Even with the prevalence of video game consoles, classic board games are still a great way to pass a rainy afternoon with the whole family. As you think back to the most fun games of your childhood, you’ll find that a lot of them were made by Hasbro, and the company still has some of the best offerings available today.
Our top pick for the best Hasbro game is Jenga Classic because it’s simple, quick and can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. Whether you’re hoping to distract the kids on a long car trip, investing in a fancy set for a family game night or looking for ways to have fun with a group of adults, you’ll find Hasbro has plenty of games you’ve heard of and a lot you haven’t, so keep a few key things in mind as you shop.
What to know before you buy a Hasbro game
Age range
Most games come with a recommended age range, and while it’s just a suggestion, it should give you a good idea of whether this will be fun for your group. Games intended for young children will be too simple for a group of adults, and games geared toward adults can be too complicated for kids or include inappropriate content. You know your friends and family best, but if you’re not sure, the age range can be a useful guide.
Setup time
Getting the game set up is an important factor when dealing with kids. Some games take quite a while to get started or can take a bit to pick up all the pieces between games, and if your kids are young enough that you have to do it for them, they may lose patience. On the other hand, kids old enough to tackle a game on their own can be occupied for a long time by a complex game board and a lot of components.
Well-traveled
While board games like Connect Four can be a lot of fun, they aren’t good for a bumpy car ride and take up a lot of room. If you’re hoping to take something on vacation, a compact option like a card game or one of Hasbro’s electronic games can be played in the car or stuffed into a suitcase without taking up too much space.
Hasbro game features
Number of players
Each game should have a number of players printed on the box, and this is extremely important. If hosting a large group, you want a game that can be enjoyed by a lot of people, but some of those games aren’t as fun with only one or two players. There are games perfect for two players, and even some you can enjoy by yourself, so be mindful of this fact in choosing a game.
Average game time
While there are some titles that can take 20 minutes or less, games like Risk are notorious for stretching on and on. It’s a good idea to pick something that matches the attention span of the intended players — if playing with young children, you’ll want something that will be over quickly. If playing with adults, you can try something challenging that might take a while to finish.
Batteries and electronic components
Most card and board games don’t involve any electronics, but there are some that have timers and handheld devices as part of the gameplay. If your game involves one of these, be sure to test it first to see if it needs fresh batteries, and if going on vacation, bring a few spare batteries with you, because the activity might not work at all without them, or at best it won’t be as fun without all the components working.
Twists on classic titles
Thanks to brand tie-ins, there are a lot of classic games that have been reworked to include characters and details from TV shows, major motion pictures and popular films. These games make perfect gifts for fans of those titles, but some of them cost more than the original and often the rules are largely the same.
Hasbro game cost
The cost is going to come down to the individual game and the version you want. There are options that are under $10, though these are mostly card games and simplified versions of classics. The most expensive titles are special editions, which can cost $30-$40 or even several hundred if it’s a rare collector’s item.
Hasbro game FAQ
Does Hasbro make games that encourage kids to engage in physical activity?
A. While the bulk of Hasbro’s games are the type you play while seated at a table, they do offer a few games where kids can get up and move around. For young ones who spend a lot of time in front of screens, this can be a great break for physical activity when the weather is bad and they can’t go outside.
Does Hasbro make educational games?
A. While all of Hasbro’s titles are fun, some are in the realm of silly fun, while others are definitely educational. Games like Scrabble can help improve vocabulary, and there are other game versions that can teach young children, as well as those geared toward adult learning, so you can pick up a new skill while having a good time.
Which Hasbro game should I get?
Best of the best Hasbro game
Jenga Classic: available at Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s and Staples
Our take: Though there are colorful variations as well as giant and even preposterously sized versions, the classic wooden stacking game is still the best way for kids and adults to have some quick fun, with simple rules that anyone can pick up.
What we like: This game requires no reading ability or even English-language skills. The 54 wooden blocks and a stacking sleeve make building the tower simple, and it’s good for any number of players.
What we dislike: Losing even one or two pieces can change the nature of the game, so a thorough scan of the floor after each round is necessary.
Best bang for your buck Hasbro game
Monopoly Deal: available at Amazon and Staples
Our take: The one drawback of classic Monopoly is how long it can take to play. This card game version takes care of that — it’s capable of being played in 15 minutes with just two people, or with up to five players who try to be the first to collect three complete property sets.
What we like: Compact enough to take on family trips, it comes with a complete set of rules. It’s also less expensive than full-size board games.
What we dislike: The rules aren’t the same as traditional Monopoly or even its popular spinoffs, so it does have a bit of a learning curve.
Honorable mention Hasbro game
Clue Star Wars Edition: available at Amazon
Our take: While many movie and TV tie-in games merely add images of popular characters to the board, this Star Wars-themed version of Clue completely reimagines the game to incorporate the universe from the films and features a 3-D Death Star setting for the action.
What we like: Play as one of six characters from the original trilogy. It includes a five-piece cardboard game board, and involves communication, logic and problem-solving, beyond just luck.
What we dislike: Some Clue fans have been disappointed by how much it differs from the original.
Gregg Parker is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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