5 fun, imaginative, and even dramatic board games for your game night

Game nights are high on the list of the best group activities, providing participants with thrilling adventures while confined within four walls. Friends play board games to bond, families establish traditions around such activities – and everyone, without exception, learns something new about themselves every time the board is set and the dice are rolled. Game nights are the ultimate test of social skills, strategy, and how well you can handle an embarrassing Monopoly bankruptcy while your elementary school nieces’ businesses thrive.

With so many board games out there, how do you choose the ones that will make your night unforgettable – in a good way? To help you out, we’ve rounded up 5 board games that guarantee fun, laughter, and just the right amount of chaos.

Catan

Ages: 10+

Players: 3-4

Gametime: 60-90 min

This game was first published in 1995 and immediately became a global phenomenon. The latest edition is from 2020, and you can find it in many languages. If you enjoy board games that involve creating worlds, simulating real-life obstacles for your growing settlement, and getting the hang of a barter economy, Catan is the game for you. This modern classic is all about building, trading resources, and subtly sabotaging your friends’ plans. Catan is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. Plus, the trading mechanic means you’ll either become a master negotiator or lose all your friends over a single piece of wood.

Catan

The Traitors

Ages: 12+

Players: 4-6

Gametime: 60-90 min

Inspired by a very popular TV show, this game is a reimagining of the game known in most parts of the world as Mafia. The concept is the same across both variations: the faithful must find the traitors among themselves and banish them before the traitors eliminate all the faithful under the cover of night. This game is great for every friend group. Well, maybe not EVERY group, but if your friends survive the drama of The Traitors, you can pretty much survive anything.

POV: You took Monopoly night a little too far

Mysterium

Ages: 10+

Players: 2-7

Gametime: 45 min

Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? With the rise of true crime podcasts and TV shows, board games have stepped up to meet the demand. Mysterium is one of the best new games in the field, thanks to its clever plot, artistic design, and originality. Finding connections in this game often requires not only intellectual work but also intuition and even a little bit of psychic ability!

Ticket to Ride

Ages: 8+

Players: 2-5

Gametime: 30-60 min

This simple and easy-to-learn game is a delight for kids as well as adults. Players collect cards to claim railway routes connecting cities across the map, aiming to complete their secret destination tickets. The best part is that there are different editions with maps of North America, Europe, Asia, specific countries, and even trans-Atlantic journeys. Trying to complete the collection might well become a family tradition.

How it feels to be UNO-reversed when the game was basically in your pocket

Star Wars: Outer Rim

Ages: 14+

Players: 1-4

Gametime: 2-4 hours

Do you think there will ever be a time when there’s not a single Star Wars fan in the world? We don’t think so. There are plenty of games based on the Star Wars franchise, but this one is generating a lot of hype this year. It’s elaborate and complicated, as you might expect from this franchise – but that’s exactly what players of Star Wars: Outer Rim want. As you earn money from odd jobs offered by the game, you can buy gear that true fans go crazy for and even replace your starter ship with the famous Millennium Falcon.

Whether you’re building settlements, solving mysteries, or smuggling illegal cargo for the rebels, these five games offer something for everyone. From timeless classics to modern gems, they prove that board games are more than just a way to pass the time – they’re a gateway to laughter, strategy, and warm memories.

So pick from this list or explore what else is out there, and make your next game night unforgettable. And don’t forget that the Parlaxy community is here to help you get these games wherever you are. Just let us know where you want them!