17 Popular Board Games in the 80s

Looking for popular board games in the 80s that you can still play today?

There were a TON of board games that were played in the 1980s, but there are 17 on my list that you can grab and play today.

Whether you want something that’s family-focused or enjoy the challenge of strategy, there’s something on this list for you:

Most Popular Board Games in the 80s

Clue is the most famous whodunit board game out there. Despite it’s release date being in the 1980s, this luck-based game is still as challenging today. Players are tasked with determining who killed Mr. Boddy, with what weapon and where in the Clue mansion.

If you’re a fan of murder mysteries and fancy yourself an amateur detective, this is the ’80s board game for you.

I like that it’s a low commitment game. It doesn’t take a lot to set it up, there’s limited strategy required, and it can be a howling good time. Grab your favorite board game snacks and see if you can solve the mystery.

Trivial Pursuit emerged as the quintessential knowledge-testing board game of the 1980s. Despite its origins in that era, this intellectually stimulating game remains captivating today.

In Trivial Pursuit, players embark on a quest to showcase their command of general knowledge across various categories. The goal? To acquire pie-shaped wedges by correctly answering questions and eventually complete their circular game piece.

If you’re a trivia enthusiast with an insatiable thirst for random facts, this ’80s gem is your game. Its simple setup, reliance on luck and knowledge, and potential for uproarious enjoyment make it a delightful choice for gatherings.

Life, a classic board game popular in the 1980s, invites players to experience the twists and turns of a virtual journey from cradle to retirement. Despite its release in that era, the game’s simplistic yet engrossing gameplay continues to captivate players.

In Life, you make decisions on education, career, and family, each choice leading to a unique path on the game board.

This luck-driven adventure resonates with both nostalgia seekers and newcomers alike. With its straightforward setup, emphasis on chance, and potential for uproarious laughter, Life offers a lighthearted gaming experience that’s perfect for a casual get-together.

Released in 1979, Guess Who? emerged as a beloved board game in the 1980s that focused on deduction and quick thinking.

This game remains engaging due to its straightforward yet addictive gameplay. Players engage in a face-off, attempting to guess their opponent’s chosen character through a series of yes-or-no questions. The game’s charm lies in its simplicity, making it an ideal choice for gatherings or casual gaming sessions.

With minimal setup, no-frills strategy, and the potential for uproarious enjoyment, Guess Who continues to be a howling good time, challenging players to match wits in a battle of deduction and skill.

The real downside is that it’s a simple two-player game that won’t work in bigger crowds.

While it didn’t originate in the ’80s, Risk captured a fervent following during the 1980s. In an era dominated by diverse gameplay, it stood out for its epic scope and intense battles.

Players engaged in a global conquest, deploying armies and devising calculated maneuvers to dominate the world map. It offers a unique blend of strategy and diplomacy that kept players engaged for hours.

With its sweeping gameplay, simple setup, and ample room for cunning tactics, Risk remains a timeless classic that transports players to an era of geopolitical mastery and strategic good times.

Mall Madness invited players into the vibrant world of shopping and commerce. Unlike the murder mysteries of Clue, Mall Madness embraced the consumer spirit of the era.

Released in the same decade, the game’s appeal endures due to its unique theme and gameplay. Players navigated a bustling electronic mall, making purchases and seeking bargains in a race to complete their shopping lists. As a lighthearted contrast to more serious games, Mall Madness captured the carefree essence of the era.

With its simple setup, emphasis on luck, and potential for uproarious fun, it still provides a howling good time that whisks players away on a shopping spree without ever leaving the table – IF you can get your hands on a copy (they’re hard to find!).

Girl Talk, a beloved ’80s board game, catered to the interests of young players in a distinctive and engaging way. Focused on fostering friendships and revealing secrets, it was a game designed specifically for a female audience.

Through a series of truth or dare-style activities and conversational prompts, players delved into personal topics and shared stories. The game provided a platform for lighthearted conversations and laughter.

With its emphasis on bonding, and potential for unforgettable moments, Girl Talk offers a unique and enjoyable experience that resonated with the spirit of the ’80s, making it a cherished choice for sleepovers and gatherings of friends.

While Monopoly had been out for over half-a-century by the time the ’80s rolled around, it maintained its reign as a beloved board game throughout the decade. This iconic game of economic prowess and property domination offered players a chance to amass wealth and negotiate strategic deals.

The game’s enduring popularity can be attributed to its immersive gameplay, where players buy, trade, and scheme their way to victory. Assembling colorful properties, collecting rent, and strategically placing houses and hotels were the cornerstones of Monopoly’s success.

Monopoly remains a classic to this day. While it does offer a LONG playing time, it’s an immersive experience that offers some fun and negotiation-based gameplay. Get into a capitalist battle while having a howling good time.

Hungry Hungry Hippos became a roaring success in the ’80s, offering a wild and energetic gameplay experience. Unlike the cerebral challenges of Clue and the war-torn battlefield of Risk, this game celebrated pure, chaotic fun.

Players engaged in a frenzied race as hungry hippos, aiming to gobble up as many marbles as possible from the center of the board. The game’s appeal lay in its fast-paced nature and competitive edge, providing players with laughter-filled moments as they slammed their hippos’ heads to collect marbles.

With its vibrant setup, emphasis on speed and reflexes, and the potential for uproarious bouts of laughter, Hungry Hungry Hippos provided an exhilarating and unforgettable gaming experience that perfectly captured the exuberance of the ’80s. Plus it’s perfect for players of almost all ages!

Candy Land, a vibrant favorite of the ’80s (especially among the youngsters), transported players to a whimsical world of sugary delights. Unlike the intrigue of Clue, this game was a journey of pure imagination.

Players navigated a rainbow-colored path, guided by a deck of cards, as they aimed to reach King Kandy’s castle. The game’s universal appeal stemmed from its accessibility, making it perfect for young players.

With its enchanting setup, emphasis on chance, and potential for boundless joy, Candy Land provided a delightful escape into a land of sweets and colors. Since it doesn’t demand complex strategy, it’s perfect for family game night if you have younger kids in the house.

Battleship originated in late 1960s, but by the time the 1980s rolled around, this bad boy was still hot. In contrast to new games like Clue, Battleship brought a more hands-on way to enjoy boardgames.

Players skillfully plotted their fleet’s coordinates and fired salvos, attempting to sink their opponent’s vessels. The game’s enduring popularity rested on its engrossing one-on-one competition and suspenseful gameplay.

With its grid-based setup and potential for intense head-to-head battles, Battleship delivers a riveting experience that challenges players’ wit and foresight. Despite its simplicity, it provided a low-commitment option that could escalate into hours of strategic engagement.

Pictionary was a nod to all gaming artists who were ready to make a game out of drawing. Tapping into everyone’s creative flair, this game sees teams compete to convey words and phrases through drawings, testing artistic interpretation and guessing skills.

And honestly, the worse you are at drawing, the funnier it is.

With its quick setup, emphasis on imagination, and potential for uproarious fun, Pictionary fosters a vibrant atmosphere that was perfect for gatherings. It offers an engaging, laugh-filled gameplay that transcends age barriers.

It might be surprising that Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective came out in the 1980s, but it’s had a few good decades of transporting players into the cerebral realm of mystery.

Players assume the roles of the Baker Street sleuths, examining case materials to unravel complex mysteries. It’s an easy to learn and play, and has the potential for hours of captivating gameplay.

This is a great option for those that are looking for more intellectually stimulating experience. If you’re an amateur detective or a mystery enthusiast, this is the 80s themed board game for you.

1830: Railway & Robber Barons is an intricately designed game that delves into the world of 19th Century railroads and economic maneuvering. If you’re a fan of Ticket to Ride, this is the 80s game for you.

This board game is a bit more of a time commitment, but if you’re someone who likes strategic gameplay it could be for you. Players engage in cutthroat competition, establishing rail networks and manipulating stocks to secure a fortune.

Transport yourself back in time and relish in the challenges and economic mastery of this engaging game.

The original Allies & Axis game was released in 1981, unfortunately I couldn’t find a copy of it. So instead, we have Allies & Axis: 1941, which was released a few years later.

It offered a fresh take on World War II military strategy with players stepping into the shoes of global power leaders, plotting strategies and managing resources in an effort to achieve global dominance.

If you’re looking for a game that’s fun for the whole family and a bit more interactive, Mouse Trap is for you. It’s a captivating game that actually came out in the 1960s, but it’s popularity really soared in the 1980s.

This game blends a little strategy with some physics and ends in you trying to catch opponents’ mice in the trap. It offers a little unique mix of creativity and competition, and is OK for kids of all ages.

I admit that it does take a bit to set up, but it is worth it. It can be a totally fun way to enjoy a game with the family.

Taboo makes for a great word-based challenge game that can be a ton of fun to play (so long as you’re in an appropriate age group!). Your goal is to have your partner guess the word on your card without you giving it away – instead you provide clues.

It’s a lively game that you can play with a larger group. Whether you have (older) kids in the crowd or just want to play with adults, you can totally have a ton of fun. It came out at the end of the 1980s, but still had an impact on game playing.

Sorry! is another classic game of slides and moves. Despite coming out in the late 1920s, it was still played in the 1980s gaming landscape.

Your goal in this game is to get your pieces home before the rest of the players. It blends a little strategy with some luck, and can be a great source of family fun.

This is a great energetic game that is low commitment but can offer family game night fun. What I like best is that it resonates with players of all ages, and has an opportunity to actually teach a thing or two (like math and patience!).

Final Thoughts: Popular Board Games in the 80s

There were plenty of popular board games in the 80s, many of which you can still get your hands on today. I have to say, I like the more classic games like Clue or Monopoly.

That said, the 1980s did bring us games like Mall Madness and Girl Talk – both of which are harder to find but still classics if you can get your hands on them.