The games worth clearing the table for. Picks that deliver a full evening of fun.
Game night deserves games with real substance - not 15-minute filler, not a 6-hour commitment. These picks hit the sweet spot: meaty enough to make an evening of it, accessible enough that newcomers get involved quickly, and satisfying enough that everyone wants a rematch.
The game that made board game night a mainstream concept. Catan is perfect: takes 20 minutes to teach, plays in 90, generates real strategy and social dynamics, and ends with someone genuinely upset about not getting enough ore. The definitive game-night centerpiece.
The classic knowledge showdown. Six categories, thousands of questions, and the satisfaction of knowing the answer everyone else blanked on. Works beautifully with teams for larger groups. The house version where everyone shouts out answers is even better.
The game where you can see the word and almost say the clue and then realize every natural clue is forbidden. Taboo is peak game night - hilarious, fast, and requires nothing but vocabulary and creativity.
Nothing says game night like Was it Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick? Clue is a deduction classic where you systematically eliminate suspects, weapons, and rooms. Great for groups who want to feel like detectives for an hour.
World domination. Army pieces. Dice. Alliances that crumble. Risk is commitment - a 3-hour world conquest that generates diplomacy, betrayal, and stories you'll tell for years. Best with 5-6 players who know what they're getting into.