CunningAllusionment
Ameritrash dice fest wargaming classic. I've played this game at least 600 times (mostly online), and I can honestly say that making a better Risk has inspired hundreds of games. Go get those.
- Risk
The game that started me gaming. It doesn't hit the table much anymore because I've since moved on to greener pastures, but it's still a solid game that's great for new gamers.
- The Settlers of Catan
As a board game Scrabble is pretty terrible. Much better suited to being an app. I'd rather play Boggle or any of a half dozen other word games in the meat that this one.
- Scrabble
The categories get a little old, but that's fixed easily enough with home-brewed category sets. Nevertheless, a fun party game.
- Scattergories
This game is like life. You spend all this time making a careful plan. Then you watch helplessly as nothing works out the way you expected it to.
- RoboRally
A classic game of bluffing and strategy. Unfortunately, the cost of elaborate bluffs is often greater than the benefits, so people often end up bluffing less than I'd like. Contrast with "Confusion".
- Stratego
Easily one of the best "gateway games" out there. Simple, fast turns with sufficiently deep strategy to keep veteran gamers interested.
- Ticket To Ride
The bluffiest, deductioniest, discover-your-friends-are-much-better-liars-than-you-though-iest party game there is. Short and oh so sweet. I've played 6 games back to back. This game is genius.
- The Resistance
A classic game that can probably be forgotten now that better games can scratch the same itch. It's mechanic is interesting and it's satisfying to flip pieces over, but it's not a great execution.
- Othello
Interesting dynamic and replayability, lots of quality expansions. Nice light strategy game.
- Small World
This game is so random that a friend of mine who hates games won a 6 player game depsite spacing out through the middle and paying virtually no attention to what he was doing. It's funny and light.
- Munchkin
It's the classic "roll-and-move" game that has virtually no interesting decisions, takes too long, and has a run-away-leader-effect. There are better options nowadays.
- Monopoly
It should be called "middle-class white people's life stripped of meaning, choice, and interest." A thoroughly depressing game I managed to love as a child. There are far better kids' games now.
- Life: The Game of Life
Like many games by the great Reiner Kniza, Lost Cities is extremely simple, but the elements are beautifully opposed to each other to create a game full of delightful little challenges. Delectable.
- Lost Cities: The Board Game
A delightful Ameritrash game that could practically be used as an 80's zombie movie generator. The theme and components are wonderful with tons of extras to encourage fan-made scenarios.
- Last Night on Earth