Traditionalists in the modern gaming space might look at the current gaming landscape and yearn for the simpler days. Indeed, while graphics and mechanics may have gotten a lot more elaborate and flashy, there are those who love nothing more than a simple but deep classic game that allows a lot more room for strategy and playing at your own pace. Thankfully, many of these games are also becoming available today thanks to the internet. Here are a few examples of classic board games making a major comeback right now.
Chess
The game of kings has made a major comeback thanks to a few online platforms, many of which allow online ranked players, which makes it easy for players to find others of similar skill levels to them. Well-lauded as a game of complex strategy and rich depth, as well as being a game that can truly boost your cognitive skills, chess is having a resurgence in the formation of a new online community around streamers, so there has never been a better time to jump in.
Checkers
Of course, where there is chess, there is checkers. While this game is nowhere near as complex nor rich in its strategic depth, checkers still has plenty of fans out there and works well as a “first board game” for a lot of kids. As such, its simplicity also makes it a very easy game to adapt to the digital medium, and there is no shortage of free versions that you can play either with those in the same room as you, or online opponents.
Scrabble
The ultimate letter sorting, and word brainstorming game, Scrabble now has its own online game, as well as some very similar alternatives, like Words with Friends. These apps have been taking advantage of the broad connectivity allowed through social media that incorporate modern features like integrated dictionaries and scoring tips, helping more novice players build their skills and vocabulary. You can start asynchronous games, so that you can play multiple opponents over a long period of time, or you can use time modes to add some pressure.
Monopoly
The game that started a thousand family fights is online. Versions of Monopoly have been released for all manner of platforms, with the most modern one, available for the latest consoles and PC, adding a lot of visual flair to the game in the form of expressive animations, bombastic soundtracks, and a host of customizable boards and game rules, letting you play it your way. These games can be played both with couch co-op, passing the controller around your family and friends, or online with others further away.
Clue
Also known as “Cluedo” to some, this mystery-solving game has had something of a resurgence, likely tied to similar social deduction games like Among Us becoming a hit. You can solve mysteries solo in the latest video game version of it, or test your skills with online players. The latest version adds new suspects, rooms, and weapons, allowing you to refresh the board to keep it exciting and introduce new elements of mystery and suspense.
The Game Of Life
One of the quintessential “life simulation” board games, this one involves playing a game of ups-and-downs, with random events often dictating how you progress. Now, the digital version takes the same concept but adds a lot more visual flair to it with animated boards, sound effects, and even mini-games to make it a little more similar to games like “Mario Party” which was largely inspired by it in the first place.
Backgammon
One of the oldest known board games to man has been making a major comeback as of late. Modern Backgammon apps and online games allow you to play with players online or to practice against your own skills and AI opponents. Although not having quite as much of a resurgence of chess, this game is being rediscovered by a growing new community thanks to competitive tournaments, and there are plenty of resources online allowing players today to master this game of luck and strategy.
Risk
With war-themed strategy games always being a fairly popular niche, especially in PC gaming, it should be no surprise that Risk is also having its moment. Modern versions like Risk: Global Domination take many of the classic mechanics and rules of risk, but bring a whole new level of historical and even fantasy flavor to it through the use of custom maps and game modes. The main game itself is free to download and play, with an extensive range of downloadable content allowing you to play in different time periods and scales, from a US-themed map to Viking conquests and even alien invasion maps.
Catan
Previously known as “Settlers of Catan,” this boardgame has long been a favorite of the serious hobbyists thanks to its mechanical depth and focus on diplomacy as a primary mechanic. This fandom has only grown with the rise of the digital version of the game, which makes a lot of quality-of-life changes, such as incorporating automatic scoring, online matchmaking, and even expansions that can change the aesthetics and enrich the experience even more with new game rules. The digital version allows for easy in-game communication, too, and it’s fully cross-platform, so you can play with friends, no matter what they might have it on.
Battleship
A game that might not have retained its popularity as well as some of the others mentioned here, Battleship is still an important game in the history of board games and well worth checking out in digital form. There are traditional one-on-one matches, as well as more elaborate game rule changes that allow you to bring in more players, as well as unique ship types that bring abilities that change it up mechanically. Plus, it’s always fun to say “you sank my battleship!”
With the examples above, you can find many of your childhood favorites and even discover some new ones. More classic games are getting adapted all the time so it’s well worth keeping an eye out for them.