Board games are no more restricted to rolling a dice on the chequered board or climbing the ladder to reach 100. It has gone beyond the Monopolistic style of gaming, with interactive narratives and gameplay that gave a new outlook to this gaming genre. More importantly, top board games are available on the virtual platform where players can have the same flavour of fun and entertainment when playing with their smartphones. Yes, cardboard-style gaming is gradually receding into the dusty past, and new versions of the same old games are emerging to dominate the market.
The new features and elements added to the mobile version have increased its market size manifold. As a result, revenue generated by the entire board games market, including the online and offline versions, was estimated to grow by $5.81 Bn during 2020-2024.
The outcome was visible during the COVID pandemic when the year-long lockdown spiralled board games (mobile and tabletop) sales in 2020, especially among adults.
So, now is the time to introduce some of the new mobile board games to our parents and elders.
The 5 Best Beginner Board Games for Adults
Since adults are still residing in the ancient times of fighting serpents or rolling the dice to escape death, a few beginners’ board games for adults might change their palate for a bit. Let’s dig in!
#1. Bingo Mania
This is probably one of the classic free online board games designed to give players immense joy at every stage in the game. It is quite simple to play and easy to excel in no time. You have to tap on the numbers given on a bingo card and match the numbers called on each of the cards. Once all the numbers called out are aligned with the numbers on the card, you have a win. Consider playing with multiple cards to win more BINGOS!
Are you ready to scream out loud BINGO after every win?
#2. Four-in-Line
Another popular name in the free online classic board games category was once played by a great voyager, Captain James Cook and his shipmates during their long journeys. That was centuries ago, yet Four-in-Line still finds its place among the top favorite board games list. In this game, you must ensure the matching 4 pieces sit together, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Try to find a unique match before time runs out, or your opponent catches the first unique match. So, are you ready for a match-first win? Play Four-in-Line for free.
#3. Toon Clash Chess
Chess is a household name, and everyone is familiar with the game dynamics. Needless to say, this is not a game for amateurs without getting checkmated at every stage. However, one online board game has some semblance to the original version; it is called Toon Clash Chess. Imagine a chessboard filled with animated characters instead of the same old black and white figures of pawns, elephants, and horses! Yes, such cute characters are a refreshing breather from the classic version. But do not think the rules are slightly bent. The toon characters are appealing to look at; they can be quite lethal if you don’t know the game rules. The game mechanics are similar; strategically move your pieces on the board to checkmate all of your opponent’s moves in 10 minutes.
Do you think you can win the match? Think again!
#4. Paperback
How strong is your English vocabulary? Time to test that, but not with Scrabble. The digital version, also known as, Paperback, is more interesting and fun to play. Scrabble is old-school; Paperback is gamers’ new best friend who love to play with words. The latter allows players to draw a deck of letter cards to create words and earn points. These points enable gamers to purchase new letters for creating complex, high-scoring words.
Like the old board game version, Paperback allows up to four players to join the fun and win a chance to beat the three different levels of AI opponent difficulty. The associated visuals and sound effects are refreshing compared to Scrabble’s dull, whiteboard approach. This is one of the best board games for adults, especially when they are at the nascent gaming stage. The game’s simple rules are easy to follow, and the tap-and-touch mechanism makes Paperback a child’s game.
#5. 7 Wonders
7 wonders might not be a piece of cake for young players, but adults can easily tackle the minor complexities. Hence, the reason why we chose this game as one of the best beginner board games for adults. Winning the mobile game is a tad bit tricky, especially when players have to make strategic choices all through to dominate the game. But your choices will change the gameplay for you accordingly. Hence, a different choice gives a different experience of gaming, which makes 7 Wonders so interesting. You will not be bored of following the same path over and over again. 7 Wonders is a card-drafting game where players take and play one card before handing the rest to their neighbour. These cards are your resources to build an ancient wonder, advance technological progress, and win possible bonuses for boosting your victory points. Forcing players to choose wisely and providing ample opportunities for competitive strategies elevate the engaging factor of 7 Wonders. The digital version follows the same rules, with seven players doing the rounds and AI opponents to beat.
3 Reasons Why We Love the Mobile Version of Board Games
Board games are best enjoyed with families or friends sitting cross-legged around the board. But the busy schedule rarely allows people to get together for a fun playtime. But that doesn’t mean we have to pack our boards and push them at the remotest and dustiest corners of our shelves. The exact flavour of fun gaming can still be enjoyed with our smartphones. Cloud gaming platforms did a fantastic job bringing the classic versions allowing gamers to play board games online. The netizens love the virtual versions as they can play with their buddies whenever they want but from a safe distance.
Here’s why we love the mobile versions of board games more –
#1. Fun Element is Intact; But More
The mobile or the PC version of the classic board games like Ludo or Monopoly didn’t deviate much from their tabletop version, especially in terms of gaming rules and entertainment. Instead, the exciting factor lies in adding more to their original profile. Sound effects, animations, rule book, and chat room are a few added attributes that make digital board games more engaging than their predecessors. In addition, most online board games offer interactive gameplay, which has taken our favourite pass time to a whole new level.
#2. Convenience of Playing
Many players might argue; classic tabletop board games were the best to enjoy a happy family time or a friendly afternoon together. But those tabletop games were not ideal for carrying wherever you go. The convenience of gaming is one such element that makes their mobile versions stand out. There are hordes of free online board games to play with friends. People can enjoy them even while travelling or in-between work hours.
#3. Play with Others; But Remotely
You are not even cut off from your besties. Agreed, the mobile version entails a single player to play with a single smartphone. But who said the developers had restricted the number of players for a game? The multi-player options allow you to get your gang on board to play and share inside jokes via chat options or other chat rooms. So, you are getting the same flavour of fun gaming with your chosen playmates while maintaining the social-distancing protocols.
Tabletop or Online; Which Version of Board Game are You Playing Today?
The tabletop board games are taken out from their hiding corners when families gather together. But, when friends and families are physically away, the mobile versions take over to allow the convenience of playing together remotely. Irrespective of whichever version you choose, online board games will always remain a favourite of every player, from 10 to 60. Like the ones mentioned above, the mobile versions of the classic board games can award you with the same fun and excitement, just like their ancestors, with added benefits. The latter has a lot more to offer besides sound effects and animations. The interactive gameplays breathe a new life into them, something you wouldn’t find in tabletop board games.
So, start playing board games 2.0 and share your experiences with us.
