Sure, we all love our electronic screens, but board games have never lost their appeal. In fact, they are more popular than ever. Board games are great for family time, gathering with friends and even solo play. Some games are perfect for big groups, parties, family events, and especially holiday gatherings. The average household owns an assortment of board games. In many cases, the board games have been passed down from one generation to the next, including classic titles like Monopoly, The Game of Life, and Scrabble. Find these and amazing new titles at Best Buy.
Here, we’ll breakdown the types of board games to consider adding to your collection, ranging from familiar classics to modern spins on a decades-old pastime.
Board games buying guide quick reference handout
Table of contents
The most popular types of board games
There are four main types of board games: family, strategy, cooperative, and party.
- Family board games: Family board games are, as the name implies, board games designed for families to play together. They are appropriate for kids as well as adults (some are best for older versus younger kids, though). These include classics like Monopoly, The Game of Life (shown in the image above, Battleship, Scrabble, Clue Junior, and Yahtzee.You’ll find family board games centred around different popular themes as well, such as a Roblox Edition of Monopoly, a Back to the Future game a Five Nights at Freddy’s game, and more. Some are designed to be perfect to play during a specific holiday, like The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits at Halloween or the Monopoly: Elf board game at Christmastime (though you can play these any time of the year the desire strikes).
Most family board games can be played with just two people but are best when played with three or more. They’ll contain elements of luck, strategy, and lots of fun.
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- Party board games – For larger groups, party board games are the way to go. They are designed for participation from many players, though some can theoretically be played with smaller groups as well, with players in pairs, teams, or individually. Lots of party games come in card form, like Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity. Other popular party board games include Exploding Kittens, Scattergories, and Head’s Up. You can also go with classics like Pictionary. Expect plenty of laughs with party board games that are often relatively simplistic with few game pieces, cards, or other accessories.
Typical pieces you’d find in a board game
Every board game is different but there are certain pieces or elements that you’ll find in most of them.
Small game pieces: Board games usually have small pieces like figurines, characters, or colour-coded pieces. These are usually designed to be used one per player or team so they can move around the board, identify themselves easily while playing, and keep track of progress.
Cards: Some board games include cards that might have missions, instructions, or represent properties or deals. The cards can be drawn, acquired, or handed out at the beginning, and can be divided into separate categories.
Dice: You need a way to dictate how to move around some board games. Dice are a common method, however, for games where players navigate a start to finish set-up. Some board games might have spin wheels instead, like Game of Life, or cards.
Timer: Most common in party board games, timers help keep the game moving along, specifying a time for which a player or team must answer a question or make a move. When the timer runs out, the turn is over! There could be a penalty for not taking action before the sand reaches the other end.
Choosing the right board game
Before choosing the right board game to play, one of the main factors to consider along with the type is how many people are playing.
Board games for small groups: For small groups, consider strategy or family board games whereby each person plays on their own. Cooperative board games can be great for smaller groups as well since everyone works together to achieve a common goal. Most board games that work for two people can also work for small groups up to four, or there’s the option to play in pairs or teams.
Board games played in pairs: For pairs, competitive, strategy, and family board games are the way to go, like Ticket to Ride, Dominion: Prosperity, Yahtzee, and Exploding Kittens. To make things fair, pick partner names out of a hat, or have a couples’ night where everyone plays with their significant other. Some party games can be played in pairs, too.
Board games for families: When it comes to family games, these should be easy to learn and contain simple, straightforward rules. Games like Monopoly, Guess Who?, Operation, Twister, Trouble, Clue, Hi Ho Cherry-O, and Candyland are favourites among families, but other newer, popular ones include games like Catan and Ticket to Ride. These are a bit more challenging but still relatively simply to understand and can be played again and again without getting boring. Some family board games designed for older kids also come in junior editions for younger kids, like Monopoly Jr.
With that said, keep in mind that the age selection on a board game is not set in stone and sometimes isn’t accurate. Unless there’s questionable content, which is rare with board games (beyond card games like Cards Against Humanity which includes inappropriate statements) or scary imagery (zombie- and haunted house-based games, for example), you can make the decision if your child can play, regardless of age. It’s also wise to read reviews of the game to get an idea of what others have to say about it and at what age kids will most enjoy or understand it.
Beautiful board games consist of intricately crafted playing pieces, cards, and even storage boxes that are showpieces and would look wonderful on an open shelf. These types of board games are great for gifting and fall into many different categories.
The latest evolution in board games
The latest board games involve more complex set-ups, sometimes even including tech components, and challenge players to do some serious critical thinking while also having 
Pandemic is one of the most popular co-operative games that is quickly becoming a classic. Suitable for ages 10+, it’s tense and thrilling as players must work to cure super diseases that are wiping out humanity.
For a more relaxing night in, Wingspan is gaining a lot of attention. Suitable for up to four players aged 10 and up, it’s also, as noted, one of the most beautiful board games, showcasing gorgeous birds that players must work to attract and preserve. Everyone has their own board to work on and special ability, so there’s little pressure to win or beat your opponents.
Plenty of the latest games are based on television shows, game shows on TV, and popular movies and franchises, like Disney, as well as current trends, like sushi via Sushi Go!, memes via What Do You Meme?, and zombie themes.
How to choose the right board game for your event
Now that you know everything there is to know about board games, it’s time to select the right one to add to your collection. To do so, go through this checklist.
How many people will you be playing with? If it’s a board game to add to the collection for family game night, the world is your oyster in terms of what you can choose. If your family is only two people, look at ones that are suitable for two players while still being fun and challenging. If you entertain often, however, you’ll want to have a nice selection of board games that can be played by small and large groups in your arsenal as well.
What are the ages of the players? If these are for adult game nights, you can select from a wide range, including ones that are designed for 18+. You can look to a new cooperative or strategy game to spice up game night or choose a fun party game if it’s for a more relaxed event.
How much space do you have? Most board games consist of a single square board along with multiple pieces that everyone can sit around at a table. If the game is larger, or requires additional pieces like an easel for Pictionary, television for a virtual board game like Jackbox Party Pack, where everyone needs a view of the TV and their smartphone or tablet, or large floor space like Twister, you need to consider your available space.
How long does the game typically take? Board games can last as little as 15 minutes and run for as long as several hours. Some board games might even take multiple nights. Look at the average play time to decide if it makes sense. In some cases, cooperative and strategic games might have both short and long play options. With the classic board game Risk, for example, which typically takes hours, you can opt for a shorter version by having a player work to occupy a single territory or pair of territories versus total world domination.
How complicated are the rules? – If kids will be involved, you’ll want to not only check the minimum age of the game but also see how complicated the rules are. This might also be applicable for elderly or impatient players who might not be interested in a game with too many rules where it takes significant time to understand how to play before getting started. Simplicity might be key for some groups while the more complex, the better for others. There’s a reason, after all, that board games like Monopoly and Candyland have become classics and have lasted for generations. But there’s also a reason that strategy games are gaining steam among other crowds.
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