19 Board Games Adults Will Actually Want To Play

Put Monopoly back in the closet. You're better than that.

Games have come a long way since you were a kid.

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Playing Sorry and Clue in a wood-paneled basement is a thing of the past.

Now they're way more exciting and sophisticated, and some can be finished in 15 minutes.

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More time = more games!

Here are 19 of the best games to play with friends...

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Because srsly, how the fuck do you even win at Monopoly?

1. Sheriff of Nottingham

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Lying, and bribing, and smuggling — oh my! Played with up to four people, you have to try to sneak your contraband into the city past the sheriff, who switches to a new player each round.

2. Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

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Kind of like the board game version of The Mole, Dead of Winter is a game in which you and your fellow players have to work together and survive in a post-apocalyptic world. But you all have your own secret objectives that may let everyone win, or kill you all in a blaze of glory.

3. Legendary

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In this game set in the Marvel Universe, you have to defeat classic villains like Loki, Magneto, and Dr. Doom. Whoever has the most points is the true hero of Earth's mightiest heroes.

There's also a Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, and all villains version as well.

4. Munchkin: Adventure Time

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The classic dungeon adventure game with a mathematical twist.

5. Settlers of Catan

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Because you don't live under a rock, I know you've at least heard of this classic civilization-building strategy game. But did you know there are at least 15 expansion and extension packs? Including a STAR TREK VERSION?

6. Tsuro: A Game of the Path

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Tsuro takes a maximum 20 minutes to play; you have to build a safe path for your journey, without being led astray by others. Deep.

7. Takenoko

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Another great game if you don't have all day. Appease the emperor by taking care of his bamboo garden while completing your objectives (seven to nine depending on the number of players). Also, giant pandas.

8. Lords of Waterdeep

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Yes, this is technically a Dungeons and Dragons board game, but there is no need to bust out your cape and use a different voice (unless you really want to). You only have eight rounds (about an hour) to collect treasure, complete quests, and rule over all.

9. Love Letters

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Don't let the name fool you! This is a game of risk, deduction, and all-out luck as you try to get your letters to the princess before the other players.

10. Sushi Go!

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A fast-moving card game where the objective is to collect the best combination of sushi dishes as they fly by. Make sure to eat before you play.

11. Bang! The Bullet Card Game

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"The Outlaws hunt the Sheriff. The Sheriff hunts the Outlaws. The Renegade plots secretly, ready to take one side or the other." A game you will play again and again. Bonus points if you're wearing a cowboy hat and poncho.

12. Pandemic

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A cooperative game, where you play to your character's strengths and plan strategies to eradicate deadly diseases that overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks. Either everybody wins, or everybody loses.

13. Smash Up

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Pair up different factions to take over bases, then the world! With 20 different faction decks all with different gameplay powers, the game is different each time you play (unsolicited advice: Always pick wizards and bears — trust me).

14. Carcassone

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Deploy thieves, monks, knights, and farmers to protect or destroy others on this ever-expanding tile-placement game. Kind of like the tabletop version of SimCity.

15. The Resistance: Avalon

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If you are a fan of King Arthur and Merlin — and let's face it, who isn't? — this is your game! Full of secret identities and deception, you have to use your powers of deduction to figure out who among you is the agent of evil.

16. Puerto Rico

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Play as the prospector, captain, mayor, trader, settler, craftsman, or builder to achieve the greatest prosperity. Losers have to buy the winner rum.

17. King of Tokyo

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Mutant monsters and giant robots face off to become the KING OF TOKYO! And for those not into the international scene, there's a New York version as well.

18. 7 Wonders

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You have 30 minutes to lead an ancient civilization from barbarians to world power. No pressure.

19. Arkham Horror Board Game

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Something weird is going on in Arkham, Massachusetts. You and your fellow players investigate the horrors brought about by the diabolical servants of the Ancient Ones, including Ithaqua, Hastur, and the Cthulhu. Feel free to turn on every light in the house before playing.

For a literal play-by-play of these and a ton more games, check out the Geek & Sundry tabletop page.

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And to celebrate your new favorite activity, check out International Tabletop Day on April 11 to find a place to play with friends.

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