The best board game classicsπŸ› of all time 2024

It doesn't always have to be something new. There are enough board games that were already good in old times like the 1990s, 1980s or before. We have listed these board game classics for you here. Of course, card games like Poker, dice games like Perudo and board games like Backgammon, Scrabble or Rummikub are in our list - but who would have thought that Wizard for example dates back to 1984?

Classic does not necessarily mean good

Other classics like Monopoly, Game of Life, Malefiz or Pachisi didn't make it into our list of classics - the games from earlier times listed here simply offer much more fun.

Games classics from specific decade wanted?

If you're looking for classic games specifically from different decades, we've created the following lists for you:

50s | 60s | 70s | 80s | 90s | 2000s | 2010s

Only the best boardgame classics

Attached now is the list of what we think are the best board game classics you can buy 2024 - board games like the old days:

This list was last updated on March 22, 2024. We compared 95997 board games for this list and selected the top 35. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Crokinole

    All details for the board game Crokinole and similar games

    Crokinole is a traditional action and dexterity game that has been enjoyed for generations. Played on a circular wooden board, it combines skill, strategy, and a touch of luck.

    More details for Crokinole
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Crokinole

    • YouTube Review for the game "Crokinole" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Carrom

    All details for the board game Carrom and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Perudo

    All details for the board game Perudo and similar games

    Perudo, also known as Liar's Dice, Bluff, or Dudo, is a classic South American dice game that combines elements of luck, skill, and bluffing. It's a game where players attempt to outwit each other through bold claims and challenges.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1993

    More details for Perudo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Cribbage

    All details for the board game Cribbage and similar games

    Cribbage is a classic card game with a rich history, dating back to the early 17th century. It's a game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck, making it a favorite among card game enthusiasts.

    More details for Cribbage
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Senet

    All details for the board game Senet and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Kalah

    All details for the board game Kalah and similar games

    Kalah, commonly known as a version of Mancala, is a classic strategy board game, part of a broader family of Mancala games. Invented in 1940 by William Champion Jr., Kalah gained popularity after Champion started selling it in 1944 and later patented its rules in the 1950s.

    More details for Kalah
    • 2 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Go

    All details for the board game Go and similar games

    Go is a classic abstract strategy game that stands out for its simplicity and profound strategic depth. It's one of the oldest board games still played in its original form today, offering a unique blend of tactical play and long-term strategy.

    More details for Go
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 180 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  8. Mini Kubb

    All details for the board game Mini Kubb and similar games
    • 2 - 12 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 3+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Mus

    All details for the board game Mus and similar games
    • 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Mus

    • YouTube Review for the game "Mus" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Backgammon

    All details for the board game Backgammon and similar games

    Backgammon is one of the oldest known board games, its history spanning over 5,000 years. Renowned for its blend of strategy and luck, it involves two players moving their set of 15 checkers according to dice rolls, with the objective of being the first to move all checkers off the board.

    More details for Backgammon
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Scopa

    All details for the board game Scopa and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. Balancing Moon

    All details for the board game Balancing Moon and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 3+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Hanafuda

    All details for the board game Hanafuda and similar games
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Durak

    All details for the board game Durak and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • Immediately playable
  15. Stadt - Land - Fluss

    All details for the board game Stadt - Land - Fluss and similar games
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Jungle

    All details for the board game Jungle and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Jungle

    • YouTube Review for the game "Jungle" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Jungle" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Jungle" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Surakarta

    All details for the board game Surakarta and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Hnefatafl

    All details for the board game Hnefatafl and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  19. Hedbanz for Kids

    All details for the board game Hedbanz for Kids and similar games

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 25% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Hedbanz for Kids
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    πŸ”₯ Great price!15€ atAmazon.de*
  20. Marbles

    All details for the board game Marbles and similar games
    • 1 - 99 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Cheat

    All details for the board game Cheat and similar games
    • 3 - 10 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Skittle-Bowl

    All details for the board game Skittle-Bowl and similar games
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • Immediately playable
  23. Dominoes

    All details for the board game Dominoes and similar games

    Dominoes is a timeless tile game cherished in various cultures worldwide. In this rendition, we delve into the realm of Western Dominoes, featuring the classic 28-tile "Double Six" set. While Chinese Dominoes employ a 32-tile set with different configurations, this adaptation focuses on the Western style.

    More details for Dominoes
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    πŸ‘ Good price!17€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Dominoes

    • YouTube Review for the game "Dominoes" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  24. Mia

    All details for the board game Mia and similar games
    • 2 - 12 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. Go-Moku

    All details for the board game Go-Moku and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 5 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Poker Dice

    All details for the board game Poker Dice and similar games
    • 2 - 12 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  27. Chess

    All details for the board game Chess and similar games

    Chess is a classic two-player abstract strategy game with deep historical roots and widespread popularity. It's renowned for its blend of tactical depth and strategic complexity, played on an 8x8 board with distinct pieces for each side.

    More details for Chess
    • 2 Players
    • 6+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  28. Schnapsen

    All details for the board game Schnapsen and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Nine Men's Morris

    All details for the board game Nine Men's Morris and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Sjoelen

    All details for the board game Sjoelen and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  31. Jenga

    All details for the board game Jenga and similar games

    Jenga is a classic physical skill game known for its simple yet captivating gameplay. The game challenges players to demonstrate steady hands and strategic thinking as they manipulate a tower of wooden blocks.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Jenga
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    πŸ”₯ Great price!13€ atAmazon.de*
  32. Poker

    All details for the board game Poker and similar games

    Poker is a classic card game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. It's played with a standard 52-card deck, and sometimes Jokers are included as wild cards. The game's primary goal is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made during a hand.

    More details for Poker
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    πŸ”₯ Great price!45€ atAmazon.de*
  33. Scrabble

    All details for the board game Scrabble and similar games

    Scrabble is a classic and highly popular word game that challenges players to create words using letter tiles on a gameboard. It combines elements of vocabulary skill, strategy, and spatial reasoning.

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 63% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Scrabble
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    πŸ”₯ Great price!17€ atAmazon.de*
  34. Skat

    All details for the board game Skat and similar games
    • 3 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  35. Twister

    All details for the board game Twister and similar games

    Twister is a timeless and lively party game known for its physical and hilarious gameplay. It's a game of balance, flexibility, and laughter, where players contort their bodies in increasingly challenging ways.

    More details for Twister
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Twister

    • YouTube Review for the game "Twister" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Twister" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: