Best games where you select actions from a rondel 2026

Looking for a really good game where you select actions from a rondel? Then we have just the right thing for you: The list of the best rondel games 2026.

What are rondel games?

Rondel games feature a circular action selection mechanism where players move a marker clockwise around a wheel to select available actions. Moving a few spaces is free, while jumping further ahead costs resources, creating strategic tension in action selection.

In German, "Rondel" is called "Aktionen aus einem Rondell auswählen".

Examples of games where you select actions from a rondel:

Notable examples include games designed by Mac Gerdts, where the rondel provides a unique pacing mechanism that forces players to plan several moves ahead and balance immediate needs with long-term strategy.

List of the best rondel games 2026:

This list was last updated on November 3, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .

Does this fit your game night? Who is there, how much time, what mood – Game-Night sorts this list for you.

  1. Patchwork

    Patchwork

    Patchwork is a two-player game where you compete to create the most beautiful and high-scoring patchwork quilt on your personal 9x9 game board.

    All details & rating
    2 15–30 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 13 € above the best price
    42 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  2. Planet Unknown

    Planet Unknown

    Planet Unknown is a competitive and strategic game for 1-6 players set in a future where Earth's resources are depleted. Players are tasked with developing the most efficient and habitable planet among a series of newfound worlds. Using polyomino-shaped tiles, each representing vital infrastructure, players work to efficiently cover their planets and build an effective support system for life.

    All details & rating
    1–6 60–80 min 10+ Easy to learn
  3. The Search for Planet X

    The Search for Planet X

    The Search for Planet X is a captivating board game that immerses players in the world of astronomy and scientific discovery. Aspiring astronomers use a combination of observation, deduction, and a companion app to unravel the mystery of a hidden planet in our solar system.

    All details & rating
    1–4 60–75 min 13+ Easy to learn
  4. In the Footsteps of Darwin

    In the Footsteps of Darwin

    Twenty years after his journey around the world, Charles Darwin writes about the origin of species and seeks new information about animal life, especially from unexplored continents. Young, adventurous naturalists board the Beagle to assist him in completing his famous work. Players study animals, conduct surveys, publish findings, and develop theories, aiming to score more points than their competitors and demonstrate their significant contributions to Darwin's research.

    All details & rating
    2–5 20–30 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 10 € above the best price
    27 € at Amazon*
  5. Nova Luna

    Nova Luna

    Nova Luna is an abstract tile-laying strategy game that focuses on careful planning and decision-making. Players are tasked with fulfilling objectives by placing tiles strategically, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30–60 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 10 € above the best price
    36 € at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  6. Fromage
    1–4 30–45 min 14+ Easy to learn
    + 1 € above the best price
    49 € at Amazon*
  7. 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
    54 % cheaper than at other retailers
    41 € at Amazon*
  8. Wonderland's War

    Wonderland's War

    Wonderland's War is an imaginative and strategic board game set in a war-torn Wonderland. Players take on the roles of iconic characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Red Queen, each leading their faction to vie for control in a beautifully chaotic Wonderland.

    All details & rating
    2–5 45–125 min 13+ Medium complexity
    + 10 € above the best price
    90 € at Amazon*
  9. The Red Cathedral

    The Red Cathedral

    The Red Cathedral is a strategic Euro-style board game set in Moscow during the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral. Players assume the roles of construction teams competing to gain the favor of Tsar Ivan the Terrible by contributing to the cathedral's construction.

    All details & rating
    1–4 80 min 10+ Medium complexity
    + 4 € above the best price
    23 € at Amazon*
  10. Mandragora
    2–4 25–30 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 2 € above the best price
    13 € at Amazon*
  11. Vikings

    Vikings

    Vikings is a fast-paced economic board game that, despite its title, focuses more on resource management and strategy than on traditional Viking themes like exploration or combat. The game's standout feature is its unique pricing wheel, which introduces an innovative approach to acquiring resources.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60 min 13+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  12. Knitting Circle

    Knitting Circle

    Knitting Circle is a cosy tile-laying puzzle game for 1 to 4 players from Flatout Games, the team behind Calico. You join the knitting circle, gather yarn, and knit the loveliest wardrobe at the table, with a cat helping you dig through the basket.

    All details & rating
    1–4 30–45 min 10+ Easy to learn
  13. Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon

    Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon

    Ishtar: Gardens of Babylon is a captivating game designed by Bruno Cathala that transports players into the role of gardeners tasked with a monumental challenge: to transform the arid desert into the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Through strategic placement of flowers, you'll unlock the potential to collect valuable gems, enabling a variety of actions to enhance your garden and earn points.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45 min 14+ Easy to learn
    + 11 € above the best price
    45 € at Amazon*
  14. Pirate's Cove

    Pirate's Cove

    Pirate's Cove is a thrilling board game of adventure and piracy on the high seas. Players take on the roles of daring pirates, each striving to become the most famous and feared buccaneer in the world. The game is a blend of strategic navigation, fierce combat, and treasure hunting, set against the backdrop of a legendary pirate haven.

    All details & rating
    3–5 60–90 min 8+ Easy to learn
  15. IKI - A Game of Edo Artisans

    IKI - A Game of Edo Artisans

    In IKI: A Game of EDO Artisans, players are transported to the bustling streets of historical Edo (now Tokyo), specifically the renowned Nihonbashi district. This game offers a vivid portrayal of life in Edo, where an estimated one million people, including townspeople and samurai, thrived. The vibrant shopping culture of Nihonbashi, with its array of shops selling kimonos, rice, and other goods, forms the backdrop for this immersive game.

    All details & rating
    2–4 60–90 min 14+ Medium complexity
  16. Kilauea

    Kilauea

    Kilauea is a light-to-medium tactical game for 2 to 4 players aged 10 and up. You build tiki towers to honor the volcano goddess Pele. Great for families.

    All details & rating
    2–4 40–60 min 10+ Easy to learn
  17. Seeland

    Seeland

    Set in the golden era of the Netherlands in the 17th century, players aim to expand the province of Zeeland by reclaiming land from the sea. The game board features three main sections: a scoring track, a rondel for collecting seed and windmill tiles, and land areas where players place tiles for scoring. Players can gain bonus points by uncovering farm tiles and earn points based on the types of adjacent tiles when scoring windmill tiles. The game ends when the supply of windmill or seed tiles runs out, and the player with the highest score wins.

    All details & rating
    2–4 45–60 min 9+ Easy to learn

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Patchwork 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 45 to 60 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

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