All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2017" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026

We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2017".

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🇩🇪 2017 winners and nominees:

This list was last updated on June 25, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Kingdomino

    Kingdomino

    Embark on a noble quest to expand your kingdom in Kingdomino. As a lord, your mission is to explore vast lands filled with wheat fields, serene lakes, and towering mountains. Competing with fellow lords, you must identify the choicest plots to claim as your own.

    All details & rating
    2–4 15–25 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 4 € above the best price
    14 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  2. The Quest for El Dorado

    The Quest for El Dorado

    The Quest for El Dorado is a strategic and adventurous board game that immerses players in the exciting journey of discovering the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. Set in the lush South American jungles, this game combines deck-building and racing elements, challenging players to be both cunning and quick.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30–60 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 18 € above the best price
    50 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  3. ICECOOL

    ICECOOL

    ICECOOL is an energetic and playful flicking game set in a penguin school, where players assume the roles of rascally penguins trying to snatch fish and the vigilant Hall Monitor trying to maintain order.

    All details & rating
    2–4 30 min 6+ Immediately playable
  4. Captain Sonar

    Captain Sonar

    Embark on an adrenaline-pumping undersea adventure with Captain Sonar, a board game that plunges you into the heart of intense submarine warfare. In this gripping scenario, every move and decision can be the difference between victory and defeat. Form a skilled crew aboard a cutting-edge submarine as you strive to locate and eliminate an enemy sub before they do the same to you. The underwater battlefield is unforgiving, and effective communication and coordination are paramount for success.

    All details & rating
    2–8 45–60 min 14+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  5. Terraforming Mars

    Terraforming Mars

    Terraforming Mars is a strategic board game set in the 2400s, where players, representing giant corporations, embark on the colossal task of terraforming Mars. Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, each corporation competes to contribute most effectively to raising the planet's temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to make Mars habitable. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also compete for victory points awarded for their contributions to terraforming, advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and other notable achievements.

    All details & rating
    1–5 120 min 12+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  6. Magic Maze

    Magic Maze

    Magic Maze presents an unconventional and exhilarating cooperative gaming experience where players embody a mage, a warrior, an elf, and a dwarf. Stripped of their possessions, this diverse group embarks on a unique adventure: robbing the local Magic Maze shopping mall to gather equipment for their next quest.

    All details & rating
    1–8 15 min 8+ Easy to learn
  7. Scythe

    Scythe

    In the turbulent 1920s Europa, a period overshadowed by the aftermath of the first great war, a city-state known as "The Factory" stands at the center of attention. This capitalistic powerhouse, renowned for its heavily armored mechs that fueled the war, has mysteriously closed its doors, leaving neighboring nations vying for its secrets.

    All details & rating
    1–5 115 min 14+ Medium complexity
    + 6 € above the best price
    67 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  8. Great Western Trail

    Great Western Trail

    Great Western Trail is a strategic board game set in 19th-century America, where players take on the roles of ranchers herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City.

    All details & rating
    2–4 75–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs
  9. A Feast for Odin

    A Feast for Odin

    A Feast for Odin is a rich and complex board game that takes players on a journey through the life and times of the Vikings. This game combines elements of exploration, resource management, and strategic planning, offering a deep and engaging experience.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30–120 min 12+ For connoisseurs
    + 3 € above the best price
    57 € at Amazon*

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Kingdomino (Spiel des Jahres 2017 winner) 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 30 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: