In the 1980 book The Best of Board Wargaming, Jack Greene liked the components, commenting, "the superb mapsheet is one of the most beautiful ever printed." He felt the game was "excellent at pointing out supply and movement problems in the jungles of New Guinea, the superb training for jungle warfare of the Japanese army, and the quality of Australian forces facing it [...] Not only does it show the problems and careful planning needed for jungle warfare, but it is also an excellent fighting game." He warned that "Fighting withdrawals by either side are critical in slowing down the advances over the Owen Stanley mountains. Usually there follows a key battle at the edge of the mountains and then the final struggles for Buna or Port Moresby, with wild cards of sea and air landing operations." Greene concluded by giving the game an "Excitement" grade of 90%, saying, "Highly recommended."
