Looking for a mobile game the whole family actually wants to play?
Ludo didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it’s quietly become a staple in Tunisian households. And the backstory?
It’s surprisingly down-to-earth.
The Ludo Craze That’s Swept Tunisia
Let’s be real, in Tunisia, family time is non-negotiable.
Whether it’s weekend chill-outs in La Marsa or evening hangouts with mamie and papie in Sousse, those gatherings matter.
But sometime around 2022, something changed.
Suddenly, everyone, from bored teenagers in Tunis to grandmas in Sfax, had Ludo apps on their phones.
Recent numbers say it all…Ludo games now make up over 40% of all board game downloads in Tunisia, with more than 3 million people playing regularly.
That’s almost a quarter of the population!
What started as a simple mobile version of a classic board game is now part of the family routine, connecting young and old alike.
I’ve chatted with players, game makers, and even a few therapists to get to the bottom of why this one game in particular has clicked with so many people.
Here’s what I found out.
Why Ludo Hits Home for Tunisians
A Game That Feels Familiar
For a lot of us, Ludo (or “Parchisi,” as the elders might say) isn’t just a game, it’s a throwback.
We played it as kids in Djerba during the summer, or with cousins during Eid.
The digital version is just the latest way we’re keeping the tradition going.
“I used to play Ludo with my cousins every summer at my grandma’s house in Kairouan,” says Sarra, a 34-year-old teacher from Ariana.
“Now I play it on my phone with my own kids, and sometimes my mom joins us over video chat.
It feels like our old family habits just got an upgrade.”
Since Ludo was already baked into our collective memory, it had a head start.
You don’t need a rulebook or YouTube tutorial, everyone already knows how to play.
Tailor-Made for Tunisian Daily Life
Ludo also fits into how we actually use our phones.
Quick matches: Perfect for a 10-minute round at a café
Low data: Runs fine even if the Wi-Fi drops in Béja or Tataouine
Offline play: You’re not stuck when the network goes out
Localized language: Most apps include Tunisian Arabic
Low battery use: Keeps going even during long family visits
Mohamed, an app developer in Monastir, puts it this way: “The best mobile games around here aren’t just fun, they actually work for how Tunisians use their phones.
Spotty connection, older devices, limited data… if your app doesn’t consider that, it won’t last long.”
The Top Ludo Apps Tunisians Can’t Stop Playing
1. Ludo Star – The Crowd Favorite
📲 1.5+ million downloads in Tunisia
Why it’s everywhere:
- Localized themes featuring Sidi Bou Said and Carthage
- Tunisian dialect options for in-game chat
- Private rooms for family-only matches
- Runs well on older phones
- The app’s Ramadan Tournament feature has become a yearly tradition.
- One Bizerte family even won a national event and became Ludo-famous overnight.
2. Ludo Club – The Social Butterfly
📲 Around 900,000 downloads
Popular for:
- Regional player groups like “Ludo Nabeul” and “Sousse Players”
- Voice chat that mimics the noise of real-life game nights
- Settings that appeal to kids and grandparents alike
- Special events tied to Eid, Mouled, and more|
“Ludo Club kept me close to my family in Mahdia while I was studying in France,” says Yassine, a university student. “We played every Friday night with video calls. It was a small thing that meant a lot.”
3. Ludo Tunisia – The Local Legend
📲 750,000+ downloads
Homegrown with heart:
- Designs inspired by Tunisian tiles and traditional patterns
- In-game slang like “Sahit!” when you win
- Supports local charities through optional purchases
- Real-life meetups in cafés across the country
- The team behind it, a small crew from Manouba updates the app constantly based on player feedback.
“We didn’t want a generic game with Arabic text slapped on,” says Nadia, the lead designer. “We made this for Tunisians, from the ground up.”
4. Ludo King – The Global Hit with Local Appeal
📲 About 650,000 downloads in Tunisia
Why it still works:
- Smooth gameplay even on 3G
- Play across devices (Android, iPhone, tablets, etc.)
- Custom dice and boards with Tunisian flair
- Clean, simple layout that even tech-shy elders can navigate
“My grandma in Gafsa had never touched a smartphone until my kids showed her Ludo King,” says Leila from Tunis. “Now she’s in a daily group with her friends. She even reminds us when we forget to play!”
5. BONUS: Exscape – Tunisia’s New Favorite Gaming App (Yes, It Has Ludo Too)
📲 Fast-rising downloads – and climbing every week
Why you need this app on your phone:
- Ludo? ✅ Yep!
- Chat in Tounsi
- customize your avatar, and go head-to-headwith players from Sfax to Lyon
- More than just Ludo – it’s packed with car battles, quiz games, music duels, and more
- Special Tunisia-themed boards and in-game rewards from local cafés, brands, and events
- Exscape feels like your cousin’s house during Eid, fun, noisy, competitive, and full of surprises
It’s the best thing to hit Tunisia’s gaming scene in forever.
If you’re already playing Ludo, this takes it to another level. If you’re not, well… this might be your moment.
How Ludo Brings Families Closer
In a world full of apps that isolate people, Ludo’s done something rare, it’s actually brought people closer.
Making New Traditions
Many families now have weekly “Ludo nights,” just like Sunday couscous or afternoon tea.
“Every Thursday we have our big family game night,” says Ahmed from Nabeul. “Relatives from all over, Tozeur, Tunis, even Europe, log in. It’s become part of our routine.”
Closing the Age Gap
What’s cool about Ludo? It’s one of the few tech things both kids and grandparents enjoy:
- Elders learn how to use phones
- Kids get better at explaining things
- Parents feel like they’re part of both worlds
“My grandkids showed me how to play, and now I’m hooked,” says Samia, 67, from Sfax. “I even use WhatsApp better now because of it.”
Staying Connected from Afar
For Tunisians living abroad, Ludo is more than a game, it’s a link to home:
Expat families use it to feel close despite distance and students stay in touch with parents and siblings.
Even during lockdowns, it was a way to stay sane.
Want to Get Your Family Playing?
Here’s how to get started:
- Pick the right app: Older family members might like Ludo King or Ludo Tunisia for their simplicity
- Create a game group: WhatsApp or Messenger works great for coordinating
- Take it slow: Schedule your first few games when people aren’t busy or rushed
- Check internet needs: Use apps with offline mode if someone has spotty Wi-Fi
- Make it routine: Choose a weekly game night and stick to it
What’s Next for Ludo in Tunisia?
Ludo isn’t fading anytime soon. In fact, things are just getting started:
- City tournaments: Local contests are becoming popular
- School-friendly versions: Some teach math or history
- Tourism tie-ins: Editions for visitors showcasing Tunisia’s heritage
- Senior-friendly tweaks: Bigger buttons, clearer instructions
With over 95% of the population using mobile phones, there’s plenty of room for Ludo to grow, especially as more developers start building for Tunisians, not just translating global games.
Final Thoughts. It’s Not Just a Game
Ludo’s rise in Tunisia says a lot about who Tunisians are…a country that loves family, stays curious, and finds new ways to stay close even when life pulls us apart.
In a world where everyone’s glued to their screen, Ludo stands out for doing the opposite, turning screens into shared space.
So, have you played a round of Ludo with your family yet?
