Today, video games are one of the main forms of entertainment around the world. It doesn’t matter if we play from a gaming PC or from a console like PlayStation 5 : in the middle of 2023 it is very easy to access a gigantic catalog of games. It doesn’t matter if we prefer single-player experiences like what Starfield can offer or something more multiplayer-oriented like Warzonz, what is clear is that we have a lot to choose from.
Now, with the permission of video games, there is also something else that has gained a lot of public in recent years. We are referring to board games, another form of entertainment that is great to play alone, with friends or even as a couple. Most major stores have these games, something that gives us consumers the opportunity to choose the one or those that we like the most.
Than the more classic options like Catan or UNO! continue to be the stars of home gatherings does not mean that they are the best. In fact, the variety of board games is so great that we even have a wide variety of them based on video games. This mix is great, as it unites the best of both worlds in a game that gamers and board games in general will like.
As there are several video games that have made the leap to board games, in this article we are going to see which are the best options currently available. In addition, we are also going to review certain aspects that must be taken into account before choosing one or the other. Let’s go there!
Best board games based on video games
What to take into account when buying a board game based on video games?
Choosing a board game can be a complicated task, even if we have experience in the subject. There are so many and they are so varied that, although they can be included in the same category, they will have differences large enough to make us doubt. For this reason, in the following lines we are going to explain certain aspects that must be taken into account before choosing a board game.
Its setting and way of playing will be the first thing we look at
When you are going to choose a video game, the first thing you are going to look at is how it is played and what its background, setting or story is. The same thing is going to happen to us here: if we want a board game that is based on a video game, the first thing we are going to look at is whether that setting is to our liking. There are some board games based on FromSoftware games, but if we don’t like any souls it is better to avoid them.
Regardless of whether we like the franchise on which the board game is based, we cannot forget that each option will have its own gameplay. As we have said above, it is possible that several of them fall into the same category (card games, games for short games, etc.), but surely each one has its peculiarities, which may be enough to tip the balance towards one side. or another.
How many players do we usually have at home?
Although we have already told you the main thing to take into account, there are other determining factors that, to a lesser extent, we cannot ignore either. An important one is the number of players who usually play these types of games, since there are certain options that are suitable for playing alone or in small groups, while others are designed for large groups.
Based on this aspect, it is clear that the decision is going to be very subjective. Not everyone plays these types of games with the same number of people. The most advisable thing for these cases is to have several options in the collection, something that will ensure that we are always prepared for each situation.
Cooperative board games vs. competitive
Although we have already talked a little about how to play these games above, it is worth returning again to divide them into two large groups that are very different from each other. There are board games that are purely competitive, where players will have to make their moves so that in the end there is only one winner. A game that fits wonderfully into this scheme is Monopoly, which, although it encourages players to make alliances or deals with each other, is one where there can only be one winner in the end.
Of course, there are also other games where what is rewarded is cooperation between players, either in groups that fight each other or in a single group that has to defeat a threat controlled by another player. These games, as a general rule, tend to have more complex rules and gameplay, but in the long run they can be more fun (again, the decision to choose one type or another is very subjective).
There are board games based on video games for all ages
As with video games, board games are also rated by age. Whether due to the size of its pieces or the type of game, we have some available based on video games that are recommended for people over a certain age. Based on video games, most of the ones we are going to find have a rating for at least 12+ years.
In the list that we will find below we have varied options. It is true that, as we have said above, most are designed to play with teenagers or adults, but we have also taken into consideration providing some interesting options to enjoy with the little ones at home.
The budget, a factor that we cannot forget
As with everything, the budget we have to buy a board game will be decisive. Those that are based on video games usually have somewhat high prices, although they must be seen as an investment. It is similar to when we acquire a new book or a new video game for our collection, with the exception that we will always have it there to be able to enjoy it. alone or with friends.
In the selection we have made we have tried to cover a wide spectrum of prices to propose options that suit all budgets.
What board game based on video games to buy
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
We start this selection of board games based on video games with Cuphead : Fast Rolling Dice. It is a game that is designed to be played cooperatively in very quick games (it captures the essence of the game very well in that sense). The drawing style of all the tokens and cards is fantastic, and it includes 8 decks of cards, one for each boss that is available in the box. Its current price is 68.99 dollars.
Bloodborne: The Board Game
One of FromSoftware’s best games is Bloodborne, a title that has its own board game. This is an option that is designed to be played by 1 to 4 players, and in which we will have to explore the city of Yharnam fighting all kinds of enemies. The game is made up of four campaigns in which we must improve our character and adapt as best as possible to what surrounds us (something that will not be easy). It costs 90.06 dollarson Amazon.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
If we talk about a popular saga in the horror genre, that is Resident Evil, and here we have the board game of its second installment. It is designed for up to 4 players, and is set in the same Racoon City locations that we can find in the game. Includes several replicas of the main characters and some of the classic enemies of the saga. In addition, it has numerous cards with which we can do different actions. On Amazon it can be obtained for 108.07 dollars in its English version.
Monopoly Super Mario Bros
If we talk about board games, it is difficult not to refer to Monopoly, and for this list we have chosen one with a bit of a “cheat”. This is based on the latest Super Mario Bros. movie, one of the most iconic characters in video games. The special thing about this edition is that there will be a Bowser pawn that will move around the board during the game and will steal property, coins and can even send us to jail. It is the cheapest game on the entire list: it costs 29.99 dollars.
ORLOG: The board game
On many occasions, we can find different mini-games within the video games themselves that, after their success, end up moving from the screen to the board. That’s what happened with ORLOG, the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla dice game. It has three different game modes, its games last between 10 and 15 minutes and includes each and every one of the elements that we can find in the video game (two sets of 6 dice, two sets of 25 chips, 2 bowls, two sets of 20 divine favors, 1 coin, two sets of 15+1 health stones, 2 divine favors aids and 1 rule book). On Amazon it costs 34.95 dollars.
Year 1800
We close this compilation of board games with Anno 1800, the Ubisoft management game that makes the leap to the board. As expected, the title is full of elements that we can use to manage our little industrial revolution. Together, it has more than 500 elements, it is designed to be played by 2 to 4 players and its games last about 120 minutes. Of course, it comes in complete English. On Amazon it costs 28.75 dollar.
Also Read : The 10 best console games to play right now on Android
