When we think of board games, we often associate them with good times with friends and family. However, to get the most out of your tabletop gaming experience, it’s important to keep two basic factors in mind. First, you need to consider the age your group is in and the type of board game you’re looking for.
For obvious and not-so-obvious reasons, your age is very important when buying a board game. For parents, it assures them that they are taking the proper safety precautions when purchasing a game for their children. Buying a game for the appropriate age group also aims to provide the maximum enjoyment experience by keeping the difficulty gauge at the right level that players can handle. Today, the appropriate age group for the different board games available at the retail store is printed out of the box. The age group recommendation is often 3-4 years old, but depending on the ability and interests of each individual family, these ages can vary. Some judgment may be required on your part.
With so many different types of games available and more available every day, it can be quite a task to choose one for you and your family to enjoy. To make things easier, we will list some types of games:
Classic – These games have added value, most people are familiar with them. When we talk about classic games, we mean board games that have been made over generations and remain popular while others have come and gone. Some examples are Checkers, Chess, Othello, Monopoly, Sorry!, Pictionary, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Ludo, Clue, Battleship, Boggle, Scrabble, and Trivial Pursuit. Some of these game titles are a bit complex, but people can’t help but get familiar with the rules at gatherings and social events.
Roll and move games. These are basically based on chance. Slides and Ladders, Mousetrap, Candyland, Ludo, Space Hop, Don’t Wake Daddy, Hey Pa! There’s a Goat on the Roof and Cooties are some examples of these games of chance. Players try their luck at these games by using dice, cards, or spinners. Using a tool like a dice cube or spinning wheel will generate a random event that will determine the outcome. These games are very popular with children as they require the least amount of skill to participate.
Strategy Games – A personal favorite, it is the complete opposite of rollover games. This genre is based on strategy and the ability to maneuver your pieces across the board and defeat your opponents. The most successful game in this category is chess. Although these games are mostly based on strategy and skill, luck cannot be ruled out as a factor in winning.
Word Games: Classic titles like Scrabble and Boggle make up this category. Other word games include Yahtzee, Typo, Apples to Apples, Scrabble and Scrabble Jr., Upwords, and Balderdash. Its ability to mix learning with entertainment is sure to appeal to young and old alike.