The Best Board Games For Adults
There are few better ways to bring people together than with an engaging board game. And that isn't just the case for children — we adults often forget how much fun we have when we do sit down to play together. Board games challenge us, thrill us, and bring out our competitive nature in a fun and interactive way. But there is a near-endless amount of games and genres for buyers to sift through, so we scoured the market to bring you this comprehensive list of the best board games out there.
What To Look For
There are enough board game genres in the shuffle to confuse even the most seasoned players, but there are still a few commonalities any good board game should share. Most importantly, it doesn’t matter if it’s a mystery or a word game, if the game isn’t enabling everybody to have a good time, it’s probably not the best game for you. Ultimately, what you should look for in a worthwhile board game is engaging gameplay, a strong emphasis on multi-player gaming, and bringing something to the table that can interest everyone in your group. We feel the game that best embodies those essential qualities is the classic real estate game, Monopoly. With endlessly engaging gameplay that forces you to see two steps ahead of your opponents, this game is timeless for a reason. On the other hand, if you’re in the market for a word game, Bananagrams should definitely pique your interest. This tricky game involves creating your own intricate blocks of interconnected words and trying to string the most impressive phrases together to win big. Move right along if you want to find out what we love about the rest of our favorites.
Monopoly
Build your business
The classic board game Monopoly is a timeless, engaging thrill ride that tasks every player with building the largest real estate empire on the board. You can buy properties, charge rent, pay penalties, and even get stuck in jail for the next turn. One of the reasons Monopoly has stayed so popular over the years is that it’s easy for billions of people all over the world to understand and play it.
Pros:
- Ideal for multi-player
- Classic game with staying power
- Almost everyone knows the rules to some extent
Cons:
- The rules can sometimes be hard for children to grasp
Bananagrams Word Game
Spell it out
Despite their boring reputation, word games are some of the most exciting board games in existence. For example, Bananagrams is a test to see which person in your party can make the most elaborate and elegant string of interconnected words. Each player starts off with 21 tiles and has to continue making words until all the tiles run out. This game challenges your vocabulary, spatial reasoning skills, and spelling.
Pros:
- Good to use as a brain teaser
- A fresh take on Scrabble
- The game is fast-paced
Cons:
- Many people won’t give it a chance because it’s a word game
Hasbro Gaming Trivial Pursuit
Test your knowledge
Sometimes there’s nothing more fun to do with a group than testing our collective knowledge with trivia games. One of the most famous and beloved trivia games ever made is Hasbro Gaming’s Trivial Pursuit. Trivial Pursuit questions can be related to any number of subjects, including science, history, art, technology, and culture. With over 2,400 questions in the game, it’ll be a long time before you and your loved ones have to deal with repeated questions.
Pros:
- Fun way to get competitive with the family
- Over 2,400 questions in total, so it won’t get old quickly
- Includes questions related to a wide variety of topics
Cons:
- The questions are very US-centric, so if you’re from somewhere other than the US, some of the references might go over your head
BOHS Wooden Sudoku Board
Put the pieces together
Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games in the world. With this gorgeous wooden board, you can play Sudoku alone or with multiple players. As a math-based brain teaser, Sudoku centers around pattern recognition and spatial reasoning. When honed, both of those skills can be useful in the real world. Sudoku is a quiet game that sometimes requires heavy contemplation, making it a fun and challenging endeavor.
Pros:
- Great brain teaser
- Can be played solo or with friends
- Hones pattern-recognition skills
Cons:
- Although it is fun, addictive, and rewarding at times, Sudoku is far from the most exciting board game ever made
Hasbro Gaming Clue
Crack the case
Few board games require as much probing and investigative work as Hasbro Gaming’s Clue. This game allows each player to investigate the circumstances around the sudden death of someone in the game. As the turns play out, alliances are formed, lies are examined, and the culprit is always caught in the end. Not to mention, Clue is considerably more affordable than plenty of comparable board games from the time.
Pros:
- Puts your investigative brain to the test
- Doesn’t require new players to memorize many rules
- Fun for the whole family
Cons:
- The board is on the smaller side
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to play a board game?
The best times to play board games are when everyone is stuck inside because of the weather and just wants to have a good time getting invested in a game. Another good time to play is when you’ve just reunited with your family or an old friend group and want to have a good time. Really, the best time is whenever you have loved ones willing to get engaged.
Are adult board games off-limits to children?
That depends on the game. Most of the time, the “adult” designation is given to a board game not because it contains inappropriate content, but more due to its style of gameplay or its complexity, which may not appeal to children. However, there certainly are some adult board games that contain material most parents wouldn’t want their kids to engage with. Be sure to read the board game’s description to determine whether your kids might be able to play along with you.
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