When the lockdown of 2020 set in, it was quickly realized that game night—along with any group activity—would look a bit different. To combat the sudden need to remain indoors with only those you lived with (or found yourself living with), some innovative entrepreneurs used their bouts of cabin fever and other personal reasons as an impetus to throw the card and board game markets a curveball or two.
With some games serving as direct competitors to classic games already on the market—a trio we’ll call the F.U.B.U. Taboo—to other conversation starters that will stir up more trouble than a new Spades player at the family reunion, we rounded up some of our new favorite Black-owned games for your enjoyment.
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#CultureTags
Image Credit: Courtesy of CultureTags #CultureTags, a game of popular hashtags and acronyms, was created in 2019 as a way to celebrate the culture and build community through shared experiences. Eunique Jones Gibson, the founder and mind behind Because Of Them We Can and co-working space Dream Village, got the idea from acronyms she’d seen online that both humored her and sparked interest. Despite how random the combination of letters seemed to be, she still knew exactly what they meant.
Jones-Gibson pulls #CultureTags from Black films, TV shows, music, church experiences, Black Twitter, and more. So far, Gibson has released four expansion packs dedicated to Black moms, 2020, Thanksgiving, and is preparing for the release of the new ‘90s collection.
Price: $25
Where to Buy: #CultureTags’ official website, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and most major retailers
Family Friendly: Yes
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AUXGOD
Image Credit: Courtesy of AUXGOD Who doesn’t love a good battle of the aux cord? Launched in 2016 after attending a party where he and fellow guests had an intense aux cord battle, founder Mike Rousseau filled a void. Starting out his brand with AUXGOD: Hip Hop/R&B, he’s since expanded into Pop, Country, and Soca/Dancehall—which was definitely the game changer that drew us in.
With categories geared towards life, record labels, defining eras blended in with a bit of trivia, let the battle begin. May the best once and for all be crowded the AUXGOD.
Price: $28
Where To Buy: AUXGOD’s official website
Family Friendly: Yes, but make sure to read the room.
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Heard It All Before
Image Credit: Courtesy of NTS Games If it wasn’t obvious, a lot of music today heavily relies on sampling and interpolation. But are you ready to test your own knowledge of music history? Gather ‘round all Hip-Hop, R&B, and soul fans and aficionados because Heard It All Before’s class is in session. Founder Kristen Daniel sat in her apartment during quarantine and found herself reminiscing on the days of playing oldies for loved ones while staring at her broken DJ set.
That moment sparked an idea that would be brought to life in Aug. 2021. Her goal for the game was to enlighten, educate, and even encourage new music enthusiasts. Can you name the sample behind Big Sean’s “Play No Games”? Can you guess which rapper sampled Sly & The Family Stone’s “Trip To Your Heart”? If you’re ready to be put to the ultimate test, this is the game for you.
Price: $35
Where To Buy: Heard It All Before’s official website
Family Friendly: Yes
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University of Dope
Image Credit: Courtesy of University of Dope In 2016, two female emcees—A.V. Perkins and Marian Andoh—wanted to continue the conversation around age-old, controversial Hip-Hop debates thus creating University of Dope. The drinking game dedicated to rap culture now features an R&B expansion pack (Anatomy of R&B) aiming to spark new questions and challenge music lovers as they explore ‘90s R&B and the early ‘00s.
This game is not for those unwilling to defend their favorites. From a “General Studies” category that asks which artist’s career was most ruined by a certain Bad Boy exec to choosing between the best non-singing singer, prepare for war. Even the founders provided a disclaimer: “We are not responsible when the relationship ends.”
Price: $25
Where To Buy: University of Dope’s official website, Uncommon Goods, and Amazon
Family Friendly: No. This is grown folks business.
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Trap Spelling Bee
Image Credit: Courtesy of Trap Spelling Bee Ever wondered how you spell certain slang? Well, if you’ve ever debated your older cousin about being ignant for not knowing the correct spellings of words only found on Urban Dictionary, get into Trap Spelling Bee—a hilarious game that educates those not fluent in AAVE. Other games created by the TSB team include Sing A Song Sing Along games—a fancy way of saying “finish the lyric”—that focuses on rap, R&B, gospel, and old school music. If you want something more geared towards adults, they also have 4/20- and hookah-friendly games.
Price: $30; Vol. 1 & 2 bundle $65; Sing Along Editions $25
Where To Buy: Trap Spelling Bee’s official website
Family Friendly: Yes
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Discretion
Image Credit: Courtesy of BLK House Games From BLK House Games comes the first version of Taboo, for us and by us. As seen on The Terrell Show YouTube series and played by the cast of Dear White People, Discretion and its accompanying Old Skool expansion pack—will have you forgetting the smallest memories of Black culture while searching the dusty closets of your subconscious to explain things like Baby Phat, appropriation, 40 acres & a mule, Just For Me, and government cheese.
The founders, Cirena Reagan and Damoneke Harper, created the game to place Black culture at the forefront instead of it being an afterthought. Reagan filled a void but noted this isn’t just for Black audiences. She also shared with VIBE exclusively that they’re developing another expansion pack to Discretion and preparing to launch a new game line this Spring 2022.
Price: $27
Where To Buy: BLK House Games’ official website
Family Friendly: Yes
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Out Of Bounds
Image Credit: Courtesy of Simpli Gaming Launched during the pandemic by two friends, Michael and Arielle wanted to create a product for the culture and to test limits. Though certain references are clearly related to us—ie. Dr. Sebi, The Color Purple, and Bishop—you’d find that there’s also a universal host of options and things can go from 0 to 100 real quick.
Price: $25
Where To Buy: Out of Bounds’ official website
Family Friendly: Yes
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Trap Wars
Image Credit: Courtesy of Fam Foolery Inc. After a devastating loss in 2018, Chris and Rachel Gregoire learned how game nights helped them cope with grief. To find peace and gain healing and community, the co-founders created Trap Wars.
The great things about this guessing game are the specifics and rules—unlike some fictional ones y’all like to create amongst yourselves—though that’s not entirely discouraged. First, cards are worth either 2 or 4 points, but you have wild cards like “The Trap,” “The Comeback,” and “The Lick” tossed to keep opponents alert and give them the chance to eliminate players or double their scores. The special Black History edition features new cards spotlighting inventors, historic events, entertainment, and more. Overall, the key to winning this war is simple—know your history.
Price: $25
Where To Buy: Fam Foolery’s official website and select Black-owned bookstoresFamily Friendly: Yes
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Last Couple Standing
Image Credit: Courtesy of Last Couple Standing Created by two Atlanta-bred men and their partners, the quartet followed the mantra, “A couple that plays together, stays together!” In 2019, Omar Holland and Aaron Burks conceptualized Last Couple Standing and officially launched the game in July 2020. We’re going to warn you right now—if your relationship doesn’t have a strong foundation, this game might not be for you. The posed questions are geared towards a couple’s sex life, past relationships, and whether one would prefer to be a “happy side chick or miserable wife.” Keep in mind this doesn’t include the expanded editions that also feature a NSFW and drinking pack. We definitely advise you to proceed with caution.
Price: $40
Where To Buy: Official Website
Family Friendly: No. We’re not even sure if it’s couple-friendly, but you didn’t hear that here.
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Verified
Image Credit: Courtesy of Verified While working with incarcerated youth who were fascinated more with social media than traditional games, Davon simply filled the need for a game focused on social platforms and pop culture. Don’t worry about your actual social media status or verification eligibility, this game tests your knowledge of meme culture and anything that may go viral on The Shade Room.
With the end goal being 50K followers and likes, players have to guess catchphrases, hashtags, social media trivia, and partake in challenges. Do you know which rapper the Snapchat icon was named after? Can you remember where the home button is on Instagram? If not, the #IceBucketChallenge may be your punishment. Find out if you have the smarts to become verified among your family and friends.
Price: $25
Where To Buy: Verified’s official website
Family Friendly: Yes, but there are drinking challenges included. So, have a non-alcoholic beverage on deck.
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One Gotta Go
Image Credit: Courtesy of One Gotta Go If you’re already a fan of Black Card Revoked, then think of One Gotta Go like its sister-cousin. This is a game all about eliminating popular opinions. Can you choose between your phone, the internet, streaming services, and hot showers? Between Friday, Coming To America, and House Party, which movie can you go without?
With the original pack and its accompanying Stay Home and Culture expansion packs, One Gotta Go makes for a perfect icebreaker for old and new friends.
Price: $50 for the bundle
Where To Buy: One Gotta Go’s official website
Family Friendly: Yes