All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2009" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026

We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2009".

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🇩🇪 2009 winners and nominees:

This list was last updated on June 22, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Fauna

    Fauna

    Fauna is an educational guessing game for 2-6 players: each round you estimate an animal's weight, length, and habitat by placing tokens on a large map and scales — and since every spot can only be claimed once, timing matters as much as knowledge.

    All details & rating
    2–6 45–60 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 5 € above the best price
    32 € at Amazon*
  2. Dominion

    Dominion

    In Dominion, you step into the shoes of a monarch, much like your ancestors, ruling over a small, picturesque kingdom. However, your ambitions stretch far beyond the peaceful realm you've inherited. Your goal is to expand your territory, transforming these modest lands into a vast dominion filled with diverse landscapes and resources.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30 min 13+ Easy to learn
    + 2 € above the best price
    37 € at Amazon*
  3. Pandemic

    Pandemic

    Pandemic is a highly acclaimed cooperative board game where players take on the roles of disease-fighting specialists. Their mission is to contain and cure four deadly diseases that have broken out across the globe. The game is set on a board depicting major world population centers and requires players to strategize and work together to manage the outbreaks and develop cures before the diseases spiral out of control.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45 min 8+ Easy to learn
    10 € below the next retailer
    30 € at Amazon*
  4. Small World

    Small World

    Small World is a board game where players compete for control of a tiny world, using unique fantasy races and special powers.

    All details & rating
    2–5 40–80 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 7 € above the best price
    50 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  5. Finca

    Finca

    2009 Edition

    Welcome to the sun-soaked island of Mallorca, where the game of Finca unfolds against a backdrop of golden beaches, a light-blue sea, and abundant orchards. In this strategic board game, players take on the role of Mallorcan farmers as they endeavor to cultivate and deliver the island's finest fruits, including oranges, lemons, almonds, and grapes. The key to success lies in efficiently managing your resources and outpacing your competitors in the race to deliver your crops.

    All details & rating
    2–5 45 min 10+ Easy to learn
    55 % cheaper than at other retailers
    41 € at Amazon*
  6. Mirror Mansion

    Mirror Mansion

    Victor, the friendly little vampire, has misplaced many of his belongings in his vast castle. Players use mirrors to search for these items without moving around the entire space. By rolling dice and moving Victor, they must guess the objects hidden behind the windows, earning blood tokens for correct guesses, while racing to collect the required number to win.

    All details & rating
    2–4 20 min 6+ Immediately playable
  7. Le Havre

    Le Havre

    Le Havre is a strategic board game that simulates harbor management, focusing on resource distribution, building construction, and economic development.

    All details & rating
    1–5 30–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs
  8. Diamonds Club

    Diamonds Club

    London, 1899: Four successful gem traders compete in the prestigious Diamond Club to beautifully furnish their country estates using profits from gemstone trading. The goal is to build a magnificent park with various attractions, with the game ending when a player completes their park. Players earn victory points based on their park's contents, technological advancements, and achievements throughout the game, with the player holding the most points declared the winner.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60–75 min 10+ Medium complexity
  9. Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization

    Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization

    Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization is a complex and engaging civilization-building board game. Players guide their civilizations through different ages, focusing on resource management, technology development, leadership, military strength, and building wonders.

    All details & rating
    2–4 120 min 12+ For connoisseurs
    28 % cheaper than at other retailers
    40 € at Amazon*

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Fauna 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 to 60 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: