All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2018" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026
We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2018".
- Winner Deutscher Spielepreis 2018: Azul (Spiel des Jahres 2018 winner)
- Winner Deutscher Kinderspielpreis 2018: Memoarrr!
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🇩🇪 2018 winners and nominees:
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Azul
All details & ratingAzul is a tile-laying game inspired by Portuguese azulejos: as artisans, players draft colored tiles from suppliers and place them in patterns to decorate the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora, scoring points for clever arrangements.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
The Quack of Quedlinburg
All details & ratingBecome a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!
2–4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 5 € above the best price33 € at Amazon* -
The Mind
All details & ratingThe Mind is a unique card game that combines elements of cooperation, intuition, and silent communication. It is as much an experiment in group dynamics as it is a game.
2–4 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
All details & ratingClank!: A Deck-Building Adventure is an exciting board game where players become daring thieves, sneaking into a dragon's lair to steal artifacts while avoiding making noise to prevent waking the dragon.
2–4 30–60 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Memoarrr!
All details & ratingPlayers need the power of memory and a bit of pirate luck to escape Captain Goldfish's island before the lava engulfs them in the game. They reveal locations connected to the last shown spot, but making a wrong connection eliminates them from the round. The last remaining pirate claims a valuable treasure, with each round building on previously gathered information for a chance at victory. Advanced players can utilize special actions triggered by connected locations for an even more exciting experience.
2–4 10–20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Rajas of the Ganges
All details & ratingRajas of the Ganges is a strategy board game set in 16th century India, during the rise of the Great Mogul Empire. Players take on the roles of influential nobles, striving to transform their estates into prosperous provinces.
2–4 45–75 min 12+ Medium complexity+ 1 € above the best price46 € at Amazon* -
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
All details & ratingPandemic Legacy: Season 2 is an epic, cooperative board game that continues the narrative and innovative gameplay of its predecessor. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive after a devastating plague. It offers a unique gaming experience, where players' decisions and actions have long-lasting consequences, making each playthrough distinct.
2–4 60 min 14+ Medium complexityVideo reviews 1 -
Gaia Project
All details & ratingGaia Project is a strategy game that builds upon the success of its predecessor, Terra Mystica, offering a complex and immersive experience in a sci-fi setting. Players lead factions on a quest to expand and develop their presence across different types of planets.
1–4 60–150 min 12+ For connoisseurs+ 4 € above the best price52 € at Amazon*
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Azul (Spiel des Jahres 2018 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 8 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 30 to 45 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: