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In a time where short attention spans dominate and online games constantly evolve to suit the current generation, there's one thing that stands the test of time: board games! I'm sure each one of you has experienced at least one of these iconic best-selling games, some of which have sold millions and are enjoyed by billions across the globe. Here's a list of the top 10 board games of all time.
Note: With Christmas approaching, inexpensive board games make excellent stocking stuffers. Below, you'll find links* to purchase these on Amazon.
10. Ticket to Ride
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Ticket to Ride has received numerous accolades and sold more than 6 million copies since its release. As one of the most popular contemporary board games, it invites players to embark on a cross-country train journey, collecting different types of train cards to control railway routes between cities. The game is easy to understand, but mastering it requires clever strategy and tactics. The more expansive the train routes each player claims, the more points they earn.
Players can also earn extra points through 'destination tickets.' Simply put, on each turn, you draw more cards, claim a route, or pick up a destination ticket. Don’t tell the kids, but it’s also a great learning tool. It’s a fun way to enhance your geography knowledge. There are different versions of the game where you can build your routes across Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa. It’s a top-tier, modern game perfect for family fun! So, get ready to start your journey!
9. The Game of Life
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The Game of Life, created by Milton Bradley, has its roots in the 1860s as The Checkered Game of Life. The game mirrors the journey of life itself—starting with college and ending with retirement, all while navigating milestones such as marriage, children, and homeownership. Over the years, various rule changes have been introduced, with the game becoming less intense. The modern version debuted in the 1960s and featured revenge spaces, which were later transformed into 'Sue for Damages' in the 1970s. Today’s edition includes reward squares for acts of kindness, such as recycling or helping those in need.
The game is simple to play with a game board, spinner (instead of dice), cards, tokens, cars, pegs, and money. After choosing either the College or Career path, you're ready to go. Spin the spinner to move forward and follow the instructions on the spaces you land on. You'll experience paydays, have the option to buy insurance or a house, maybe have kids (or not), and the player who retires with the most money wins. Live your best life!
8. Clue
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Clue (also known as Cluedo in some regions) is the ultimate classic detective game where you must solve a murder mystery. With six suspects, the goal is to figure out who committed the crime, what weapon they used, and where the crime occurred. Players navigate through different rooms of a mansion, asking others if they have certain suspect, weapon, or room cards. If they do, they must show them.
If the player to your left doesn't have the cards you're asking about, the question is passed to the next person. Through process of elimination, you'll be able to rule out suspects, weapons, and rooms until you can make a guess at who the killer is. Be careful—if you're wrong, you're out of the game! Keep a straight face and a sharp mind; this is a game of strategy and suspense.
7. Battleship
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Battleship is a classic game from Hasbro that blends luck and strategy. In this naval-themed game, the objective is to sink all of your opponent's battleships before they sink yours. The game is played on a 10×10 grid, where players begin by positioning their fleet of ships of various sizes and shapes. Your task is to place your battleships in such a way that makes it harder for your opponent to guess their locations. The game heats up as you and your rival take turns calling out coordinates, trying to hit each other's ships. When you score a hit, your opponent announces it, and you earn another chance to strike.
Once you sink a ship, the iconic catchphrase, 'You sunk my battleship!' rings out, as advertised by Hasbro. The game continues until one player manages to sink all of the enemy's ships. It’s simple but highly entertaining, with countless strategies for ship placement. Today, you can also find numerous online versions of Battleship, allowing you to play against opponents across the globe. Ready, aim, fire!
6. Scrabble
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Scrabble was created by Alfred Mosher Butts during the 1930s, right in the middle of America's Great Depression. Little did Butts know that his invention would not only change lives but also bring joy to families during tough times. After studying popular games like chess, checkers, and bingo, Butts realized that word games lacked a scoring system, and thus, Scrabble was born. Though simple, it requires deep thinking. Players start with seven tiles, each featuring a letter and its corresponding point value. On each turn, players form words with their tiles, earning points based on the squares they occupy. Words must be connected to existing ones, adding a layer of complexity to the game.
Once all tiles are played and there are no more left in the bag, or no valid words remain, players total their scores. Any tiles left in a player's hand are subtracted from their final score. The winner is the one with the highest score. Legend has it that the point values assigned to each letter by Butts were based on the likelihood of those letters appearing on the front page of The New York Times!
5. The Settlers of Catan
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The Settlers of Catan takes players back to an age of exploration and discovery. Your ships arrive on the shores of an unknown land, soon to be named Catan. As players, you become the Settlers of Catan. Though it may not be the most widely recognized game, it’s certainly one of the top contenders! This game revolves around trade and economics. The objective is to dominate the island of Catan, though there are no battles or player eliminations. Instead, players use the island's natural resources to construct cities and engage in trade. The winner is the one who accumulates the most points and claims the title of Catan's ruler.
The ultimate goal is to collect the highest number of points by the game's end, but victory is unattainable without trading with your opponents and occasionally sacrificing precious resources. This is where strategy comes into play! Observe both your needs and those of your opponents, and devise a plan to ensure fair exchanges that will ultimately lead to your victory.
4. Risk
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Risk, created by French inventor Albert Lamorisse in 1957, was initially named 'La Conquête du Monde,' which translates to 'The Conquest of the World.' Parker Brothers later introduced the game to the U.S., renaming it 'Risk' for broader appeal. Despite the name change, the game's objective has remained unchanged: strategically defeat your rivals and conquer the entire board. The game soared in popularity during the 1960s, particularly among high school and university students worldwide.
The game gained widespread popularity due to its challenging nature, which kept young players engaged and thinking. While luck plays a minor role in determining the winner, the key to success lies in strategic thinking. Besides Monopoly, Risk is also considered one of the best games for honing negotiation and strategic skills. Enjoy strategizing!
3. Chess
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Chess, one of the oldest and most widely played games, is typically played by two players on a checkered board, usually black and white, with different pieces. The pieces include a King, Queen, two bishops, knights (often represented by horses), rooks (derived from the Persian word for a tower), and eight pawns. Each piece has a unique movement, and the goal is to trap the opponent's king. Originating in India around the 6th century AD, the game quickly spread through Asia and Europe, becoming known as the 'royal game' due to its popularity with royalty. It remains unchanged to this day.
Throughout the 20th century, chess saw massive growth, with competitions and sponsorships becoming widespread. The rise of technology in recent years has also seen the development of various apps, allowing players to engage in international games and tournaments online. It’s hard to imagine that the game, once founded, would grow to such a global phenomenon.
2. Stratego
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Stratego is a strategic board game where two players use opposing colored pieces, usually red and blue. Each piece has a rank marked on one side, which remains hidden when played. When a piece moves to an opponent’s square, both pieces are revealed, and the lower-ranked piece is eliminated. If the pieces have matching ranks, both are removed. The objective is to either capture all the opponent’s pieces or force them to surrender. This game is deeply rooted in strategy and evokes themes from World War II.
Since its launch, over 20 million copies of Stratego have been sold globally, with a large following in the US, Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Like chess, the game now boasts annual national and international championships. New online versions are available, along with several Sci-Fi-themed editions of the game. Be prepared for a mental challenge!
1. Monopoly
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Monopoly is one of the most beloved games worldwide. Most of you have probably played it at least once or heard of it. Since its invention in 1935, over 250 million copies of the game have been sold, and more than 1 billion people have played it. As one of the most recognized board games in the world, it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998. For those unfamiliar, Monopoly is a real-estate-themed board game played by up to eight participants. The primary goal is to become financially secure while driving your opponents to bankruptcy.
Players take turns moving around the board, acquiring properties and building hotels. When opponents land on these properties, they must pay rent. As one player expands their empire, the others’ fortunes diminish until only one player remains, holding all the wealth. While chance can influence your speed in winning or losing, strategy is key to mastering the game. Originally set in London, the game now boasts hundreds of themed editions based on different locations and movies.
+ Contest
CONTEST CLOSED: The competition has ended. Congratulations to the winners, whose names are posted in the comments section below.
Five lucky commenters will be selected to receive this incredible classic board game 100 game set, which includes over 100 classic games made from high-quality materials, all packed in a beautiful gold-foil gift box. Whether you're spending time with family and friends during a weekend getaway or a weekday routine, this set offers a wide range of games to keep everyone entertained. It includes 5 double-sided printed game boards: Snake & Ladders, Checkers, Backgammon, Ludo, Solitaire, Chess, Nine-men Morris, Racing game, Goose game, Chinese checkers, and more. Plus, there are 5 rolling dice, 30 checkers/backgammon pieces, 32 chess pieces, 15 matches, 60 ludo pawns, and clear instructions.
How to participate: Simply leave a comment on the list. Feel free to share your favorite board game, a funny board game story, or even give a shoutout to the list writer! All comments are eligible, and you can increase your chances by commenting more than once. The competition ends at midnight tonight. Winners will be selected randomly, so it doesn't matter when you comment—whether it's 1 am, 6 am, or 11 pm.
