Collecting Board Games? Start here! 

Board games aren’t exactly a new hobby. We all played Shoots and Ladders and Candyland on a rainy day when we were kids. But board gaming has changed, and board game collecting is now a thriving community with a lot to offer.

The world of board games is vast and rapidly growing. These fun games involve strategy and have a social aspect which many players find refreshing in the modern isolated world. 

Getting into board games can seem daunting. There are so many options and places to buy games, that it’s hard to find where to start! But don’t let appearances fool you– the board gaming community is very beginner friendly.

We have compiled a list of the best board games for beginners- whether you are new to board games, or a long-time tabletop gamer looking to get friends into the hobby, read on to start your board game collection today! 

History of Board Games

The modern tabletop game has roots that go as far back as the Egyptians– the earliest known board game from Ancient Egypt is five thousand years old!

In addition to playing games, large boards depicting the typography of the geographic area have been used since Roman times to plan military maneuvers, with small pieces representing battalions of troops. But as time wore on these maps were used less for actual warfare, and more for hypothetical battles and war games. Thus the war board game was born! 

Where to Buy Board Games 

The quickest and easiest way to purchase games is, as always, the internet. A quick google search can show you that there are thousands of major board game retailers online. However tempting this quick fix may be, newbie gamers be warned– it is easy to get confused and overwhelmed navigating all these board game options without guidance.

If you don’t do your research, the likelihood that you will end up with an expensive game you don’t enjoy increases. So instead of heading directly to Amazon, consider becoming a patron of your local board game shop first.

These locations often have knowledgeable staff who are also fans of tabletop gaming and will be able to help you find what you are looking for. In addition, most of these places host tabletop gaming nights where you can play and try out new games with other hobbyists! 

Where to Play 

Board games are by nature a social activity. There are several venues designed just for board games. Many gaming shops offer game nights for patrons to try out new games or play tournaments for a small fee. Tabletop gaming conventions, much like comic book conventions, are also very popular places to play tabletop games.

The biggest tabletop gaming convention is Gencon, which is held in Indiana every year and brings in over seventy thousand attendees! But if you live in a major city, you may not have to go far to enjoy some tabletop gaming.

The popularity of tabletop gaming has also brought about bars specifically designed for board games, with specialty cocktails and craft beer on tap, such as “Guild Hall” in LA or “The Uncommons” in NYC. 

Seven Great Board Games for Beginners 

So, you have decided that you want to get into board games, and you have to start your collection somewhere. However, tabletop games are expensive and you don’t want to shell out a lot of dough for a game you might not enjoy. We have collected a list of easy beginner board games, guaranteed to get your board game collection off to a great start! 

Settlers of Catan 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular entry-level strategy games and it’s easy to see why. This game is quick to learn and crazy fun to play. Settlers of Catan encourages players with a satisfying sense of growth and easy decision-making.

Three to four players act as settlers on the island of Catan, and must trade for resources to build their settlement. Players gain victory points for certain settlement goalposts, and the player with the most victory points (usually ten) wins! This game is strategy heavy but easy to catch on to, and features trading without being overly co-operative, making it a lot of fun for veteran board gamers and newbies alike. 

King of Tokyo 

This board game is as fun as the title sounds. Players get to play as Kaiju monsters, giant robots and aliens, all battling to be the King of Tokyo! The game’s play involves an element of chance– players roll six dice representing heal, victory, attack, and energy. The player then must choose which die to keep and which to discard, depending on their position.

Winners are decided by who accumulates the most victory points and/or who is left standing. This easy-to-learn game plays three to six players, and only takes about half an hour to complete– perfect for beginners who don’t want a big time commitment! 

Sheriff of Nottingham 

This game is less about strategy and more about social deception, which makes it really fun for new players who are intimidated by complicated rules and strategy. The objective of this game is simple– one person plays the sheriff, and everyone else plays as merchants who are trying to sell their wares.

Contraband wares make more money, but require the merchant to successfully lie to the sheriff. All of the players get to switch roles, playing both the liar and the seeker, which makes it perfect for beginners as it allows you to pick up the game quickly. Try this fun game out at a party, or at a family game night. 

Dixit 

Looking for a board game for your non-competitive friends? Dixit is a game that has almost no strategy and is very social, making it extremely relaxing and low-intensity. The amazing artwork on the cards doesn’t hurt either– each card depicts a dreamy surreal painting. The game takes about ten minutes to learn and all players have a clear goal to work towards– each player takes turns choosing the theme or “story.”

All of the players then play cards they think align with the theme, and everyone except the storyteller must pick which card the storyteller played. If they guess correctly, both parties win. Once a goal is reached (10 points, etc) the winner is announced.

While there is a way to win Dixit, the game is more about socializing with fellow players and admiring the dreamy artwork– it’s a perfect party game for beginners. It allows the players to get the social benefit of playing a board game without being bogged down by rules. 

No, Thanks! 

Any fans of Uno, or other fast-paced card games, will love No, Thanks! This game is a new take on the “lowest card number” wins type of card game, which even novice players have experience with. No Thanks! Incorporates cards, as well as chips that are exchanged to lower card numbers.

Players can get rid of cards by playing full sets or trading chips. This game is extremely easy to learn and play, making it great for new players or for playing at a party with a few drinks, as long as you can keep up with the math! 

Carcassonne 

This tile-building game is quick to learn and lots of fun to play. Carcassonne uses both decision-making and strategy, but the strategy is limited by actions players can take, which makes it easier for beginners to learn. This game is quaintly adorable, and good for new players to curl up with on a rainy day.

Carcassonne is one part Settlers of Catan and one part Monopoly, this game doesn’t have a set board. Instead, players build the board as they go with tiles laid out to reveal a playing board that looks like the french countryside. Players play as little wooden people, “meeple,” who can claim roads and cities for profit. It is fun and quick to play, perfect for beginners 

Pandemic 

There is a reason that Pandemic is so well-loved. This co-op board game allows players to work together fighting deadly disease outbreaks across the world, which is done by staggering infection rates, removing sickness tokens, building research stations, and playing cards that can create a cure.

What makes this game good for beginners is that all action is discussed as a group, so no one feels overwhelmed, and the sci-fi nature of Pandemic is both fun and accessible. Pandemic is a great board game for a beginner board game collector, especially for someone looking to get into co-op board gaming more seriously. 

There’s a Game for Everyone

Whether you are a board game fanatic or new to the scene, these games will make a great addition to your collection. Head down to your local game shop and start your board game collection today!