Board Games Are More Fun on iOS
Whether you like classic board games with a twist or something entire new, board games can be a lot of fun on your iOS device. Play live with friends, play against a computer, or play with distant opponents over Wi-Fi. There’s a reason why board games have been around for a long time; the combination of skill and luck is both challenging and appealing. They tend to have high replay value, because the game changes every time you play. These games are some of the best examples of board games ported to the digital age.
Words With Friends
Wordies Unite
Words With Friends
Words With Friends
Popular take on classic board game Scrabble
Words With Friends is a popular version of the classic board game Scrabble. It’s so addictive that some people would rather get kicked off of a plane than stop playing. Challenge your Facebook friends or total strangers to see who can form the highest scoring words. Lifetime stats are updated daily so you always know how you stack up against the competition. This game has had a place on my home screen for most of the years I’ve owned an iPhone. It’s universal, so play it on your iPad as well.
Play with friends
Play with your Facebook friends, Game Center friends, WWF players you don't know, or against the computer.
Words With Friends Solo Play
Practice offline and sharpen your skills. Whether your opponent is a computer or a person, the rules are the same.
Making another move
Form words, taking turns with your opponents. Earn more points by forming longer words, using higher point tiles, and placing tiles on double/triple letter/word spots on the board.
Five-O Deluxe
Similar to Scrabble, but with numbers instead of letters
Five-O Deluxe
Five-O Deluxe
Played like Scrabble, but with numbers
Five-O Deluxe has a similar game board to Scrabble. Gameplay is similar as well. Only instead of words, you form number sequences. Each number sequence must add up to a number ending in five or zero in every direction. You can play up to five tiles each time. Aim for bonus squares on the board to boost your score by adding points, doubling, or tripling your numerical score. Play against friends, random matches, or the computer. Pass and play is also an option if you wish to play live. It’s a universal app.
Five-O Deluxe
By using the X2 tile, you can double your score for that turn. Triple it by using the coveted X3 tile.
See Five-O Deluxe and other hidden gems in action.
Not sure you want to pay for the game? Try the free ad-supported version.
MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition
Take over the world, one city at a time
MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition
MONOPOLY Here & Now: The World Edition
Take over the world, one city at a time
Many of us grew up playing MONOPOLY, the board game. It’s been ported over to iOS in a number of different apps, but Here & Now: World Edition is my favorite. It’s similar enough to the original board game to be familiar, but the interesting properties around the world add interest. Play alone against the computer, or play with friends.
Roll the dice in Monopoly
It all starts with a roll of the dice. Your chosen piece will hop, slide, jump, or fly to the appropriate spot.
Purchase properties in Monopoly
I like to buy up every property I can get my hands on. Your strategy might be a little bit more conservative.
Trade properties with your opponent to leverage the best deal
Trade properties with your opponents and try to form a monopoly. Once you have a monopoly, you can build houses and hotels and which hikes up the rent your opponents must pay you when they land there.
If you like the more traditional version, you can get that here.
If slot machines are your thing, check out the Monopoly version.
Bingo! Yup, MONOPOLY makes a Bingo game as well.
Carcassonne
Build a medieval town in France
Carcassonne
The popular board game Carcassonne has been ported beautifully to iOS. This universal game can be played live with up to five people on one device, or asynchronously with anyone in the world. There is also a solitaire mode. The object is to build a medieval French town, using the provided tiles. Claim landmarks, score points. You can purchase expansions within the app to make gameplay even more interesting.
Carcassonne
Build a French medieval town
Create a French city
Build landmarks and then claim as many of them as you can with your follower pieces, or "meeples."
Keep adding tiles
Your town comes together piece by piece.
There are 72 Carcasonne land tiles
Expansions can be purchased within the app, adding interest and further strategy options to the game.
Catan
Popular strategy game
Catan
Catan stays true to the original board game from 1995. All of the standard House Rules variants are even included. Play with up to four other players or play against the computer. Compete to build the most settlements, build the longest roads, create the largest army. Use strategy and trade with other players to win the game. A comprehensive tutorial within the game explains it all. In-app purchases add new scenarios.
Catan
Euro-style board game
Catan tutorial
Professor Easy explains the game in great detail.
Play your first turn
Start building, and settle the Island of Catan.
Play continues
The AI opponents are know to be especially tough to beat.
Mahjong Deluxe
The simple matching game
Mahjong Deluxe
Mahjong Deluxe is a simple pick-up-and-play game. It’s a solitaire matching game. Simply match tiles to remove them from the board. Tiles must be fully exposed in order to play them. The game is over once all of the tiles have been removed.
Mahjong Deluxe
Match tiles to remove them from the board
Mahjong Deluxe
With 168 different puzzles, you won't be easily bored.
Match tiles
In order to remove a pair, both tiles must be on top of the stack and on the far right or left of the line.
Stuck? Get a hint
Tap the magnifying glass for a clue.
Try out the free version first, if you prefer.
Pandemic: The Board Game
Cure the world of a giant epidemic
Pandemic: The Board Game
Pandemic is a cooperative game in which you work with your teammates to cure the world of four deadly diseases. Travel around the world, treat the infections, and find cures for all four in order to win. Each player has unique abilities so teamwork is essential. It’s universal, so play on your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Play with 1-4 players.
Pandemic: The Board Game
Travel the world and cure deadly diseases
Work together with your team
The game stresses cooperation, not competition.
Move your player
You can only move to a connected city. Every move counts.
Treat the infection
Find a cure and stave off the apocalypse.
Hey, That's My Fish! HD
Collect more fish than your opponents
Hey, That's My Fish! HD
Tap to move your penguin around the board in Hey, That’s My Fish! HD. Each spot on the board holds a certain number of fish, and you can move only in a straight line. The object is to collect as many fish as you can before you run out of possible moves.
Hey, That's My Fish! HD
Travel the board and collect the most fish
Hey, That's My Fish! Tutorial
Play against your friends or against the computer.
Collect as many fish as you can
Move only in straight lines, avoiding your opponents.
Continue collecting fish
The penguin with the most fish when everyone has run out of moves is the winner.
