Whether it's an awkward dinner, an easy date night or those fateful words during the festive season, the words "Anyone fancy a board game?" are enough to get people raring for a fight or cosying up with a cup of tea and the perfect snack. Back in the '80s, there were some particularly iconic games to pull out of the cupboard, and kids who grew up during the decade will no doubt have fond memories from many a rainy day.
Tip, tap, tip, tap... Do you hear that? It's the sound of a winning streak, with a little help from Toyologist Peter Jenkins. Join us (if you dare) for a walk down primary-coloured memory lane, just remember to pack your rule book.
© Sygma via Getty ImagesTrivial Pursuit often feels more like a pop quiz than fun night at home
Trivial Pursuit
Think you've got general knowledge down to an art? Think again. Peter Jenkins recommends Trivial Pursuit as a way to quickly turn "dinner parties into gladiatorial combat" and make "everyone realise their geography was appalling".
According to Peter, the game was the delightful result of two Canadians losing their Scrabble tiles. Love it or loathe it, there's always someone who's keen to show off their history degree.
© Getty ImagesGuess Who? It's your favourite childhood game that turned every child into a young Sherlock Holmes
Guess Who?
This "masterclass in snap judgements", as dubbed by Peter, required players to narrow down their opponents character choice by appearance, questioning players on glasses, beard length, moustaches and hair colour.
It gets the seal of approval from our Toyologist, for "teaching a generation the art of deductive reasoning – and the unexpected importance of eyebrows". Now, what exactly do you mean by "sort of bald"?
Perfection
It's a simple process as Peter explains it: "Press a button and jam 25 shapes into matching holes before the time explodes, quite literally sending pieces around the room and a jump scare that’d wipe several years off your life expectancy."
The next, high adrenaline step up from wooden blocks and colourful shapes, this '80s hit was an emotional precursor to the likes of Dobble.
© Getty ImagesIf Sherlock and Barbie had a baby, it would surely look something like Dream Phone
Dream Phone
Despite being released in 1991, this was a popular choice amongst 80s kids. With a pink plastic phone to guide you with clues to a particular fictional Eighties dreamboat, teen sleepovers would be changed for good.
Peter's verdict: "An absolute triumph of Eighties wishful thinking to combine teenage romance with the detective work of finding out if Scott liked pepperoni pizza. Completely ridiculous. Universally adored."
Crocodile Dentist
Those terrifying trips to the dentist become much more fun when you're holding the tools, and what better patient than a crocodile with an impressive set of gnashers?
Some might say you're tempting fate as Crocodile Dentist asks its players to press the reptile's teeth one by one. Released at the turn of the decade, it's the big snap that everyone waits for any is well worth the risk to see your brother's fingers chomped down in one.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesTV guides didn't just make sure you were home in time for The A-Team – they even based entire board games on the printed schedules!
TV Guide Game
If you thought TV guides were the stuff of long lost memory, a game based on these lighthearted schedule sheets is something else entirely.
Peter bills the TV guide game as "proof that the Eighties worshipped television with a fervour bordering on the religious. Players answered questions about TV shows, scheduling, and sitcom trivia." You can play a similar game by opening your digital guide and closing your eyes.
© Getty ImagesAn epic journey might sound taxing, but it's easily accomplished from your dining table with HeroQuest
HeroQuest
Dungeons & Dragons has had something of a rebrand in recent years as the once stereotyped fantasy role play game has become much more mainstream. Back in the '80s, if this heavily involved set up was a bit much for a beginner, HeroQuest was there to save the day.
The rules, as Peter explains, are as follows: "One player hides behind a screen being magnificently villainous while everyone else barrels through dungeons slaying orcs and bickering over treasure." The perfect Sunday night in.
© Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty ImagesPut your friendship on hold, Battleship promopted many an argument – particularly on discovering your opponent had stashed all their ships around the edges
Battleship
Is there any better feeling than sinking your friend's largest vessel or getting a run of two-long boats? Pairing an almost-concerning level of violent intentions and small plastic set pieces, Battleship was always bound to be a hit in the world of board games.
The idea stems back to a pen-and-paper version from WWI, and the board game itself was first released in the '60s. But Battleship's long-term appeal meant it was a games cupboard staple for kids in the '80s.
© Getty ImagesKerplunk was the sound of victory and one of the '80s best loved games
Kerplunk
A large tube, some marples and a few threaded sticks might sound Victorian but Kerplunk has a way of drawing people out with the sound of its signature 'thunk' as marbles hit the holding tray.
The aim of the game was to have as few marbles in your tray as possible, removing the interwoven straws they rested on.
Hungry Hippos
Hungry Hippos was button mashing mayhem before the consoles took over. After a quick fight over which colour hippo you could call your own, it was a fight to the food with players hitting their hippo's leaver to take a snap at the plastic balls piled into the middle of the board.
Eighties kids will fondly remember the slow snapping required to get those last few points as the marbles had a tendency to get trapped behind each hippo's neck, providing a slower (but equally stressful) final leg of the game.
