6 Classic Games That People Still Play Today

Games get released more often than ever these days—flashy titles dropping every month, new platforms to enjoy them on, and fresh ways to play. But what about the games that stand the test of time and have been relevant for decades? They’re clearly something else. These classics have a unique, evergreen quality to them that keeps us pulling them out of the closet for game nights. Despite Fortnite, Exploding Kittens, and Dungeons & Dragons being fantastic games in their own right, they’re not necessarily appealing to a wide demographic.

Classic games, however, have a special way of bridging generations, allowing grandparents and grandkids and new and lifelong friends to bond over familiar rules and fun play. That kind of longevity and lasting appeal is rare and says a lot about the power of design and nostalgia. Curious to know what games have stood the test of time? Let’s go over six games that people are still playing and are likely to continue playing far into the future.

Scrabble

Most timeless games boast one common quality: the clever blend of luck and skill. Scrabble is one of them. A word game centered around forming words in a crossword fashion and earning points from them, this simple yet challenging board game is so popular that it’s available in over 30 languages. Even though it was first published in 1948, Scrabble is still found in homes around the world.

While it’s certainly a go-to family board game, it’s also become an iconic club and tournament game featuring a timer and stringent rules surrounding tiles and word acceptance. Regularly held tournaments, including the National Scrabble Championship and the World Youth Scrabble Championships, provide seasoned players opportunities to beat official records.

Poker

If you thought Scrabble was a vintage gem, you’ll be amazed to know that poker dates back hundreds of years. Unlike Scrabble, there isn’t an exact origin story or specific creator behind the famous game. Taking inspiration from Iranian and French games, the standard game of poker we know and love today was circulated thanks to Mississippi River steamboats, soldiers, and travelers who ventured around the world. Once reserved for smoky card rooms and a shady underworld, it eventually became a refined game that people could go pro at. Swanky Vegas casinos featured it at their establishments, poker tournaments became widely televised, and the online poker boom in the 2000s meant players around the world could compete with each other anytime, anywhere.

With modern smartphone apps coming onto the scene, classic casino games like poker were no longer only playable on casino floors. Players can download an app and engage in a live poker game or a round of slots, complete with real-time dealer streams and interactive elements. Those who aren’t familiar or uncertain where to begin, this site lists over 100 casino bonuses and is an excellent resource to discover extra perks and great deals.

Tetris

Tetris is a quintessential 1980s digital puzzle game with one goal to work toward—fit all the geometric shapes together to create horizontal lines of blocks as they drop down from the top. It’s an incredibly simple premise to understand, but it takes practice and dedication to master. And while it may not seem like it considering its ubiquity, Tetris endured many trials and tribulations before being available around the world.

After it did, however, it was ported and released on practically every digital device and console, including the Game Boy, iPod, NES, and PC. It’s the second-best-selling video game series of all time, with countless accolades, praise from the world’s best media outlets, and a continuing streak of millions of downloads. Tetris’ appeal lies in its infinite-level system and simple, compelling gameplay.

Super Mario

You’d be pressed to find a video game fan, even a casual one, who hasn’t heard of Super Mario. The Super Mario series kicked off with the 1985 release of the side-scrolling platform game Super Mario Bros. on the NES. The franchise took off from there, and many characters, sounds, and gameplay elements are now iconic to the video game world. Mario himself became so iconic that he was appointed the mascot for Nintendo.

The beauty of the Super Mario franchise is how diverse its games are. While the side-scrolling games are beloved classics, 3D Mario games like Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Odyssey bring in open-world exploration. Spin-offs like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and Paper Mario also bring something fresh to the table, while Mario Kart and Mario Party stand out as party game favorites.

Chess

Chess is by far the oldest game on this list, with its earliest forms dating back to the 6th century CE. Its origins alone are fascinating, let alone the strategy, patience, and ability to think ahead required to excel at the game. Because of its nature, chess was often deemed a serious and intellectual game, reserved for geniuses and “nerds.” But when chess streamers started popping up online, pop culture influences like Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit caught the general public’s eye, and online platforms made it easier for people to fall in love with the game, everything changed.

With chess clubs, tournaments, and casual head-to-heads hosted in cities around the world, chess has seen a beautiful resurgence. It’s now enjoying a modern perception that welcomes a much broader demographic.

Monopoly

Your cousin building a hotel on Boardwalk just as you’re going bankrupt and your dad ready to sabotage your chances of completing a color set—these all-too-familiar scenarios add plenty of flavor to those family gatherings. Monopoly is a famous multiplayer board game that requires players to buy, trade, and develop properties. As there are lengthy turns and a slow process of elimination, these games typically last hours. Yet they’ve often been associated with socialization, bonding, and fun memories—as well as bitter frustration—for everyone involved.

Monopoly has become so lucrative that themed versions and localized editions tailored to other countries have entered the market, giving players new ways to enjoy the classic game.