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The Dengler Domain: Board Games

Family game night is a blast from the past. This is the night board games entertain families for hours, and it is not as popular as it was in the past. PlayStations, Xbox 1s, and various video streaming websites take the fun out of setting up, playing and picking up a board game. I love board games, and this tradition needs to continue to take place. Many popular board games have existed for a long time, but they have gone through several iterations. Many classics remain from the past which are fun to play today.

Battleship is an age old classic board game. It originally started as a pad-and-pencil game which I had no idea. I always knew it as the game with plastic pegs and ships. Growing up, this game was fun to play. Strategically guessing and destroying someone’s two square big patrol boat was the best feeling. No feeling was worse than having my last ship’s location guessed by my opponent. As a young boy, blowing up fictional ships was an amazing opportunity. This game provides endless fun because the wisest will prevail. This game also quickly passes time for the two competitors.

Candy Land is a classic game to play. While this game is aimed at a younger demographic, the nostalgia is worth it. The game length is short so it provides a good start to family game night. First published in 1949, this game provides endless amounts of fun. The race to get to the end is exciting. I loved Candy Land growing up because it was a simple game. No crazy rules existed, and the only objective was to finish first. The game has a colorful aesthetic making it easy to fall in love with Candy Land.

Snakes (Chutes) and Ladders is another fun game to play. This game is as simple as Candy Land, in terms of the first one to finish wins. This simplicity is mixed with the scariness of falling down a chute and being left behind the other players. This game creates stress because no one knows if they will finish first or fall down an unfortunate chute. Interesting fact, this game originally began in India. Milton Bradley brought it back to popularity during the 20thcentury. The duration of the game can be quick and easy or long and strenuous depending on the luck of the roll.

The last game to be mentioned is Monopoly, the capitalistic dream. This early 20thcentury game is a classic, and it has been made into several iterations. Monopoly is a lot of fun to play, though it takes hours to complete. I love demolishing my fellow opponents and coming out on top with all of the money. It is an amazing feeling to be number one in this game. I have played the original, Pokmon, NFL, and several other versions of this game. Each has slightly different sets of rules, but the underlying theme remains the same. The one who crushed all other opponents is victorious. One great feeling in Monopoly is passing “Go” with money running as dry as the Sahara desert.

All these games were favorites of mine growing up. I recommend any of these classic games to play for a family game night. In order from favorite to least favorite board game my list is as follows: 1) Monopoly, 2) Battleship, 3) Candy Land, and 4) Snakes and Ladders. Family game night may be a blast from the past, but it will be a fun time. Even without children, adults should break out old board games and see who the best is. Friendly competition does not hurt anyone. Board games provide endless amounts of fun so have a family game night and enjoy a blast from the past.

Email Sean with your thoughts and ideas for future columns at: sean.h.dengler@gmail.com

The Dengler Domain: Board Games

Family game night is a blast from the past. This is the night board games entertain families for hours, and it is not as popular as it was in the past. PlayStations, Xbox 1s, and various video streaming websites take the fun out of setting up, playing and picking up a board game. I love board games, and this tradition needs to continue to take place. Many popular board games have existed for a long time, but they have gone through several iterations. Many classics remain from the past which are fun to play today.

Battleship is an age old classic board game. It originally started as a pad-and-pencil game which I had no idea. I always knew it as the game with plastic pegs and ships. Growing up, this game was fun to play. Strategically guessing and destroying someone’s two square big patrol boat was the best feeling. No feeling was worse than having my last ship’s location guessed by my opponent. As a young boy, blowing up fictional ships was an amazing opportunity. This game provides endless fun because the wisest will prevail. This game also quickly passes time for the two competitors.

Candy Land is a classic game to play. While this game is aimed at a younger demographic, the nostalgia is worth it. The game length is short so it provides a good start to family game night. First published in 1949, this game provides endless amounts of fun. The race to get to the end is exciting. I loved Candy Land growing up because it was a simple game. No crazy rules existed, and the only objective was to finish first. The game has a colorful aesthetic making it easy to fall in love with Candy Land.

Snakes (Chutes) and Ladders is another fun game to play. This game is as simple as Candy Land, in terms of the first one to finish wins. This simplicity is mixed with the scariness of falling down a chute and being left behind the other players. This game creates stress because no one knows if they will finish first or fall down an unfortunate chute. Interesting fact, this game originally began in India. Milton Bradley brought it back to popularity during the 20thcentury. The duration of the game can be quick and easy or long and strenuous depending on the luck of the roll.

The last game to be mentioned is Monopoly, the capitalistic dream. This early 20thcentury game is a classic, and it has been made into several iterations. Monopoly is a lot of fun to play, though it takes hours to complete. I love demolishing my fellow opponents and coming out on top with all of the money. It is an amazing feeling to be number one in this game. I have played the original, Pokmon, NFL, and several other versions of this game. Each has slightly different sets of rules, but the underlying theme remains the same. The one who crushed all other opponents is victorious. One great feeling in Monopoly is passing “Go” with money running as dry as the Sahara desert.

All these games were favorites of mine growing up. I recommend any of these classic games to play for a family game night. In order from favorite to least favorite board game my list is as follows: 1) Monopoly, 2) Battleship, 3) Candy Land, and 4) Snakes and Ladders. Family game night may be a blast from the past, but it will be a fun time. Even without children, adults should break out old board games and see who the best is. Friendly competition does not hurt anyone. Board games provide endless amounts of fun so have a family game night and enjoy a blast from the past.

Email Sean with your thoughts and ideas for future columns at: sean.h.dengler@gmail.com