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The Most Beloved Board Game: A Ranking of Popular Favorites

Choose the board game you think is the most beloved!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Sep 11, 2023 06:14
Welcome to StrawPoll, the ultimate destination for board game enthusiasts! We know how passionate you are about your favorite board games, and that's why we've created a thrilling ranking of "What is the most beloved board game?" for you to dive into. Thousands of board game aficionados have already voted for their all-time favorites, but the game is far from over! It's time for you to join the ranks and let your voice be heard. Choose from our carefully curated list of classic and modern board games, or dare to suggest a hidden gem that's missing from our roster. With every vote, the ranking evolves, and together we'll uncover the ultimate tabletop champion. Ready to roll the dice? Start your StrawPoll journey now and let the excitement of this interactive quest unfold before your very eyes!

What Is the Most Beloved Board Game? (October 2023)

  1. 1
    61
    votes
    Monopoly
    Horst Frank · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Monopoly

    Charles Darrow
    Monopoly is a classic game loved by all generations, Monopoly has been around since the early 1900s and has remained a popular choice for family game night. Players buy and sell properties, build houses and hotels, and try to bankrupt their opponents.
    Description
    Monopoly is a classic board game that simulates the experience of buying, renting, and trading properties. The game is played on a square board with a stylized cityscape, featuring various properties, streets, railroads, and utilities. Players move their tokens around the board, seeking to acquire properties, collect rent, build houses and hotels, and bankrupt opponents. The ultimate goal is to accumulate the most wealth and become the last player standing.
    • Players: 2-6
    • Recommended Age: 8 years and above
    • Playing Time: 1-3 hours
    • Publisher: Hasbro
    • First Published: 1935
    Monopoly in other rankings
  2. 2
    28
    votes
    Scrabble
    thebarrowboy · CC BY 2.0

    Scrabble

    Alfred Mosher Butts
    Scrabble is a word game that challenges players to use their vocabulary and strategic thinking skills, Scrabble has been a favorite for over 70 years. Players earn points by creating words on the game board using letter tiles.
    Description
    Scrabble is a classic word game played on a square board, where players use letter tiles to create words and score points. It is a game that challenges vocabulary skills and strategic thinking.
    • Year of creation: 1938
    • Number of players: 2-4
    • Board size: 15x15 squares
    • Tile set: 100 letter tiles
    • Scoring: Points determined by letter values and placement
    Scrabble in other rankings
  3. 3
    26
    votes
    Settlers of Catan
    Matěj Baťha · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Settlers of Catan

    Klaus Teuber
    Settlers of Catan is a modern classic, Settlers of Catan is a strategy game where players build settlements, cities, and roads on an island while trading resources with other players. The game has won numerous awards for its innovative gameplay.
    Description
    Settlers of Catan is a popular board game that focuses on strategy and resource management. Players assume the roles of settlers on the island of Catan, striving to build and expand their settlements while trading resources with other players. The game offers a unique blend of competition and cooperation.
    • Year: 1995
    • Number of Players: 3-4 (up to 6 with expansion)
    • Playing Time: 60-120 minutes
    • Game Type: Strategy, Resource Management
    • Complexity: Medium
    Settlers of Catan in other rankings
  4. 4
    15
    votes
    Risk
    Ryan Walker · Public domain

    Risk

    Albert Lamorisse
    Risk is a game of global domination, Risk challenges players to conquer the world by taking over territories and eliminating opponents. The game has been around since the 1950s and has remained a favorite for those who love strategy and risk-taking.
    Description
    Risk is a strategic board game that simulates global warfare. It was first published in 1957, and it is considered one of the most beloved and iconic board games of all time. In Risk, players take on the roles of generals and commanders, striving to conquer territories and dominate the world.
    • Players: 2-6
    • Playing time: 2-6 hours
    • Ages: 10 and up
    • Game components: Game board, army tokens, cards, dice
    • Objective: Conquer territories and eliminate opponents
    Risk in other rankings
  5. 5
    11
    votes

    Clue

    Anthony E. Pratt
    Clue is a murder mystery game where players try to solve a crime by gathering clues and eliminating suspects, Clue has been a beloved board game since its release in 1949. The game has since expanded to include different versions and themes.
    Description
    Clue is a classic murder mystery board game where players take on the roles of detectives trying to solve a murder case. The game is set in a mansion, and players must gather clues to determine the suspect, weapon, and location of the crime. It involves strategy, deduction, and a bit of luck.
    • Number of players: 3-6
    • Recommended age: 8 and up
    • Playing time: 30-60 minutes
    • Components: Game board, character pawns, weapon tokens, suspect cards, room cards, clue cards, notepad, and dice
    • Objective: To solve the murder mystery by correctly identifying the suspect, weapon, and location
    Clue in other rankings
  6. 6
    11
    votes
    Battleship
    PH1 Jeff Hilton · Public domain

    Battleship

    Clifford Von Wickler
    Battleship is a game of naval warfare, Battleship challenges players to sink each other's ships by guessing their location on a grid. The game has been around since the early 1900s and has remained a favorite for those who enjoy strategy and deduction.
    Description
    Battleship is a classic strategy board game that simulates naval warfare. Players take turns trying to guess the location of their opponent's fleet of ships and strategically position their own ships to avoid being sunk. The objective of the game is to destroy all of the opponent's ships before they destroy yours.
    • Number of players: 2
    • Game type: Strategy, Turn-based
    • Age range: 8 and up
    • Playing time: 20-60 minutes
    • Components: Game board, ship pegs, torpedo pegs, ships, ocean grid
  7. 7
    3
    votes

    Ticket to Ride

    Alan R. Moon
    Ticket to Ride is a game of train travel, Ticket to Ride challenges players to build railroads across North America while collecting train cards and completing routes. The game has won numerous awards for its innovative gameplay and has since expanded to include different versions and themes.
    Description
    Ticket to Ride is a popular board game that combines strategy, competition, and adventure. Players are tasked with building train routes across various destinations on a beautifully illustrated game board. The game features a perfect balance of simplicity and depth, making it enjoyable for both casual players and board game enthusiasts.
    • Number of Players: 2-5
    • Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
    • Recommended Age: 8+
    • Difficulty Level: Medium
    • Mechanics: Set Collection, Network Building
  8. 8
    7
    votes
    Chess
    MichaelMaggs · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Chess

    Chess is a game of strategy and skill, Chess has been played for centuries and has remained a favorite for those who enjoy complex gameplay. Players move their pieces on a board in an attempt to capture the opponent's king.
    Description
    Chess is a strategic board game played by two players on a checkered gameboard consisting of 64 squares. It is believed to have originated in India around the 6th century, and later spread across the world. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king, putting it under attack in such a way that there is no legal move to escape. Chess is renowned for its deep complexity and has captivated players for centuries.
    • Players: 2
    • Board: 8x8 checkered gameboard
    • Pieces: 6 types - King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Pawn
    • Movement: Each piece has specific rules for movement and capturing
    • Objective: Checkmate the opponent's king
    Chess in other rankings
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    Pandemic
    Uncredited photographer for St. Louis Post Dispatch · Public domain

    Pandemic

    Matt Leacock
    Pandemic is a cooperative game where players work together to stop the spread of a deadly virus, Pandemic has become popular in recent years due to its timely theme. Players must work together to find a cure before the virus spreads too far.
    Description
    Pandemic is a cooperative board game where players work together to stop the global spread of deadly diseases. Created by Matt Leacock, the game requires strategic thinking, collaboration, and decision-making skills. Players take on the role of a disease-fighting team and travel across the globe, treating infections, researching cures, and ultimately finding a way to eradicate the diseases before time runs out. The game is known for its immersive gameplay, challenging scenarios, and unpredictable nature.
    • Number of players: 2-4
    • Playing time: 45 minutes
    • Cooperative gameplay: Yes
    • Difficulty levels: Multiple
    • Recommended age: 10+
    Pandemic in other rankings
  10. 10
    4
    votes
    Carcassonne
    Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Carcassonne

    Klaus-Jürgen Wrede
    Carcassonne is a game of tile placement, Carcassonne challenges players to create a medieval landscape by placing tiles and claiming territories. The game has won numerous awards for its innovative gameplay and has since expanded to include different versions and themes.
    Description
    Carcassonne is a popular tile-based board game that encourages strategic thinking, planning, and interaction between players. The game is set in the medieval French city of Carcassonne, where players take turns laying down tiles to create a landscape. Each tile features a combination of roads, cities, fields, and monasteries, and players must strategically place their followers, known as meeples, to claim features and earn points. With simple rules and endless possibilities, Carcassonne offers a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience for all types of players.
    • Player Count: 2-5 players
    • Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
    • Age Range: 8 and up
    • Mechanics: Tile placement, area control
    • Difficulty Level: Moderate

Missing your favorite board game?

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Ranking factors for beloved board game

  1. Popularity
    Consider how well-known and widely played the game is. A beloved board game will likely have a large following and be recognized across different cultures and age groups.
  2. Gameplay
    The mechanics of the game, its complexity, and how engaging and fun it is to play. A beloved board game should have compelling gameplay that keeps players entertained and coming back for more.
  3. Replayability
    How many times can the game be played without getting repetitive or boring? A well-loved board game should have a high level of replayability, offering new experiences and strategies with each playthrough.
  4. Strategic depth
    The level of strategy and decision-making involved in the game. A beloved board game should challenge players to think critically, make meaningful choices, and develop strategies to outwit their opponents.
  5. Theme and design
    The game's aesthetics, including the design of the game board, pieces, and packaging, as well as the theme and narrative. A well-loved board game should have a visually appealing design and an engaging theme that draws players into its world.
  6. Accessibility
    How easy is the game to learn and play, and can it be enjoyed by a wide range of ages and skill levels? A beloved board game should have straightforward rules and gameplay that can be quickly grasped by new players, as well as enough depth to keep experienced players interested.
  7. Social interaction
    The level and quality of player interaction during the game, such as negotiation, cooperation, or competition. A well-loved board game should foster social connections and promote positive interactions among players.
  8. Duration
    The average length of a single game session, and whether the game can be played in a reasonable amount of time. A beloved board game should have a suitable duration that keeps players engaged without overstaying its welcome.
  9. Awards and accolades
    Recognition from industry experts, such as winning prestigious game awards or garnering positive reviews, can be an indicator of a beloved board game.
  10. Legacy and impact
    The game's influence on the board gaming industry and community, and whether it has inspired other games or become a classic. A well-loved board game should have a lasting legacy and be remembered as an important contribution to the world of board games.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beloved board game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or your favorite board game is missing from the list, feel free to help us improve the ranking.

Statistics

  • 1660 views
  • 168 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each board game once every 24 hours. The rank of each board game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beloved board game

Board games have been a popular pastime for centuries, bringing friends and families together for hours of fun and friendly competition. From classic games like Monopoly and Scrabble to modern favorites like Settlers of Catan and Ticket to Ride, there's a board game out there for everyone. But what makes a board game truly beloved? Is it the strategic gameplay, the social aspect, or simply the memories of playing it with loved ones? Whatever the reason, there are certain board games that have stood the test of time and captured the hearts of players around the world. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most beloved board games of all time, as voted on by the community on StrawPoll. From the classics to the new and innovative, these games have earned their place in the hearts of board game enthusiasts everywhere.

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