Crokinole becomes a surprise hit at PAX West 2026
GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed
Polygon reported that crokinole, a roughly 150-year-old board game, emerged as a surprising hit on the floor at PAX West 2026. The publisher described the game as combining elements of darts and woodworking and said it has grown in popularity recently. Polygon noted exhibitors such as Tracey Boards were showing handmade crokinole boards at the show. The piece was published by Thomas Hindmarch on September 19, 2026.
- What happened: Polygon reported crokinole, a roughly 150-year-old board game, drew notable attention at PAX West 2026, with exhibitors like Tracey Boards displaying handmade boards.
- Why it matters: Polygon's coverage highlights that a long-established tabletop game captured interest at a major gaming convention, reflecting a present uptick in attention to crokinole as reported by the publisher.
- Context: Polygon described crokinole as combining elements of darts and woodworking and said it has become popular recently; the report was authored by Thomas Hindmarch and published September 19, 2026.
- What next: Polygon did not report any confirmed next steps, broader rollout plans, sales figures, or attendance metrics tied to crokinole's presence at PAX West 2026.
What changed
Polygon reported that crokinole—an approximately 150-year-old board game—was a surprising draw at PAX West 2026. The article noted that vendors on the show floor included makers such as Tracey Boards, which brought handmade crokinole boards.
Before and after
- Before: Crokinole is a long-established tabletop game with historical roots going back about 150 years, per Polygon.
- After: Polygon described the game as having grown in popularity recently and being a notable presence at PAX West 2026.
Limits
- Polygon's piece is an impressions-style report and did not provide sales numbers, attendance figures, or formal metrics quantifying crokinole's popularity. The report focuses on what was observed and reported at the show.