Covid-19-List: The best games to play remote by video conference 2026
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.
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.
- Tabletopia
- Tabletop Simulator
- Yucata
- Board Game World
- Board Game Arena
- Boite a Jeux (French)
- Vassal
- Happy Meeple
- BoardSpace
- Your Turn My Turn
- BoardGameCore
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
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Just One
All details & ratingJust 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.
3–7 20–60 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 5 € above the best price21 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Codenames
All details & ratingCodenames is a captivating and popular party game that involves clever wordplay and deduction. Two teams compete, each led by a spymaster who knows the secret identities of 25 agents, represented by cards bearing single-word codenames like "disease," "Germany," or even "carrot." The objective is for each team to be the first to correctly identify all their agents based on clues given by their spymaster, while avoiding the dangerous assassin.
2–8 15 min 10+ Immediately playable+ 2 € above the best price17 € at Amazon* -
Monikers
All details & ratingMonikers is a lively and entertaining party game inspired by the classic public domain game Celebrities. It is designed for players who enjoy guessing games and offers a fun challenge through a series of rounds where the methods of clue-giving evolve and become more restrictive.
4–16 30–60 min 17+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Telestrations
All details & ratingTelestrations is a light-hearted and entertaining party game that blends drawing and word-guessing in a hilarious and often unpredictable way. The game is based on the classic concept of "telephone" but adds a visual twist.
4–8 30 min 12+ Immediately playable -
Codenames: Duet
All details & ratingEmbark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!
2 15–30 min 11+ Immediately playable+ 3 € above the best price19 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Skull
All details & ratingSkull is a pure bluffing game: players lay face-down cards of roses and skulls, then bid on how many they can flip without hitting a skull. Two successful challenges win the game — a steady poker face does the rest.
3–6 15–45 min 10+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 2 -
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 -
Wavelength
All details & ratingWavelength is a unique and engaging social guessing game that requires players to tap into their ability to communicate and interpret conceptual clues. This game stands out for its emphasis on understanding and interpreting the perspectives of others, making it an ideal choice for groups looking for a fun and thought-provoking experience.
2–12 30–45 min 14+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
7 Wonders Duel
All details & rating7 Wonders Duel takes the essence of the classic 7 Wonders and refines it for an intense two-player experience. It retains the thematic elements of building a civilization through acquiring various types of cards, but it introduces unique mechanics suited for a duel.
2 30 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price23 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Decrypto
All details & ratingEngage in the riveting team-based challenge of Decrypto, where players strive to correctly interpret coded messages from their teammates while unraveling the intercepted codes of the opposing team.
3–8 15–45 min 12+ Easy to learn+ 1 € above the best price20 € at Amazon*Video 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+ 8 € above the best price32 € at Amazon* -
Las Vegas
All details & ratingLas Vegas is a lively, dice-based game that combines luck, strategy, and the joy of thwarting your opponents. Developed by Stefan Brück at alea, it's designed to be an easy and interactive game, full of schadenfreude moments.
2–5 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Silver & Gold
All details & ratingSilver & Gold is a board game that offers players the thrill of discovering distant islands filled with golden treasures.
2–4 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Flamme Rouge
All details & ratingFlamme Rouge presents an exhilarating bicycle racing experience where strategy, timing, and tactical decisions are paramount to success. This fast-paced game captures the intensity of a real bike race, offering players a blend of excitement and strategic gameplay.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 6 € above the best price30 € at Amazon*Video reviews 3 -
That's Pretty Clever! dice game
All details & ratingThat's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schön clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.
1–4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price11 € at Amazon* -
Cartographers
All details & ratingCartographers: A Roll Player Tale transports players to a realm where they take on the roles of mapmakers, tasked by Queen Gimnax to chart the northern territories for the Kingdom of Nalos. This game combines elements of strategy and creativity, challenging players to create the most efficient and aesthetically pleasing maps.
1–100 30–45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 4 € above the best price20 € at Amazon* -
Welcome To...
All details & ratingWelcome To... is a unique, dice-less roll-and-write game where players take on the role of 1950s American architects, aiming to design and construct the most prosperous suburban neighborhood.
1–100 25 min 10+ Easy to learn5 € below the next retailer20 € at Amazon*Video reviews 2 -
Incan Gold
All details & ratingThe board game known as Diamant or Incan Gold unfolds as an exhilarating press-your-luck experience, offering players a quick and enjoyable journey into mine shafts and jungle paths. As participants flip cards from a deck, the gems discovered are evenly distributed, creating a shared bounty. However, the decision to venture deeper comes with the risk of encountering hazards like scorpions, snakes, poison gas, explosions, and rockfalls.
3–8 20–40 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Qwixx
All details & ratingQwixx is a fast-paced and engaging dice game that involves all players actively, regardless of whose turn it is. It combines simple mechanics with a need for strategic decision-making, making it a fun and interactive game for all involved.
2–5 15 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Insider
All details & ratingInsider is a unique board game that offers a fresh and engaging experience for players. With its distinctive gameplay and innovative mechanics, it stands out in the world of board games.
4–8 15 min 9+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 2 -
Coloretto
All details & ratingEngage in the colorful and strategic gameplay of Coloretto, where simplicity meets tactical decision-making. The game revolves around drawing cards to play into rows or claiming entire rows to expand your collection. As the rounds progress, players aim to create extensive sets, but there's a catch – exceeding three colors incurs penalties, adding a layer of strategic depth.
2–5 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Onitama
All details & ratingImmerse yourself in the world of Onitama, a dynamic two-player abstract game offering perfect information and a randomized starting setup on a 5x5 board. Both participants begin the game with five pawns each, strategically placing the main pawn at the board's center.
2 15–20 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 2 € above the best price24 € at Amazon* -
Wits & Wagers
All details & ratingWits & Wagers is a unique and engaging party game that combines elements of trivia with betting and strategy. It stands out from traditional trivia games by allowing players to win not only by knowing the answers but also by smartly wagering on the guesses of others.
3–7 25 min 10+ Immediately playable -
King of Tokyo
All details & ratingKing of Tokyo is a game where players take on the roles of mutant monsters, robots, and aliens, all competing to become the sole King of Tokyo.
2–6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Perudo
All details & ratingPerudo, also known as Liar's Dice, Bluff, or Dudo, is a classic South American dice game that combines elements of luck, skill, and bluffing. It's a game where players attempt to outwit each other through bold claims and challenges.
2–10 15–30 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 2 € above the best price30 € at Amazon* -
Deep Sea Adventure
All details & ratingDeep Sea Adventure is a light and engaging board game that combines elements of press-your-luck and resource management. Players take on the roles of daring explorers, seeking treasures in undersea ruins. The twist? Everyone shares a single rented submarine and, crucially, a single tank of air. The game unfolds over three rounds, and the player who accumulates the most points by retrieving underwater relics is declared the winner.
2–6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Ticket to Ride
All details & ratingTicket to Ride offers a delightful and accessible gaming experience that can be grasped in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for both newcomers and seasoned gamers. Designed by the renowned Alan R. Moon, this board game revolves around a railway adventure across North America.
2–5 30–60 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 8 € above the best price46 € at Amazon*
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 2 to 6 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 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: