Let's be honest, when most people picture a board game collection they imagine shelves groaning under the weight of huge boxes, each one costing the same as a monthly food shop. And yes, some games do come with a hefty price tag. But here's the thing: some of the most fun you'll have around a table costs a lot less than that.
At VoNCon, we believe that cost should never stand between you and the fun of tabletop gaming. Our whole mission is about fostering friendships through play, which means making sure everyone, regardless of budget, can pull up a chair and join in.
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So, whether you're looking to build your first game collection or just know what's worth picking up, here are some brilliant games that are low cost, easy to learn and a whole lot of fun.
low-cost, high-entertainment games: VoNCon style
Sushi Go Party! - £15 to £20
Super-fast, super-sushi and super-fun. In this lightweight party game, you race against 2 to 5 players to grab the tastiest looking dishes. You'll score points depending on what kind of meal you build — think nigiri, dumplings and maki rolls (I don't know about you, but I'm hungry already).
For those of you who have joined in a game of 7 Wonders at VoNCon, you'll already be familiar with the "draft and pass" play style. If not, it sounds more complicated than it is - you choose the item you want to "eat" from a handful of cards and pass the rest along to your neighbour. Just like a conveyor belt of sushi in a restaurant!
The best part? Games only take around 20 minutes and the rules can be explained in 2.
Love Letter - £10 to £15
Another staple at VoNCon, Love Letter is a 2 to 4 player game that is quick to teach and charming to play. Because who wouldn't want to deliver a declaration of love to the kingdom's elusive princess?
You choose which suitor to play from a hand of just two cards. Your goal is to knock your rivals out of the race for the princess's heart by playing the highest-valued contender. Each card also triggers a special action, so you'll find yourself swapping hands with your neighbour or finding ways to protect yourself against their nefarious tactics.
How do you win? By winning the most rounds, which typically happens very quickly! This is a fantastic game for people who want to make connections with others through laughter.
The Mind - £8 to £12
This one is hard to explain because even though you're playing with others, the game takes place entirely in your own mind!
The Mind is a cooperative game, which means you work with fellow players not against them and win (or lose!) together. As a group, you must play numbered cards from your hand in ascending order - without talking. No hints, signals or subtle coughs allowed. It sounds simple, and practically speaking it is. But it's somehow deeply satisfying when it all comes together and you learn how to read each other's minds.
It's a brilliant choice for groups who like to work together rather than compete, and for those who just value being present around a table with others. You can read more in our guide.
Cockroach Poker - £8 to £15
Cockroach Poker is what we call a "reverse set collection" game. In normal set collection games, you win by being the first to collect a particular series of cards. In Cockroach Poker, if you manage to collect four of any type of bug, pest or critter, you're out of the game - because who wants to be overrun by stink bugs or rats?! What makes this game hilarious is that it's a bluffing game, which means you're far more likely to win if you perfect your poker face.
To play a round, you take a card from your hand and pass it to a player face down, declaring what type of pest it is. If they correctly deduce whether or not you were telling the truth, you add the critter to your collection. If you successfully tricked them, it gets added to theirs. This is a perfect game for anyone who enjoys trying to keep a straight face as they say "trust me, it's a rat" when all they have are stink bugs.
Skull - £15 to £18
Skull is what happens when you strip a bluffing game down to its bare bones - and then dare someone else to pick those bones up. Each player has four discs: three roses and one skull. You take turns playing one face-down, until one person is brave enough to challenge the table. They do this by declaring the number of discs they can flip without revealing a skull. Other players can outbid them, if they feel up to the challenge.
The winner of the bid chooses which coasters to reveal, starting with their own. If they only flip roses, they are successful. Win two rounds and you win the game - it really is as easy as that! With no complex rules, Skull is a fast-paced party game that is easy to learn and can be played in as little as 10 minutes.
Don't forget: gaming at VoNCon is even cheaper!
Of course, the most budget-friendly option of all is coming along to a VoNCon event, where you don't need to own a single game to have a brilliant time.
We bring the games - including all of the quick, fun games listed here - teach the rules, and make sure everyone feels welcome. In fact, you may have already played one with us - leave a comment and let us know what you thought!
We know that turning up somewhere new on your own can feel daunting. But that's exactly why VoNCon exists - to take those barriers away, one game at a time.
Tabletop gaming doesn't have to be expensive, complicated or exclusive. It just has to be fun!
Come and find out for yourself. There's always a seat at the table for you.
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