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Do board games and college students actually go together? Personally, I think it’s a perfect match.
I have many fond memories from my college years, which don’t feel like they were now almost a decade ago. Some of my favorite nights were spent with new friends, a red solo cup and a board game.
Should you bring board games to college?
I vote yes. But clearly, I’m a little biased.
For most college crowds, you want a game that is easy to bring with you, easy to teach, easy to learn and easy to drink (responsibly) while playing.
Playing a game together is a great way to spend quality time with good people. College life can be stressful. Learning a game can be a great way for new college students to blow off a little steam.
Without further ado, here are a few of the best games that are perfect for college students and young adults:
For this group of words, you could try to relate the cards “Eyes” and “Legs” and give the clue “Body, two” (photo by BoardGameChick.com)
8. Code Names (Deep Undercover)
Code Names is a popular party game that requires all players to be clever and guess the right words indicated by their “spymasters”, who serve as the team leaders.
It’s the perfect choice for almost any crowd.
In Code Names, groups break off into two teams. The spymasters will be assigned words from rows of word tiles that they must get their team to guess.
Spymasters can only give one word clues, followed by a number that indicates how many words relate to that clue. The rest of the players debate about which words best fit the clue.
I love this game because it requires some wit, especially for the spymaster. It can also be really funny to hear your team mates justify their answers.
There are many variations of this game. The original game is much more family friendly. But Deep Undercover is the adult version that adds a bit of extra fun and raunchiness for the college crowd. It’s one of my favorite word games on the market.
This is the quintessential college board game, albeit overplayed. It’s a fun game for small groups or medium-sized groups.
To be honest, I gave away my version of Cards Against Humanity a couple of years ago. There are only so many times you can read the same card before it loses its shock value.
I say shock value because it’s one of the most crude games on the list. It’s important for everyone in the room to have a sense of humor, and probably not one you take home on Thanksgiving.
This was a very popular game when it first debuted. Perhaps too popular.
But if you’ve never heard of it, it’s very simple. There are white cards and black cards. A black card will have a prompt. Players take turns playing a prompt while the rest of the players choose a white card that best matches it.
For example, a black card might say “During sex, I like to think about …”
A player might play a response that says something like, “Gloryholes”. Whoever played the prompt will select their favorite answer.
The name of the game is to be funny. There’s certainly an element of dark humor, and it is not for young children.
If the cards start to run their course, you can always buy an expansion pack.
At the time of this writing, the original version of Cards Against Humanity is on Amazon for $25.
Players: 4-20 or more
For ages: 17 and up
Estimated time: 30-90 mins
Secret Hitler is a secret roles game where players pass legislature to gain control (photo by BoardGameChick.com)
6. Secret Hitler
Legislature? History? Boring!
Actually, people can get really fired up while playing Secret Hitler.
It’s a hidden role game where it pays to be a good liar. I am not a good liar, so I find my heart racing every time I am the bad guy.
Each player receives a hidden role card. The bad guys pretend to be good guys by passing legislature and trying to get Hitler in power.
It’s one of the most popular board games to come out in recent years.
Overall, this is a great board game that is beautifully done and includes wooden cards and foil playmats. There’s a reason it raised more than a million dollars on Kickstarter.
This game has provided hours of fun and has a high replay value.
At the time of this writing, Secret Hitler is on Amazon for $35.
This classic game is a strategy game where you play as mutant monsters who rampage around the city.
In this tabletop game, players roll dice that have different abilities. Monsters take turns fighting each other, healing themselves or earning victory points to claim their dominance over Tokyo.
The goal of the game is to win 20 victory points or be the only surviving monster.
This one is also appropriate for a family game night and offers friendly competition.
If you want a city based in the United States, check out King of New York.
At the time of this writing, King of Tokyo is available on Amazon for $36.99.
Players: 2-6 players
For ages: 8 and up
Estimated time: 30 mins
Could you name 3 cures for a hangover in 5 seconds? (photo by BoardGameChick.com)
4. 5 Second Rule (Uncensored)
You may have seen a version of the 5 Second Rule played on the Ellen show. The concept for the board game is very similar.
The game is probably the most simple, most affordable and most easy to teach game than any other on this list.
Sometimes those are the best types of games for a fun and hilarious game night.
And for even more laughs, go with the uncensored version. The game comes with a deck of cards, a timer and … that’s it!
There’s also a rulebook, which you won’t spend much time reading. Each card will have a prompt for the gamer to name three items of a category. If they can do it before the timer runs out, they gain points.
The uncensored version will have fun categories like, “Name three things it’s best not to rush into”. You can really get to know your friends better this way, too.
Don’t worry, no kittens were harmed in the making of this game.
This card game is a self-described Russian Roulette. It’s similar to Cards Against Humanity but more appropriate for a younger audience, which is a good thing.
While I was looking through some reviews though, I saw a few complaints from parents who found the cards to be vulgar for kids, so keep that in mind if you bring this one home for the holidays.
Basically, the cards are goofy and funny and over the top. The card artwork is adorable. Cat cards have special abilities that help you during the game.
The exploding kitten card works as a hot potato. Avoid the hot potato and win.
It’s an interesting game that is quick and easy to learn.
Players: 2-10
For ages: 7 and up
Estimated time: 10-20 mins
The game mostly consists of werewolves and villagers, but there are additional character cards to spice up the game and make it more interesting (photo by BoardGameChick.com)
2. Ultimate Werewolf
Ultimate Werewolf is a classic, easy-to-learn card game that largely is popular because you can play it with a large number of players.
It’s a hidden roles game. The bad guys are werewolves. The good guys need to hunt down the werewolves, and the werewolves try to convince other villagers that they’re innocent.
Villagers will slowly get “eaten” until werewolves are found. (Werewolves pick a player to eliminate, with the help of a moderator).
If the villagers are able to decipher who the werewolves are, before they are outnumbered by the werewolves, they win.
If there are the same number or more werewolves as players on the villager team, werewolves win.
It’s recommended that players start out by playing with only werewolves and villagers, but there are many other character variations that can make the game more dynamic.
The red team and blue teams work against each other. The blue team wants to protect the President from the “boom” (photo by BoardGameChick.com)
1. Two Rooms and a Boom
If you’re looking for a step up from Ultimate Werewolf, try Two Rooms and a Boom.
This one is good for social events and even team-building exercises.
In this game, there’s a red team and a blue team. The two most important character cards are the President and, since I don’t want to get flagged by the Secret Service here, let’s just say the one that goes “boom”.
The two teams split into two physical rooms and exchange players until time runs out, almost like Red Rover.
You have to establish trust with your teammates and try to separate the President from the “boom” (or put them together, depending on which side you’re playing for).
It’s another hidden roles game that involves quite a bit of strategy and a lot of socialization.
There are also about 70 unique character cards, which can both be exciting and sometimes chaotic.
The benefit of Two Booms and a Room over Ultimate Werewolf is that no moderator is required, so everyone can play.
The downside is, this game can be a bit confusing. If I’m being honest, I’ve played it several times now and still haven’t developed a good strategy.
Another downside: I’ve found that this one is hard to find online. Check with your local game store.
Players: 6-30
For ages: 8 and up
Estimated time: 20 mins
What do you think is a good board game for college students? Did I miss any on the list? Let me know in the comments.
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