All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2001" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026

Cartagena is a thematic board game based on the historical 1672 pirate jailbreak from the fortress of Cartagena. It blends strategy and tactical movement with a strong pirate theme.

This is a modern version of classic games like Parcheesi or Sorry. Players aim to move their pawns from their starting position to a safe zone around the board. Instead of rolling dice, players shake small containers filled with balls, trying to select the one with the highest number that does not exceed the results of two rolled dice.

In Evo, a board game set in prehistoric times, players guide a species of dinosaurs through survival and evolution challenges. As controllers of these dinosaurs, or Dinos, players navigate changing climates, acquire genes, mutate their species, and compete with other creatures to become the dominant species. The game requires strategic movement, fighting, reproduction, and evolution, with each turn comprising six phases. Players earn mutation points to adapt their Dinos for survival, but must balance spending these points as they also contribute to the final score. The game's endpoint is marked by a meteor strike, adding a sense of urgency and unpredictability to the gameplay.

San Marco invites you to the charming districts of Venice, where you'll use strategy and influence to outmaneuver your opponents. Ideal for players who enjoy a blend of strategy and luck, this game stands out with its unique card distribution mechanic, especially in a four-player setting. Players draw cards, form them into groups, and then choose from these groups to take actions. These actions include placing and removing aristocrats, building and relocating bridges, and scoring regions. The game is played over three Passages, each comprising multiple turns, making it a dynamic and engaging experience.

Babel is a competitive game where you leverage the strengths of ancient tribes to build temples, outmaneuver your opponent, and ultimately construct the tallest structures for victory. Set against the backdrop of five ancient civilizations—Medes, Sumerians, Hittites, Persians, and Assyrians—you're dealt cards representing each tribe, using them to strategically move, build, or disrupt your opponent's progress on a compact board adorned with regions of these civilizations.

Medina is a strategic board game set in 1822, where players are tasked with rebuilding the beautiful city of Medina, situated at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Designed by Stefan Dorra, this game captures the essence of urban planning and architecture, challenging players to construct palaces and restore the city walls to their former glory. As the city is rebuilt, players vie to claim the most prestigious buildings and secure their legacy as the greatest architects of Medina.

Genoa, originally known as The Traders of Genoa, immerses players in the Renaissance era, where they become savvy traders navigating the bustling city to acquire and deliver goods, send messages, and obtain special privileges. The game stands out for its emphasis on negotiation and deal-making, as players work to outmaneuver each other to become the wealthiest trader in Genoa.

The goal is to collect jewels to complete your amulet. You need either seven different colored jewels or eight jewels of any kind to win. Powerful spells are auctioned each round using a fixed set of energy stones that players can bid with throughout the game.

Java is a strategic board game set on the exotic island of Java, inviting players to partake in the development of the island's central region. Players assume the roles of Javanese rulers, each aiming to extend their influence over the fertile and resource-rich lands. The game focuses on territorial expansion, resource management, and cultural development as players irrigate lands, cultivate rice fields, construct villages and magnificent palaces, and eventually evolve these villages into bustling cities.