Trivia games are, quite possibly, the best form of board game on the market. If you like to have a good time and play games (who doesn’t?) that are challenging and require you to use your noggin, then you already know how great trivia board games.

Other “thinking games” such as chess are more challenging, and less fun while trivia board games are perfect for parties or an after dinner activity with friends and family.

There are many different versions of trivia board games out there—for a reason—so let’s explore some of the more popular trivia board games. We’ll begin with the first board game that comes to mind when you put “trivia” with “board game”…

Trivial Pursuit

Oh yes, Trivial Pursuit is a classic. It is not just a trivia game; it is the trivia board game that launched a legacy of board games that incorporate trivia into the fun.

The idea was created in 1979 by Canadians Chris Haney and Scott Abbot. The friends were playing a game of Scrabble when they decided to come up with their own game. However, Trivial Pursuit was not commercially released until 1981. Since then, Time magazine has referred to Trivial Pursuit as the “biggest phenomena in game history.” I’m sure you will agree that Trivial Pursuit truly does mark the beginning of an era of trivia board games. Luckily, the fun doesn’t stop there!

Cranium

A 3 time winner of the Toy Industry Association’s Game of the Year Award, the Cranium board game idea was initially developed in 1997 by Whit Alexander and Richard Tait. In 1998, the year Cranium was founded, this masterpiece board game quickly became a best selling Christmas game on Amazon.

What sets Cranium apart from other trivia board games is the concept to allow players to excel at what they do best. Unlike trivia board games where only the smartest person wins, Cranium games focus on a variety of challenges that allow each player to flourish.

Since the first Cranium game was made, there have become several different versions and varieties of Cranium games, each targeted to different ages and groups. There are Cranium games for teens and adults, family board games, and many others. Cranium is an important board game to have available because this game can turn complete strangers into best friends through silliness that makes a grown man feel like a little kid again.

(Example, one version of the Cranium board game will have you jumping from answering tricky trivia questions to rolling a penny across the floor with your nose. Can you handle that?)

Cranium is not a trivia board game in the same sense as Trivial Pursuit. While it is a fun and challenging board game that gives everybody a chance to shine, it is not for the devoted trivia nut.

Read more Cranium reviews in our book and games section.

Bezzerwizzer

Bezzerwizzer, in Danish, means “know it all” and isn’t that what a trivia board game is all about… reminding friends and families in a fun environment that you are the best, and that you do know it all?!

A popular trivia game that allows you to challenge your opponent to answer a question correctly (if they answer wrong you can steal their points) or swap your weakest category with an opponents’ best category.

With Bezzerwizzer, you can win through smarts that aren’t limited to trivia, because tactics are just as important a role. Jesper Bulow created Bezzerwizzer as an answer to a growing frustration with the “slow pace, tiresome dice rolling, and limited subject categories” that most trivia board games have. So, for a more exciting trivia board game, you might want to give Bezzerwizzer a shot!

When to Bring Out the Trivia Board Games…

If you enjoy playing trivia board games, then you should own at least 2 different types of trivia games: one that is appropriate for all ages, and one that is more appropriate for just adults (and maybe teens.)

 Board games are fun for the whole family to play, and this promotes bonding time which your children will remember for years to come. Trivia board games are the best type of board game to share with children because it encourages mental stimulation, and shows that “being smart is cool.”

At the same time, trivia lovers should also have a trivia game ready for grown up time with friends and other guests of a more mature audience. When entertaining, trivia games are a surefire hit for a good time that your guests will greatly appreciate.

You may read the reviews on Trivial Pursuit 6th edition in our games section.

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