The Best Strategy Board Games
In the internet age, it’s become far too common for friends and families to spend hours in the same room without speaking. We waste too much time staring at the myriad screens that dominate our homes and free time. It’s a modern problem with one simple, classic solution: strategy board games. Strategy board games have been a beloved family pastime for generations. Friendly competition, affectionate trash talk, and stunning comeback victories are plenty whenever the chips are down and the board is set. These games have been around forever, so there’s a whole truckload of them to choose from. We’ve shuffled through the best strategy board games on the market to bring you this comprehensive list of our favorites.
Catan
Settle the Frontier
When most people think “strategy board games,” Catan is one of the first ones mentioned, and for good reason. Since the mid-’90s, people from all over the world have reveled in the crop-sharing, road-building world of Catan. Catan requires three to four players to compete in a strategic race to section off the most terrains and crops using buildings and roads. As you collect crops and dominate terrains, you gain victory points. Ten of these victory points grant you ultimate victory and bragging rights.
We are huge fans of this game, and its devoted cult following will relentlessly assert its unquestioned status as the best strategy game ever made, but we would be remiss not to mention that it is divisive.
Pros:
- Considered among strategy game fans as one of the best strategy games in history
- Ensures long gameplay that you can make a whole night out of
- Intimate fun for three or four players, Catan can be expanded to accommodate up to six players with a separate extension set
Cons:
- A divisive game that won’t be a hit among the uncompetitive folks
Mastermind
Crack the Code
If you’ve ever watched shows like 24 and wished you could break codes like Jack Bauer, Mastermind is the strategy board game for you. Mastermind requires two players: one as a code maker and one as a codebreaker. The code maker uses four pegs of different colors to create a four-peg code that the codebreaker has ten chances to break before the game is over. The codebreaker is given clues each round through smaller pegs that correlate to how close they are getting to the correct code. It’s a romp of a time and a great way to spend an afternoon with a friend or family member using logic and deductive reasoning to outwit one another. For math nerds and logic-lovers, you can’t go wrong with Mastermind.
Pros:
- A highly cerebral game that will sharpen logic and reasoning skills
- Rounds that last a relatively short time
- Perfect for math people
Cons:
- The two-player limit means this is not a great pick for parties or even small gatherings
Battleship
Let the Battle Begin
You sunk my Battleship! Us older folks fondly remember that kitschy catchphrase from those classic ‘90s Battleship commercials. Short and sweet, it perfectly explains the objective of the strategy board game Battleship: sink your opponent’s ships. Players choose where they place their fleet of ships on a numbered and lettered grid, and call out coordinates where they want their bombs to land. If their ship gets bombarded enough times, it sinks. When all of their ships sink, they lose. It’s a simple premise with the potential for countless hours of entertainment and competition. There is a two-player limit, but Battleship is conducive to team play, so the whole family can get in on the action.
Pros:
- Quick to learn and set up
- There’s an added nostalgia factor for older players
- High-quality foldable game boards and pieces
Cons:
- For fans of games that take more skill to win, this one might be a bit too luck-oriented
Munchkin
Get Medieval With Munchkin
Calling all Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter fans: this is the strategy board game you’ve been waiting for. Munchkin is a board game that has it all: unique gameplay, an artistic design, a sense of humor, and ample opportunity for alliance-building and back-stabbing. Players can become mages, orcs, elves, thieves, and more in this wacky and witty strategy game. Full disclosure, there are many rules and ins and outs to know in the world of Munchkin, but the general premise is this: players race to equip their characters with armor, spells, and treasure to slay various monsters (and their friends). Munchkin is the newest game on our list, but it’s undoubtedly one of our favorites.
Pros:
- Inexpensive board game with endless hours of potential fun
- Engaging and rewarding
- A great option for fans of magical settings
- The cards are written with wit and humor
Cons:
- The gameplay and rule booklet is pretty long, so you’ll have to do your homework
Sequence
The Chips Are Down
Since the early ‘80s, Sequence has garnered a massive fanbase that can’t get enough of this hyper-entertaining strategy board game. Sequence uses a game board covered in a grid of playing cards of various suits. Players are given a hand of cards and a color of chips. The player lays down a card from their hand to place a chip down on that card’s corresponding space on the board. When a player has placed five chips down in a row (in any direction), they win. Sequence is beloved for its simple yet enrapturing gameplay and highly addictive nature. Very rarely do Sequence sessions end before two hours; people just can’t get enough. For those looking for an easy-to-learn game that will produce countless hours of strategic fun, look no further.
Pros:
- A highly addicting game that will ensure hours of fun
- Strategic and cerebral without being too complicated
- A beloved classic for decades
Cons:
- The simple premise might bore some after a while
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have strategy board games been popular?
The earliest-known strategy board game was carbon-dated back to 3500 BC in Ancient Egypt. The game was called Senet, and while rules varied depending on time period and geography, most scholars agree that the original game was a bit like an ancient rendering of chess. It was a game of strategy, positioning, and (of course) a little bit of luck. Since then, every subsequent civilization has added to this rich gaming tradition with countless new games.
Are the strategy board games on this list good for kids?
It depends on the game. Games like Catan, Mastermind, and Munchkin are complicated and might bore some kids. Sequence and Battleship, however, are timeless classics that people of all ages have enjoyed for decades. Everyone is different, so if your kids are good with rules and don’t get frustrated easily, all of the games on this list are suitable for them.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.