The Best Board Games of All Time

By Betsy Cribb

We haven’t met a game we don’t like. From engaging TV games like “Quiplash” to crowd-pleasing (and inexpensive) cell phone apps like “Heads Up,” these days, there’s no shortage of ways to play. But sometimes, you need to stow away the screens in favor of some old-school analog fun. For rainy summer afternoons and low-key (or hyper-competitive) Saturday nights, there’s no better entertainment for a crowd than a classic board game. Here are the 15 best board games (in alphabetical order) for your next game night, whether you’re teaching the little ones to play your childhood favorites or challenging your neighbors to a showdown of epic proportions.

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1 of 16

Balderdash

Amazon

The wacky word is real, but the definitions you and your fellow competitors make up are a bunch of baloney. This one’s perfect for word lovers and good bluffers.

Buy it now: $15; amazon.com

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2 of 16

Blokus

Walmart

Tetris, but make it a board game—and add three other players working against you. Blokus is all about strategy.

Buy it now: $12; walmart.com

 

3 of 16

Candy Land

Amazon

Calling all nostalgic parents! There’s no better way to teach your children how to win or lose graciously than this sugary sweet game.

Buy it now: $13; amazon.com

 

 

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4 of 16

Checkers

Amazon

Win game night with this three-for-one set, which includes a double-sided gameboard and pieces to play checkers, chess, and backgammon.

Buy it now: $9; amazon.com

 

5 of 16

Chutes and Ladders

Walmart

Transport yourself back to your childhood with this retro 1978 edition of the up-and-down adventure.

Buy it now: $20; walmart.com

 

 

6 of 16

Clue

Amazon

Before real-crime podcasts and chilling Netflix documentaries caught our attention, we had this murder mystery game to satisfy our inner detectives. My money’s on Colonel Mustard in the ballroom with a candlestick.

Buy it now: $15; amazon.com

 

 

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7 of 16

The Game of Life

Walmart

Pets? Twins? Boys or girls? The brightly illustrated classic delivers fun surprises, unexpected windfalls, and the occasional costly bill.

Buy it now: $11; walmart.com

 

 

 

 

8 of 16

Monopoly

Amazon

Whether the suggestion of Monopoly inspires squeals of glee or groans and “we don’t have time for this,” there’s no denying it’s a board game icon.

Buy it now: $14; amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

9 of 16

Pictionary

Walmart

When it comes to making sketches that your team can actually interpret, let’s hope you’re more of a Da Vinci than a Picasso.

Buy it now: $15; walmart.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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10 of 16

Risk

Amazon

Military strategy has never been more fun or colorful, thanks to this punchy 1959 edition.

Buy it now: $25; amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11 of 16

Scrabble

Walmart

Build words, score points, earn bragging rights. Easy, peasy.

Buy it now: $15; walmart.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 of 16

Settlers of Catan

Amazon

Can you build a settlement that lasts? Test your skills in this cult-classic trading game.

Buy it now: $44; amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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13 of 16

Sorry!

Walmart

Normally, we vouch for sincere apologies, but not when it comes to friendly competition.

Buy it now: $9; walmart.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 of 16

Trivial Pursuit

Amazon

Test your smarts with 2,400 tricky trivia questions that take no prisoners.

Buy it now: $16; amazon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 of 16

Trouble

Walmart

The “Pop-O-Matic” die-rolling bubble adds an extra element of fun.

Buy it now: $7; walmart.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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