My favourite simple and affordable board games

Vol 27, Issue 22, 28 March 2025

In the age of smartphones and Internet, I think sometimes we just want to rewind and focus our minds on something present and within the reach. Board games are the perfect opportunity, as it allows us to spend more time with our loved ones, while not using any gadgets.

1. Mafia (Werewolf)

One of my favourite games ever. Depending on how many people there are in the company, there are villagers, detective, doctor, and mafia. The main task of the mafia is to remain unsuspected and kill everyone at night, while villagers are trying to figure and vote out their suspects. The game is extremely fun, makes you learn how to bluff and hide valuable information, which in rare situations is a goof trick in business. For this game you do not have to buy anything, just decide on the amount of mafias and make your cards from paper!

2. Skipbo

Another fun, chill and interesting game. The cards are exactly the same as they are in UNO — same colourful numbers, but the rules are completely different. There are 7 cards in your hands which you can see, and possibly 10 cards on the table in a pile, which you can only flip and cannot see. You have to stack piles from 1 to 12 on the table, in order to get rid of the 10-card pile, which is the main goal of the game. You can make tricks, you can distract the other parties and stop them from winning. The brand new game costs around 12–14 euros, depending on the store, but you could also borrow it from the main city centre library or directly play it there. No need to buy anything!

3. Jungle Speed

Perfect game, which I have only tried recently. It checks your reactions in attention and speed. Depending on the amount of players, you get a pile of cards that you have to flip upwards. Each player does the same. In the middle of the table, there is a totem that you have to take if you notice the other player has the same card as you. The main task is to notice it before the other party does and therefore get rid of your pile. Whoever does not notice gets the cards of the other player! This game you have to buy, as I haven’t seen it anywhere in the library or other places. It costs around 14 euros as well, but believe me, the investment is so worth it!