We love board games here at Just a Shop, Sir. Board games have been a beloved pastime for centuries, but not every game has stood the test of time. While classics like Monopoly and Cluedo continue to dominate, countless weird and wonderful board games have faded into obscurity. From political satire to bizarre mechanics, these forgotten tabletop games are truly one-of-a-kind. Let’s dive into some of the most unusual board games you’ve (probably) never heard of!

1. Public Assistance (1980)

A controversial game from the US, Public Assistance was designed to make a political statement about welfare programs. Players could choose to be either “workers” or “welfare recipients,” with the latter group attempting to live off the system while the former struggled to earn a living. Due to its highly political nature, it was pulled from many store shelves and remains a relic of an era where board games dabbled in social commentary.

2. The McDonald’s Game (1975)

Ever wanted to run your own fast-food empire? The McDonald’s Game let players manage their own burger franchises, complete with supply chains, advertising budgets, and customer demand. However, the game mechanics were so convoluted that it quickly became frustrating rather than fun.

3. Capital Punishment (1981)

Another politically charged board game, Capital Punishment tasked players with either keeping criminals in jail or trying to “rehabilitate” them into society. It was heavily criticised for its extreme views and quickly disappeared from circulation. Copies of the game are now rare and highly sought after by collectors.

4. The Sinking of the Titanic (1976)

This game put players aboard the Titanic, trying to gather supplies and secure a spot on a lifeboat. The idea of turning a real-life tragedy into a competitive game was seen as distasteful, leading to its short lifespan. Nevertheless, the few copies that still exist are considered collectors’ items today.

5. The Campaign for North Africa (1979)

Often called the most complex board game ever made, The Campaign for North Africa was a war simulation so detailed that it required hundreds of hours to complete. It even included mechanics for tracking how much water individual soldiers needed in the desert! The game’s sheer length and complexity meant that very few people actually played it, making it more of a collector’s curiosity than an actual game.

6. The Game of Jaws (1975)

Inspired by the hit film Jaws, this game featured a plastic shark that players had to remove items from using a hook. The idea was similar to Operation, but with added suspense and a theme that terrified many young players. It was a commercial success at the time but has since faded into obscurity.

7. The Black Box (1977)

A puzzle-based game that played more like a science experiment, The Black Box required players to deduce the hidden location of atoms using logic and guesswork. It was a unique and cerebral experience but never gained mainstream popularity.

8. Gorey Games (1979)

Based on the dark and whimsical works of Edward Gorey, Gorey Games embraced gothic storytelling with morbid humour. Players moved through eerie settings and experienced a macabre sense of adventure. While adored by niche audiences, it never reached the popularity of other horror-themed board games.

9. The Wonderful World of Oz Game (1921)

This century-old board game was based on The Wizard of Oz but played nothing like the film or books. The game involved players racing to collect magic items, but the mechanics were clunky, and it quickly fell out of favour. Today, original copies are rare and valuable.

10. The Vanishing Game (1982)

In this eerie game, players had to solve a disappearance mystery using a mix of deduction and board movement. What made it truly strange was its real-life element—players were encouraged to mail clues to the publisher to unlock additional secrets. The game was short-lived, but its interactive concept was ahead of its time.

The world of board games is full of forgotten oddities, from political statements to bizarre mechanics that simply didn’t catch on. Whether they were too controversial, too complex, or just too strange for mass appeal, these games are fascinating relics of the tabletop world.

If you’re a fan of weird board games and unique collectables, be sure to check out Just a Shop, Sir! We stock a range of quirky and hard-to-find games that might just become the next hidden gem in your collection.