent Game Cabinet Rules site.

History and information about the game of Pachisi, the national game of India. Part of James Masters' Online Guide to Traditional Games site.

An online version of a Ludo-like game, from GameSquare, based in the Netherlands.

An online version of the Parcheesi game, from Ludoteka.com, the web site where you can play the more interesting board and Spanish card games with other people on the net.

See Also: Ludo, Sorry, Trouble