Board games have long been a source of entertainment and fun for people of all ages. Whether you’re playing with friends or family, these games have the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. In this article, we will explore the top 20 best selling board games of all time, showcasing their popularity and appeal to a wide range of audiences.
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20. Cranium
Cranium is a party game that was created in 1988 by Richard Tait and Whit Alexander. This game stands out from others due to its incorporation of various skills, making it a true test of players’ abilities. Unlike games that focus on a single skill, Cranium challenges players to use their entire brain. It quickly gained popularity and became the fastest-selling game in the United States in 2001, with over 1 million copies sold. By 2008, Cranium had generated $77 million in sales and had sold a total of 22 million games and toys.
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19. Blokus
Blokus, published by Sekkoia in 2000, is a strategy game that has been awarded numerous accolades. The game’s objective is simple: players must place their pieces on the board in a way that maximizes their territory while blocking their opponents’ moves. By the end of 2007, over 3 million copies of Blokus had been sold, with even more sales expected in the following years.
18. Connect Four
Connect Four is a classic two-player game that revolves around making connections. Players take turns dropping colored discs into a grid, aiming to form a line of four discs either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Milton Bradley first introduced Connect Four in 1974, and since then, it has gained a loyal following. By 2018, around 4 million copies of this game had been sold worldwide, with Finland being its largest market.
17. Mancala
Mancala is one of the oldest board games still played today. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where it was played with stones or seeds arranged in holes. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent’s stones or seeds. Over time, Mancala evolved into a board game that is widely enjoyed today. In 2013, it was the fourth largest board game brand in the United States, with over 18 million copies sold worldwide, generating over $80 million in revenue.
16. Stratego
Stratego is a strategy game that pits two players against each other on a 10×10 board. Each player controls an army of 40 pieces, representing officers. The goal is to capture the opponent’s pieces while protecting your own. With its focus on battlefield strategy, Stratego has amassed a following of strategy enthusiasts. To date, over 20 million copies of Stratego have been sold worldwide.
15. Risk
Risk, invented by movie director Albert Lamorisse in 1957, is a game that combines elements of strategy and negotiation. Players roll dice to conquer territories across six continents, aiming to control as many territories as possible. The game’s success has led to the creation of computer games like Age of Kings and Age of Empires. Risk has sold millions of copies since its release, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
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14. Catan
Catan, often referred to as Settlers of Catan, is widely regarded as one of the most successful board games of all time. Created by Klaus Teuber, Catan quickly gained popularity and became a favorite among board game enthusiasts. By 2015, over 22 million copies of the game had been sold worldwide. Catan’s unique gameplay mechanics, which involve resource trading and settlement building, have contributed to its enduring success.
13. Pictionary
Pictionary, invented by Robert Angel in 1985, is a game that combines drawing and word-guessing. Players take turns drawing words while their teammates try to guess what is being drawn. Pictionary not only provides entertainment but also offers an opportunity to expand one’s vocabulary. Since its release, Pictionary has sold over 38 million copies, according to Seattle Times. The game’s success even led to the creation of a TV game show.
12. Othello
Othello, also known as Reversi, is a board game that requires strategic thinking and observation. The game dates back to 1883 and involves flipping the opponent’s pieces to your own color. The player with the most pieces of their color at the end of the game wins. Othello has seen steady sales, with over 40 million copies sold by 2016.
11. The Game of Life
The Game of Life, created by Rob Daviau and published by Hasbro in 2002, simulates the ups and downs of real life. Players make choices, such as whether to pursue higher education or start working right away, and navigate through various life events. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. The Game of Life sold 45,000 copies in its first year and reached 50 million copies sold by 2015.
10. Rummikub
Rummikub is a tile-based game that combines elements of rummy and mahjong. It was initially sold door-to-door but quickly gained popularity, with 30 million copies sold by 2003. By 2018, Rummikub’s sales had reached 50 million copies, making it one of the highest-selling board games of all time.
9. Candy Land
Candy Land, designed by Eleanor Abbo in 1948, is a game that appeals to young children due to its simplicity. Players move their pieces along a colorful path, following the directions on the cards. The game requires no complex skills, making it suitable for young players. Since its release, Candy Land has sold over 50 million copies, with consistent sales of at least 1 million copies annually.
8. Backgammon
Backgammon is an ancient game that has been played since 3000 BC. It is a game of strategy and probability, where players move their pieces based on dice rolls. The goal is to remove all of your pieces from the board before your opponent. Backgammon has seen steady sales over the years, with almost 88 million copies sold by 2005.
7. Trivial Pursuit
Trivial Pursuit was created by Scott Abbott and Chris Haney, two Canadian journalists who wanted to create a game that tested players’ knowledge. The game consists of various categories of questions that players must answer correctly to progress. Trivial Pursuit became a sensation, selling over 20 million copies in 1984. By 2010, over 100 million copies of Trivial Pursuit had been sold, with estimated sales reaching $2 billion.
6. Battleship
Battleship originated as a pencil-and-paper game during World War I. Players strategically place their fleet of battleships on a grid and attempt to guess the location of their opponent’s ships. The game has evolved over time, with board game versions published by Milton Bradley in 1967. Battleship’s popularity has continued to grow, with over 100 million copies sold to date.
5. Clue
Clue, also known as Cluedo, is a classic detective game that challenges players to solve a murder mystery. Players move from room to room, gathering clues and deducing the identity of the killer. Clue was invented by Anthony Pratt in 1949 and has sold approximately 150 million copies worldwide.
4. Scrabble
Scrabble, created by Alfred Butts in 1938, is a word game that tests players’ vocabulary and spelling skills. Players form words on a grid using letter tiles, earning points based on the letters’ values. Scrabble has become a household name, with over 150 million copies sold worldwide.
3. Monopoly
Monopoly, derived from The Landlord’s Game created by Elizabeth Philips in 1903, is synonymous with real estate and financial strategy. Players compete to buy properties and collect rent from their opponents, with the goal of bankrupting them. Monopoly has been a massive success since its introduction, with nearly 275 million copies sold.
2. Checkers
Checkers, also known as draughts, is one of the oldest games in existence, with a history dating back to 3000 BC. The game involves strategic moves and capturing the opponent’s pieces by jumping over them. Checkers has seen widespread popularity, with an estimated 50 billion copies sold worldwide.
1. Chess: Best Selling Board Games
Chess, a game with origins dating back to the 6th century, is widely regarded as the best-selling board game of all time. It is played on a square board with 16 pieces per player, each with its unique movement rules. The objective is to capture the opponent’s king while protecting your own. Chess continues to be immensely popular, with an estimated 3 million copies sold annually in the United States alone.
In conclusion, these 20 best-selling board games have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique gameplay mechanics, strategic challenges, and sheer entertainment value. Whether you’re a fan of classic strategy games like Chess and Risk or prefer the excitement of word games like Scrabble and Boggle, there is a board game for everyone. So gather your friends and family, roll the dice, and embark on a journey of fun and competition with these timeless classics.