Knightmare Chess
If you are looking for a pure skill game, then chess is the game for you. For those who depend on a bit of luck factor to have any chance of winning then there are, of course, better games than chess. Unless you are able to make logical calculations quickly, the game is going to be nothing more than one tedious and painful descent into embarrassing defeat. That’s exactly why Knightmare Chess has become such a popular variation of classic chess.
Developed by Steve Jackson games, Knightmare Chess introduces a pack of cards to be played at each turn. Every card will change a default rule of chess, allowing pieces to move in different ways or even removing them from the board entirely. Players can go from winning to losing in a single turn of a card – this game is extremely unpredictable.
League of Legends Monopoly
The sheer number of Monopoly editions produced by Hasbro will leave you feeling impressed and maybe a bit confused. Hasbro has turned almost everything associated with popular culture into a monopoly; World Cup monopolies, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, even bass fishing has its own monopoly! The ever popular League of Legends has one of the largest cult followings in the world. LoL, as it is affectionately known, is a PC game where players are transported (not literally) into a fantasy world. The game has a competitive base as well. The best professional LoL players have earned over £1Million from playing the game at ‘esports’ tournaments all around the world.
Esports is essentially a term for competitive video gaming, and its popularity is massive all around the world. It is no wonder Hasbro implemented a LoL version of their board. See a video of it here.
Clabbers Scrabble
One of the few Scrabble variants accepted at official Scrabble tournaments; Clabbers changes just one game rule to result in a fantastically fun variation. The game is basically identical to the original except that instead of spelling out words, players must form anagrams of words. If an opponent isn’t convinced your selection of tiles can actually form an accepted word then they can challenge you, at which point you must give at least one example of a word that could be made from rearranging the letters.
Clabbers is often considered easier, and typically more fast-paced, than regular Scrabble. Very fun for kids and adults alike.
Dr Who Operation
It seems like every kid over the past 50 years owned an Operation game at one point. In fact, the Hasbro franchise is so popular that it’s currently valued at $40 million. Maybe this game finally makes Dr Who a real doctor. If you’ve always fancied yourself more of a mechanic than a doctor, or if you’re just put off by Cavity Sam’s unsettling red nose and flabby body, maybe the Doctor Who edition of the game will have greater appeal. In this version of operation, you operate on the Doctors evilest of villains – the daleks.
Using the same concept of hand-eye coordination and dexterity, players must use a pair of tweezers to remove parts out of a dalek without touching the edge of the openings in which they are lodged. Touching the electrical wire loop of the opening will sound a buzzing noise, though a robotic “exterminate, exterminate” would be more appropriate for this particular edition.
Clue Suspects
Winning Moves released a single-player version of classic puzzle game Clue whereby the clues are already collected, so one merely has to use critical thinking and deductive reasoning to figure out the killer’s identity. Though the variation received positive reviews, Winning Moves discontinued Clue Suspects just a few years after its initial release.
There are still some copies in circulation that you can get your hands on for a reasonable price (perhaps a worthy investment considering its collectors value). All in all, Clue Suspects is a suitable variation for when you’re killing time on a solo train ride….or, if you just don’t have any friends.
Drunken Battleships
Also known as ‘Battleshots’, this boozy take on Battleships doesn’t need much explaining. Designate a type and quantity of drink for each main action, and then let the game drunkenly unfold in its own time. Some suggestions for drinking commands can be found here.
Alternatively, players can make their own playing boards and physically place the shots on the tiles, as indicated in the below image.
Star Wars Risk
You either love it or you hate it, it’s risk. For a global conquest, a game of Risk is estimated to take around three hours. In the Star Wars version of Risk things are slightly different. Players decide to play as either the dark or the light side whilst the objective of the game is to either destroy or defend the Death Star. Because there are only two sides (the Rebels and the Galactic Empire) two players can face off against each other or players can team up in a 2v2 battle. It’s a different take to the classic risk board game and if you are a fan of Star Wars it is a fantastic way in which to immerse yourself into the Star Wars universe.
