Before arcades and video game consoles came into our lives, many of us spent our childhood days playing traditional games with friends and family. Traditional games in Singapore may be a thing of the past but they’re still really fun. If you’re feeling nostalgic, relive your childhood with your friends or introduce them to your kids over the upcoming National Day long weekend! There has also been a rise in Singaporean board games and video games. So, whether you’re reminiscing over traditional games or you’re excited by recent releases, read on for our recommendations on the best Singaporean games!
Our Recommendations
Best Singaporean games: Traditional games
1. Paper ball
Paper balls are an iconic feature of Singaporean childhoods, as you could buy them for cheap at the school bookshop. Inflating a paper ball is also really easy – blow into the opening and watch it puff up like magic. When it comes to games with a paper ball, there are endless possibilities and a ton of fun! On your next catch-up, try a simple game of catch with your friends – they’ll be surprised, but you’re bound to have a good laugh!
2. Kuti Kuti
These little plastic tokens don’t look like much, but they’re at the heart of one of the most beloved Singaporean games. Also known as ‘Flip and Capture’, Kuti Kuti is a surprisingly challenging game that involves flipping your tokens on top of your opponent’s until all the pieces have been successfully conquered. I remember playing a version with fruit-shaped tokens, but I’ve been told that there are also variations with animal and vehicle tokens! These games typically last a long time, so why not have a heartfelt chat with your friend as you play a game of Kuti Kuti?
3. Country eraser
Country Eraser was the 21st-century successor to Kuti Kuti. Using Country Flag Erasers, players would try to flip their respective erasers on top of each other’s. Part of the fun of this traditional Singaporean game was amassing a huge collection of erasers with flags from different countries and trading them with friends to complete the set. My favourite was (obviously) the Singapore eraser, which was somehow always already sold by the time I got to the bookshop. For added nostalgia, add some staples under your eraser to make it spin for an edge in the competition. This is your sign to dig out your collection from the back of your drawer – I know I’m going to!
4. Gasing
If you’re a ‘90s or ‘80s kid, you probably had one of these wooden tops at home growing up. This spinning top toy is used for a game of Gasing – a traditional kampong game in Singapore. To win, knock the opponent’s Gasing out of the circle by forcing it to topple over. To spin your wooden top quickly, wind the string around the top as tightly as you can! Fun fact – did you know that there was a national Gasing tournament in Brunei for the Sultan’s birthday? That’s how popular this traditional game is, even in other countries!
5. Five Stones
Five stones is often one of the first games that come to mind when people talk about traditional games in Singapore. While it began as a game for little girls who used actual stones, it’s evolved to become the version that both children and adults love today. Aside from being fun, it’s also a great Singaporean game for players to improve their dexterity and sharpen their reflexes. As a child, I’d collect various sets of five stones for their different colours and patterns. If you had a great experience playing five stones like I did, challenge your friends and family to a game this weekend!
Five stones is pretty complicated to play, so watch the video below to learn how exactly this traditional game in Singapore works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ7ck9Mv1h8
6. Pick-up sticks
As one of everyone’s favourite Singaporean games, pick-up-sticks is pretty self-explanatory. To play, gather the multi-coloured sticks vertically before releasing them. From the pile, pick up the various sticks one at a time without touching the other sticks until the game ends. This is a strategic game that requires intense concentration and a steady hand to prevail, almost like a messier version of Jenga. Up for a challenge? Try your hand at a game of pick-up sticks with your children this weekend!
7. Zero-Point
Putting together the rope for Zero-Point is a bit of a labour of love. All you have to do is tie a series of Rubber Bands together to make a long rope and you’ll have your “toy”. Zero-point is a traditional Singaporean game that works almost like a reverse limbo – starting from around ankle height, players have to cross over the rope while trying to avoid touching it. With each round, the height of the rubber band rope increases and the difficulty level likewise. This Singaporean game is perfect for big groups as it’s easy to pick up and relatively inexpensive. Next time you host a birthday party for your kids, suggest a game of Zero-Point to keep the kiddos entertained for hours!
8. Bestman Balloon Bubble Blow
Bestman Balloons are another gem of the past that the ‘80s and ‘90s kids will reminisce over fondly. Back then, I remembered scouring the neighbourhood mamak shops for these little tubes of childhood joy. Now, we’re able to get Bestman balloons in large boxes for a mere dollar. Simply squeeze a dollop of the plastic mixture from the tube onto the tiny plastic straw and blow from the other end. After you’ve achieved your ideal size, pinch it off the straw to seal the bubble. Have fun creating bubbles of different sizes and shapes with your friends to see who can make the best bubbles!
Best Singaporean games: Modern games
10. Let’s Jalan at SG Card Game
If you’re looking to go on a digital detox this weekend, why not try your hand at this card game? Let’s Jalan at SG Matching Card Game is one that’s fast-paced, putting your reflexes to the test as you race to snap up the matching cards before other players do. This game is also great for the little ones, as it trains their hand-eye coordination and familiarises them with various local attractions such as the Fountain of Wealth and the Esplanade. As the game accommodates up to four players, everyone can join in on the fun by playing one of the best Singaporean games for families!
11. The Singaporean Dream Card Game
In this thrilling card game, players pay, steal, and sabo their way to becoming the perfect Singaporean by collecting dreams. Start by picking a personality (my pick is always the Aunty), then strategically scheme your way to the top. If you like Monopoly Deal like I do, you’ll probably appreciate a game of The Singaporean Dream too. The latest version was released just last year by the comedy platform SGAG, so you know you’re in for a great laugh with one of the most popular Singaporean games today!
12. Monopoly Singapore Edition
Prepare to duke it out in a race to collect the most properties in Hasbro Gaming Monopoly Singapore Edition Board Game, a local rendition of the popular board game! Don’t forget to cash out when passing ‘Go’ and from other in-game events such as the Chinese New Year Ang Bao Draw to amass your wealth. As you roll down the board to visit various MRT stations, avoid events like Train Breakdown and getting fined. If you’re crazy about all things Singapore like I am, this is one of the best Singaporean games to play with friends or family. After all, art imitates life in the most fascinating ways in this competitive game!
13. Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Count me in if you’re feeling surprised that over 80 game developers from Singapore also had a hand in shaping the latest instalment of the well-loved Assassin’s Creed video game series. Toggle between playing as a cunning Shinobi assassin and a legendary Samurai as you usher in a new era in feudal Japan. As you navigate the sprawling maps, don’t forget to admire the breathtaking graphics and soundtracks – I’d argue that this is one of the best parts of the game! If you’re looking for other amazing games, check out our guide to the best PS5 games.
13. Compensation Not Guaranteed Video Game
With its distinct art style, Compensation Not Guaranteed will transport you back to the ‘70s for a nostalgic gameplay experience. Set in Singapore’s post-independence years, you’ll bravely take on the challenges of a government official in tackling issues of land acquisition and housing development in our country’s early years. With so much to learn about the sacrifices made by our founding fathers, this Singaporean game is bound to get you pondering over what it truly takes to build a city like Singapore.
Unwind with the best Singaporean games over this weekend!
These old-school games take us back to a simpler era when life seemed to move at a slower pace. For a visual walk down memory lane, check out our take on these popular and nostalgic childhood games in Singapore.
Once you’ve tried your hand at all these traditional games, there’s no harm in playing some of the modern ones to enjoy a great variety offered by the best Singaporean games! With the upcoming launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, check out these amazing party games to play with your friends on the console! For the next time you’re planning to host a game session, these local snacks make for great options to fuel up on!
This article was updated on 9 June 2025. Additional research done by Chloe Gee.
