All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2019" game award winners & nominees in comparison 2026

We have clearly compared and listed all winners and nominees of the audience award "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2019".

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🇩🇪 2019 winners and nominees:

This list was last updated on June 16, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Just One

    Just One

    Just One is a cooperative party game that combines elements of mystery and creativity. Players work together to guess as many words as possible, using unique clues provided by their teammates.

    All details & rating
    3–7 20–60 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 5 € above the best price
    21 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  2. Wingspan

    Wingspan

    Wingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.

    All details & rating
    1–5 40–70 min 10+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  3. Concept Kids: Animals

    Concept Kids: Animals

    Players cooperate in a version of the game designed for children who cannot yet read. They take turns trying to have others guess an animal by using symbols on the game board to indicate characteristics of that animal. With 110 animals to guess, divided into two difficulty levels, this beautifully illustrated communication game helps children discover the world of animals in a fun and innovative way.

    All details & rating
    2–12 20 min 4+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  4. Architects of the West Kingdom

    Architects of the West Kingdom

    In Architects of the West Kingdom, set against the backdrop of the late Carolingian Empire around 850 AD, players step into the roles of royal architects. Tasked with constructing important buildings and advancing the construction of the Archbishop's cathedral, this game uniquely combines resource management, worker placement, and moral choices into a rich strategic tableau. Players vie for the King's favor and maintain their noble status in a world where virtue and vice coexist.

    All details & rating
    1–5 60–80 min 12+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  5. The Taverns of Tiefenthal

    The Taverns of Tiefenthal

    The Taverns of Tiefenthal is a strategic and immersive board game that transports players to a bustling village tavern, where they must attract guests and manage resources to become the most successful establishment in Tiefenthal.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60 min 12+ Medium complexity
  6. Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

    Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

    Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game immerses players in the role of true detectives, blending traditional board game elements with modern technology and storytelling. This game offers a unique and interactive experience, as players solve interconnected cases using both physical game components and an online database.

    All details & rating
    1–5 120–180 min 16+ Medium complexity
    + 5 € above the best price
    25 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  7. Gloomhaven

    Gloomhaven

    Gloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.

    All details & rating
    1–4 60–120 min 14+ For connoisseurs
    + 37 € above the best price
    180 € at Amazon*
  8. Spirit Island

    Spirit Island

    Welcome to the captivating world of Spirit Island, where the distant echoes of magic still hold sway. In this immersive cooperative board game, players are entrusted with the crucial task of defending their island paradise from the relentless onslaught of colonizing Invaders. The spirits of the land, each possessing unique elemental powers, unite to thwart the advance of those who seek to conquer and despoil. As the colonial empires expand, the islanders and the very earth itself rise in defense. Harness the power of the spirits, strategize with your fellow players, and fight back against the encroaching Invaders to protect the island's mystical heart.

    All details & rating
    1–4 90–120 min 13+ For connoisseurs
    + 4 € above the best price
    58 € at Amazon*
  9. Teotihuacan: City of Gods

    Teotihuacan: City of Gods

    Teotihuacan: City of Gods invites you to traverse time, immersing yourself in the splendor and twilight of the powerful pre-Columbian civilization of Mesoamerica. Strategize, accumulate wealth, seek the favor of the gods, and embark on the monumental task of constructing the awe-inspiring Pyramid of the Sun.

    All details & rating
    1–4 90–120 min 14+ For connoisseurs
  10. Newton

    Newton

    Newton is a strategic board game that immerses players in the era of the Scientific Revolution, a time of profound discoveries and intellectual advancements. Players step into the shoes of aspiring scientists, striving to achieve the stature of legendary figures like Galileo, Copernicus, and Newton himself. The game encapsulates the journey of knowledge, exploration, and scientific achievement.

    All details & rating
    1–4 90 min 14+ Medium complexity
    + 2 € above the best price
    52 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Just One (Spiel des Jahres 2019 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 1 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 4 years. Each game carries its own age rating.

How long does a game take?

A typical game takes about 60 to 80 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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