All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2003" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026

We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2003".

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🇩🇪 2003 winners and nominees:

This list was last updated on June 23, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Coloretto

    Coloretto

    Engage in the colorful and strategic gameplay of Coloretto, where simplicity meets tactical decision-making. The game revolves around drawing cards to play into rows or claiming entire rows to expand your collection. As the rounds progress, players aim to create extensive sets, but there's a catch – exceeding three colors incurs penalties, adding a layer of strategic depth.

    All details & rating
    2–5 30 min 8+ Immediately playable
  2. Alhambra

    Alhambra

    Alhambra is a strategic board game set in the historical context of the construction of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, during the Middle Ages. It combines elements of resource management, tile placement, and strategic planning.

    All details & rating
    2–6 45–60 min 8+ Easy to learn
  3. Edel, Stein & Reich

    Edel, Stein & Reich

    Players take on the role of directors of the trading house Edel, Stein & Reich, navigating the gem markets around the world. They try to accumulate as much money as possible through various actions across three phases, such as increasing their gem inventory or choosing event cards for additional advantages. However, only players who select unique actions can execute them freely, making it crucial to monitor opponents' intentions. The winner is the player with the most money at the end of the game.

    All details & rating
    3–5 60 min 9+ Easy to learn
  4. Amun-Re

    Amun-Re

    Amun-Re sets players in the heart of ancient Egypt, where as leaders of royal families, they strive to build the grandest pyramids along the Nile. This game is a journey through the rich tapestry of Egyptian culture, blending strategic building with reverence to the gods.

    All details & rating
    3–5 90 min 12+ Medium complexity
  5. Domaine - Land, Wealth, Power, Prestige

    Domaine - Land, Wealth, Power, Prestige

    Domaine is a strategic game where players, as medieval dukes, vie for land control using walls, knights, and cards. The goal is to enclose territories and manage resources to gain points and power.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60 min 12+ Medium complexity
  6. New England

    New England

    A bidding and tile-laying game set in 17th century New England focuses on family-led land acquisition and development. Players start with larger game pieces representing settlements, farmland, and pastures, and compete to purchase land tiles and development cards each round. The game continues until there are too few tiles and cards available for complete auctions, after which players tally their points to determine the winner.

    All details & rating
    3–4 90 min 12+ Easy to learn
  7. Mare Nostrum

    Mare Nostrum

    Mare Nostrum is a strategic board game that transports players back to the ancient Mediterranean world, where they take on the roles of leaders of powerful civilizations. The objective is to dominate the region through a blend of commerce, construction, and expansion. This game challenges players to strategically expand their territories, construct cities, and navigate trade routes to acquire and utilize valuable commodities.

    All details & rating
    3–5 120 min 10+ Medium complexity

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Coloretto 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 3 to 5 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 8 years. Each game carries its own age rating.

How long does a game take?

A typical game takes about 60 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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