October 17, 2019

20 Best Board Games for Adults You Need to Be Playing

Are you sick of the same old party games at every get-together or game night? If you’re looking to add something new to your board game collection or spice up an evening with friends, then be sure to check out these best board games for adults.

These top-rated board and card games for adults are guaranteed to be the hit of your next game night. While you can be sure to find some new favorites, there’s no need to worry because we included some fantastic classics as well!

20 Best Board Games for Adults to Make You Laugh out Loud

Our Top 3 Choices

Get It Best For Full Review

Draw What?!
Check Price Lovers of Charades and Pictionary Read Our Review

Clue
Check Price Using your deductive reasoning Read Our Review

Cards Against Humanity
 Check Price Large groups of horrible people Read Our Review

1. Draw What?

Check Price
Gametime 60 minutes
Difficulty 8/10
Players minimum 2 players per team
Ages 18+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Draw What You're Going to Hell Expansion Deck
Our rating 8/10

Summary & Gameplay

Roll the dice and move to that spot on the board. The player that is either drawing or acting will pick a card. Then, they need to draw/act out the card. The teammates have to guess what the person is drawing/acting out.

If a teammate guesses correctly, the player will select another card and continue until time runs out. The first team to reach the end of the board is the winner. One of the best board games for adults who like to draw!

What’s to like

  • This is an excellent game for a lot of people
  • Combines Charades and Pictionary

What’s not to like

  • Based on the reviews, you will want a larger whiteboard for drawings as well as better dry erase markers
  • Some reviews recommend playing with friends over family based on the content

2. Clue

Check Price
Gametime 45 minutes
Difficulty 4/10
Players 3-6
Ages 8+
Extra requirements Pencils
Expansions None
Our rating 8/10

Summary & Gameplay

The goal of this game is to discover who was killed, with what weapon, and what room the murder took place in. Travel around the board to learn clues and then be the first to guess correctly to win the game.

What’s to like

  • This game hasn’t changed since childhood
  • The outcome of the game changes each time
  • Combines skill and deductive reasoning

What’s not to like

  • You can’t play with large groups
  • You’ve probably played this game before (it’s been around forever!)

3. Cards Against Humanity

Check Price
Gametime No Time Limit
Difficulty 1/10
Players 4+
Ages 18+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 7/10

Summary & Gameplay

This game is played similarly to Apples to Apples. A player picks and plays a black card, and then the other players play their white cards. Whoever’s white card is chosen as the best is the next player to play a black card.

Players can decide on a card limit for when the game ends or keep going for hours! A lot of people consider Cards Against Humanity one of the best board games for adults due to its uncensored nature.

What’s to like

  • Multiple expansions available
  • Great for large groups
  • This game is guaranteed to make you laugh

What’s not to like

  • This game may offend some people (NSFW)
  • Some cards aren’t as funny as others
  • You have to buy expansion packs if you play it multiple times because you’ll get used to the cards

4. What Do You Meme?

Check Price
Gametime No Time Limit
Difficulty 1/10
Players 4+
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 7/10

Summary & Gameplay

This game is played the same way as Cards Against Humanity, but instead of a “black card,” one player picks a meme card, then the other players will play caption cards. The player with the winning caption card selects the next meme card.

Players can decide on a card limit as well as how long the game lasts!

What’s to like

  • Many people can play
  • Few rules and easy to learn
  • It will make you laugh

What’s not to like

  • This game may offend some people
  • Cards might get boring after a while
  • To keep the game interesting, you need expansions

5. Exploding Kittens

Check Price
Gametime 10-20 minutes
Difficulty 3/10
Players 2-5
Ages 16+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 7/10

Summary & Gameplay

Exploding Kittens is a card game created by the people at The Oatmeal. You separate the Defuse and Exploding Kittens cards from the deck, then shuffle the rest and give each player 7 cards and a Defuse card. Then, you mix the Defuse and Exploding Kitten cards with the rest of the deck, keeping in mind that the number of Exploding Kittens cards has to be one less than the number of people playing.

Players take turns playing cards from their hand. Cards have different effects such as forcing other players to give you one of their cards or negating a card that has just been played. Your goal is to avoid exploding and be the last man standing.

What’s to like

  • Easy to learn
  • The rounds are short

What’s not to like

  • Unless you have an expansion, the number of players is limited
  • The game is quick

6. Drawing Without Dignity

Check Price
Gametime 30-60 minutes
Difficulty 5/10
Players 4+
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Expansion pack 1
Our rating 7/10

Summary & Gameplay

Players have to divide into two teams. A player selects a card and has to draw one of the options on the back of the card in 60 seconds. Each card has five different options for drawing.

Then, the other players on the team try to guess and earn points for their team!

What’s to like

  • Great for groups
  • You don’t have to have drawing skills
  • A fun way to be creative

What’s not to like

  • Time-consuming
  • Drawings might be difficult
  • Could be embarrassing (depending on the group)

7. It’s in The Bag!

Check Price
Gametime Varies
Difficulty 6/10
Players 2+
Ages 8+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 7/10

Summary & Gameplay

Draw four cards per player (10 players= 40 cards). Shuffle the cards and put them in the bag. Flip over the timer.

Each category has a different set of rules (see instructions), but the objective is to have your team guess as many cards as possible before the timer runs out. Because the best board games for adults are those who make you contemplate the fleeting nature of time, right?

What’s to like

  • Great game for all ages
  • Perfect for large groups

What’s not to like

  • There are similar games out there
  • Cards might get repetitive

8. Game of Life: Quarter Life Crisis

Check Price
Gametime 60 minutes
Difficulty 4/10
Players 2-4
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 6/10

Summary & Gameplay

The purpose of this twist on the classic Game of Life is to be the first player to pay off $500K worth of soul-crushing debt! It features grown-up adventures and teaches players how to navigate the consequences of their adult decisions.

What’s to like

  • A fun new spin on a childhood classic
  • Perfect for small groups

What’s not to like

  • Small pieces might get lost
  • Not great for large groups
  • This can be a long game

9. Trivial Pursuit Master Edition

Check Price
Gametime 60 minutes
Difficulty 7/10
Players 2-6
Ages 16+
Extra requirements 2 AAA Batteries
Expansions None
Our rating 6/10

Summary & Gameplay

Move your token around the board answering trivia questions as you go. Be the first to answer a question from each category correctly to win the game!

What’s to like

  • Different categories
  • Thousands of questions
  • You can play individually or in teams
  • Different play options

What’s not to like

  • Players might struggle with certain categories
  • Gameplay can be long

10. Drinkopoly

Check Price
Gametime 60 minutes
Difficulty 7/10 (because of the drinking)
Players 2+
Ages 18 0r 21+ (this game involves drinking and is not for players that are not of legal drinking age)
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 6/10

Summary & Gameplay

This game is played just like Monopoly but with alcohol, which is why it’s one of the best board games for adults out there.

What’s to like

  • This game is guaranteed to make you laugh
  • It is an adults-only game
  • The game is easy to learn

What’s not to like

  • You need to be responsible while playing this game
  • You should not drive after (or have a designated driver)
  • Requires alcohol

11. Gloom

Check Price
Gametime 60 minutes
Difficulty 3/10
Players 2-4
Ages 13+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 6/10

Summary & Gameplay

The goal of the game is to make the board game character suffer as much as possible before they reach their doom. Meanwhile, you want to shower your opponents’ characters with as much happiness as possible.

The player with the least family value is the winner.

What’s to like

  • This is an excellent game if you have a dark sense of humor
  • The game is different from the other games out there

What’s not to like

  • The theme of this game might be upsetting to some players

12. Settlers of Catan

Check Price
Gametime 45-90 minutes
Difficulty 6/10
Players 3-4
Ages 10+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 5/10

Summary & Gameplay

Settlers of Catan is a classic strategy board game. You play as a settler trying to build and develop your area through resources and trade. You gain points as you play, and the first to reach 10 points wins.

What’s to like

  • The game will last a while
  • Great for small groups
  • You can add more players by buying expansions

What’s not to like

  • This isn’t a quick game
  • Only small groups can play
  • Directions seem confusing

13. Telestrations After Dark

Check Price
Gametime 15 minutes
Difficulty 5/10
Players 4-8
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 5/10

Summary & Gameplay

Each player takes a sketchbook and a marker. Then, they pick a card and decide on which word they’ll draw. You have to secretly write it down in your book. Each player should take a minute to draw the word on the “sketch it page.”

Then, you take turns guessing what you think the drawing is by writing it on the “guess it page” until each player ends up with his or her own book. The player with the most correct guesses after three rounds is the winner!

What’s to like

  • Combines funny drawings and guessing
  • Short playing time
  • Larger groups of people can play

What’s not to like

  • Cards can get repetitive
  • Might need to replace markers
  • Pages might get discolored as time goes by

14. Bad People

Check Price
Gametime 20-60 minutes
Difficulty 1/10
Players 3-10
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 5/10

Summary & Gameplay

Are you ready to find out what your friends really think of you? Then Bad People is one of the best board games for adults you could wish for.

Everyone picks an identity card. The last one to arrive is the Dictator identity card. The dictator selects a question card, then picks a voting card and places it in front of everyone.

Each player then guesses whom the Dictator voted for. If you guess the same as the Dictator, you get the point. The person with the most points wins!

What’s to like

  • Lots of people can play
  • Easy rules
  • Playing time can be short or long

What’s not to like

  • This game might hurt people’s feelings or be offensive

15. Game of Thrones Monopoly

Check Price
Gametime 120 minutes
Difficulty 5/10
Players 2-6
Ages 8+
Extra requirements 2 AA Batteries (included)
Expansions None
Our rating 4/10

Summary & Gameplay

You play GOT Monopoly the same as the traditional game. Roll the dice, then move your token to that number of spaces. Depending on where you land, follow the rules of that place. (ie. buy the property, go to jail, draw a card, etc.). If you roll a double, play again, but if you roll three doubles, you will go to jail.

What’s to like

  • A fun new take on a classic game
  • Great game for strategy
  • Perfect for GOT fans

What’s not to like

  • This is not a quick game
  • Repetitive
  • The game can get boring quickly
  • boardgames review 10 Best Strategy Board Games to Play - This is a detailed review of 6 of the best strategy board games on the market: Scythe, Terraforming Mars, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Ticket to Ride: Europe, 7 Wonders Duel, and Carcassonne. We look at parameters such as competitiveness, complexity, learning curve, luck, host advantage, and more.

16. Yahtzee!

Check Price
Gametime 30 minutes
Difficulty 1/10
Players 2+
Ages 8+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 4/10

Summary & Gameplay

Each player takes three turns rolling the dice each round. Players can set as few or as many die aside. If all five die match, then the player gets a Yahtzee!

At the end of the turn, they mark the box that gives the highest points. The player with the highest total at the end wins.

What’s to like

  • This game is a classic
  • Multiple people can play
  • The rules are simple
  • You can play this game anywhere

What’s not to like

  • You might have to buy replacement dice, player cards, or pencils

17. Conspiracy Theory

Check Price
Gametime 30 minutes
Difficulty 7/10
Players 2-6
Ages 14+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Expansion pack 1
Our rating 4/10

Summary & Gameplay

There are five categories of conspiracies. Each player must answer questions correctly to get a matching set of cards! Watch out for the “government cover-up” cards, which could threaten your lead!

What’s to like

  • A great way to show off your knowledge of conspiracy theories
  • Can be played with few players or on teams

What’s not to like

  • Questions might be difficult for people unfamiliar with conspiracy theories
  • This game caters to people interested in conspiracy theories (and not everyone is)

18. Scrabble

Check Price
Gametime 60+ minutes
Difficulty 7/10
Players 2-4
Ages 8+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 4/10

Summary & Gameplay

Each player draws seven tiles. Then, they take turns placing a word on the board. The person with the most points at the end of the game is the winner. This may not be the most exciting game ever, but it’s in our top best board games for adults who love words.

What’s to like

  • This is a classic game perfect for all ages
  • The game challenges you
  • The rules are easy to learn

What’s not to like

  • You might have to debate whether a word is usable or not
  • After the board is filled, placing words can be difficult
  • The game isn’t very exciting

19. Tipsy Tower (Jenga)

Check Price
Gametime Varies
Difficulty 5/10
Players 1+
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions None
Our rating 3/10

Summary & Gameplay

Each player takes turns removing a block from the tower. After you pull the block, follow the rule on it, and play until the tower gets knocked over!

What’s to like

  • A fun twist on the classic game

What’s not to like

  • Set up can be time-consuming
  • Playing time can be short

20. Never Have I Ever

Check Price
Gametime 30 minutes
Difficulty 1/10
Players 4-12
Ages 17+
Extra requirements None
Expansions Yes, there are multiple!
Our rating 2/10

Summary & Gameplay

This game is intended for 4 to 12 players from ages 17 and up. The instructions are simple. Each player gets 10 Play Cards, and a pile of Rule Cards sits on the table. The person starting the game picks a Rule Card from the pile, reads the directions aloud, and all the players do what the Rule Card says.

If you are not guilty of the Play Card, you discard it. If you are guilty of the Play Card, you get to keep it. The first person to have 10 Play Cards in front of them wins. The only rule? No judgment!

What’s to like

  • You get to learn embarrassing facts about your friends
  • The game is easy to learn and play
  • There is no skill required

What’s not to like

  • This game has been around for a while
  • The game could be embarrassing for some players

These are the 20 best board games for adults from childhood classics with a twist to new games guaranteed to leave you laughing with your friends. Regardless of the group you’re playing with, any one of these games would be perfect for your next party or game night.

What are some of your favorite games to play with your friends when you get together? Are there any that aren’t listed that you think I should check out? Let me know in the comments below or shoot me a message on Instagram or Twitter!

Megan Subsick

Contributor

About Me

Hi all, I’m Meg and I first fell in love with the Harry Potter Universe when my third grade teacher began reading it aloud in class. That day after school I got home, snuck into my older brother Alex’s room, and stole his copy of Sorcerer’s Stone. It was the first chapter book that I ever read in a single day. The rest is history (of magic).

Each year I counted down the days for the next film or book to come out in an effort to rejoin the magic of the wizarding world. When the series ended, I thought that the magic was over. Fast forward to July 30th 2016. I had been studying Shakespeare abroad in London for a few weeks when I realized I would still be in the city for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (which I have since seen 4 times and counting). Despite being a huge fan of the series, I had never been to a midnight release and this was my chance!

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