What board game should I get for my family.?

Question

For Christmas, I want to buy a board game for my family since we don't spend that much time together. I want to get a game that won't cost a lot, and maybe be a classic family game, like the one's from when I was little, so games that were popular in the early 90's, but don't say Monopoly, Clue, Boggle, Scrabble, or Yatzee. And it has to be a game for 2-5 people or more.

Answer 1

There are literally thousands of board games (over 4000 games are listed here: http://www.boardgamegeek.com, which is the best board game information site on the internet) to choose from, but most of the answers you've been getting are the old stand bys like Monopoly, Payday, etc.  Games that were invented many decades ago.  Well progress marches on, and there's been a revolution in board games over the last decade (you said you'd like a game popular around the early 90s which is just on the cusp of better things), with the invasion of the "Eurogames".  These are high quality well designed boardgames, originally from Europe but now translated to english and available in North America as well American game makers have been emulating the Eurogame style and quality for a decade.  These new generation of games are all are characterized by simple rules, lots of player interaction, and many strategies (there are many different ways to win).  A game like Monopoly (which is ranked near the very bottom at #4063 (see http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/1406 ) or PayDay ranked #4056 (see http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/1797 ) just doesn't measure up (sure they're fun to play, that is until you're exposed to something better) against the new improved games that started coming out in the mid 90s.  For a ranked list of board games (from #1 to #4085) look here:  http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browser.php...

As for family type games, annual prizes are given to the best family game every year.  Here's one link:

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/D...

Other prizes can be found here: http://www.boardgameawards.blogspot.com

As for your particular family, it's hard to say what specific game might be suitable.  How many members are in your family?  What ages?  What s*x?  What interests?

Categories of games can be found here:  http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browser.php...

For instance here are the top ranked Children's games:  http://www.boardgamegeek.com/browser.php...

The game "Settler's of Catan" which came out in 1995, started the whole Eurogame revolution, and perhaps that might be a good game to start off with.  Here's the link http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/13 (ranked #27 out of 4000+ games).  It costs about $30, suitable for ages 10 and up, plays in 1.5 hours, and comes with pieces for 3-4 players.  You can buy an expansion http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/2807 for $12 and play with up to 6 players.  If you really get into the game other expansions are available: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/metasearch....

Anyhow nows a good time to buy "Settler's of Catan" as it's been re-released with a bigger box and better graphics just in time for the Christmas season.

Hope this opens up a brave new world of board games for you.  Good luck.

Bill

Answer 2

trivia games

Answer 3

Balderdash is a real fun family game, although I would say age 12 and up, younger kids might not relate.  You make up definitions for real obscure words and try to fool everyone you can to gain points.  If you guess the correct definition, which is one of the choices, you score a points, too.

Answer 4

Well, I am not sure if Apples to Apples is classic, but it sure is fun. I have both the junior addition and the  adult version. We love them both. The junior one has easier words, the adult one has harder words, but I usually alway know them.

You get to take turn being the judge, and everyone has 7 cards in hand,  the word could be Dazzeling, and everyone needs to throw in a card from their hand on what they think Dazzeling means. The answers are sometimes funny, or sometimes so hard the judge will have a hard time figuring out what is the best answer.  Trust me, you will love this game.

Balderdash is my other favorite game.

Answer 5

LIFE, UNO, Skip BO, Bingo, Trivial Pursuit, Aggravation, Password, Battleship, Dominos,Twister if you have a flexible family, Scrupples, Parcheesi, Scattergories, a simple deck of cards goes a long way. And then there is the old stand bys Monopoly, Clue, Boggle, Scrabble and last but far from least YAHTZEE!

I think it's a great idea for a family gift. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Answer 6

Scrabble

Answer 7

Sequence...its amazing

apples to apples..thats always fun

masterpiece...art auction game

pay day...fun but gets boring after a while

life....long game but amusing

Risk...takes good technique

Parcheesi...addicting

Othello...really fun

Answer 8

good ole payday

Answer 9

Uno or any other card game

Answer 10

I've had a game called "chicken soup for the soul" for about 8 years now...originally got it when my kids were 4 and 6.  They are 12 and 14 now, and my 14 yo (who wants nothing to do with family time, will still stop and want to play if I get it out).  Its more about answering questions to get to know each other, and about life experiences....lets you get to know your kids better too, with "lectures" and "sit down talks"....just be honest when your turn comes...that when my boys enjoy the game most.

Answer 11

buy a board and play poker wth family      that'll be board game ....simple

Answer 12

pictionary is good or taboo

Answer 13

It's a card game rather than a board game, but my family loves Bohnanza.  You should be able to find a copy at any decent specialty game store - it's published by Rio Grande Games.

Answer 14

Risk

Answer 15

Cranium is a great game, or even Scene It

Answer 16

How about Sorry?

Answer 17

Candyland

Answer 18

Cranium is amazing with your family, im 17 and i have a blast.

Answer 19

Apples to Apples

Answer 20

I second apples to apples it is tons of fun.

Answer 21

Life. It Actually takes you through a "life" of your own. You get a house, car, spouse, children, and job. What more could you want? Also, it very fun!

Answer 22

1.Aggravation

2.(2-6)players

players compete this classic marble race around the board from Base to Home! Take shortcuts to zip ahead or try the super shortcut to shoot across the board. Along the way, aggravate your opponents by sending them back to their Base!

1.LIFE

2.(2-6)PLAYERS

THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF LIFE THERE IS MONSTERS INC,PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN,SPONGEBOB AND MORE

CLUE

(3-6)

IN CLUE PLAYERS MOVE FROM ROOM TO ROOM IN A MANSION TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF : WHO DONE IT, WHIT WHAT,AND WHERE

MAD GAB

(2-12)

Answer 23

If I don't say any of those.what else is there thats fun ? Why not

just get a deck of cards and learn card games if you don't have cards already.

Answer 24

A really fun game that I actually enjoy playing is called "Apples to Apples" I dont like board games but this one is really fun.  Everyone gets seven cards with a random person, place or thing on it. I could keep on explaining how fun it is and how it works. Have fun!

Answer 25

monopolyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy duh , uno,poker,blackjack,trival pursiut

Answer 26

Chess of course.

Answer 27

My family really enjoys playing the Scene-It DVD -Board games together. They have various kinds: movies, music, disney, harry potter, pirates of the carribean and sports.  My girls are only 5 and 6 but love it and are starting to be able to read the questions!!!

Answer 28

Theres a game out called "last word". It's a very fun game.

Answer 29

risk is fun.  i play it with my friends a bit.  if you want to go out on a limb you could go with dungeons and dragons, it might not be a great family game and its tricky to pick up, but it is a great way to waste/spend time with others.

Answer 30

i know some people have already said it but Apples to Apples is awesome! then i would suggest Pit, it's a really fun shouting kind of game (not good if you want to be quiet) and lastly i reccommed Whoonu it's made by the people who made crainium cadoo..its a really good how well do i know you game! these are my favorite games EVER! have fun!