The Best Alternative to Video Games? ‘HeroQuest’ and Tabletop RPG

Kids, families — and adults — these days are plugged into Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft home console boxes like never before. For good reason: the graphics are vivid and the games are compelling and immersive. There are also titles to suit most taste and inclination: dance and fitness, creative, open-world adventure, indie platformer, puzzlers, pure action shooters, educational etc…

However, with my nearly 8 year-old son, I’m playing… a tabletop RPG from out of the mists of 80s youth… and yes, he loves it. He’s even made his own dungeon maps for me to explore.

Many parents grew up in a time before video games were less immersive. It was a golden age of board games and hands-on, tabletop Dungeons & Dragons RPG. Friends sat together listening to music (on vinyl, cassettes or disks), painting small figurines and making maps for adventure ‘quests’ we’d then play out together. Games like… Heroquest.

If you’re stuck for activities to find for restless kids, and TV time needs limiting, then it’s time to check out games like…