I love board games. I love to play them and try new ones. There are a lot to choose from, and for the past few years they have experienced a revival in popularity.

For years, there were only the typical games – Monopoly, Sorry, Clue, Risk, etc. But now the choice has exploded. There are celebrity websites – TableTop – that review games and countless websites that review, provide forums for, and sell games. This is a great time to get into board games and has been for a few years now.

With all that said, here are my top five board games (now, keep in mind the list could always change as new games are played but it would take a lot to bump these games off the list):

I would add the following to the list of honourable mentions (with caveats):

• Carcassonne – I have never in my life watched a person totally destroy all the other players in a game of Carcassonne like my wife does with some of my best friends. I enjoy playing the game just to see her beat everyone.
• What Do You Meme?/Cards Against Humanity – These are fun games for groups of people to play at a party. You can not go wrong, or you could go totally wrong, with the answers and it is all in good fun.

5. 7 Wonders

This games comes in at number five for a few reasons: 1) Before you even play you need to choose which civilization you want to be and this can define the strategy you choose. 2) There are a few ways to collect points to win this game, so a strategy is involved and needed. 3) Bragging rights – it is fun to imagine being these civilizations and outmaneuvering others to win.

4. Ticket to Ride

Taking the train somewhere is a lot of fun. Competing to build tracks across North America against others is so much fun. Blocking paths and building those one-piece tracks brings some sort of weird satisfaction. It is easy to rack up points and the game does not take too long to complete. It is a solid game to play.

3. Pandemic: On the Brink

While this is a timely game given the pandemic that is currently on, my love of this game is purely selfish. This game is an expansion pack of the board game Pandemic and introduces a new element not seen in the previous game – a bioterrorist. I love this game because I love playing that role. It is a lot of fun to challenge the rest of the players to catch you as you travel around the world creating havoc and they need to cure the pandemic. It adds a brilliant element to an already great game.

2. Monopoly

Yes, it is frustrating. Yes, it leads to fights. But this is a classic game and I have a soft spot for it. Who does not enjoy trying to get rich and owning many properties as you build yourself up through cold-hearted capitalism and on the backs of all the other players? Now, everyone has a different way to play with differing house rules but the game is a lot of fun…until someone flips over the board.

1. Settlers of Catan

This is, by far, my favourite game! Competing for resources, building cities and towns. You pick the land you want and then hope the roll of the dice and the odds go your way. Expansion packs take the action to the water and elsewhere. So much fun and action in such a small board. Pick this game up if you have not already.

What are some of your favourite games? Share below in the comments section.