The 1980s can be considered as the golden era for board games. Some of the games released during that time have not only inspired modern tabletop games, but are still played even today. Of course, they've since received cosmetic makeovers and a bit of polishing with the rules, but they are essentially the same as they were four decades ago.

These games have stood the test have time and become popular all over the world. This is primarily down to the engaging and replayable formula that they are based on. Most of them have relatively simple rules, which almost all members of the family will know too. In this list, we honour the best board games that came out in the '80s.

Updated on January 8, 2024, by Vaspaan Dastoor: The 1980s gave us some great board games, many of which we still play to this date. We've updated this list with a few more games that came out in that period, and have received new editions with certain changes in the rules or gameplay.

Trivial Purꦚsuit hit the ground running when it launched in 1981, and this was down to its unique blend of tabletop and triv꧑ia elements. Over the decades, the trivia part of it changed to suit the times. The board game eventually started collaborating with popular IPs to draw in more fans.

The Game of Life remained popular because everyo𓂃ne involved sees success. Unlike Monopoly, which makes other players go bankrupt, this one makes everyone rich, H👍owever, only the richest of the rich can win the game.

Asking simple yes-or-no questions is not only easy enough, but it's satisfying when one question rules out multiple options together. Now, imagine playing the same game with characters from a movie series or show that you really like. That's just one of the reasons Guess Who? has been around for so long. It's also ridiculously easy to play, making it more popular among casual players.

Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective is one of the best mystery board games you can play today, despite coming out in 1981. This is because it is extremely ♕detailed, and paying to those details always pays off. You need to chase down leads and corroborate alibis if you want to cat𓂃ch the real culprit and not put an innocent person in jail.

Risk has evolved a lot over the years, and that's the main reason why it is still popular even today. While the board game can trace its origins back to the 1950s, the version we know today came out in 1986 as Castle Risk. It later evolved to move from strongholds into entire nations, eventually engulfing the world in war. Many war strategy games have been inspired by the gameplay loop of Risk.

Ax🥃is & Allies is evidently inspired by Risk, but adds its own layers of strategy. Each player has their own unique win conditions and starting economy, which they have to consider before making any decisions. Scientific research is as important as fighting on the front, which if you know your World War 2 history, was very important for all sides. The attacking section of the game is very similar to that of Risk - two players engaging in a dice-rolling shootout.

Video games receiving board game versions isn't a new phenomenon. As you can see, even the original Pac-Man arcade game got a board game so that those who didn't have an arcade near them could experience the game. You may not be able to find the original '80s version, but the current edition is pretty similar and includes some cool features.

Going to the mall in the 1980s was a sign that you were, or at least wanted to be, one of the cool kids. It's another thing that you couldn't afford to go anywhere but the ice cream parlour in the mall. Mall Madness lets you relive those times, but with all the money you wish you had, so that you could go on a shopping spree.

Taboo is a great party game, as it has a simple rule set. However, after a few drinks, it might get a bit harder to make people guess your word without slipping up and saying one of the Taboo words. The game has seen many iterations since it launched in the late '80s.

FAQ

What is the world's most famous board game?

Monopoly is one of the mos🀅t popular board games in the world, primarily because of how many local editions💞 it has, as well as its several crossover editions.

Which is the toughest board game in the world?

Many people consider chess to be the⛦ toughest board game in the world. This is due to the fact that it requires master-level strategy.

What is the oldest board game?

The Royal Game of💯 Ur, which originated 4,600 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, is considered to be the oldest known board game in the world.