| Most Played Board Games | |
Mark Jackson, who runs the Game Central Station Web site, compiles an annual list of games played by game clubs and individual players at least 10 times or at least five times. He then compiles the results into a handy list that helps give a good sense of what games are most popular right now.
This year's list, reprinted here with Mark's permission, finds Settlers of Catan on the way down -- but still third overall, showing the incredible staying power of this game of settlement and trading, first released in 1995. Meanwhile, Loopin' Louie, which has been described as the "crack cocaine" of games (once you play, you're hooked), is on the way up and currently occupies the number five overall position.
Most of these games can be purchased through stores listed at our Shopping Board Games Subjects collection. If you have trouble finding one you want, head over to Locating Hard-to-Find Board Games.
If you'd like to ask questions about any of these games, post a note in the Forum.
23 different gamers (and two gaming groups) responded to the call for lists of games they played 5+ times and 10+ times in 1999. (This is up from 1998's 15 gamers and 1 group.)
The following lists are based on the information collected. When you see "points" mentioned (i.e. Lost Cities received 170 points), I awarded games 5 points for each gamer that listed a game as something they'd played 5+ times, and 10 points... blah, blah, blah. You get the picture.
The percentage numbers refer to the overall percentage (both 5+ and 10+ plays), while the numbers behind them in parantheses
indicate the breakdown (with 10+ being first).
I did not include classic games (backgammon, chess, etc.) or games played with a standard deck of cards.
MOST PLAYED GAMES
PLAYED 10+ TIMES
LO, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN
JOINING THE "IN" CROWD
FRESH FACES
Boardgame News
5 & 10 Lists... Compiled
Gamers list their five "must-have" games.
Post your list of favorite games.
Just missed (at 55 points): Union Pacific, Ricochet Robot, Can’t Stop, Euphrates & Tigris.
Just missed (at 3 players): Ra, Ricochet Robot, Take It Easy, Up Front.
PLAYED 5+ TIMES
Questions or comments about any of the games listed here? Post them on the Board Games Forum.
Just missed (at 4 players): Guillotine, High Society, Lost Cities, Settlers Card Game.
(biggest percentage drop from last year)
Just missed (at -23.25%): Elfenland.
(biggest percentage gain from last year)
Just missed: over 50 games posted a 4.00% increase.
(most popular games released in 1999)
Just Missed (at 30 points): Brawl.
Thanks to Mark Jackson for compiling the list and allowing us to reprint it.
Article Archive
Links to an ever-growing library of board games features.
The latest in the world of board games and other table games.
