I’ve always loved playing games. Any kind of games. From card games to board games, computer, console and mobile phone games. Games are awesome! But is it possible to mix games and travel? Yes. So you may be wondering how to mix games and travel?
I used to think that games were a ‘home’ thing that could never be integrated into travel. I mean, I’m not about to take my PlayStation on a backpacking trip, right?
Yes, I have thought about it, please don’t judge me!
Finding People that Love Games As Much as You Do
How do you find other games enthusiasts? It’s pretty easy actually. If you like games, you’re likely to gravitate towards others that also like games. I’m talking about all kind of games. Except maybe I Spy, cause that one’s been a bit overdone!
The truth is that games are sold all around the world, so your chances of running into people who like to play the same games you do is pretty good. It could be as easy as starting a conversation. Like this one time in the slums of Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.
Board Games in the Slums of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Perhaps one of the most unexpected places I played games was in Mongolia. The people running the NGO I was volunteering at were avid board game lovers. They had a pretty damn amazing board game collection! They were using these games to engage the local youth.
Of course, board games are a much better choice in places where game consoles are not affordable or readily available.
How to Mix Games and Travel
Obviously, my main passion is travel. But I really love games too! My first experience of the two coming together was back in the 90s. Picture this, I’m visiting my host’s extended family in a lovely little town somewhere on the beautiful island of Kyushu in Japan’s south.
Some of the younger cousins asked me to play games with them. Sounded like a great idea to me. I figured I’d get to learn some cool Japanese game. I waited with bated breath as one of the cousins left the room promising to come back with a fun game.
How to Mix Games and Travel – A Familiar Game in a New Place
As he reentered the room I thought I recognised the colourful box in his hand. Maybe it was a Japanese version of the game? Nope, it was the exact version of the game I’d grown up playing.
A game where you only need knowledge of one word to be able to play effectively; UNO!
Games That Bridge Cultures
I would like to say we played for hours. But truth be told, we bonded over colourful cards and salty snacks for days. I have since played this game in no less than 20 countries around the world.
From Africa, to the Americas, Oceania and Asia. In fact, I don’t think I’ve been to a country yet where people aren’t aware of this game. Although there are definitely some regional ideas on how to play.
Would you believe there’s even a UNO mobile game these days? I’ll stick with the cards though.
Other Popular Card Games – Exploding Kittens
Card games are often awesome because of their simplicity and playability even for beginners. Like Exploding Kittens. I’m sure many have had fun with this one. It’s not my personal favourite and it doesn’t require too much skill and therefore gets a tad boring after a couple of games.
The Best Card Game Ever – Cards Against Humanity
But then there’s Cards Against Humanity, quite possibly the most amazing card game ever. I’ve seriously lost count of the number of countries I’ve been in where a conversation about favourite games has turned into a Cards Against Humanity marathon.
Games Known All Around the World
Interesting side note here, the standard way for kids in Japan to decide things, when two or more people are involved, is their version of Rock, Paper, Scissors, called Janken じゃんけん.
Similarly in China, the local versions of the game, Jian Zi Shi Tou Bu 剪子石头布 in Mandarin speaking areas and Bau Zin Dap 包剪揼 in Cantonese speaking areas, are used to decide simple matters.
How to Mix Games and Travel – Games That Connect You to the World
Japan was my first experience of mixing games with travel but it certainly wasn’t my last. You may have heard of another little game series with its origins in Japan; Super Mario Bros.
Everyone’s heard of Mario right?
The plump Italian plumber that’s all about saving princesses named after fruit. Until the later years when women’s rights kicked in and the fruity princess was able to join in Mario’s antics and even get the chance to kick his butt in a kart race or two.
Popular Culture – How to Mix Games and Travel
Sorry, I digress. Moving on, there has even been a movie or two made about the ‘Bros’ and Mario is now something of a cultural icon around the world.
I mean, I’ve met a version of Mario in no less than 5 countries, including this one in Spain, who was probably the most Mario of all the Marios.
I personally have played Mario games in at least 10 countries, on SNES and Wii. He has been the topic of many conversations in others. Mario certainly has come a long way in 30 years.
Games to Help You Let Off Steam After Long Days of Travel – Fighting Games in London
As fun as the Mario games can be, I gotta say I’m more of a fan of fighting games. I spent weeks clocking Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat in my teenage years. So what’s a girl to do when offered a controller for a hostel basement MK battle in London?
Show off her awesome ‘fatality’ skills, of course!
How to Mix Games and Travel – Bonding Over Fighting Games in Brunei
After a long day wandering around floating villages in the Bruneian capital Bandar Seri Begawan followed by a long drive back to my host’s place in Kuala Belait, I had planned to sleep. Then I noticed a PlayStation.
“Is that a PlayStation?” I asked. “Yes, do you know how to play Tekken?” my host replied. I quickly responded with “of course, are you ready to get your butt kicked?”.
It appears he thought he was the best Tekken player he knew, but I was nice enough to help him realise that he wasn’t. He conceded after two straight losses that I was pretty good. High praise!
How to Mix Retro Games and Travel When You’re By Yourself
So you may have figured out by now that I’m all about the retro games. Maybe I’m stuck in the glory days of childhood where I used to kick my brother’s ass in Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. Then he’d get annoyed that he was beaten by a girl and now had ‘girl germs’ on his console. Good times.
Bringing Retro Games to Travel
I made a cool discovery that made me feel all happy inside. A little site called plays.org. The number of free to play games on this site is simply boggling, but I found my way to the retro games straight away.
While it doesn’t have some of my favourite fighting games, it does have some of the classics like the Space Invaders inspired Neon Invaders, Pac Man inspired Pac Rat and Tetris inspired Tetra Blocks.
How to Mix Games and Travel – Arcade Classics on your Phone!
Imagine the nostalgia of playing an arcade classic like Space Invaders on your phone to pass the time while waiting for transport! It even comes with the same false hope that you can beat the space invaders until the little a**holes get too quick and systematically obliterate you in later levels.
Go ahead, frustrate your friends by sending them a link to this annoyingly addictive little game.
How to Mix Games and Travel – Timeless Tetris
Then there’s Tetris, the puzzle game that just doesn’t want to die and continues to get introduced to new generations. You know, that game we all pretend to hate but secretly love? I will challenge anyone in any country to a Tetris battle!
So what games can you play while travelling? All of them! I’ve given but a few examples here of how to mix games and travel for fun and awesomeness. It can be surprising when and where games can become part of your travel adventures.
Games are all about having fun. Travel is all about having fun. So games and travel are a perfect match!
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14 Replies to “How to Mix Games and Travel”
Playing games definitely does help you bond when travelling. I’ve stayed in many hostels and uno is always a top choice. I’ve also played so many variations of card games and been introduced to foreign games I’ve never heard of before. Good to see some of the suggestions for the retro games as I’d like to try and play those the next time I travel.
Yeah, I’ve played some interesting foreign games too.
I love retro games so much that I’m part of a retro game lovers group, so I’ll play them anywhere.
I had no idea uno was so popular all around the world! I love a good game (and I love that card games are so easy to fit into your luggage to bring along.) We even sometimes bring card games along when we go camping in the back country. :)
I’m a fan of exploding kittens and sushi go…and I always love Japanese games like karuta (where you read a card and the other players) Still, I wouldn’t have expected such an epic collection in Ulaanbaatar! That must have been a pleasant surprise!
Uno is everywhere! I’ve had many campfire card games too!
Yes, board games in Ulaanbaatar were certainly an experience and a reminder that games are awesome at bridging cultures.
This post is so awesome! I never would’ve considered games+travel equaling anything! I’m both surprised and not surprised by the popularity of games like Cards Against Humanity and Uno (Uno, really?), but it sounds like an awesome way to connect with people.
Games can be the ultimate icebreaker :o)
I absolutely love games especially board games and take them when we’re traveling. I love your experiences in different countries and connecting cultures.
I used to play board games with friends every Friday night when I wasn’t travelling. I miss is so much.
This was so interesting! I am a total gamer myself, so I really loved this post. And you’re so right, Cards Against Humanity is superior ;)
I know right. So simple, but so many laughs and never boring no matter how many times you play it.
We’ve played so many games during COVID, it’s a great idea to play when traveling!
Yeah, I think I’ve played more games during Covid times!
I might try to continue to do that post Covid!
haha, definitely not judging! I never had a PlayStation but I’d absolutely be down to bring my DS or Switch backpacking (I guess those are a little more portable but still)!
Yay for CAH + Exploding Kittens! I like staying in hostels + games are always a big hit there! :]
If totally think about taking a Switch traveling, haha.
I’ve met people in hostels that always carry a pack of regular playing cards with them when they travel.