Spruce Up Your Shelf – Board Games That Look Like Books

Adding board games that look like books to your living space, study, or other room can add a little life and play to your room. From a pure gaming standpoint not all of these would be my “go to” games when I’m looking to have a game night – but from a decoration standpoint, I adore them. The games in the collection are largely well known and will spark memories of game nights with your family or passing time on rainy days. I think these board game books would be perfect additions to hotel lobbies, VRBOs/AirBnB, and your favorite quiet area.

The very best board games that look like books are the games from Facade games. They have combined art and function into 5 truly beautiful and fun games to play.

When selecting what to purchase I’m of the strong opinion that these are decorations first, and games second. If you are after the game, there are lower costs alternatives and I strong suggest those first. However – if you want an aesthetically pleasing look – here we go.

I want to say it again – don’t necessarily buy these as the game to play – think of these as art first, board game second. I tend to agree with on person who said:

…’it is nostalgia based sales. people buy these because they played them when they were young. they will never play them more than once in this hipster edition…”

_~Redditor

Bookshelf Games

Vintage Woodbox Edition

Beginning in 2005 Hasbro/Parker Brother re-released some of their tried and true games. Part of their Hasbro Vintage Edition line of games. These are game that “Boomers” and “Gen X” are going to be very familiar with. They are the games that kids group on prior to the board game renaissance in the 90’s. These games are also slightly harder to find give we are 15+ years away from their re release.

I would pick these up if I were decorating a home office, game room, or living space that had dark wood book cases. If I were looking for decorations for a VRBO or AirBnB, these would make a nice amenity. Likewise if I were looking sturdy lobby gifts for hotel or bed and breakfast, the wood cases give it some staying power. They will offer a nostalgic feel to any location they are displayed in. Some have commented that the boards don’t lay as flat as the traditional game boards. I haven’t seen that, nor have I played every edition. That said, remember these are probably best intended as board game art first – functional games second.

---

Vintage Bookshelf Games

A much easier set of games to get is the Vintage Bookshelf Games collection from WS Game Company. The WS Game Company was actually founded by two former employees of the Parker Brothers/Milton Bradley/Hasbro Games company. That is to say, they have a strong working knowledge of the games they reimagined. Per their website: “As an authorized licensee of Hasbro, it is our mission to capture the heritage of the world’s most beloved games and deliver the most stylish, upscale, and creative products to the market.”

They have done well in that mission!

I would buy this collection for a kids room or family room in a house. A lake house VRBO, hotel lobby, or other “home away from home” setting is perfect for these games. In addition, for the sake of completion and making a huge visual impact, this is the best bang for the buck. The games themselves are suitable for an average age of 8 to 13 I’d say. Games like Candyland you could play younger, and games like Chess are games you could play for a lifetime. Some games, like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders, kids will lose interest in, but that’s ok, nearly every game has a lifecycle.

---

These 15 games represent some of the most popular games from the 60’s, 70, and 80s. Some, like Chess and Clue, are much older than than. I would be wiling to be bet you have played more than on in the collection. The collection, or parts of the collection, are great keepsakes and gifts for any board game enthusiast. Remember it is more about the nostalgic feel you are trying to invoke than the game itself.

The game collection is presented as books of a pastel color palette. The whole collection seems to flow from a deep shade of red to purple. The “book” opens up to reveal all components, game board, and rules. The components are reminiscent of the earlier versions of the games, keeping with the vintage theme.

The games can be bought as a whole collection, which we recommend, or bought ala carte. They also come in “3-Packs”. We recommend buy the collection outright for the sake of completion, as well as getting the best visual effect. It is also more affordable to go that route if you thought you’d end up with them all anyway.

This collection is great up at a lake house or other vacation property. Compared to the Vintage Woodbox edition, I would suspect these would be played more as functional,, and less as art. That said, the colors and style work well in many rooms as decorative pieces.

---

Facade Games

---

One of those areas is in presentation – I have never – and I mean never seen “boxes” look this good! Facade games has elegantly merged art and function into these games. Labeled as the Dark Cities series these games are not only beautiful artistic pieces but solid games. Only when you are up close to the games would you be able to pick out the difference between book and box.

---

The book covers and binding look is reminiscent of late 17th century early 18th century books. Really quite brilliant. These are going to be great pieces of decor for anyone that has a “classics” bookshelf. The style of the books will blend in well. Because these are so well done, I could see this in professional work spaces, making for incredible conversation pieces. If you have someone close to you that your are shopping for – consider these as excellent board game gifts. Because they function both as game and as art, you don’t really need to worry about getting them a game that they may already have, because if they do – this will serve quite nicely as art.

From a gaming perspective, these would be great gifts for party gamers – With 3 of the 5 as party games, this would bolster any collection quite nicely.

Collectable Tin Games

WS Game Company Tins

The “Collectable Tin Games” don’t have the look or feel of a book, however they still maintain that feel of art in your room. Tapping into a 50’s and 60’s feel, when tin boxes (often lunch pails) really took off. Again WS Game Company has set the standard for this pieces of art/game. However there have been some other modern day publishers who have revisited tin packaging as an option.

This collection features 8 games using some of the original artwork of when the games first hit the market. 8 Games are featured in this collection – stop me if you’ve heard this already:

Why the art is great, this are a little tougher to display. As such, while I strongly advocate buying the complete set of the Vintage series and the Woodbox – I think you could just pick and choose which games hold the highest nostalgic value to you. The tins are starting to become a little tougher to find as well.

These are good again at the lake cabin or decor if you own a VRBO or Air BnB. They don’t quite have the higher end decoration value that I would use them in an office or study, but I could still see this sprucing up a hotel lobby or other waiting area. These will also due just fine in a child’s room or “rec-room”. The sturdy tin will provide some longevity to the game box, but also be susceptible to denting.

Other Games

---

Closing

As you can see not only have games evolved quite a bit as far as their game mechanics and playability – but so has their artistic appeal. It is wonderful that we have board games that look like books, and I wonder what else is on the horizon. I foresee other pieces of nostalgia being woven into board game. I can think of some unique implementations that I would love to see:

• War Games – Presented in an Ammo Case
• Viticulture – Presented in a wine box
• Pandemic Series – Presented in a First Aid Box or Med Kit
• Twilight Struggle – Presented in a Cold War era brief case
• Wingspan – Presented in a bird feeder or birdhouse
• Lost Ruins of Arnak – Presented in its own book or relic

If there is a game collection we missed or one you’d like to see added, leave a note in the comments.