The best board games to end a relationship' 2024

In this list, we've picked out some particularly nasty board games. Based on these games, friendships were ended and it is rumored that even some divorces were initiated.

Whether it's through big-headedness (Hotel), deliberately destroying the actions of fellow players (Checkers) or as a fundamental part of the game principle (Junta), these games create a certain basic aggressiveness - and can even destroy relationships for some players.

List of the best board games to end relationships

Enclosed is the list of the best board games to end 2024 a relationship with:

This list was last updated on October 8, 2024. We compared 41 board games for this list and selected the top 40. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. No Thanks!

    All details for the board game No Thanks! and similar games

    No Thanks! is a straightforward and captivating card game that offers a blend of strategy and luck. The game's simplicity makes it appealing and accessible to a wide range of players.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for No Thanks!
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Survive: Escape from Atlantis!

    All details for the board game Survive: Escape from Atlantis! and similar games

    Survive: Escape from Atlantis! is a thrilling and competitive board game where players aim to evacuate their pieces from a sinking island. The game is known for its intense gameplay and strategic decisions.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Survive: Escape from Atlantis!
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Cockroach Poker

    All details for the board game Cockroach Poker and similar games

    Cockroach Poker is a lighthearted and engaging card game focused on bluffing and reverse set collection. It features various critters like cockroaches, rats, and stink bugs, and the aim is to trick others into collecting these undesirable creatures.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Cockroach Poker
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Cockroach Poker

    • YouTube Review for the game "Cockroach Poker" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Cockroach Poker" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  4. Dutch Blitz

    All details for the board game Dutch Blitz and similar games

    Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced card game that combines elements of speed, strategy, and quick thinking, where each player uses a unique deck of forty cards divided into four colors. The game's objective is to be the first to empty your blitz pile by playing cards onto the center Dutch piles in ascending order by color or onto your post piles in descending order with alternating Pennsylvania Dutch boy and girl images.

    More details for Dutch Blitz
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 1 - 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Cosmic Encounter

    All details for the board game Cosmic Encounter and similar games

    Cosmic Encounter is an iconic board game that combines elements of strategy, diplomacy, and unique alien powers, set in a dynamic universe of shifting alliances and interstellar conflict.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Cosmic Encounter
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  6. Citadels

    All details for the board game Citadels and similar games

    Citadels is a dynamic game where players step into various roles, embodying characters they've hired to aid them in amassing wealth and constructing grand buildings. The game unfolds with a quest for dominance, culminating when a player successfully erects their eighth building. Let's delve into the key features of this intriguing game:

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2000

    More details for Citadels
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Star Wars: Rebellion

    All details for the board game Star Wars: Rebellion and similar games

    Star Wars: Rebellion is a grand strategy board game set in the Star Wars universe, offering an epic conflict between the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance for two to four players.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.

    More details for Star Wars: Rebellion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 180 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Star Wars: Rebellion

    • YouTube Review for the game "Star Wars: Rebellion" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  8. Machi Koro

    All details for the board game Machi Koro and similar games

    Machi Koro is a light and fast-paced city-building board game, where players take on the role of mayor of a small town, striving to develop it into a thriving city.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Machi Koro
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Machi Koro

    • YouTube Review for the game "Machi Koro" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  9. Cheating Moth

    All details for the board game Cheating Moth and similar games

    Cheating Moth is a mischievously fun card game where cheating isn't just allowed, it's necessary to win! Players aim to get rid of all their cards, but traditional card play is only part of the strategy. You'll also need to cleverly cheat by secretly dropping cards without getting caught. Each round begins with players holding eight cards and trying to play a card onto the discard pile that is exactly one number higher or lower than the top card. But here's the twist: certain cards, like the Cheating Moth cards, can't be discarded normally and must be slyly disposed of through cheating.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Cheating Moth
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Twilight Struggle

    All details for the board game Twilight Struggle and similar games

    Twilight Struggle offers an immersive journey through a pivotal period in history, where the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation. This two-player game takes place during the forty-five year rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. Instead of traditional warfare, players engage in a dance of intrigue, prestige, and the occasional outbreak of hostilities. As the superpowers strive to make the world safe for their ideologies, you'll navigate a complex web of politics, espionage, and strategy. The game begins in the aftermath of World War II, with both superpowers scrambling for control, and concludes in 1989, leaving only one superpower standing.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 5.

    More details for Twilight Struggle
    • 2 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  11. Taboo

    All details for the board game Taboo and similar games

    Taboo is an engaging party game that challenges players to guess words based on their teammates' clues, with a unique twist: certain obvious clues are strictly off-limits.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Taboo
    • 4 - 10 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. CATAN

    All details for the board game CATAN and similar games

    CATAN, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is a highly acclaimed and award-winning strategy board game where players aim to become the dominant force on the island of Catan. The game is renowned for its appeal to both experienced gamers and newcomers to the board game hobby.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1995

    More details for CATAN
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery

    All details for the board game Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery and similar games

    Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery is a board game that captures the intrigue, strategies, and violent conflicts depicted in the STARZ Original series. Players take on the roles of Dominus, heads of powerful houses in ancient Rome, vying for influence and power in the city of Capua. The game is known for its blend of political maneuvering, economic strategy, and gladiatorial combat.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 17+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  14. Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

    All details for the board game Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game and similar games

    Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game is a semi-cooperative game that captures the tension and intrigue of the acclaimed Sci-Fi Channel series. It combines elements of mistrust, survival, and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 11 awards.

    More details for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition

    All details for the board game Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition and similar games

    Embark on an epic journey of galactic conquest in Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition. As a leader of one of seventeen unique factions, you'll navigate the vastness of space, striving for dominance through military might, political maneuvering, and economic prowess. The game unfolds around Mecatol Rex, the central planet, where the throne of the galaxy awaits the faction that can skillfully navigate the challenges of a dynamic and strategically constructed universe.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 240 - 480 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition

    • YouTube Review for the game "Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  16. CATAN: Cities & Knights

    All details for the board game CATAN: Cities & Knights and similar games

    Embark on a strategic journey in CATAN: Cities & Knights, an expansion that enriches the classic Settlers of Catan experience. Two major additions elevate gameplay - the creation of knights to fend off barbarian invasions and the construction of city improvements providing unique benefits. As part of the Catan Series, this expansion introduces tactical complexity and extends the game length.

    More details for CATAN: Cities & Knights
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  17. Lifeboats

    All details for the board game Lifeboats and similar games

    Lifeboats thrusts players into the aftermath of a maritime disaster, challenging them to navigate the treacherous waters of negotiation and survival. This game, also known by the German title 'Rette Sich Wer Kann' ('Each Man for Himself'), is renowned for its intense player interactions and strategic depth. The objective is straightforward yet fraught with peril: guide one of six lifeboats to safety on distant islands, with only one boat advancing each turn based on collective player votes.

    More details for Lifeboats
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Family Business

    All details for the board game Family Business and similar games

    Family Business is a cutthroat card game that simulates mob warfare with a keen focus on strategy, betrayal, and survival. Players assume the roles of rival mob families, all vying for power by eliminating the competition. The game's appeal lies in its simplicity, coupled with the depth of player interaction and strategy, making every session unpredictable and engaging.

    More details for Family Business
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Nuclear War

    All details for the board game Nuclear War and similar games

    Nuclear War is a classic satirical card game where players take on the roles of global superpowers in a darkly humorous scenario of international politics, propaganda, and potential nuclear apocalypse. Your goal is to either dominate the world or be the last power standing amidst the radioactive ruins.

    More details for Nuclear War
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Barrage

    All details for the board game Barrage and similar games

    Barrage is a strategic resource management board game set in the 1930s, during a time when the industrial revolution has pushed the use of fossil fuels to its limits. The game revolves around the theme of hydroelectric energy generation, where players compete to build and manage efficient hydroelectric dam systems.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.

    More details for Barrage
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  21. Court of the Medici

    All details for the board game Court of the Medici and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Cutthroat Caverns

    All details for the board game Cutthroat Caverns and similar games

    Cutthroat Caverns is an intriguing blend of cooperation and betrayal set in a dungeon crawl environment. The game challenges players to work together against deadly monsters while competing to be the most prestigious hero.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Cutthroat Caverns
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Cutthroat Caverns

    • YouTube Review for the game "Cutthroat Caverns" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  23. The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game

    All details for the board game The Really Nasty Horse Racing Game and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Mille Bornes

    All details for the board game Mille Bornes and similar games

    Mille Bornes is a classic French card game that simulates a car race where players strive to travel 1000 kilometers (the titular "One Thousand Milestones") on the roads of France. The game is a fun blend of strategy and luck, as players navigate through various road hazards and challenges to reach their destination first.

    More details for Mille Bornes
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. Intrigue

    All details for the board game Intrigue and similar games

    Intrigue is a cutthroat negotiation game set in the Renaissance period, where players embody powerful families engaging in ruthless nepotism. The objective is to secure lucrative positions in other families’ businesses through strategic bribery. What makes Intrigue especially intense is that once a bribe is accepted, there's no obligation for the recipient to honor any agreements, leading to unpredictable alliances and betrayals.

    More details for Intrigue
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Quo Vadis?

    All details for the board game Quo Vadis? and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. City of Horror

    All details for the board game City of Horror and similar games

    City of Horror is a gripping board game that combines elements of strategy, negotiation, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. This survival-horror game challenges players not just to outwit the undead horde but also to navigate the treacherous waters of human alliances and rivalries. With its emphasis on backstabbing and tactical sacrifices, City of Horror provides a tense and immersive gaming experience that mirrors the desperate struggles of classic zombie films.

    More details for City of Horror
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) and similar games

    A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) is a strategy board game that immerses players in the world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It's a game of diplomacy, warfare, and intrigue, capturing the essence of the epic fantasy saga.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  29. Elfer raus!

    All details for the board game Elfer raus! and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  30. Hotel

    All details for the board game Hotel and similar games

    Hotel Tycoon is a strategic board game where players step into the roles of aspiring hotel magnates, competing to develop luxurious hotels around the world to attract guests and outmaneuver their rivals. Aimed at two to four players aged eight and up, this engaging game blends elements of strategy and luck over an average duration of 90 minutes per session.

    More details for Hotel
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  31. Munchkin

    All details for the board game Munchkin and similar games

    Go down in the dungeon. Kill everything you meet. Backstab your friends and steal their stuff. Grab the treasure and run. Admit it. You love it. Munchkin is an award-winning card game that captures the essence of the dungeon experience without the complexities of traditional role-playing. Designed by Steve Jackson and illustrated by John Kovalic, it offers fast-paced and silly gameplay that can turn any gaming group into a laughing frenzy.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Munchkin
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  32. The Settlers of the Stone Age

    All details for the board game The Settlers of the Stone Age and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for The Settlers of the Stone Age
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  33. Arkham Horror

    All details for the board game Arkham Horror and similar games

    Arkham Horror is a cooperative adventure board game set in the 1920s, deeply rooted in H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. It offers a rich narrative experience as players take on the roles of investigators in the eerie city of Arkham.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Arkham Horror
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 120 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  34. Diplomacy

    All details for the board game Diplomacy and similar games

    Diplomacy is a renowned board game known for its intense negotiation and strategy elements, set in the turbulent period before World War I. This classic game, which has seen various editions and forms over the years, is famous for its pure player-driven diplomacy and strategy.

    More details for Diplomacy
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 360 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  35. Junta

    All details for the board game Junta and similar games

    Junta is a satirical board game that immerses players in the tumultuous political landscape of the fictional "Republica de los Bananas." Players represent different families vying for power, influence, and wealth in a republic rife with corruption, coups, and assassinations.

    More details for Junta
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 240 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  36. Nine Men's Morris

    All details for the board game Nine Men's Morris and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  37. Risk

    All details for the board game Risk and similar games

    Risk is a classic board game known for its global war theme and mass appeal. It offers a blend of strategy, luck, and diplomacy, making it one of the most popular war games in the world.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Risk
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  38. Senji

    All details for the board game Senji and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Senji
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  39. Pachisi

    All details for the board game Pachisi and similar games

    Pachisi, often regarded as the national game of India, is a classic board game dating back to 4 AD. Its enduring popularity is due to its simple yet engaging mechanics. The game involves moving pawns around the board to reach the "home" section, with movement dictated by dice rolls. Parcheesi is a well-known westernized version of this game.

    More details for Pachisi
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  40. Monopoly

    All details for the board game Monopoly and similar games

    Monopoly is a classic board game that combines strategy, luck, and negotiation. It's widely recognized for its representation of property trading and economic management.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Monopoly
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 60 - 180 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

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