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Pass the snacks and light the fire – board game season has begun. As the nights draw in and social calendars slow down (well, slightly), there’s something gloriously old-fashioned about gathering round a table for a bit of friendly competition.
From sleek new releases that’ll test your trivia skills to beautifully boxed classics you’ll actually want to leave out on the coffee table, we’ve rounded up the best board games to buy and play this cosy season. Hot chocolate optional, competitive spirit essential. (P.s. Don’t blame us for the inevitable fall outs…)
It’s time to channel your inner Alan Carr in this game inspired by the UK’s most-talked-about TV show. Faithfuls and the Traitor alike must tackle missions to earn gold for the prize fund. The Traitor will play to earn the right to murder at night, and all the Faithfuls must try and banish at the Round Table. The two players with the most gold will compete for the prize fund. Will they split the fund, or try and take it for themselves?
The aim of Herd Mentality is simple: think like everyone else. Each round starts with a random question – everyone scribbles down their answer, and the most popular one wins. Match the herd and you’ll earn cows; dare to be different and you’ll get stuck with the dreaded Pink Cow. The only way to shake it off? Hope someone else thinks for themselves next round.
Ease on down the yellow brick road with this magical twist on the world’s most famous board game. The Monopoly Wicked Edition swaps Mayfair for the Emerald City, with players buying up Ozian landmarks, building Munchkin Homes and upgrading to glittering Emerald Castles. Totally Ozmopolitan and full of musical nods to the hit stage show, it’s a collector’s dream – and perfectly timed for the second film’s release.
Based on the popular TV game show, this brain-teasing board game will finally determine who amongst you can join the top 1% of quizzers in the nation. It’s not a general knowledge test – these questions instead require logic, reasoning skills, and common sense.
Telestrations turns miscommunication into an art form – literally. Each player sketches a secret word, then passes their drawing around the table as others guess (and draw) what they think it is. By the time the sketchbook makes it back, you can see all the hilarious results as people try and replication (usually pretty poorly) your drawing. Perfect for those who want a giggle.
Murder, mystery and a touch of mid-century chic. This elegant edition of Cluedo turns a classic whodunnit into a piece of coffee-table art. Housed in a fabric-covered ‘book’ box, inside you’ll find the full-sized game with wooden movers, die-cast weapons and a kitsch ‘Detective Notes’ pad. Perfect for a stylish night in or a thoughtful gift for the detective-minded, it’s proof that good taste and good games can absolutely coexist.
From Mickey Mouse to Moana, Woody to Buzz, and Elsa to Anna, how well do you know your favourite Disney and Pixar characters, movies, and stories? The Disney Logo Game is packed with pictures, characters and magical moments from films like The Lion King, Toy Story and Frozen. Test your Disney credentials by identifying them as quickly as possible and racing to the end of the board.
Inspired by the hit TV series, this board game brings all the drama of the show to your table. Teams race across continents using any route they like – but no flights or smartphones allowed. Will you sprint ahead and work along the way to fund your travels, or play it slow and steady to make your money last? With two maps, nine companions and a mix of Job, Accommodation and Chance cards, every adventure plays out differently.
Think fast, slap faster. In Taco Cat Card Game, players take turns flipping cards while repeating those five ridiculous words. The moment the card matches what’s said, everyone dives for the pile – the last to react takes them all. It sounds simple, but your brain will betray you. Fast, funny and totally addictive, it’s chaos in card form.
Calling all detectives! A secret agent has been taken out, and the shadowy S.P.Y. Agency is covering its tracks. Each player holds part of the truth, so you’ll need to share clues to crack the case – but don’t give too much away, or someone else will solve it first. Based on the multi-million selling Murdle books by GT Karber, this game is perfect for a cosy-crime style winter evening.