All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 1997" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026
We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 1997".
- Winner Deutscher Spielepreis 1997: Löwenherz - The Boundaries of Power (Deutscher Spielepreis 1997 winner)
- Winner Deutscher Kinderspielpreis 1997: Die Ritter von der Haselnuss
Audience Award instead of Critics Award
In contrast to the Spiel des Jahres, the "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪" is not awarded by critics but by a professional audience (individual players, retailers, game circles, journalists). It is also called the "player" award – by players for players.
All games between "Essen" & "Nürnberg" are nominated
All games published between the SPIEL in Essen of the previous year and the Nuremberg Toy Fair of the same year are included in the nomination list for the "Deutscher Spielepreis" (german for "German Game Award").
Anyone can participate
In addition to trade magazines and retailers, everyone (since 2001) may vote online. All participants choose what they think are the 5 best games of the vintage – first place gets 5 points, second 4, third 3, fourth 2 and fifth 1 point. Each participant is weighted exactly the same and their points are added up.
List of the 10 best games of the year
Finally, the 10 games with the highest total score are published. The game with the highest score is then the winner of the "German Game Award".
Since 1992 also "Deutscher Kinderspielpreis" (German Children's Game Award)
In addition to the 5 best games, each participant may also select a children's game. The one with the most votes then becomes the winner of the "Deutscher Kinderspielpreis" for the respective year.
All other "Deutscher Spielepreis" years
The German Game Prize is awarded since 1990, we have listed for you both across all years, all Children's Game Prize winners and separated by year you can find at the bottom of the page.
More info can be found on the official website of the "German Games Award".
List with all Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 1997 winners and nominees:
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Bohnanza
All details & ratingBohnanza is a unique card game about planting, trading, and harvesting beans. Unlike typical card games, you can't rearrange your hand, adding a strategic twist. The core of the game lies in trading beans with others to manage your hand effectively.
2–7 45 min 12+ Easy to learn+ 1 € above the best price9 € at Amazon* -
Die Ritter von der Haselnuss
All details & ratingPlayers collect and store nuts for winter in a memory game featuring a squirrel. On their turn, players roll a die to move the squirrel's knight in their chosen direction on the board. Landing on a bush allows them to draw a card, potentially gaining a nut or encountering a thief. This game is suitable for young players, with simple rules and a short gameplay duration.
2–4 30 min 6+ Immediately playable -
Mississippi Queen
All details & ratingMississippi Queen is a charming, family-friendly board game that has players steering their paddleboats down the iconic Mississippi River. The goal is simple: race to the finish line while navigating the river's unpredictable twists and turns, and picking up passengers along the way. However, the challenge comes from managing your limited coal supplies, crucial for fueling your boat's movements and strategic maneuvers.
3–5 45 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Ramses II
All details & ratingThe immensely wealthy but somewhat scatterbrained Pharaoh hid treasures from his kingdom in his pyramid to prevent theft. Players will help him uncover these treasures. The player who finds the most treasures and collects the most search cards wins.
1–5 30 min 7+ Immediately playable+ 1 € above the best price26 € at Amazon* -
Löwenherz - The Boundaries of Power
All details & ratingThe king is close to death, prompting the princes to compete for control of the kingdom and secure the throne by claiming as much land as possible. Each turn, a card reveals three possible actions, such as building a wall, moving a wall to expand the kingdom, or placing a knight. If multiple players choose the same action, a bidding war ensues. The game includes various components like walls, castles, knights, and a beautifully designed game board that allows for different setups.
2–4 60–90 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Manitou
All details & ratingIt's time for the buffalo hunt. Players showcase the hunters and great warriors of their tribe, forming their hunting party. Great warriors can capture opposing tribe members for points, while strong hunters can win buffalo for their tribe. The player who skillfully plays their cards across the three hunts wins the game.
2–4 45 min 12+ Easy to learn
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Bohnanza currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 2 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 6 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 45 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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