Playing classic board games is the ultimate at-home bonding experience with friends and family. However, the good old-fashioned way of crowding around a coffee table is a big no-go now that we’re all social distancing. Luckily, that doesn’t mean we can’t play our favourite games altogether – it just means we have to find a new, more modern approach.
Where there is a will there is a way and in this case, that way is playing virtually. Many of our favourite board games, including nostalgic picks like Ludo and Uno, have been adapted for smartphones and online devices, meaning you can still play with friends from a far or host family game nights during isolation.
To make it feel extra intimate, why not stream your long-distance game nights on virtual socialising apps like Zoom or Houseparty?
To provide some inspiration, here are five classic board games available to play virtually…
Connect Four
Connect Four is one of those games everyone has played at least once. With two players, the rules are simple: each player has a colour and the aim is to make a straight line of four of your own pieces. The line can be vertical, horizontal or diagonal and whoever does it first, wins the game. For those who have an iPhone, this is available to play with others via iMessage. All you have to do is open the Games Pigeon feature, select the ‘Four in a Row’ game and send it as a message to your opponent to start the game. Alternatively, sign up to papergames.io to play online tournaments with people around the world.
Cludeo
Long before Netflix true crime documentaries and TV shows like True Detective became popular viewing, Cludeo was the first thing that came to mind when we heard murder mystery. The classic game is now available in app form for Android and iOS, meaning you can join Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard, Mrs Peacock, Reverend Green, Dr Orchid, and Professor Plum on a night of murder and mystery in the Cluedo Tudor Mansion. Get your friends and family involved and crack the case by uncovering the three W’s: Who, What and Where?
Ludo
Relive your childhood with a game of Ludo, only this time all the action will be happening on your smartphone. Ludo King is the app you need to download to play the modern day version of the classic game that still follows the traditional rules. Each player gets four tokens, these tokens must make a full turn of the board and then make it to the finish line. Whoever gets all four tokens to the end first is the winner. To start, roll the dice and move your tokens to reach the centre of the board, which very impressively looks just like the old school tangible version. The free app is available on Android, iOS, Kindle, and Windows Phone platforms.
Monopoly
Notorious for being the cause of all game night arguments, Monopoly is the kind of game that really brings out the claws among friends and family. Yet still, we can’t get enough of it. The aim of the timeless game is to buy, sell and scheme your way to wealth and success – even though means ruthlessly bankrupting your opponents (there’s no room for a conscience here). Play virtually by downloading the Monopoly app for around Dhs15 on Android or iOS.
UNO
As one of the most popular family card games around, we’re sure you’ve got plenty of memories attached to Uno – we certainly do. So why not create some more? The UNO app is an updated version that gives you the option to either play the traditional way or try some new house rules. Use the Buddy Up feature to team up with your friends in 2v2 Mode or participate in tournaments for a chance to win prizes. The free app is available for both Android and iOS.
