10 Popular Games That Everyone Besides 80s Kids Have Already Forgotten
Ah, the good ol' times when board games were as simple as they were challenging and came with a plethora of choking hazards.
Some games never really disappear, they just get tucked away in a closet until a wave of nostalgia pulls them back out. For anyone who grew up before smartphones took over, these were the kinds of games that filled rainy afternoons, family gatherings, and long stretches of childhood boredom.
From board games to handheld favorites, the list below is packed with titles that once felt impossible to escape. Some are still around in one form or another, while others have quietly faded from everyday memory, especially for younger players who never knew the original hype.
If you remember these instantly, you probably spent a lot of time in the '80s or '90s. Read on and see which ones still ring a bell.
1. Barrel Of Monkeys
A game that was less focused on fun because it was more of a skills test—regardless, it certainly made our childhoods a lot more memorable. In this game, you have to get all the monkeys out of the barrels, but only if you use their arms and tails until they form a long chain.
Source2. Hungry Hippo
Best played with a friend, this game involved hitting a lever until your hippo was able to eat all the marbles rolling around. It's loud, it's fun, and it never fails to excite.
Source3. Checkers
You'd have to be born in a different dimension if you don't know what checkers are or how to play them. This one is a classic, for sure.
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4. Memory
Forget flashcards and memory exercises—this is the game to play when you want to test your memory skills. It's a feel-good game that anyone can enjoy.
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Speaking of sibling grudges, this “Am I wrong for skipping my sister’s favorite game?” family game night meltdown hits hard.
5. Chinese Checkers
Bored of the good ol' checkers? This is a more interesting version.
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6. Monopoly
Almost everyone enjoyed playing Monopoly, even if it took long hours to finish. You have to dominate the board and win all the money through real estate.
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7. Perfection
In this game, you needed to place all the right shapes in their respective spots before you ran out of time and everything popped out. It's exciting and nerve-wracking!
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8. Trouble
One cool aspect of this game is the dice rolling inside a dome. You simply push on it, and it will pop and roll the dice.
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9. Connect Four
No explanations are needed—this was an easy and fun game to play. A favorite pastime.
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10. Operation
Aspiring medical workers loved this—Operation may be scary, but it's fun and challenging to extract the body parts without touching the sides. If you accidentally make a mistake, it triggers a loud noise and the nose lights up.
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We can all agree that nothing really beats the classics, no matter how flashy and amazing the graphics of the games we play on our phones are nowadays. When board games were popular, it was still a much simpler time, one that we would like to return to in a heartbeat (or is it just us?).
Comment with your thoughts, or share these games for all your family and friends to see!
Want more “built different” family chaos? Check out these vintage photos proving your grandparents lived like safety was optional.
