12 Board Games That Sparked Controversy Over the Years
Several board games over the years have caused public backlash due to offensive content, dark themes, or inappropriate marketing.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
While board games are often made for fun and family time, some have sparked major controversy. These games drew criticism for racism, violence, or insensitivity to real-world issues. Public reactions led to recalls, redesigns, or bans in certain regions.
1. Monopoly: Socialism
DPLA bot on Wikimedia Commons
Released by Hasbro in 2019, Monopoly: Socialism was criticized for misrepresenting socialist values. The game featured sarcastic text and rules that mocked collective systems and public services. Many people felt it spread misinformation about political ideologies. Critics argued that it was designed more to provoke than to educate or entertain.
2. Cards Against Humanity
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Although technically a party game, Cards Against Humanity is often included in board game discussions due to its popularity. It has faced repeated backlash for cards that include racist, sexist, or offensive jokes. Some packs were pulled from stores, and the company removed cards after public pressure. Despite this, it has maintained a large player base.
3. Dirty Minds
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This adult word game uses clean answers to clues that sound suggestive. While marketed for humor, many found it inappropriate for group or family settings. The game sparked debates about boundaries in party games. It is often restricted to adult-only environments.
4. Board Game of Life: Twists and Turns Edition
松岡明芳 on Wikimedia Commons
A modern version of The Game of Life, this edition removed money and replaced it with a credit card system. Some parents complained it taught kids that debt was normal or unimportant. Critics said it reflected a problematic shift in financial values. It was not recalled but received negative feedback from reviewers.
5. Juden Raus!
DerOberst02 on Wikimedia Commons
Released in Nazi Germany in 1936, Juden Raus! was a propaganda tool disguised as a board game. The goal was to remove Jewish figures from a town, reflecting anti-Semitic ideology of the time. Historians now study the game as part of understanding how propaganda reached everyday life. It is no longer produced and is considered offensive and dangerous.
6. Puerto Rico
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The original version of Puerto Rico, released in 2002, faced criticism for its use of “colonists,” who were implied to be enslaved people, though the game never used that word. The game centers on managing plantations during colonial times, with brown tokens representing workers. Critics pointed out the lack of historical context and the removal of human suffering from the gameplay. A later edition renamed the tokens as “settlers,” but concerns about representation remained.
7. Twilight Struggle
Novodomus
This game simulates the Cold War era with two players competing for global influence as the US or USSR. While praised for historical depth, it drew criticism for simplifying serious events like coups and nuclear threats. Some players felt it glossed over real suffering caused by Cold War politics. However, it remains widely studied and debated as a historical simulation.
8. Evo
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In Evo, players evolve species and fight for survival on a changing planet. One edition included artwork that many considered racially insensitive, especially in its depiction of tribal-like characters. After feedback, the publisher revised the visuals in newer versions. The controversy highlighted how fantasy themes can still reflect real-world biases.
9. Zooloretto
Matěj Baťha on Wikimedia Commons
While not widely criticized at launch, Zooloretto later drew concern from animal rights supporters. The game centers on collecting and breeding zoo animals for points. Critics said it encouraged the idea of animals as entertainment objects. While the gameplay is abstract, the theme raised ethical questions for some players.
10. Cleopatra and the Society of Architects
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This game, set in ancient Egypt, features artwork and characters that were accused of reinforcing Orientalist stereotypes. Some people found the exaggerated visuals and costumes problematic. The publisher responded by updating the art and improving cultural representation in newer editions. It remains popular but is more carefully reviewed.
11. Ticket to Ride
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Ticket to Ride faced criticism for its total avoidance of historical context. The game maps major train routes across regions, including the US and Europe, but does not acknowledge historical labor conditions or land use. While it is not offensive in content, some educators and reviewers noted its missed opportunity to address real events tied to railway expansion. It is still widely played and taught as a basic strategy game.
12. Monopoly
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Although one of the best-selling board games in history, Monopoly has long been at the center of controversy. Critics point out that the game was originally created as The Landlord’s Game in 1904 by Lizzie Magie to show the dangers of wealth inequality and monopolies, but it was later commercialized in a way that promoted the exact opposite values. Legal disputes, historical revisionism, and the misleading narrative around its origins have all contributed to ongoing debates about its message and legacy.