Game shows have been a staple of UK television for decades, maintaining significant popularity among British audiences. From the intellectual competition of University Challenge to more light-hearted fare in The Price is Right, their popularity has endured.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we’re seeing an increasing number of game shows transcending the small screen and ending up in our homes. From virtual versions of Jeopardy! and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? to adaptations of House of Games, Tipping Point, and Lingo, more and more are making it into the comfort of our living rooms.
What Are Some of the Best Game Shows to Play at Home?
This trend is also influencing other industries. Online casinos, for example, have expanded to include live game shows with real-life presenters. For instance, game shows at Paddy Power include versions of Deal or No Deal as well as titles influenced by Wheel of Fortune such as Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, and Treasure Island.
There are a lot of adaptations of game shows on the market nowadays. However, while seeing Ben Shephard on Tipping Point may be the highlight of your mid-afternoon, playing at home might not live up to your expectations. For example, Would I Lie to You? is one of the funniest shows on late-night TV, but without Rob Brydon and his lineup of guests you can’t recreate the same sense of humor. So which game shows work at home?
One of our favorites is Lingo. Its appeal has broadened too because of the popularity of the similarly styled online guessing game, Wordle. The version created for people to play at home is very similar to the one seen on TV. Players are given the first letter of a mystery word and must take turns to solve a series of these words, known as Lingos, against the clock.
Its adaptation for play at home features a wipe-clean game surface for ach player to write down their guesses. Correct letters are highlighted in different colors: green indicates the letter is in the right position, yellow means the letter is in the word but in a different spot, and red shows that the letter isn’t in the word at all.
Successfully solving a Lingo lets you bank money and attempt the challenging Puzzlewords at the end of the round. However, failing to guess correctly means your opponent gets the chance to steal. Lingo is also available as an app for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Other good games to be adapted for play at home include Traitors in which you complete tasks to earn gold and beat the “traitor” among your group. Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win, Blankety Blank, The Wall, The Chase, and Family Fortunes are also popular.
Not Just for TV
Game shows are no longer confined to TV – they’re now a staple in our homes, offering fun and engaging ways to connect with family and friends. Through an assortment of platforms, classics like Lingo and The Chase bring the excitement of televised competition into our living rooms.
This trend enriches our entertainment options and fosters shared experiences that echo the joy of watching these shows. As we continue to embrace these games, they not only entertain, but also deepen our love for the interactive challenge and camaraderie they inspire.