I’ve heard from many of my favorite podcasts as well as friends and family that 2026 just might be the year that we return to more screen-free quality time. This means board games, going on walks, and even crafts. In order from least to most complex, here are four games you may not have tried that can make spending screenless time with friends more enjoyable this year.
Nerts
“Nerts” is one of the simplest yet most chaotic games you can play with your friends. You can play with as many people as you want, as long as you have a big enough table and enough card decks.
Each player gets their own deck of cards (make sure each person’s deck has a different looking back). Then the game proceeds basically like solitaire except with communal ace piles in the center, allowing players to build on each other’s progress.
This game is non-stop and takes almost no time to learn, making it great for big, loud parties.
Ra
“Ra” is a 1999 Egyptian-themed betting game where each player is trying to create a point-scoring set of tiles. This game is a bit complex, but is pretty simple to learn.
The gameplay can go quick; a game can last about 30-40 minutes, depending on whether you play with just two players or the maximum of six players. Players will outbid each other and bluff about which tiles they actually want. Fans of card games like poker should find a lot of fun in this game.
Slay The Spire
Now we move on to some games that require a bit more learning and quite a bit more time commitment. If you’re planning a fun weekend trip or you expect to have friends over multiple times in a single week, “Slay The Spire” might be the perfect game for you.
Based on the 2017 video game of the same name, "Slay The Spire" is a cooperative deck-building game where you travel through dungeons and defeat monsters. Think of it as a sort of “Dungeons & Dragons” lite; it has much of the same feel as the combat in D&D but with a faster pace and easier math.
However, this game can take a while to learn and is a bit easier if you have already played the video game. Because it can take more than ten hours to play, I suggest splitting it up over the course of multiple days.
Tabletop roleplaying games
Finally, there are tabletop roleplaying games, a la “Dungeons & Dragons.” If you want the long-term commitment of a thrilling game with your friends, look no further. Although they require a lot more learning and game awareness, TTRPGs can be an incredible time.
While D&D is a great game system to start with, there are hundreds of these types of games to choose from. If you want a sci-fi themed game, look no further than “Starfinder.” If you’re interested in a game based on your favorite fantasy world, “Lord of the Rings Roleplaying” and “Star Wars Roleplaying” are just a few out of numerous options.
If you are patient enough to learn different game systems, your options for tabletop roleplaying games are endless.
Whether they involve slapping cards down on a table or going on an epic month-long quest with your compatriots, games can be a great way to enjoy screenless time with friends.
