True gamers know that the fun doesn't have to stop just at the screen, especially with virtual worlds and film adaptations like the Super Mario Bros. Many great names in the gaming industry have also released board game incarnations and themed classics of their titles for fun outside the gaming den.
That's all well and good, but while Zelda chess are fun, playable collector's items, there is still a lot of untapped potential for other video games to have a life outside of a digital . From familiar strategy campaigns to party favorites, the gaming world has plenty of titles that need their own board games.
Snake
It might seem strange, but there is definitely a way to make the Atari classic into a party game. For those unfamiliar, Snake has the player controlling an 8-bit snake eating apples in a closed-off space while trying to avoid crashing into walls or its own tail. It might not sound like board-game material, but it could take a page or two from BlockNess.
BlockNess is essentially Snake but with sea monsters. Players have to find ways to block other sea serpents on the board while creating a longer body and tail. Throw in some apples and change the species and a proper Snake game can be made.
Fire Emblem
It would take a long while to complete, but a true board game adaptation of Nintendo's popular Fire Emblem series would be one of the biggest strategy games in history. Warring armies have inspired board games since the days of the Pharaohs, and that certainly hasn't stopped. But a game inspired by the epic strategy franchise would be a monster.
A Fire Emblem board game would have to be a huge combination of Stratego, Risk, and chess, but with up to possibly four players gathered around the battlefield. Units would be unique and player tokens would be the main target, and permadeath could definitely be a major factor for interesting play.
Gwent
While there are Gwent decks and boards available on Etsy and there's even a phone app for those who enjoy the mini-game from The Witcher III, a real adaptation doesn't exist. Of all the board games on this list, this one feels the most practical and possible.
It's definitely a lot deeper than the typical game of war, but fans of the series would eat it up with a spoon. With two decks and a board, an all-out war can be waged on a tavern (or kitchen) table between two players in a game of Gwent. Needless to say, this idea has more than enough potential.
Five Nights At Freddy’s
the fiends at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza have yet to earn their own true-blue board game adaptation.
There are several board games with FNAF editions, but there doesn't appear to be an actual tabletop version of the title. It would definitely make for a great horror-themed title with multiple players as Freddy and friends against one nightguard player. Perfect for nights when the tension is high.
Professor Layton
Puzzle games and brain teasers will never go out of style. With the popularity of titles like Clue and Betrayal at the House on the Hill, a Professor Layton game would be absolutely incredible for younger players wanting something to put their minds to the test.
Whether it's exploring a mansion laden with puzzles and clues or an entire town with a mysterious secret, the possibilities for a Professor Layton board game are endless. And the best part, no murder or hauntings required.
Dragon Quest
Dungeons and Dragons, especially in the visual department. That being said, a D&D campaign inspired by the famous video game series might not be the worst idea in the world but a game like this needs something more original.
A proper title inspired by the series needs to take more inspiration from something like Dungeon!, a simple yet effective dungeon crawler where players slay monsters and acquire loot and treasure. It would certainly fit the cute and cuddly cartoon aesthetic.
Dragon’s Crown
Contrarywise, Dragon's Crown not only took inspiration from D&D, but every hand-drawn frame of this beautiful game from Vanillaware practically begs to be featured in a Dungeon Master's Guide. A campaign inspired by the adventures in Hydeland is practically perfect for adventurers of all levels.
Characters like the Fighter, Elf, Dwarf, Wizard, and Sorceress already exist in the classic RPG, and Rannie the Rogue definitely fits the DM role to a T, so there's no reason a real campaign can't happen. Dragon's Crown itself is a love letter to all fantasy games , and it should go all the way with that motif.
Mario Party
Mario Party is a very interesting subject. While the series is inspired by board games and has inspired board games to release Mario Party editions, there is no original Mario Party title. It might not be the easiest game to make, but the groundwork is definitely there.
To be fair, there are so many mini-games in the series that a 100% faithful adaptation would be next to impossible, but there are ways around that hill. For instance, one could make original mini-games out of party games or trivia, and strive to have as many players involved as possible.
Wargroove
An underrated gem, -friendly strategy games on the Switch, but it would also make for an excellent chess-like board game. It might need more pieces than the typical game of kings, but it would definitely have its audience.
True, its player armies would have to be reduced, but the same gameplay of the video game could very easily make the transition to a board game if given the right materials. While a full four-player match would be possible, that might want to be reserved for an expansion pack.