It’s just cardboard.

It wont hurt you.

Maybe an occasional papercut or two.

We can look back (hopefully with fond memories) at our youth and remember playing board games.  For some of us it would be playing Monopoly or Sorry or Trouble, yes with the Pop-O-Matic bubble.

For others it would be playing Dark Tower or Milles Bornes or Stop Thief.  Regardless of your gaming background, one thing remains constant – gaming is a fun and social activity!

In today’s age of information its easy to plug-in and connect with friends online to take on a multitude of enemies with weapons, vehicles and fists, but where is the human connection?  The gallons of highly caffeinated, sugary-sweet soda?  The artificially colored, cheese-product stained fingers?  The blaring of prog-rock in the background?

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not condemning video games in any way.  I’m currently playing Borderlands 2 and Madden 13 and having a great time with both.  It seems like traditional gaming has fallen to the wayside, but it is beginning to make a comeback.

When I first mention board-gaming, Monopoly is the first game that pops into people’s minds, and it should.  It’s the highest selling board game of all time worldwide.  For some, you have fond memories of dominating your friends and family, becoming a real estate tycoon.  For others, you were always bankrupt, games took hours, were boring, and you could live the rest of your life never seeing Uncle Pennybags or his douchey monocle ever again.

The point I’m trying to make is this: there are plenty of games out there across a number of genres, and you’re guaranteed to find something you like.  I promise!  More and more games that were previously inaccessible without going to your local comic shop or dedicated gaming store, are now being sold at places like Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us.

Why not start up a game night with friends?  There are plenty of games out there that are completely different (and fun!) then the ones from your childhood.  For beginners just getting into gaming, I would recommend: Fluxx, Apples to Apples, Bang and Ticket to Ride.
For those a bit more accustomed to gaming you can try: Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, and Dominion.

And if you’re really feeling adventurous, you can always try: Arkham Horror, Le Havre, and Ghost Stories.
Put down the plastic.  Cardboard misses you.

What were some of your favorite games?