This post is all about celebrating family and friends with a look back at the best board games from the 80s.
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The kids are back in school now. Are you struggling with ways to get your family or groups of friends together? Why not host an 80s game night? Below I have listed the 25 best games that were introduced in the 80s.
Some of these 80s board games will bring back fond memories of past family game nights and other family gatherings with each dice roll.
These great board games are for young players and old alike, and many are available today from your favorite online source or at your local big box store.
So turn off your favorite TV show, put away your electronic phone, and get ready to return to the best decade ever by playing the most popular games from that era.
Grab your family or invite some friends over for a fun trip down memory lane with a simple game or one with a little strategy.
This post is all about the best board games from the 80s.
Classic Board Games
Trivial Pursuit – This is probably the most famous board game of the 80s. A timeless classic played with 2 – 6 players or teams. Players or teams take turns answering trivia questions in order to collect colored wedges from each of the six categories. The first player or team to collect all six wedges and make it to the center of the board is the winner. This is a great family or party game for those who enjoy trivia.
Pictionary – A board game classic that is played in teams, making it great for large parties or gatherings. Teams take turns trying to guess the item drawn by the chosen artist of each team. There are five categories, and you don’t need drawing skills to be the chosen artist. The team that guesses the most items correctly is the winner. You can play the board game form or the new electronic version of the game.
Best Board Games
Hugger Mugger – This is my absolute favorite game of all of these. It can be purchased through various online sources. It is a mixture of a trivia and a word game. Designed for 2 – 4 players ages 12 and older, the game is played as individual players travel around the board and answer questions from 10 categories. Players receive a clue to the secret word with each correct answer. The first player to guess the secret word is the winner.
Taboo – Taboo creates fun game play as teams try to get their fellow teammates to guess words by giving them clues. The player giving the clues is given a card with the phrase to be guessed, and below the word or phrase are words or phrases that cannot be used when giving clues. This is much harder than it appears, resulting in fun and laughter.
Most Popular Board Games
SKIP – BO – Though technically not a board game, this simple card game is great for families of all age ranges. The game is played by individuals taking turns trying to play all cards in their pile in numerical order. The first player to accomplish this wins the game. Children as young as 7 can play this game, making it great for family game night.
Jenga – Jenga is quite literally a board game. A simple tabletop game consists of stacking blocks in layers one after the other. Players take turns removing specific blocks and placing them on the top without toppling the tower. This game comes in a yard version with giant blocks, making it a great activity for backyard BBQs.
Mystery Mansion – This game is a favorite among older children. Players take turns searching for treasures or cash as they navigate around the mansion. The player who wins is the first person to exit the mansion with a loaded treasure chest.
Upwords – Upwords is a word game similar to Scrabble; instead of playing words in a single layer on the game board, you stack letters to form new words.
Sequence – A super easy game for all ages to play. Players or teams of two take turns placing chips on the game board that matches cards in their hand. The team that completes a sequence (which consists of 5 chips in a row) wins the game.
Scruples – This is an interesting adult party game. Players are given dilemma cards, and they need to reply with either a yes, no, or depends. This game is a great conversation starter and is good to play with individuals whom you think you know.
Fireball Island – An action/adventure game designed for four players; each player takes turns rolling the dice and advancing along while trying to capture the jewels. The object of this game is to have the most points when the hello – copter returns.
Favorite Games
Phase 10 – Another non-board game but great fun. Designed to be played with 2-6 players. All players must complete phases consisting of runs and sets in order to advance to the next level. This game is easy to learn and really enjoyable to play. Children as young as 8 can participate, making it another great choice for family game night. My family has played this countless times, and we own several decks of phase 10 cards. It is one of our go-to’s.
Super Rack-O – Super Rack-O is an updated version of the original Rack-O game. The original game is played with players drawing and swapping cards in order to get ascending numbers in their rack. Super Rack-O allows you to play with two racks instead of one, thereby increasing the fun. Another easy game to play with the entire family.
Mall Madness – A game designed for children ages 9 and older. Players take turns shopping on the game board. The first player to complete their shopping list and return to their car in the parking lot wins.
Games for Young Children
Guess Who – An excellent game for teaching young children about identifying features. It is played with two players each asking yes or no questions about the features of the other person’s secret card. Tiles on the board are eliminated based on those answers. For example, you might ask, “Does your person wear glasses?” If the answer is yes, you can eliminate all the cards of people who do not wear glasses. It is easy to learn and quick to play, making it ideal to play with children.
Pizza Party – An amazing version of a matching game for toddlers and very young children. Players take turns placing toppings on a pizza game board. The first person to place all of their toppings wins the game.
Don’t Break the Ice – Another excellent game for very young children. This game can be played with only one child or several. Each player takes turns hitting the ice block with the provided hammer. The goal is to keep the large block of ice intact. If the ice breaks, the game is over.
Strategy Games
Inside Moves – Plays are made around the game board in which two players strategically try to eliminate the other. The game is won when either a player is eliminated, or two of one player’s pieces are moved into the goal area of the other.
Axis & Allies – If you like the game Risk, chances are you will also enjoy Axis & Allies. The game board is broken into territories, and each player’s objective is world domination. This classic wargame can be played with 2-5 players.
Zomax – I also really enjoy this game – This two-player game is played with the magnetic board standing upright between players. You strategically move your pieces based on the roll of the dice around the board trying to capture your opponent’s capital. The interesting part about this game is the game pieces are magnets, and when you encounter your opponent’s magnets by moving to the same space on the board, you either win the spot or your piece gets pushed off based on the color of the game piece. The first player to reach the other’s capital is the winner.
Empire Builders – A strategy game where players compete to build railroads. Players can pick up loads along the way, earning cash. The game ends when a winner amasses $250,000,000.
Best Party or Family Gathering Games
Scattegories – Get ready for hilarity to ensue. This is a multi-player game. The object of the game is to accumulate points by naming unique things that start with a designated letter. You can come up with outlandish items, but if your table mates vote against you, you will lose. A great party full of fun and laughter.
Outburst – Designed to be played with many individual players or teams. Categories of items are given, and you have to shout out all of the answers listed before time runs out.
Balderdash – An enormously entertaining game where a reader reads a question which could be anything from what is _ famous for? Or what do these letters stand for? Or what is this object used for? Players then write down their answers while the reader writes down the real answer. Then all answers are read, and the players try to guess which is the correct answer. (One of our family favorites, this game gets played often.) The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Catch Phrase – A lively action game, much like hot potato. Designed to be played with two teams. You are given a game device that will flash words that you need to get your team to guess. When your teammates guess the correct word, the device is passed to the opposing team. You score a point for every word or phrase your team guesses except if you are holding the device when the timer goes off. You need to think quickly for this game as there is an element of surprise because you never know when the timer will run out.
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Well, there you have it, 25 of the best games from the 80s. What is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below?
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