The best board games to play online with friends during lockdown
Board games are making a come back thanks to the coronavirus lockdown. But what if you want to play a round with someone at another house? We’ve found the best online options for classic games everyone can enjoy.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Friday night games nights are making a comeback as families look for new and exciting ways to keep entertained while in coronavirus lockdown.
But what if you want to extend that game night to friends and family outside the house?
We’ve already shared the best boardgames to play at home, now Leader has scoured the digital space to find the best multiplayer card and boardgames that can be played online.
THE CLASSICS
MONOPOLY
A timeless family class responsible for household tantrums and squabbles, nothing beats this classic boardgame that sees you buy and sell properties and scheme along the way to build your riches.
The often heard joke that Monopoly takes too long to play and never ends is proving a strength as families bunker down at home.
For those unable to play at home, a free version is available online and can be used as a multiplayer games online and offline.
How to play: The comprehensive list of rules explained.
How to access: The official game is available via the Apple app store for $3.99 or can be played for free via Rento playrento.com and on Nintendo Switch.
Players: Unlimited
SETTLERS OF CATAN
The iconic game has moved online, with those seeking the pursuit of victory able to play online with friends and family remotely.
The cult following has lasted for years, with isolation not slowing its growth.
The grab is strategy based with players building roads, buildings, villages and armies in order to conquer.
The website offers a lifelike board game view, with customisable characters.
How to play: Settlers of Catan rules and gameplay explained.
How to access: Catan classic is available free online.
CLUEDO
The ultimate deduction and brain teaser game, Cluedo in ranking number two in most downloaded online board games in Australia.
Solve the classic murder mystery board game from your home and win your place as the best detective.
Roll the dice and question everything to solve the mystery, and unravel the culprit.
The official edition offers multiplayer functions through an app and offers a free masquerade theme.
How to play: How to play Cluedo online
How to access: Cluedo, the official edition is available for $5.99 via the Apple app store.
Players: Unlimited
CARD GAMES
Various card games including house favourites like Gin Rummy, Hearts, Solitaire and President can be found online via CardzMania.
Play alone or email the link to friends to start a video call and draw a hand to get started.
How to access: Play for free via CardzMania
Players: Varies per game
MORE
BOARD GAMES YOU SHOULD BE PLAYING AT HOME
ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION LEADER SHARES CORONAVIRUS ISOLATION TIPS
STORY BOX LIBRARY: FREE ONLINE BOOK READINGS FOR CHILDREN
VITAL REASON SHELTER NEEDS TO STAY OPEN
SOMETHING NEW
DOMINION
Similar to Catan, Dominion is another strategy based game that Catan fans love.
Unlike Catan, it is card based with the same rules as the popular game allowing you to conquer your friends from afar, with medieval surroundings.
Each player has access to a separate deck of cards which they can draw from to action moves.
The website is clean and easy to use, with colourful graphics to keep the light medieval theme in play.
How to play: How to play Dominion – Games Explained
How to access: The basic version of Dominion is online for free, with additional features available for purchase via dominion.games
Number of players: 2 to 6
THE RESISTANCE – also known as Avalon
Loved by many, The Resistance boasts a cult following by gamers of all types – mixing strategy, wit and cunning.
Similar to Avalon, the game requires players to for a group of revolutionaries who use logic and deduction to weed out spies from their ranks.
Designed by Don Eskridge, a free online version of the game has been creased.
How to play: The Resistance: Avalon – How To Play
How to access: proavalon.com
Number of players: 5 to 10
PANDEMIC
For those with a dark sense of humour, Pandemic revolves around the plot of multiple diseases spreading simultaneously with friends working together to stop it (sound familiar?).
Become a member of a disease-fighting team and discover cures with a ticking clock. To save humanity you must find all four cures before time runs out.
How to play: Pandemic rules explained in five minutes
How to access: Pandemic is available online to play for $4.99 online and can be played across, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and on other devices.
Players: 1 to 5
PLAY GAMES THROUGH HOUSEPARTY APP
Sites such as Zoom and Houseparty offer a platform to engage in simple party games via video with multiple players.
Houseparty has also teamed up with the creator of Fortnite and Unreal Engine, Epic Games to give users the chance to play online through the app.
As part of the new partnership Fortnite players will be able unlock global rewards if the Houseparty Fortnite Trivia deck hits 20 million correct answers before midnight on April 16.
Tag us in screenshots of your funniest Chips and Guac pairings in Houseparty, and we'll send a special gift to our favorite one!
— Houseparty (@houseparty) May 15, 2019
🥑 Picking this Friday at 10am PST🥑https://t.co/KSwlWQxXpY pic.twitter.com/sbsdKOetBa
Games include:
HEADS UP, a modern take on the classic game of Celebrity Heads.
QUICK DRAW, to put your drawing and guessing skills to the test.
TRIVIA, a change to show off random facts and knowledge to friends with unique categories including Wizarding World, Disney, Netlifx and crime.
CHIPS AND GUAC, a word association game likened to Cards Against Humanity.
Players: Unlimited