Covid-19-List: The best games to play remote by video conference 2023

The Corona pandemic has shaken up 2020 big time. Almost put the whole world into lockdown. Since then we have: Mandatory masks, cancelled events (e.g. the SPIEL'20), keep your distance - preferably no contact with others at all. So you stay at home more often, are much more alone due to quarantine and/or the lockdown(-light) and miss the common game evenings with friends and family? Then we have just the thing for you: A list of the best games that you can play very well with each other via audio and/or video conference.

See Corona & Social Distancing as an opportunity

We've created this corona games list for you to play with your friends and family - wherever you and your gaming partners are in the world.... and do it while everyone is safe in your home.

The time for games has come

Card, dice & board games are a great way to relax, have fun and clear your head. At the same time, you spend time with family and friends. Games are an ideal way to bring people together - even if we are physically separated. In short, this is exactly the time for social games!

How do I play with people in a different location?

The best way is to use video conferencing to hold the gaming session with someone. Seeing someone is already very important for social interaction. There are several systems (some of them paid) for this (Skype, Zoom, Cisco Webex, WhatsApp, Facetime, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Duo/Hangouts, Discord) - but some games just work over the phone.

Filming the game board - but what about my face?

For most games it is necessary to film the game board or the game material like dice or cards. But not everyone has a tripod for their webcam, smartphone or tablet. What has turned out to be a super help here: Tennis, squash or badminton rackets. Simply build a tower with other materials, place the racket on it and position the smartphone so that the camera films through the covering.

Those who lack social proximity can simply film their face with another camera or smartphone/Tablet. Systems that allow multiple participants in a video conference and run on many platforms are for example Skype, WhatsApp (only smartphones/Tablets) or Facetime (Mac Only).

Which board games are suitable at all?

As you may have seen, many dice- or roll-and-write-games are available in our Corona list. This is due to the following points supporting remote play:

  • little game material - mostly this can even be printed out by yourself
  • low level of interaction with the game material
  • little complexity

These requirements are also met by a lot of Party Games (Monikers, Wavelength), therefore these are also strongly represented. In addition, some Abstract and less abstract Tile Placement Games (Azul, Patchwork, Sagrada, Carcassonne) are included - here the host must own the game and make the moves for the other players.

In addition, many other interesting genres are included in our Corona list - just look for yourself.

Play online

Not one has desire on the above-mentioned play genres.... here then different online platforms offer themselves, which lift the board game world into the digital and/or virtual one. Very good online versions of board games exist, for example, for PC and/or tablet (Carcassonne, Dominion, Skat).

Online platforms for parlor games

In addition, there are still many platforms that are not only dedicated to a parlor game, but offer an entire collection of dice, card & board games.

First and foremost, the Tabletopia, which was also successfully used at SPIEL.digital, can be mentioned.

Still haven't found a game partner? Play alone!

If you haven't found a game partner, if they don't have the necessary technical equipment, if they don't have the time or if they don't have the same gaming preferences... there are also great games that you can play alone. We have created the following extra lists for you:

Did we forget a good remote play game?

What do you think is the best dice, card or board game to play via video conferencing? Write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.

List of the best games to play together via videoconference in the Corona pandemic

This list was last updated on July 10, 2023. We compared 83 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Just One

    All details for the board game Just One and similar games

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Just One
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Just One

    • YouTube Review for the game "Just One" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. Monikers

    All details for the board game Monikers and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Monikers
    • 4 - 16 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 17+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Monikers

    • YouTube Review for the game "Monikers" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  3. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de
  4. Telestrations

    All details for the board game Telestrations and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for Telestrations
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Telestrations

    • YouTube Review for the game "Telestrations" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. Azul

    All details for the board game Azul and similar games

    Nominated for 29 awards and won 19.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Azul
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Azul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Azul" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  6. 7 Wonders Duel

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders Duel and similar games

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 9.

    More details for 7 Wonders Duel
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!21€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel

    • YouTube Review for the game "7 Wonders Duel" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  7. Codenames: Duet

    All details for the board game Codenames: Duet and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Codenames: Duet
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 11+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Codenames: Duet

    • YouTube Review for the game "Codenames: Duet" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  8. Patchwork

    All details for the board game Patchwork and similar games

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Patchwork
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Patchwork

    • YouTube Review for the game "Patchwork" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Patchwork" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  9. Wavelength

    All details for the board game Wavelength and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Wavelength
    • 2 - 12 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!39€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Wavelength

    • YouTube Review for the game "Wavelength" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  10. The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    All details for the board game The Quacks of Quedlinburg and similar games

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 10.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!24€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quacks of Quedlinburg" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  11. Decrypto

    All details for the board game Decrypto and similar games

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.

    More details for Decrypto
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Decrypto

    • YouTube Review for the game "Decrypto" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Skull

    All details for the board game Skull and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Skull
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Skull

    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Silver & Gold

    All details for the board game Silver & Gold and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Silver & Gold
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. Las Vegas

    All details for the board game Las Vegas and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Las Vegas
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Las Vegas

    • YouTube Review for the game "Las Vegas" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Cartographers

    All details for the board game Cartographers and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Cartographers
    • 1 - 100 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Flamme Rouge

    All details for the board game Flamme Rouge and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.

    More details for Flamme Rouge
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Flamme Rouge

    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Welcome To...

    All details for the board game Welcome To... and similar games

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.

    More details for Welcome To...
    • 1 - 100 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!20€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Welcome To...

    • YouTube Review for the game "Welcome To..." by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Welcome To..." by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  18. That's Pretty Clever!

    All details for the board game That's Pretty Clever! and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for That's Pretty Clever!
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!9€ atAmazon.de
  19. Onitama

    All details for the board game Onitama and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Onitama
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!24€ atAmazon.de
  20. King of Tokyo

    All details for the board game King of Tokyo and similar games

    Nominated for 19 awards and won 7.

    More details for King of Tokyo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Bärenpark

    All details for the board game Bärenpark and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.

    More details for Bärenpark
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Bärenpark

    • YouTube Review for the game "Bärenpark" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Bärenpark" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  22. Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition

    All details for the board game Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Sagrada

    All details for the board game Sagrada and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards.

    More details for Sagrada
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!30€ atAmazon.de
  24. Ticket to Ride

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride and similar games

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 11.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Ticket to Ride
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  25. Can't Stop

    All details for the board game Can't Stop and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Can't Stop
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Legacy of Dragonholt

    All details for the board game Legacy of Dragonholt and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 999 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  27. Coloretto

    All details for the board game Coloretto and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for Coloretto
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. Insider

    All details for the board game Insider and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Insider
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Insider

    • YouTube Review for the game "Insider" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Insider" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  29. Deep Sea Adventure

    All details for the board game Deep Sea Adventure and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!18€ atAmazon.de
  30. Incan Gold

    All details for the board game Incan Gold and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Incan Gold
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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: