Board Games University

100 Best Board Game Websites

There is such a variety of games covered under the moniker "board games" that sometimes the name "board games" seems almost too limiting and narrow. While some of these games lack boards altogether to concentrate on gameplay or social interaction, still others challenge the notion of what a "game" is in favor of an educational or tutorial experience. Whatever you call them, here are 100 links to the best board game material available — links to retailers, reviews, online games, strategy and more.

1. Board Game Geek – The jumping-off point for board game info on the internet — if you’re looking for it then it must be here.
2. Board Games FAQ – This link takes you to the Rec.Games.Board Frequently Asked Questions plus a ton of other information, such as homepages for popular board games, fansites, tournament information, links to other bulletin boards, and then some.
3. Board Game Studies – The website for the International Society for Board Game Studies — a group that dedicates itself to the history and study of board gaming.
4. Board Game Ratings – Board Game Ratings does feature great reviews of board games by regular Joes, but they have a great selection of unique games for sale as well.
5. Board Games at About – About.com’s board games website is thorough and full of great links — this link takes you to their News and Reviews page.
6. Traditional Board Games – Histories and information on "ancient" games — that is, games whose invention came before 1500 AD.
7. Board Game Central – Another great "all you can eat" site on board games — news, information, strategy, links, and more.
8. Games Info Depot Board Games – GamesInfoDepot’s board games section contains the history and rules for a variety of classic board games.
9. The Games Forum Board Games – The Games Forum contains one of the bigger indexes of board games and variations — including almost 50 chess variations — and is organized well into many categories.
10. Board Game Google Groups – Groups like this board game group from Google are great places to get the latest news and reviews of games, as well as to meet other gamers like you.

Board Game Retailers

11. Columbia Games are makers of mostly strategy and war board games — these unique and rare games are a great antidote to the Risk blues. This company also makes miniatures for roleplaying games.
12. Back Porch Games have set out to bring back traditional "low-tech" or "no-tech" games. Games like Liar’s Dice, Boneyard Dominos, and the Circa Classic series of action games will remind you of a time before Nintendo.
13. Board Games Express offers all types of games from card and tile setups to collectible board games — this link will take you to their games for "50 and older"; mostly large print and classic titles. This category is rather unique.
14. Looking for discount board games? Charis Games is the place to start. Cheap games from top brands like Hasbro, Dynaflex, Cranium, and others.
15. Compendia UK offers board and card games as well as puzzles and less traditional lateral and thinking puzzles.
16. The Spils Bury slogan is "We Deliver Fun!" and their eclectic selection almost assures that to be true. My favorite find on the site is "Anti-Monopoly" which pits the greedy Capitalist against the free-market rebel.
17. Hoyles Online is the biggest name in games has a large site full of stuff they’d like to sell you — from Mah Jong to Staunton chess sets.
18. Indie game fans rejoice — Green Knight Games, retailer from the UK, has all the unusual and indepedently produced games you could want.
19. Rainy Day Games is an enormous games retailer based in Canada — their selection of the popular Avalon Hill series is worth a visit. Sure, they’ve got Risk — they’ve also got the less common Risk 2210, and the even less available Risk: Godstorm. Could be the biggest variety of non-traditional and commercial games on the web.
20. A quirky collection of German board games translated into English — look here at their "abstract" games section to find new challenges for your favorite board game fan.
21. Looking to buy games in bulk? Looney Labs offers indie games in bulk packaging, great for gifts at Christmastime.
22. Jigsaw puzzle lovers this is for you — B Gamers offers news, reviews, and puzzles for sale.
23. House Full of Games features a great buyer’s guide and stocking only award-winning and recognized board games that will help you find something new to play.
24. Gameshack is here to help the gamer who just can’t live without a personally-engraved backgammon board. But seriously, the site offers beautiful versions of classic games as well as engraving for photo frames and other objects.
25. Fun Games Cafe offers family-friendly strategy games of all types, from war re-enactment to political strategy.
26. Fan of 3-d puzzles? Gemani Games in the UK sells a huge variety of them, as well as books and strategy for gaming. Check out their links.
27. Sick of commercial games? Check out some indie publishers and their games at Fair Play Games.
28. Games by James is constantly updated with new games — I found a game I’d never seen before, called Villa Paletti, which is like Jenga but even more challenging and satisfying.
29. Chess N Games sells more varities of chess and chess equipment than you can shake a rook at.
30. Games In A Box offers strategy board games and roleplaying game supplies.

5 Popular Board Games (Info and Strategy)

Monopoly

31. Hasbro – Official site from manufacturer Hasbro.
32. Adena – Attempts to settle the controversy surrounding the invention of Monopoly.
33. Squidoo – One player’s ideas on how to change the game — any why it should be changed.
34. Muurkrant – A site of interest to game collectors — links and info on monopoly in all its incarnations.
35. Monopoly Collector – Another collector site offering rare and difficult to find Monopoly artifacts.
36. TKCS Collins – A study of the probabilities involved in Monopoly.
37. PS Monopoly – Online calculators and tools to assist in your next live game.

Risk

38. Risk FAQ – Features an FAQ and other general information
39. Total Diplomacy – Strategic and general Risk information.
40. In Depth Info Risk – Promises to teach you "how to Win!" at Risk.
41. Central Connector – Rules, variations, and player’s perspectives on the popular Political war game.
42. The Games Journal Risk – The history of Risk.
43. The Risk Page – A fan page featuring an FAQ, game downloads, and strategy.
44. Ryan Brown’s Risk Page – Among other things, this page features classic images of Risk board games.

Chess

45. Chess – The chess authority on the internet — articles, strategy, information, links, online games, etc.
46. Bill Wall’s Chess Page – Huge site featuring strategy and articles on all aspects of chess and game play.
47. History of Chess – Huge archive of international variations of chess, tons of strategy, and an interesting look at the history of chess pieces.
48. Chess & Electronic Chess – Articles that take on the history of chess from a political and social perspective.
49. Goddess Chess – Chess and chess history from a woman’s perspective.
50. Chess Theory – A constantly updated site examining the latest in chess theory and practice.
51. Site of Sports Statistics – Statistics and win-loss figures on historical chess players.
52. Chess Arch – This site stands in favor of a scientific approach to the research of chess.
53. World Chess Links – An exhaustive list of links to everything chess-related.
54. Chess Links – Chess enthusiast Bill Wall gathers his most essential chess links.

Checkers

55. Checkers Draughts – About.com’s collection of checkers links.
56. Nemesis – The official site of the World Computer Checkers Champion — his name is Nemesis and yes, he’s a computer.
57. In Depth Info Checkers – Bulletin board and general rules and info on the game of checkers.
58. Checker World – A site featuring various Endgames, strategical advice, and write-in advice on checkers.
59. USA Checkers – Home of the USA Checkers Federation, with news and links.
60. Jim Loy’s Checker – Checkers fan Jim Loy has a huge selection of links and archived checkers articles on this site.
61. Checkers Links – Everything you could ever want to know about the game of checkers.

Scrabble

62. Big Doggy’s Scrabble Page features word lists and strategy, as well as a glossary of scrabble terms.
63. The Phrontistery – You can find archaic, rare, and outdated words here — as well as a pronunciation guide and several links to dictionaries. The 2 and 3-letter scrabble words list is more useful than you might think . . .
64. Scrabble Stop – Word lists, scrabble strategy, and scrabble humor.
65. The Word List – Great word lists such as "V words" and "Q without U" — players trying to kick their game up to expert level should memorize these lists.
66. Scrabble FAQ – Considers itself THE scrabble FAQ – also has a huge list of Scrabble organizations and contacts for tournaments.
67. Boris Bard’s Scrabble Helper – A great "helper" for Scrabble enthusiasts just starting out, or trying to improve their early game.
68. Scrabble – Winning strategies from the world’s top players, as well as a word checker.

Board Game Play Online

69. Games – Offering 75+ board and card games for live play.
70. Addicting Games – Offering Java and Flash versions of popular card and board games.
71. Board Games Pogo – Chess, checkers, and other classic games online.
72. Arcade Town – Arcade and cartoony versions of classic board games like Reversi, Backgammon, Chess, and others.
73. Free Arcade Games – As the title indicates this website hosts a collection of free arcade games including Chess, Checkers and others.
74. Learn 4 Good Board Games – Board games aimed at kids and available for play online.
75. Board Game Central – Java,Javascript, and even WebTV versions of classic board games.

Antique and Collectible Board Games

76. D Antiques – Browse games for sale from Dantiques.com by first letter or by company name.
77. Board Game Central Links – Almost a hundred links related to collecting antique and vintage board games.
78. Collectible Board Games – With great links and an active bulletin board, this site is dedicated to collectible and vintage board games.
79. ExtravaGAMEza covers a number of different types of games, both electronic and traditional as well as some sports — but the collectible games site is not to be missed for fans of antique and vintage board games.
80. Primarily dedicated to Parker Brothers brand games, Games People Played is the brainchild of a gaming enthusiast with a passion for old PB games. Game collectors will be interested in the huge number of Parker Bros. images and the amount of info this gentleman has collected about Parker Brothers.
81. D Antiques Board Games – An index of great vintage and antique board games, featuring pictures and other information.
82. Toy Museum – Vintage Fisher Price toys and gaming equipment, both for sale and for show.
83. Top Shelf Games – Offering modern as well as collectible board games.
84. Lyle’s Games Galore – Advertising "collectible board games of every sort", here you can find galleries of board game covers and extensive links to informative and retail sites.
85. This is a link to information on The Antiques Roadshow game available from Hasbro — this is not technically an antique board game link, however those of you who enjoy collecting and board games ought to be interested in this fascinating little remake of the popular TV show.
86. Diane Allison-Stroud Checker Boards – A visual artist whose work centers around reproducing and repainting old board game and classic game accessories. Think dart boards with a country flare. Any gaming fan would be proud to own any of this art. The link will take you to her beautiful checker boards.
87. JRD Classics – 1950s decor and furniture available at this site includes billiars, darts, and other classic games.
88. Shimmers Toy Identification – Games don’t have to be fifty years old to be collectible. Here is a resource for toys and games from the 1980s.
89. Play It Again Games – Vintage games available in a ton of categories.
90. Antique Board Games – Bizrate’s contribution to antique and collectible board games — this is a helpful resource for the shopper.

Game Design

91. Toy Designing and Game Inventors – A practical look at becoming a board game or toy designer.
92. Board Game Designer’s Forum – This site from the Board Game Designer’s Forum features the latest news in board game design.
93. Board Game Design – A resource for game designers — where to get your game built, how to find a producer and manufacturer, how to build samples and test your game — its all here. There’s also a great "Fun Stuff" section featuring free games.
94. Calling itself the Journal of Boardgame Design, this site concentrates on issues for the game designer.
95. Apple’s Project – Another game designer site, geared towards amateur designers who want to design games and enter design contests.
96. Discover Games – Great resources for game designers.
97. Spot Light On Games – This site offers tips on board game invention.
98. Slope Rama – The most popular bulletin board for would-be game designers.
99. About Inventors – About.com’s interview with game designer Tim Walsh, inventer of TriBond and Blurt!
100. Applied Game Design – A site by a game designer ruminating on the ins and outs of the business as well as deep meditations on games and gaming.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 25th, 2009 at 11:40 pm and is filed under Board Games. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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