Popular Board Games

Popular board games are games that lots of people enjoy playing, and they're also games that are played on some kind of game board. In most board games, counters are moved according to some set of rules on a board. Some board games include a random element like dice or cards, while others don't. We define boardgames pretty loosely here, and we've included some games that might seem like word games, like Boggle. Please don't hold that against us.

Most Popular Board Games

Below we've created a list of the most popular boardgames in the world. I based this list on search demand, among other things.

1. Monopoly - When I think of board games, Monopoly is the first game that comes to mind. And it was an old game even when I was a kid, over 20 years ago.
2. Clue - Clue was originally called "Cluedo", and it was first published in the 1950's in England. 2 to 6 players ages 8+ can play.
3. Scrabble - No word game is more popular or well-known than Scrabble. Like Monopoly, Scrabble is a classic, having been created in 1938.
4. Cranium - Crainum is one of the newest games on this list, having been created in 1992. The game is based on Ludo. Cranium involves several skills, including art skills, trivia skills, performance skills, and language skills.
5. Axis & Allies - This one is a little bit of a misnomer, as Axis & Allies isn't just a popular board game; it's a whole series of board games set during World War II. Like Cranium, this is one of the newer games on the list, originally being published in 1981.
6. Settlers of Catan - This is one of my family's favorite games, and I think it will age well. The game was originally published in the mid-1990's, and it's spawned several spinoff games.
7. Candyland - This is one of the most basic and simplistic of all boardgames, and it's a perfect game for young children. Most adults will find it pretty boring, but they'll play it anyway to please their kids.
8. Checkers - Checkers is easier to play than Chess, but it's still a game of strategy. Kids love to play Checkers. Some people call it "Draughts."
9. Zombies!!! - This is a wonderful game from the folks at Twilight Creations that perfectly captures the spirit of movies like Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead.
10. Acquire - Has a similar theme to Monopoly, but totally different gameplay.

Popular Geek Board Games

Geeks and nerds are "in" these days. Tis a pity that my years as a nerd were in the 1980's instead of now. These games are geeky but fun.

1. Dungeon Lords - Nothing says, "I'm a geek." better than playing games where explorers go underground to fight monsters and gather treasure. Dungeon Lords is a cool variation on the theme by putting you in the role of the guy running the dungeon, rather than one of the explorers.
2. Space Hulk - Space Marines battle "genestealers" in the year 40,000 AD. Geeky? We think so.
3. War of the Ring - A strategy board game inspired by The Lord of the Rings. Geeky? Hell, yeah.
4. Battlestar Galactica - Even non-geeks enjoyed the tv show, but only a geek would actually play this game.
5. Race for the Galaxy - This is really a card game, but it's about the colonization of planets, which makes it a popular geek board game in our opinion.
6. Pandemic - A scifi game about a disease that might destroy the world.
7. Twilight Imperium - Galactic empires are geek territory.
8. Blood Bowl - Football played as geeks would play it - with orcs!
9. Marvel Heroes - Anything comic book related screams "Geek!"
10. Heroscape Marvel - The latest Marvel Comics themed board game is based on the popular Heroscape games.

Popular Online Board Games

One of the first and best uses of the Internet is for the playing of online board games. We've listed some of the most popular board games online below. Enjoy.

1. Online Chess - Possibly the most popular board game online, except maybe Scrabble.
2. Online Monopoly - Another incredibly popular board game that's played online.
3. Online Battleship - An ideal game for online play.
4. Online Trivial Pursuit - Now you can demonstrate your ignorance of popular culture in front of strangers on the Internet.
5. Online Backgammon - Some people gamble at online backgammon.
6. Online Checkers - Lots of fun.
7. Online Scrabble - Lots of controversy about this, but online versions of the game are incredibly popular.
8. Online Othello/Reversi - Always a popular strategy board game that's SO easy to play.
9. Online Pente - A simple game with a simple goal, but complex strategy.
10. Online Stratego - If you like Stratego, then you'll probably like online Stratego too. It's that simple.

Popular Vintage Board Games

Vintage board games are popular collectibles, and they make great gifts. You can find a lot of good deals on popular vintage board games on eBay now.

1. Vintage Chess Sets - Chess players seem to enjoy collecting vintage and unusual chess sets.
2. Alien Movie Board Game - This one is extremely rare and expensive, if you can even find it.
3. Star Wars Monopoly - They've published a couple of different Star Wars themed Monopoly games now, and they're both collectible.
4. Green Hornet Board Game - Another extremely rare boardgame that will see an increase in price with the upcoming movie.
5. Vintage Monopoly Games - Monopoly has been around long enough that there are plenty of vintage sets to choose from.
6. Vintage Backgammon Sets - Backgammon is similar to chess in terms of fan loyalty.
7. Vintage Go Sets - Go is an even older game than chess, but it doesn't seem to have the same following among collectors.
8. Vintage Checkers Games - A rare antique checkers set might make a great gift for a grandparent.
9. Vintage Chinese Checkers Games - I never enjoyed Chinese Checkers, but people collect it and play it constantly, so it's popular, for sure.
10. Vintage Scrabble Games - Another game that's been around long enough to have collectible editions.

Popular Family Board Games

Family boardgames are played by the entire family, maybe on a family game night, or maybe at special get-togethers. It's a great way to spend time with your wife and kids that doesn't involve sitting in front of a screen and being passive.

1. Sorry - A simple board game with a little bit of strategy. Sorry is one of the more interesting board games you can play with your kids.
2. Operation - Lots of fun for the kids, but Operation can be frustrating if your kids aren't good at it.
3. Connect 4 - Surprisingly challenging, and kids like the vertical rather than horizontal design.
4. Chutes and Ladders - This one is also sometimes called Snakes and Ladders. It's a classic boardgame that can be played by kids aged 3+.
5. Aggravation - Race marbles from base to home.
6. The Game of Life - Similar to PayDay. It sounds like it would be like Monopoly, but it's not at all.
7. Payday - A classic that sounds like it would be similar to Monopoly, but it really isn't.
8. Boggle - A great word find game that's about as different from Scrabble as a game could be. My mom played this one with me over and over again.
9. Trivial Pursuit - This game isn't really good for kids, but it's fun if your kids are old enough to know any of the answers.
10. Hungry Hungry Hippos - Kids LOVE this game. Admittedly, it's fun for the entire family. Don't expect subtlety at all though.