In hard times, board games thrive. Monopoly, the most popular board game of all time (more than 200 million games sold worldwide), flourished during the Great Depression. Other enduring classics such as Scrabble, Clue and Sorry also emerged during that period or in wartime years when families stayed home due to lack of disposable income.

Lately, Eric Martin, editor of www.boardgamenews.com, has noticed the increase in chatter on his Concord, N.H.-based Web site.

"Almost everyone has an old Monopoly or Clue game in their closet, and they're getting them out and playing them again," said Martin, who tests and reviews games for a living.

A May 2008 survey conducted by toy manufacturer Hasbro indicated that board games (48 percent) top other family activities such as watching movies (22 percent), cooking (19 percent) and playing sports (9 percent).

Classic games turn on our competitive switch. They are engaging for all the family and often educational for the youngsters. "They teach young and old how to interact and deal with people and certain situations," said Martin. "You learn a lot about people by the way they play the game."

For families on a tight budget, buying a new game costs significantly less than many other entertainment options. Tara Stewart, regional spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said the discount chain is seeing growth in home entertainment products in general.