Every day, I pass by the board game in the photo below, which has been waiting patiently by the door for ages. It was a Christmas gift from some dear friends. (Click here for more information about this game if you want to know more about it. This is not a paid advertisement for it, however.)
I have yet to play it due to work busyness, the virus (still going around in my area), and other factors. But this is the type of game I usually like to play—role playing games with certain actions you take each turn.
Like this one:
Though I haven’t played it in a while.
The first board game I bought—yes, actually bought with my own money when I was a kid—was Clue. My best friend at the time and I pooled our money—$6.00 (which was equivalent to 600 pieces of penny candy at the gas station; oh, I’m going way back in the day)—to buy it. Today, the game is double that price at Target.
The version I bought way back when (this is not my actual game, however):
Clue and Monopoly were favorites. These games, and the Game of Life, were the incubators that hatched my love of RPG games. One time, my brothers and I played the same game of Monopoly for three days before a winner (my older brother) was declared. Yes. Three days. I’m fairly certain that win was clinched with the surreptitious acquisition of unearned $500s into his stash. Not that I didn’t help myself to one or two of those, to be honest. But board games came out when we were bored and wanted something fun to do.
Nowadays I see more kids whipping out a Nintendo Switch and playing a videogame when they’re bored. I have a Switch, so this is not a criticism. Still, a board game costs a fraction of the cost of a new videogame on the Switch, many of which are $60. Click here to be taken to an article on the subject, if you are doubtful of that fact. PlayStation 5 games are $50—$70. And of course, some of the older games are cheaper. Some are even free. I downloaded Tetris 99 for free on the Switch.
Do you play videogames? Board games? Both? What are your favorite games to play with friends and family?
Bonus question: Based on the title, did you expect a criticism of board games? I’m asking out of curiosity. 😊
Clue image found at eBay. Other photos by L. Marie.
El Space--The Blog of L. Marie 
I play both, but mostly video games. The reason is because you need at least two people for a board game. So, I don’t typically get the chance. My few friends who play them always go for that Catan game too. I think video games get more attention from kids because there’s no waiting for a turn too. I do remember wandering off whenever it wasn’t my turn, especially if the other people took so long. Talking more than a minute to sort things out.
I remember waiting for a turn at the arcade.
I love Settlers of Catan, but haven’t played that in years. I remember when some friends and I were first learning the game. Took three hours to play that first time–far less later.
I never really tried. The explanation I got long ago didn’t make it sound appealing.
It is a long game.
I remember those Monopoly marathons. These days jigsaw puzzles are my game of choice .
And a good game of choice they are, Jill! There are so many beautiful puzzles.
I remember Uncle Wiggly and Parcheesi as a kid. My husband and kids still like Monopoly. On our last get together with my second cousin Howard, we played card games, and we were introduced to Farkle. Have you heard of it? I’m not a fan of games, but I do like the socializing that comes with it.
I have Farkle. We used to play that a lot at parties. It’s interesting how some games were the rage–like Scattergories, Outburst, or Trivial Pursuit. Now at get-togethers we never play those anymore. But maybe we will someday.
I love board games. The last one we played as a family was Apples to Apples. (It involves word play, so, of course, I love would love it!). I don’t mind video games, but I think the slower pacing of board games is better for the brain.
I have Apples to Applies–the older version and the version for kids. We used to play that a lot. Sometimes, someone will request it.
No. I didn’t expect criticism at all. I thought it was going to be something about life and being bored. That shows how good I am at predicting outcomes of stories. 😕
With games for PS5 you have to first pay for the unit. That costs hundreds in addition to the games.
We have a wayyyy old PS2 that we still play once or twice a year. And a wayyyy old Wii. I play a few games on my tablet that were free downloads, but you have to put up with ads to get them for free. I enjoy the games, so the ads are worth it.
Enjoy the beautiful weather, L. If you’re game (<– get it?), maybe we can meet for lunch some time.
Now that I have a car again, we can! I was carless for a while!
Yes, there is that upfront cost. I have a Switch Lite, which at $199 is $100 cheaper than the original switch and $150 cheaper than the Oled Switch.
I play games like Candy Crush Soda Saga on my iPhone. Are those considered video games? I’d like to get a Switch. My husband and I play board games occasionally, but usually play card games like Monopoly cards or Exploding Kittens. Over drinks many times. Kind of a cocktail hour tradition.
I did not expect criticism of board games from the title.
I used to play Candy Crush. I would consider it a video game, yes. I have played Exploding Kittens with friends. Even bought the deluxe pack!
I have the Nintendo Switch Lite, which I really enjoy. If you’re looking for a handheld and don’t need to hook it up to the TV, then I recommend it. If you want to play on the TV, you’ll need the other original Switch.
I used to play board games with my kids, but my daughter was a cheater. Before the kids came along, we had neighbors with whom we regularly played, but the husband was also a cheater. Despite that, I always preferred board games because they don’t require the eye-hand coordination that videogames do.
I’ve played with people who cheated before. Makes it hard to really enjoy the game.
I enjoy games ~ Bridge, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Apples to Apples, etc.
I did think that the title alluded to a pending criticism of Board Games . . . clearly, my 6th sense isn’t properly attuned. 😀
When I was just about to push PUBLISH, I wondered if the title seemed to criticize board games. But I couldn’t think of another title, so I left it as is.
My younger brother’s in-laws are into Bridge. I think they are in two Bridge clubs.
I can’t remember the last time I saw kids playing board games like we used to. I fear that books may go the same way within a generation or so.
Sigh. Oh, I hope they won’t, Andy. A friend and I were lamenting not long ago how much we miss the great adventure stories we used to read as kid. I was sort of hoping kids today would have that same experience. They seemed to have that with Harry Potter.
I am ashamed to say I have not any interest to play with this kind of kind , Linda . I think the cause is this kind of game did not exist when I was young . in the years 1930 -1950.
However I have been caught by the Harry Potter books . 🙂 I admred the creativity of the author .
Love ❤
Michel
please , read “this kind of games .”
I understand! 😃
So glad to know that you are reading Harry Potter. They are so much fun! Enjoy!
Love to you and Janine! ❤️
Your title made me wonder if it would be about turning to board games only as a last resort to stave off an otherwise boring few hours…You asked!
🙂
I mostly played board games with my bro and/or cousins/friends, like yourself.
My folks weren’t really into board games except Chinese Checkers of all things! And when the time came, Dad would say, ‘get out the marbles!’
AS parents, we had game-nights with the kids and it was pretty crazy fun! And then came Donkey Kong…a game where me the mom was 100% inept!!!
We’ve continued to play ‘Sequence’ with our now adult children and their spouses at get togethers when someone says something similar to Dad’s, ‘get out the marbles’…HA!
If one is indeed ‘bored’ often a ‘board’ game can get fun back into one’s life – interacting with others, etc.
I’m glad you mentioned that, Laura. As I was saying to Nancy, just before I pushed PUBLISH, I wondered if I gave the wrong impression with “Bored Games.” I had scrapped the idea of lengthening the post by discussing how some kids find board games boring. But I felt that aspect was negative, so I decided against it.
I was never good at Donkey Kong.
We played Marbles when I was a kid. I was not as into it as my brothers, however. I rediscovered Dominos when I was an adult.
Yeah, I kind of thought that you might write about being bored with some board games. Glad I was wrong 🙂 I used to play Monopoly and a few other board games like checkers. Never learned backgammon although my brother did try to teach me. My family liked playing cards, rummy and gin rummy, and other games like Yatchzee. Those games usually happened when my aunts came visiting. My husband does not like board games or cards so we have never played together. These days I play one of those object-finding games on my iPad. A bit like Tetris but with more variety. It does irk me how expensive games can be, although I try to restrain myself 😉
Marie, you brought up some great games. We used to play checkers a lot. My brother taught me to play chess and backgammon because, as he put it, he needed someone to beat. He was difficult to beat at chess or backgammon.
Mancala is a fun one. I usually think of it whenever someone mentions backgammon.
“My brother taught me to play chess and backgammon because, as he put it, he needed someone to beat.” Oh, that made me laugh. That’s probably why my brother tried to teach me 😉
Ha! Brothers and their nefarious deeds!
I wasn’t expecting a criticism of board games. One of my favorite games (maybe not quite a board game) was Chinese checkers. I was thinking about it the other day. I also liked Monopoly of course and Clue. I’ve enjoyed some games with my family recently and also not enjoyed them sometimes. My oldest daughter, her husband, and their two kids are too serious about games (and also too good).
I remember playing Tetris when it first came out. It was hard to quit, and I ended up going to bed late, so I quit.
Now I do one Sudoku after lunch as way to relax.
Board games teach children patience, and how to loose. Too many kids don’t have those skills. Board games are also bonding times and family fun. Again, too many kids don’t have that.
So true, Jennie! Video games are pretty solitary activities. I know some kids play online with others. But parents really need to monitor online activity. I so agree that board games are learning opportunities.
My aunts and uncles used to buy my brothers and me board games for birthdays and Christmas and would play them with us. What a great intergenerational activity!
Yes, it is great for all ages, and so much better than video games.
Yes!
We used to play board games on Sundays, which were dull as ditchwater days back then in Scotland, with everything shut and no TV! Looking at the board I think what you call Clue, we called Cluedo and it was a favourite – Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Lead Piping? We played Monopoly too but it brought out the competitive streak that we all had in pretty strong measure, so as often as not ended up in a row!
I noticed the change in title from Cluedo to Clue and wanted to know why. I found this: “When the Pratts sold their idea to Waddington’s in 1947, the game was renamed “Cluedo” (a combination of the word “clue” with the latin word for “play”) and is still titled as such in England. When Cluedo was licensed to Parker Brothers in the US, they renamed it ‘Clue.’” (https://www.todaytix.com/insider/philadelphia/posts/5-reasons-we-love-clue)
I would love to find a group of friends to play board games with!
I hope you can!