Board Games Singapore
Welcome to the ultimate beginner’s guide to board games in Singapore!
The best board games in Singapore for 2024 include Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, and Checkers.
As you choose a suitable game to have fun with your friends in Singapore, please consider various aspects of the game such as price, theme, number of players and level of difficulty.
Some of the best places for buying boardgames in Singapore are Team Board Game, Battle Bunker and Toytag.
Play your way across the gaming spectrum from childhood classics to the latest cutting-edge games, for endless fun and friendship.
Quick Summary
- Best board games in Singapore for 2024 include Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, and Checkers.
- When choosing a board game to play in Singapore, consider factors such as price, theme, number of players and complexity.
- Best places to buy board games in Singapore are Team Board Game, Battle Bunker, and Toytag.
Our Selection Criteria
To offer our readers a broad range of recommendations that address a wide variety of tastes and preferences, we imposed the following selection criteria:
- Play Time: The amount of time it takes to play a game, aiming for a mix of quick-pick-up-and-play experiences, as well as more immersive options.
- Replay Value: Games that encourage the player to return again and again, offering profoundly fresh experiences each time.
- Educational Value: We looked for games that don’t just entertain, but teach too – skills such as strategic thinking, vocabulary expansion, or even history.
- Social Interaction: Games that encouraged players to work together and interact were favoured, creating a co-operative gaming environment.
- Critics and Community Reviews: We considered reviews on the boards, forums and critics scores to evaluate what the general board gaming public thought of these games.
Understanding the Board Game Scene in Singapore
The boardgame scene in Singapore is buzzing and eclectic, with lots of gamers cafés, shops and events for all sorts of ages and interests. Here’s a primer to get you started.
- Gaming Cafes: For cozy atmospheres, a place such as ‘The Mind Cafe’ or ‘Battle Bunker’ is ideal for gamers to gather, talk, and play a variety of boardgames.
- Local Stores: From large retail chains to independent game shops, there are plenty of stores where you can buy the games you love and find new ones.
- Events: Search for gaming calendars, so you can see when game conventions, tournaments and meetups are due. These events are great places to make new friends – and see what games are hotly anticipated.
Choosing the Right Board Games
The most rewarding gaming experiences result from choosing the right board games. Consider the following issues to make the most of your purchases:
- Theme: Decide whether you prefer strategy board games, party games, cooperative games, or thematic experiences.
- Complexity: Play games that suit your level and preference. For beginners, games such as ‘Ticket to Ride’ and ‘Catan’ are good to start with.
- Player Count: Make sure the games you buy support the number of players in your gaming group.
Getting Started with Board Games
Before you embark on your first game night, acquaint yourself with a few foundational game concepts:
- Rules and Gameplay Mechanics: Pick up on standard gameplay mechanisms such as dice rolling, card drafting and resource management.
- Terms and Concepts: ‘Turn order’, ‘victory conditions’, and ‘player elimination’. It sounds silly, but learning how to understand the lexicon of games will help you read instructions for them by serving as a shared vocabulary between you and the rules.
- Organizing Game Nights: Coordinate with friends or a local gaming group to schedule regular game nights. Schedule at your home or a gaming cafe – with friends who play other hobby board and card games.
Best Board Games Singapore
Although there is definitely nothing wrong with exploring new and modern art games regularly, sometimes, there is nothing like the old and classic ones. Here are six classic games that Singaporean gamers still love:
1. Monopoly
Played and adored in living rooms by individuals in millions the world over, Singaporeans don’t shy away from a good game of property acquisition and trading.
Localised editions featuring local icons such as Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands make Monopoly a must-have for boardgame afficionados.
Acquire, sell, trade: become a real estate king in this simulation.
2. Scrabble
Word enthusiasts and language lovers will enjoy this classic game of spelling and strategy.
In Singapore, where the game is popular enough for a national championship, I meet the country’s best players.
A game that can test your knowledge of the English language. Play in teams against friends or family and have fun while sharpening your words.
3. Chess
Chess is the oldest and perhaps the most popular strategy game of all time, and for good reason.
In this regard, chess is only one of many pastimes that Singaporeans have embraced over a period of several decades, with its own stable of tournaments and clubs to support its practice.
But this never goes out of style!
4. Checkers
Checkers is a well-known, stripped-down version of chess, simple to play, but with tons of fun.
It’s widely played in Singapore, especially in hawker centres or coffee shops, so it’s something that many Singaporeans would be familiar with.
Play this simple game of logic with friends and family to see who will be the first to achieve victory.
Where to Buy Board Games in Singapore
1. Team Board Game
Located in Bugis Junction, this specialty store has an extensive collection of games, card games and puzzles.
You can also buy games online on their website and get them delivered to your door.
2. Battle Bunker
Another example of a popular gaming cafe that also has a retail section that sells games and accessories is the Battle Bunker.
They also regularly hold games nights and events, so you can go along and try out games before you fork out on purchasing them.
3. Toytag
Right in the heart of Orchard Road, Toytag in Plaza Singapura is a hoarder’s paradise with a well-curated selection of games. Some of the games in the store are recognisable international staples, while others are niche favourites.
Their online store also provides convenient options for delivery and self-collection. You can save subscribe to be on their latest events and sales.
Board Games Singapore
The thriving board-game culture of Singapore illustrates the continued popularity of analog games in the digital age.
Whether it’s chess or monopoly or Scrabble, games at all levels allow players to mingle and compete.
Join the community for timeless fun and connection around the gaming table!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have any questions about board games in Singapore, you can refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the best Board Games in Singapore below:
What are some popular fantasy flight games available in Singapore?
Games such as Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game (Fantasy Flight Games) and Arkham Horror: The Card Game (Fantasy Flight Games) are ubiquitous in the Singapore boardgame scene, often stocked in brick-and-mortar stores and readily available online – perfect for those who seek a fast, tactical experience exploring and mastering magic, fantasy and strategy alike.
How can I save on board games in Singapore?
Pick up games when they’re on sale, add yourself to newsletters (you can often grab a discount just for signing up), and look out for sale/giveaway events.
If a local games store has a yearly anniversary sale, be sure to take advantage of it.
In any case in which a vendor is trying to get you into the habit of buying from them, checking their prices regularly can make it easier to spot a deal.
Buying used games could save you even more money. It’s surprising how many people are eager to part with their games for half their original cost.
Where can I find the Singaporean Dream card game?
The Singaporean Dream, an upbeat, quick-play fun card game depicting the foibles and dreams of life in Singapore, is available at game shops all over Singapore, and always has new window pop-ups announcing its popularity and relevance.
Just search for it by name, double-check that it’s in stock, and go to checkout – this bestselling game sometimes goes out of stock due to high demand.
