Game on!
Board games. They’ve been around for a while. Over 3,000 years, in fact. That’s because the first known board game – called ‘Senet’ - was played, between two people, in Predynastic Egypt (around 3100 BC), and had religious significance. The winner was thought to be under special protection from the gods.
Since then, of course, literally thousands of board games have been invented. And some of them, such as Go and Backgammon, are still popular after centuries of being played. But there’s little doubt that, in general, board games aren’t as played as much as they were a few years ago. This, at least in part, is because, these days, there are so many rival attractions. But it’s also because board games are seen as just a teensy bit dull, as anyone who’s ever sat there, as a game of Monopoly enters its fourth hour, will testify. It’s more a case of bored game than board game.
But the makers of these games are aware of their declining reputation and, in recent years, have made big efforts to address the problem. The result is that there are now board games to suit every taste and interest. And many of them are a lot of fun to play! So, if you’re a motorsport fan, and are looking for something different to amuse you and your friends/family, here are six great options.
Formula D
Like many traditional board games, this is a roll-and-move style game, where you roll the dice and then move your car the corresponding number of spaces on the board. It sounds dull, but – in reality – it’s anything but! It has several novel aspects, such as being able to change gears (high gears involves dice with higher numbers), and you also have to change down in order to take corners at the right speed.
Automobiles
Here’s one that will appeal to strategic thinkers: those who like to plan and plot. Why? Because players each have a deck of cubes which can be used to move the car around the track in different ways. The challenge is to try to use the available cubes in a way that outsmart your opponents. The strategy element comes from having to decide how you are going to use your cubes to best effect.
Rallyman
Just like a real rally, this game pits players against challenges such as skidding, sharp turns, and mud on the track – basically anything you’d find in real life. The winner is the person who completes the course in the fastest time. Another interesting thing about this game is the fact that the double-sided boards can be arranged in various positions to create unique tracks - so you can enjoy it again and again with a different track each time.
PitchCar
Here’s a game that emphasises dexterity and flicking skill, as opposed to the luck of the dice. After setting up a customisable track, each player then flicks a wooden car token around the circuit in an attempt to finish first. It's a simple as that - which makes it great for getting lots of people involved. There are so few rules that you start playing almost immediately. There’s also a smaller version called ‘PitchCar Mini’ which is ideal for playing with children.
Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix
This Formula 1-themed race game is luck-based, but it uses cards rather than dice. The game starts with players being dealt a hand of cards, then bidding to own the cars. To move cars, a card is played and each of the pictured cars is moved. The double-sided board features two racecourses, so you can vary things between games.
Scalextric
OK so it’s not board game in the traditional sense, but how could we leave it out? This legendary tabletop car racing game has been popular since the 1950s, and the modern version has taken realism to the next level - with Scalextric Digital you can race multiple cars on a single track, with special lane-changing sections that allow for overtaking.
One thing which definitely isn’t a game (although it’s lots of fun) is our used cars section. If you’re looking for a great-value used car - anything from a used Renault Clio to a used Porsche Cayenne - then we’re likely to have something that will match your needs perfectly. Why not have a browse right now!
