People seem to enjoy "before you die" lists -- such as "places to see before you die" and "things to do before you die." This list of board games to play before you die doesn't include the classics -- Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, etc. -- or even modern classics like Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne.
Instead, this list includes 10 mostly hard-to-find games which provide unique gameplay experiences, all of which are worth tracking down to play at least once. (All of the links will take you to the game's entry at BoardGameGeek.com.)
Instead, this list includes 10 mostly hard-to-find games which provide unique gameplay experiences, all of which are worth tracking down to play at least once. (All of the links will take you to the game's entry at BoardGameGeek.com.)
1. Polarity
For 2 to 4 players, designed by Douglas Seaton, most recently published by Temple Games (originally published in 1986).The pieces are magnetzied and players must balance them carefully, "resting" them on the magnetic field created by other magnets already on the board. When the magnets snap together, that's a bad thing. It's also a bad thing when someone bumps the table, because that will cause magnets to snap together. More »
2. Ice Cube
Published by Milton Bradley in 1970.Each player has an actual ice cube which melts as this game progresses. Avoiding the "warm bath," "hot head" and "salt shower" will help. More »
4. Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier
For 2 to 4 players, designed by Roger Ford and Stephen Baker, published by Schmidt Spiele in 1993.The bits are incredible for this game -- dozens of large, detailed dinosaurs -- even if some people claim that humans never really rode dinosaurs. Baker has designed some other fantastic adventure games worth trying at least once: HeroQuest, Battle Masters and Space Crusade. He also had a big role in developing the brilliant HeroScape. More »
5. Confusion
For 2 players, designed by Robert Abbott, published by Franjos Spieleverlag in 1992.Confusion lives up to its name because at the start of the game, players don't know where their own pieces can move -- only their opponent's. More »
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6. Maneater
For 2 to 5 players, designed by R.A. Nadeau, Nick Young and Richard MacRory, published by Footloose Productions in 1976.This game could be subtitled "Jaws: The Board Game." Swimmers -- completed with detachable legs -- try to avoid sharks. One player controls the shark, while others take care of the swimmers. The shark player secretly writes down his move, then the swimmers roll a dice to move before the shark's plan is revealed. More »
7. Pangaea: The Evolution Game
For 2 to 6 players, published by Pyramid Publishing in 1986.Players start as lungfish and attempt to evolve into humans while avoiding the mouths of hungry dinosaurs as continents drift around the board. More »
8. Nuclear War / Nuclear Escalation
For 2 to 6 players, designed by Douglas Malewicki, published by Flying Buffalo in 1965.In this game (and a 1983 expansion, which can also be played on its own), players use nuclear weapons and propoganda to try to win control of the world. More »
9. Tales of the Arabian Nights
For 1 to 6 players, designed by Eric Goldberg, published by West End Games in 1985."This is actually several games in one" is how the BoardGameGeek.com entry for this publication begins. There are elements of a roleplaying game, a quest game and a merchant game. More »
10. Crokinole
For 2 or 4 players, a public domain game.Crokinole is the only game on this list that's readily available -- but a good board does cost more than $100. Players flick wooden discs arcoss a smooth surface in a game not unlike shuffleboard and curling. Playing on a beautiful Crokinole board is a delightful experience. More »
GOOD LIST
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