8 Best Cheap Board Games For Board Players On A Budget

The Resistance

Players : 5-10

Ages: 13+

Game Time: 30 minutes

Complexity: Low

Release Year: 2012

Resistance is a game of skillful deception and social deduction. As the manufacturer says, your ability to lie undetected and know when your friends are telling the truth is a key part of winning this game.

This game tests your decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities. It also tests whether you know who to trust or not. And through the game, you will be asked to make tough decisions and solve complex problems.

In this game, you play the role of a leader of a resistance group that is trying to bring down a corrupt government. Completing bold and daring missions is what you need to do while being careful not to be caught.

Also, It is essential to keep an eye out for potential spies in your group. They could spoil your plans and stop the mission from succeeding. You need a quick wit, alertness, and always on guard in order to win.

The resistance game is Inspired by Mafia and Werewolf; this unique game will keep you entertained for hours. It is also replayable because it has tons of strategies that you can use.

Pros

Such a fun social board game.

Easy to learn and understand.

Easy and quick to set up.

Every game is different.

The game really causes everyone to engage.

Cons

It can be really stressful whether you are a spy or not.

Cards may be quite difficult to distinguish from each other.

Final Thoughts

Resistance can be played with up to 10 players, so it is the best choice for a party game. In the game, you’ll never be bored because of its unique and distinctive mechanics and also the various strategies that you can use.

In the Resistance game, there are no eliminations involved, so everyone can participate until the game ends.

Sushi Go Party

Players: 2-8

Ages: 8+

Game Time: 20 minutes

Complexity: Low

Release Year: 2016

Sushi Go Party is a fun board game that reinforces visual discrimination probability and strategic thinking. In this fast-paced game, you must produce a lot of sushi dishes and create a combination that will score points. The player with the highest score becomes Sushi Master.

 You can increase your score by producing and combining various moves; for example, you can collect a full set of sashimi or create the most number of maki rolls.

And one of the best ways to get more points is by dipping the nigiri in wasabi, which will triple your score. Be sure there is room for dessert, or you’ll lose all your points.

The original Sushi Go game was designed for two to five players, but the expanded party version can accommodate up to eight people. This is great if you’re looking for an activity that will entertain your whole party.

In the party version, You still earn points by picking winning sushi combos, but now you can choose from a list of 20 delicious dishes to customize each game.

To playgame, every player picks one card that he wants to keep and then puts it face-down. All the players reveal their cards by turning them face-up.

After that, pass the remaining cards with your hand face-down to your left, then Pick up a new hand, and then the next round begins.

Pros

The party version can accommodate more players.

Quick and fun game.

Good entry game for non-gamers.

Has a high replay value

Variety in Menu Cards.

Cons

It may take time to set up longer than the original version.

Luck of the cards drawn.

Final Thoughts

This game is a great method to exercise your brain as it requires a mental focus. Sushi Go Party is a fun board game that helps players develop their ability to think strategically, quickly, and accurately.

It is a great party game as it can be played with up to 8 players. Sushi Go Party is also a good choice for a quick family game night.

Codenames

Players: 2-8

Ages: 10+

Game Time: 15 minutes

Complexity: Medium

Release Year: 2015

Codenames is a mind-stimulating word game that will have you on your toes. In this game, players will create two teams and compete with each other. The first team to know the agent’s identity will be the winner.

The Codenames game may seem easy at first, but it quickly becomes more challenging. You are only given one-word clues on each turn, which you will use to identify who the secret agents are.

In this game, only two players know the identities of all agents, one player from each team. Those are the spymasters. However, the other players know these agents by codenames.

The spymasters will try to help their teams to know who the agents are first. They will give clues that can point to many various words on the table and the teams have to guess what the agents are.

The players must be on their toes and watch out for any word that might belong to the opposite team. They have to be careful with their moves if they want to win.

Pros

Fast-paced game

High replayability

Simple to learn

Short playtime

Lightweight

Fun social interaction

Cooperative board games

Cons

Not really suitable for two players

Not suitable for younger kids

Final Thoughts

Codenames game from Czech Games Edition is both a competitive and teamwork game. It is a great party game because there is practically no limit to the number of players. So you can create teams of any size; there is always a place for more.

Bananagrams Duel: Ultimate 2 Player Travel Game

Players: 2

Ages: 7+

Game Time: 15 Minutes

Complexity: Low

Release Year: 2020

Bananagrams is the perfect game to play when you want something simple but still fun. It’s like playing Scrabble except with fewer tiles and less complicated rules.

It is a fast-paced, head-to-head game. In this game, you will compete with the other player to see who can build their word grid faster. The goal remains unchanged; you have a limited amount of time, so make every letter count.

This word game will ensure hours of entertainment for the whole family. It is a great way for adults who often travel with children or elderly people to relax on the journey. It’s an excellent brain exercise, as It is known to help improve mental and cognitive abilities. In addition, the game provides tons of fun.

Start your next game anywhere you want. Now that the word cubes are smaller and there’s no longer a grid, making it easier for kids

Cubes have been downsized but not too much. If one falls on the floor of your car, you should be able to find it with ease. The banana-shaped cards are really fun and interactive.

This game can be over too quickly. Your kids will never get bored; they will love playing this on their own or with friends.

Pros

Stored in a very compact

Enhance cognitive skills

Very fun banana-shaped case

No more grids needed

A fast-paced game

Word cubes are not too small to lose easily

A low price game

Cons

Games can finish too quickly.

It can get boring for those who like more complicated games.

Final Thoughts

Bananagrams is a popular word-building game that’s easy to learn and fun for all ages. With this fast-paced portable game, you can start your next adventure anywhere you want.

If you are a frequent traveler or only looking for something new, this game will take your mind off all that traveling stress.

Hanabi Card Game

Players: 2-5

Ages: 8+

Game Time: 30 minutes

Complexity: Medium

Release Year: 2018

If you want an engaging activity that will test your mental abilities, the Hanabi board game is your perfect choice. It’s designed for those who love deduction, logic, and memory games. The game package comes with 8 blue clock tokens, 60 Hanabi cards, and 4 black fuse tokens. 

Hanabi is a Japanese word meaning fireworks. Your goal is to create a wondrous and spectacular fireworks display by placing your cards in the right order on the table. But, in order for it to be more fun and thrilling, there are a few rules to follow.

The main difference here is that your cards will only be visible to the other players. You can’t see them, and also, all players are the same. So gamers need each other’s support and help.

Players must cooperate and give each other hints on what colors and numbers they are. But you have to remember all the information you receive from them. You’ll need this information in order for it to be easier when you choose which card will play.

The game concept is to help each other play the right cards at the right time. this game is totally based on teamwork and cooperation; there’s no competition here

Hanabi is a card game that is designed for kids ages 8 and up. You can play it with 2-5 players. It’s great for families because it also works well with kids.

It’s the perfect way to strengthen your relationship. This is a good chance to show how much you root for each other. Also, You can teach your children to be more cooperative, responsive, and useful by playing this game with them.

Pros

The game comes with an interesting, unique game mechanism

Strengthens the bond with other players

Perfect for taking anywhere

Enhance the deduction and memory retention skills

Encourage unity and cooperation

Fast players rotating and little downtime keep everyone engaged.

Cons

Not for players who like competitive games

It depends on the ability of other gamers to give clues.

Final Thoughts

Hanabi is the perfect game for players who prefer cooperative games rather than competitive ones. This game is meant for the whole family to get together, have some laughs and enjoy themselves.

Love Letter: New Bag Edition

Players: 2-6

Ages: 10+

Game Time: 20 minutes

Complexity: Medium

Release Year: 2019

The daughter of Queen Marianna, Princess Annette, was heartbroken when her mother was arrested for high treason. The suitors throughout the City-State of Tempest sought to bring some joy into Annette’s life. You act as one of the many suitors who will try to get your love letter to the Princess.

Unfortunately, the Princess has locked herself in a palace, so you have no choice but to rely on intermediaries to carry your message. During the Love Letter game, each player gets one secret card in their hands. The one who carries your message of love to the Princess.

If you want your love letter to reach first to the princes, make sure the person closest to her is the one who holds your love letter. In this game, every round represents one day, and it all depends on what you do in that time period.

Each round brings a new challenge for players, who race to be the first one who the Princess reads his letter. In the end, one player’s letter reaches Princess Annette, and she reads it.

When the Princess reads enough letters from one suitor, that player will win the Princess’s heart and the game as well.

Pros

A quick set-up

The game has very few rules.

High levels of player interaction.

High replay value

Easy to carry with

Cons

Winning depends on a little luck.

Final Thoughts

If you want a game that can be played with just two players, the Love Letter game is your best choice. The rounds are very fast, and it doesn’t take up much space.

This small and portable game can be played with only 16 cards, making it the perfect size for playing anytime, anywhere. It’s easy enough that anyone will have an enjoyable time learning how to play this fun little card game.

Trivial Pursuit Game

Players: 2-6

Ages: 16+

Game Time: 45-90 minutes

Complexity: Medium

Release Year: 2016

If you want a game that will test your general knowledge, then the Trivial Pursuit Classic Edition will be your best choice. The game package comes with one die, 6 wedge holders, 400 cards, and 36 wedges.

Hasbro Gaming Trivial Pursuit consists of 2,400 trivia questions from different categories such as Geography, Science and Nature, History, Sports, and more.

To playgame, Gamers will move around the board and answer questions. If you land on a specific category, you will earn the corresponding colored wedge if you give the correct answer.

The player who collects six various colored wedges and answers a final question correctly will win the game.

The best part about this game, it has questions from the traditional version, making it more engaging. Also, it has the classic gameplay of this type of game that everyone knows and loves.

Seniors will have no problem understanding the mechanics of the game. Many of the questions are from their era and will bring back a lot of great memories for them.

Also, the whole family can enjoy a fun game night with this classic board game since it’s good for both adults and children.

Pros

Involve the classic, traditional questions from the original version.

The game is easy to set up.

Dice games

Great game, whether for friends, groups, or families.

Cons

It might come off as boring for some players.

Final Thoughts

Trivial Pursuit Game is a great way for parents and grandparents to spend time together since the game can be fun even if you don’t know how it works. It can give the elderly in your life an opportunity for some fun bonding time.