Board gaming is a treasure trove of experiences, thanks to the wide array of games available today. Whether you're into family-friendly games, strategic challenges, or any other genre, there's something for everyone. However, the allure of modern board games doesn't diminish the value of their classic counterparts. These timeless games have remained popular among both newcomers and seasoned players for good reason.

TL;DR: The Best Classic Board Games

Azul Board Game

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Pandemic

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Ticket to Ride

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Catan

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Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

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Can't Stop

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Acquire 60th Anniversary Edition

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Diplomacy

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Yahtzee

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Scrabble

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Othello

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Crokinole

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Liar's Dice

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Chess - Magnetic Set

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Playing Cards

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Go - Magnetic Board Game Set

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Modern games have evolved from a design trend that started in the mid-'90s. However, exploring the classics from before this period can be incredibly rewarding. Here, we present some of the best classic board games that have stood the test of time, listed in reverse chronological order.

Azul (2017)

Azul Board Game

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Azul has quickly become a modern classic, despite being released in 2017. This abstract game is visually stunning, featuring bright, chunky tiles that resemble sweets. The gameplay is simple yet deep: players take matching tiles from pools and arrange them on their board in rows of one to five tiles. Completing a row moves it to the scoring mat, where players earn points for adjacent tiles and completed sets. Its straightforward mechanics belie a game full of variety, depth, and subtle interaction.

For more details, check out our in-depth review of Azul or explore its many expansions.

Pandemic (2008)

Pandemic

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Pandemic is the game that popularized cooperative gameplay. Players work together to save the world from spreading diseases, represented by cubes on a global map. The game's clever mechanics and simple rules make it a compelling challenge. Players must collect card sets and use special abilities to find cures before outbreaks spiral out of control.

In addition to the base game, numerous expansions and spin-offs are available for further exploration.

Ticket to Ride (2004)

Ticket to Ride

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Designed by Alan R. Moon, Ticket to Ride is a highly accessible game based on the set collection mechanic of Rummy. Players collect colored cards to claim train routes and connect cities, scoring points for completed routes. The game's tight maps and the potential for other players to block your moves create intense and exciting gameplay. Its popularity has led to numerous versions and expansions.

Settlers of Catan (1996)

Catan

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Now simply known as Catan, this game was revolutionary when it was released. It introduced a mix of dice mechanics, trading, and route planning as players competed to colonize an island. Its impact on the modern gaming scene cannot be overstated, and it remains a compelling blend of luck and strategy.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective (1981)

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective

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This game blends board game elements with a choose-your-own-adventure style, allowing players to solve mysteries in Victorian London. Teams work together to uncover clues and solve cases, aiming to outperform Sherlock Holmes himself. The atmospheric writing makes each scenario engaging, and numerous expansion packs offer further challenges.

Can't Stop (1980)

Can't Stop

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Designed by Sid Sackson, Can't Stop is a fast-paced race to the top of columns on a board, each representing a dice roll outcome. Players roll four dice, form pairs, and move markers, deciding whether to continue rolling or end their turn. The game balances luck and skill, with an excellent mobile version available for additional play.

Acquire (1964)

Acquire 60th Anniversary Edition

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Another Sid Sackson classic, Acquire is considered a pioneer in modern gaming. Players build and merge companies on a grid, investing in shares to maximize profits. The game combines spatial challenges with economic strategy, remaining fresh and exciting even today.

For a deeper look, check out our review of the Acquire: 60th Anniversary Edition.

Diplomacy (1959)

Diplomacy

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Diplomacy is notorious for its impact on friendships, as it encourages alliances and inevitable betrayal. Players compete to control 19th-century Europe, with simultaneous movement orders adding a layer of intrigue. The game's design ensures that winning alone is impossible, making alliances crucial but victory singular.

Yahtzee (1956)

Yahtzee

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Yahtzee is a classic roll-and-write game where players roll dice and fill in a scorecard. Despite its reliance on luck, strategic decisions about when to score and when to risk another roll add depth. It's fast, fun, and perfect for family game nights.

Scrabble (1948)

Scrabble

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Scrabble is a beloved word game that balances vocabulary and spatial strategy. Players use seven random letters to form words on a grid, aiming to maximize points through clever placement and bonus spaces. Its widespread popularity makes it easy to find fellow players.

Othello / Reversi (1883)

Othello

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Othello, often mistaken for an ancient game, is a strategic battle where players place disks on a grid, flipping opponent's disks by sandwiching them. The game's simplicity belies its depth, with sudden shifts in control possible even late in the game.

Crokinole (1876)

Crokinole

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Crokinole is a Canadian dexterity game that combines skill and strategy. Players flick disks into scoring zones, aiming to outmaneuver opponents by positioning their disks behind pegs or other disks. The boards themselves are often beautiful works of art.

Perudo / Liar's Dice (1800)

Liar's Dice

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Also known as Liar's Dice, Perudo is a game of bluffing and statistics. Players roll dice under cups and bid on the total number of a specific value among all players. The game's simple setup hides a rich layer of strategy and guesswork.

Chess (16th Century)

Chess - Magnetic Set

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Chess, a well-known strategy game, traces its origins back to 600 AD with the Indian game Chaturanga. Its evolution through Asia and Europe led to the modern version we know today. With its global popularity and numerous chess sets available, it's a staple for any board game collection.

Playing Cards (~900 AD)

Playing Cards

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Originating in China, playing cards offer thousands of games, from popular ones like poker and bridge to lesser-known gems like Jass and Scopa. Modern designers continue to innovate with card games, making a deck an essential piece of gaming equipment.

Go (~2200 BC)

Go - Magnetic Board Game Set

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Go, a game of profound strategic depth, originated in ancient China and remains popular in Asia. Players place stones on a grid, capturing opponent's stones by surrounding them. The game's simplicity and complexity make it a lifelong challenge.

What makes a board game a “classic”?

Defining a "classic" board game is subjective, but key factors include sales, influence, and brand recognition. Games like Ticket to Ride, with over 10 million copies sold, have crossed into mainstream popularity. Influence can be seen in games like Acquire, which introduced innovative mechanics long before they became common. Brand familiarity, as seen with chess and Diplomacy, ensures these games remain iconic, even if their actual gameplay might not be as widely experienced.