The best games in which the players at the back are favored (Catch the Leader) 2023

Looking for a really good game where those behind are favored? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of "best first to catch up" games 2023.

What are first to catch up games?

Game systems favor players who are behind - or disadvantage players who are ahead. In computer games the principle is called "Catch-Up" - known e.g. from racing games like [Need for Speed](https:// de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed) or [Mario Kart](https:// de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart): Here those behind are rewarded with higher speed and in Mario Kart additionally with better specials.

If this advantage is concretely limited to the turn order, then the further category "statistically determined start player" is used.

In English, by the way, "catching first" is called "catching the leader".

Examples of games that favor those behind:

A good example of a catch-first game is The Quacks of Quedlinburg.

list of the best first catch up games 2023

This list was last updated on November 27, 2023. We compared 81 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. 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!25€ 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
  2. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

    All details for the board game Heat: Pedal to the Metal and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 4.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. 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
  4. My City

    All details for the board game My City and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2020

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

    Video reviews for My City

    • YouTube Review for the game "My City" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

    All details for the board game Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King and similar games

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 50 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Cubitos

    All details for the board game Cubitos and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cubitos
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Geisterfalle

    All details for the board game Geisterfalle and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. YINSH

    All details for the board game YINSH and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for YINSH
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  9. Dice Town

    All details for the board game Dice Town and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Dice Town
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Lords of Vegas

    All details for the board game Lords of Vegas and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Lords of Vegas
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Lords of Vegas

    • YouTube Review for the game "Lords of Vegas" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  11. Cartagena

    All details for the board game Cartagena and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Cartagena
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Suburbia

    All details for the board game Suburbia and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Suburbia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  13. Power Grid

    All details for the board game Power Grid and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.

    More details for Power Grid
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Power Grid

    • YouTube Review for the game "Power Grid" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Power Grid" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  14. Sticky Cthulhu

    All details for the board game Sticky Cthulhu and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!17€ atAmazon.de
  15. Pit Crew

    All details for the board game Pit Crew and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Pit Crew
    • 2 - 9 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America

    All details for the board game Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  17. Aristeia!

    All details for the board game Aristeia! and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Blue Banana

    All details for the board game Blue Banana and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Blue Banana
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Charterstone

    All details for the board game Charterstone and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards.

    More details for Charterstone
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 75 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  20. Tammany Hall

    All details for the board game Tammany Hall and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Tammany Hall

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tammany Hall" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  21. Dicey Peaks

    All details for the board game Dicey Peaks and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 50 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends

    All details for the board game Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  23. Dicey Goblins

    All details for the board game Dicey Goblins and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Viral

    All details for the board game Viral and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Viral
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  25. Tiny Turbo Cars

    All details for the board game Tiny Turbo Cars and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Age of Steam

    All details for the board game Age of Steam and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Age of Steam
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  27. The Expanse Board Game

    All details for the board game The Expanse Board Game and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for The Expanse Board Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Expanse Board Game" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "The Expanse Board Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  28. Trickerion: Legends of Illusion

    All details for the board game Trickerion: Legends of Illusion and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  29. GOSU

    All details for the board game GOSU and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for GOSU
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Weiß Schwarz

    All details for the board game Weiß Schwarz and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • Medium difficulty

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

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