A classic entertainment filled with fun, leisure and family activity is rooted with the top board games in the world. These board games have been introduced and experienced over the past 8000 years. Earlier board games were mostly played in live sessions where players competed by sitting opposite each other. Now the online industry has given us a comfortable platform for board game lovers to play and enjoy competitions on various online sites.
Everyone who plays a board game has memories tied up while they are experiencing their next game. Players try out the latest board games introduced every year along with the existing ones. Hence each year ends with a list of the most popular and the most dis-liked board games played in live sessions and also in the online world. Below is the list and explanation of the top 10 popular board games of the year 2009. Take a look!
Clue
By its original format it is known as “Cluedo”, a United Kingdom version published in 1949. This game is based on speculation, presumption and guessing techniques that the player must posses. As the game of Clue has a fun-filled format and encourages social interaction, it’s become a favourite one for adults and kids. Everyone knows the story of this game to do with the rooms and weapons. But what makes it more interesting is guessing aspect that heightens the worry and raises the stakes for players. Many variations have been introduced now, including editions for kids and in many language versions.
Monopoly
Monopoly has certainly existed and thrived as the most popular board game in the commercial industry. Almost for 100 years this game has been initiated in many forms. Though monopoly is an over-hyped game and is well-known among the modern board games, it is still given less valued. The experience gets monotonous while playing because most people are not aware of the rules and hence play on wrong terms. But there is a solid game here involving some basic economics.
Players try out the various novelty incarnations (Simpsons-opoly, University of Texas-opoly, etc). The old-school Monopoly, the basic introductory version, that you played in early times features the infamous paper money and is the version that reigns best over all other commercial games.
Life
The Game of Life was invented in 1861 and it was released by Milton Bradley that year. Players proceed in the game of life by rotating a wheel and following different tracks and taking serious decisions while they are on their way. Even this year the game has achieved enough fame as it includes fun activities. You enjoy growing up, adding kids and jobs and cash. This is indeed one of the older American board games still played. New rules and new careers to practice are included in the Updated versions. This is based loosely on the classic Parchisi game from India like a slide and pursuit game. The game also includes aspects of card games and capture games – the rules are simple to follow and players of all ages can participate.
Chess
Chess is a global happening that continues to challenge players world-wide and it stands as an all-time holder for board games. On a global scale, chess is the only well-known and most-played game of chess than any other game. It involves factors like complexity, strategy, planning, and easy to play steps. You don’t even need a board and characters, but just a pencil and paper and that keeps the game special and the most wanted one till date. The rules of Chess have always been evolving from the 7th century until today. But it’s still a wonderful game that drives players from all over the world.
Scrabble
The game can be enjoyed by two or four players who participate by forming words on a board type like crossword puzzle. The best-known and most popular word game, Scrabble has an extreme following of wordsmiths – you know those people quick to correct your usage and grammar on the bus. More vague letters and words lead to higher point score. Some players study Scrabble, the most popular word game in the world, like Garry Kasparov studies Chess. The Deluxe version has many features including a board that spins and holds letters in place.
Checkers
The board game Checkers is also known as Draughts and dates back to at least the sixteenth century. Just like chess and other accepted games, there are tournaments in checkers that’s played on national and worldwide basis, and popular culture has fully embraced this game of “capture”. Considered “the poor man’s chess”, checkers is almost as tough and famous as chess, and the variations have been listed in books and websites for years.
Stratego
Stratego makes the players to control a large number of pieces representing the soldiers and officers of rival armies. This can be defined as a classic war strategy game. Organize your troops in a way that safeguard your flag while giving you a chance to capture your opponent’s flag. This game is an adaptation of an ancient Chinese chess variant, called “Animal Chess”. The game involves steps like misleading your opponent, a good deal of tricks, and strategy learned over time in order to win.
Risk
This game is based on the world during the period of Napoleon which is played by two to six players. This is a war strategy game invented by a French film director in 1957. The goal is to rule the world with your army by over taking countries through military might. Risk is another game known for eating up entire weekends and creating rivalries among friends. Many expansions exist, both official and unofficial, including a futuristic version called Risk: 2210 AD. An updated version of Risk, Risk 2210 AD improves the original by shortening the game (five turns), introducing underwater and space territories, and more. Powerful commanders and cards add new strategy.
Battleship
Battleship is a simple game that has entertained players for decades. To understand it better and in a simpler form, the game of Battleship is based on guessing techniques. Much before the board version was introduced, which featured the classic back-to-back setup “cheat proof”; players used paper and pencil to submerge each other’s battleships with. The basic theme of naval combat was first published in 1931 and hasn’t lost fame. Two players furtively deploy their armadas and then try to destroy each other.
Trivial Pursuit
The classic trivia pursuit game is still a concoction party standard. Though most players these days have deserted the boring board setup in favor of a more simple trivia session, using the cards and not the game pieces. New versions of the game appear all the time, including anniversary and topic-specific editions.
