Online Board Games to Play Remotely

Whatever the occasion, from birthday bashes to special celebrations, there are few better ways to get everybody around the table and laughing together than by cracking open a board game. With all those classic titles that defined your childhood, through to the newest board games that incorporate cooperative play and some really entertaining features, you’ll never be lacking in options when it comes to your next family get-together.

But unfortunately, it’s rarely possible for all your loved ones to be in the same place at the same time. Whether you have family in other parts of the country or across the world that you don’t see as often as you like, or life just gets in the way of spending quality time together; you’ll be delighted to hear that there is a simple solution.

Nowadays, almost all of the biggest titles in the world of board games host a dedicated app, allowing friends and family to play together via their tablets and smartphones – no matter where in the world they might be!

If that sounds right up your street, here are a few online board games to keep an eye out for.

Monopoly

It doesn’t get more classic than Monopoly. Even better, opting to play this iconic family board game online might just spare you the usual arguments and accusations of cheating. You won’t waste any time counting out your cash either, as playing this legendary board game online means keeping on top of your funds is done for you. The online version of the game works much the same as the one you’re used to, with an Online Multiplayer function allowing you to game against family and friends across your different devices no matter what they are. Meanwhile, an optional quick mode helps bring the game to a close much sooner than the hours-long affair that a family Monopoly game can sometimes turn into.

Monopoly GO! is available through both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Scrabble

Put your word prowess to the test with the family classic Scrabble. Thanks to the game’s dedicated app which allows you to pick your opponents online or sync your Facebook contacts, getting a match of Scrabble going between opponents across the world has never been easier. The app lets you play at your own pace, where you can either comeback to take turns over the course of a few days or play in one more-intensive session. What’s more, the app’s built-in word checker and two letter word list saves plenty of time if there are any disputes!

Scrabble® GO is available for iOS and Android through their dedicated app stores.

Ticket to Ride

Since its release in 2004, railway-building game Ticket to Ride has quickly become a modern family classic. Set across a range of real-world maps including Europe, the USA, New York, London and Amsterdam, players are pitted against each other to fulfil their goal of connecting particular cities or stations, buying up a finite number of railway lines and earning points in the process. To complicate matters, lines will need to be purchased using cards of the corresponding colour, with players only gaining a maximum of two new cards per round. Come the end, the player who’s built up the most points over the course of the game is declared winner!

With plenty of strategies involved but still accessible for younger members of the family, this is a really great option if you’re all looking to try something new.

Ticket to Ride is available for iPad and iPhone via the Apple App Store, allowing up to five players to game together remotely.

Uno!

Family-friendly Uno! has been a party favourite for decades, with its simple rules but unpredictable play ensuring the game stays fun for all ages. Now this classic card game comes to your mobile device – including the vast majority of smartphones and tablets – thanks to the dedicated UNO! app.

The app allows you to build your own ‘room’, sharing a code with family and friends, which enables them to enter and join games with you. Each room has the ability to set up its own game rules, and pick from a selection of optional extra play cards to really ramp up the entertainment.

Uno! Is available through both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store today.

Cluedo

Magnifying glass at the ready! The murder mystery family classic is now available to play from the comfort of your home or on the go, thanks to the dedicated Cluedo app. This allows you to create rooms, to which you can invite friends and family to play a game along with you using their own devices.

The app works very much like the original version of the game, including a digital notepad where you can jot down anything you notice and eliminate those red herrings. Rolling a dice to move around the mansion, you’ll be tasked with determining who committed the murder, where it took place and what weapon was used!

Cluedo is available now from both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Pandemic

Something of a modern classic, Pandemic sees a group of players working together to cure and rid the world of series of viruses. A great option for older children and a getaway game for those new to cooperative board games, Pandemic brings the group together as one united force rather than pitting everyone against each other.

Moving around a world map, players each take on unique roles and are tasked with eliminating the virus from the cities they visit to prevent further outbreaks. As they go, players can make special moves that gather knowledge and work towards finding a cure for the virus, fighting to eliminate all four sicknesses before your game runs out of cards!

To play Pandemic with friends and family remotely, you’ll need to purchase it via the Steam store and download to a PC or laptop, then activate the Remote Play Together mode.

With the wonders of modern technology and so many of these classic board game titles, it’s never been easier to bring your friends and family together for all kinds of special occasions.