When everyone is glued to a different screen, it’s probably time for a board game. From assembling the perfect sushi platter to building your own mushroom kingdom, there is now far more choice than Monopoly or Scrabble (although these time-tested games are classics for a reason). Here are some of the very best board games to try. Sore losers beware.
Sushi Go Party!
Relatively affordable and “easy to learn”, Sushi Go Party! is a great choice for families, said Matthew Thompson on The Conversation. The “fast-paced” game sees competitors trying to score the most points over a series of rounds by collecting the “best combination” of sushi, appetisers, specials and desserts on “colourful” cards. It’s a lot of fun.
Mycelia
We loved the “magical, whimsical theme” of this unique board game, said Katie Gregory in The Independent. “Quite different to anything else we tested”, the aim of the game is to build a deck of cards that players “use to earn leaves and buy more cards to help you move magical dewdrops off the board” and build a mushroom kingdom. Mycelia comes with four double-sided boards to “keep things interesting”, and unlike most board games it can be played solo.
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7 Wonders
Although this “fast and fun civilisation-building game” is “competitive, it’s not divisive” so it won’t ruin any friendships, said James Austin on Wirecutter. It does have a “high strategy level” so can “take a few rounds to master”, but the rules are fairly straightforward and once you’ve got the hang of it “the game remains true to its 30-minute estimate” of playing time.
Outsmarted!
A “great all-rounder” for all ages, this live quiz is played on a physical or virtual board, linked to an app, said The Independent. Each player’s age is set at the start, so players are given age-appropriate, topical questions, and you can buy custom categories from just £2.
Catan
“I have never sat with anyone who didn’t enjoy a game of Catan,” said Peter Jenkinson in The Telegraph. Players “set out collecting resources” to build settlements, cities and roads. This is a “longer game at a slower pace” – which is one of its draws. For “newbies”, the first game should be treated as a “walk-through” to get everyone up to speed on the rules. “There are a fair number of mechanics to take in, but it’s well worth the effort.”
Root
This “devilishly tough” war game is “disguised as a fairytale romp” complete with “adorably anthropomorphised woodland creatures”, said Wirecutter. Players take the role of one of four factions and compete to “control the different clearings in the forest”. Expect “consistently surprising interactions”, plenty of strategy and “gorgeous, playful art” that fully immerses you in the fictional world.
Blokus
This simple game works best with four (but can be played by two to four players), aged seven and up. It involves a couple of rules and a bit of strategy, but the aim is to get as many of your blocks on the board before the game ends, which is when a player runs out of blocks or nobody can find a space to lay theirs.
13 Beavers
An “unexpectedly and unintentionally educational” game for groups of two to six, this is a fun version of higher or lower, using probability and luck to guess the next card drawn, said The Independent. Games don’t last very long, and it’s aimed at children aged seven and up.
Wavelength
Wavelength promises lots of “friendly chaos”, said Which?. Players split into two teams, with one person taking on the role of the Psychic and providing clues to help their team guess the dial’s position on a hidden spectrum. The “ultimate bonding board game”, it sparks “hilarious debates and unexpected conversations” throughout. For a “guaranteed crowd-pleaser that gets everyone talking”, this is a safe bet.
