Whether you’re plotting like a master tactician or simply want to assemble a group of people and grab some snacks for a fun night in, board games have a way of transforming an evening into a battleground of strategy, wit, and good-old-fashioned competition. And while there are many new and exciting party games out there, some of the old favorites remain as pillars in the gaming world, retaining their popularity and winning over legions of loyal fans with every new edition.
Some of these classics include chess, which has been sold in the millions and is considered one of the most popular board games of all time; Risk, which can easily last more than a few hours as you vie for total world domination; and Settlers of Catan, which continues to impress players with its unique blend of resource management and tactical expansion. Other top-ranked titles include the railway adventure Ticket to Ride, which has garnered more than 8 million copies sold since its 2004 release; and fantasy dungeon-crawler Gloomhaven, which offers an ever-changing story as you make your way through an ever-growing campaign.
The rankings come from BoardGameGeek (BGG), the largest website for fans of board games to discover, rate, and give feedback on their favorite games. The site uses a scale of Very Bad – won’t play again to Outstanding – will always play. It also includes a weight rating that can be misleading as some games have gained a reputation for being complex, heavy, and convoluted, leading to what BGG calls “weight hype.” Luckily, you can find rulebooks and videos for most of the games in question on the site to help determine if they’re right for you.