No matter what age you are, you’ve probably played a lot of board games in your life. While they aren’t as popular now thanks to video games and technology, they will always hold a special place in the heart of millions of people around the world.
Nothing was better than family board night as a kid, playing games while staying at your grandparents, or having fun inside on a rainy day. In the 25 years I have been alive I’ve seen many games come and go but some have held true to the test of time. Here are the five best games that I feel will never really get old or go out of style.
Monopoly
This game, made by Hasbro, was a popular staple in everyone’s closet and was one of the most complicated yet fun games that you could play on the floor with family and friends. Monopoly was a game that allowed you buy property and charge anyone who stayed in your owned domain. Everyone alive who played this game remembers what it’s like to get a sweet $200 for passing go or being stuck in jail without mercy. This game has spawned many spinoff games and special editions in the years following it’s release and the sales of this game seem to be as strong as ever.
Chess
Chess is a popular strategy game that tests your intellect and strategizing skills. Chess originates from a two player game called Chatarung that dates back to around 600AD in India. In 1000AD chess entered Europe which is where the pieces were changed to how they look today and the rules were established. In this game you must use your pieces to capture your opponents army by moving only in the designated way of specific pieces. This game is so popular that not only is it played at home and online by all ages, but it has also spawned clubs, tournaments, and national associations. The future of this game is promising as it continues to grow in popularity, media and social network coverage, and legitimacy throughout the world.
Battleship
This is another game that has endured the years and will surely be remembered as a favorite for ages to come. The idea of the game is to take turns calling out coordinates and trying to sink the other player’s ships. The tricky part is that you can not see the other side of the board or how your opponent has set up their pieces. This game has led to the creation of other similar games as well like the extremely popular game known as “Battle Shots.” When playing this game, nothing is better than seeing the look of panic on your friends face when they realize you found their pieces and are going in for the kill.
Risk
This in my house is known as the family destroyer, killer of friendships game. When you play for strategy nothing can get more intense than a good game of Risk. This game is a time waster and some rounds we would play lasted days at a time, the longest being a week and a half. This game of global domination is a back and forth where you are a world power bent on the task of world domination. Little sisters all over the world despise this game, often with good reason as they were picked off the lineup first.
Candyland
One game from my childhood that I will never forget playing countless times is Candyland. This game was a simple straightforward board racing game where the goal was to reach the end first. This game is great for younger ages as it is easy to understand, requires no reading, and has a minimal amount of pieces in play. This game was always great because it let your mind take a break from other more intense games that involved strategy. The only thing you needed to do to play was follow the directions. You race around the board to find King Kandy and the game is only completed when a player reaches the end. This game has brought joy to millions of kids and I believe it will continue to do so for years to come.
All five of these games have stood the test of time and are a great way to spend some time having fun with family and friends. Play any one of these the next time your indoors on a rainy day, visiting relatives, or just need something to do, they won’t disappoint!
Source:
United States Chess Federation- Chess History
Common Ground- Board Games: Hardly Old Fashioned
For more great entertainment reading and information from this author, check out:
Guide to New and Hilarious PC Gaming
How to Improve Your Brain Function by Playing Games Online
Five of the Best Magicians of the 20th & 21st Century
