The best games presented at the Spiel 2012 game fair in Essen, Germany 2023
Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2012" in Essen and listed the top100.
Game fair in the German city of Essen
The International Game Days "SPIEL", often called the Essen Game Fair or Essen 2012 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. Many new games are released at the fair each year, especially (but not exclusively) European-style board games.
SPIEL'12 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair was held was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. In 2012, Spiel'12 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games, with 827 exhibitors from 37 nations and 149,000 game-loving visitors.
More info about game fair "Spiel" can be found on the official game website.
Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'12?
If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2012.... please write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de. Then we will add it to the list.
Spiel-Messe Essen from other years
The Essen Game Fair has been held since 1983, we have listed for you both across all game years and listed separately by year at the bottom of the page.
List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'12:
Dixit 3: Journey
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Love Letter
Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.
More details for Love Letter- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Love Letter
King of Tokyo: Power Up!
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for King of Tokyo: Power Up!- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Resistance: Avalon
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for The Resistance: Avalon- 5 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Survive: Escape from Atlantis!
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Survive: Escape from Atlantis!- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!44€ at
.deCockroach Poker Royal
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Cockroach Poker Royal
Qwixx
Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Qwixx- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coup
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Coup- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Coup
7 Wonders: Cities
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for 7 Wonders: Cities- 2 - 8 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Nominated for 9 awards and won 1.
More details for Escape: The Curse of the Temple- 1 - 5 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Concordia
Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Concordia- 2 - 5 Players
- 100 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Concordia
Hanabi
- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dominion: Dark Ages
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Dominion: Dark Ages- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!32€ at.deVideo reviews for Dominion: Dark Ages
Carcassonne: Winter Edition
- 2 - 5 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Expansion 1: Illusions
- 1 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Expansion 1: Illusions
Tokaido
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Tokaido- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Tokaido
Pluckin' Pairs
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Pluckin' Pairs- 3 - 8 Players
- 50 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Turn the Tide
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Turn the Tide- 3 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Enchanted Tower
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
More details for The Enchanted Tower- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!25€ at.deKIPP X
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for KIPP X- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Cheeky Monkey
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Cheeky Monkey- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
BraveRats
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for BraveRats- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small – More Buildings Big and Small
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Okiya
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Okiya- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Zug um Zug: Deutschland
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Stick 'Em
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Stick 'Em- 3 - 8 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Stick 'Em
Libertalia
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Libertalia- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Libertalia
Bling Bling Gemstone
- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 - 20 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!25€ at.deSuburbia
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Suburbia- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Taluva
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Taluva- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Flash Point: Fire Rescue – 2nd Story
- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kemet
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Kemet- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Kemet
Rumble in the Dungeon
- 3 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Kulami
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Kulami- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ascension: Storm of Souls
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Ascension: Storm of Souls- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Among the Stars
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Among the Stars- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery
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
Trains
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Trains- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!37€ at.deVideo reviews for Trains
Rallyman
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Rallyman- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Heimlich & Co.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Sticky Stickz
- 2 - 5 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Seasons
Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.
More details for Seasons- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Seasons
Rondo
- 2 - 4 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Alien Frontiers: Factions
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Alien Frontiers: Factions- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Make 'n' Break Party
- 3 - 9 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Modern Art Card Game
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Modern Art Card Game- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Secret Code 13+4
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Samurai Sword
- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Samurai Sword
Guildhall
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Guildhall- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Room 25
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Room 25- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Keyflower
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
More details for Keyflower- 2 - 6 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!36€ at.deGinkgopolis
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Ginkgopolis- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Seven Dragons
- 2 - 5 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!8€ at.deVideo reviews for Seven Dragons
Rivals for Catan: Age of Enlightenment
- 2 Players
- 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Eclipse: Rise of the Ancients
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Eclipse: Rise of the Ancients- 2 - 9 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Tanto Cuore: Expanding the House
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Village
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Village
Beer & Pretzels
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Smash Up
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Smash Up- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Shark Attacks!
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwirkle Cubes
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Qwirkle Cubes- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Easy to learn
River Dragons
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for River Dragons- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for River Dragons
Quarriors! Quest of the Qladiator
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Neuroshima Hex! 3.0: Steel Police
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar
Nominated for 19 awards and won 9.
More details for Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!40€ at.deUnexpected Treasures
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Star Wars Labyrinth
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Galaxy Trucker: Another Big Expansion
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!33€ at.deTerra Mystica
Nominated for 17 awards and won 13.
More details for Terra Mystica- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!52€ at.deVideo reviews for Terra Mystica
Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion- 1 - 5 Players
- 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Qin
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Qin- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
HomeStretch
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for HomeStretch- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Fleet
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Fleet- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Banana Matcho
- 2 - 6 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Thunderstone Advance: Caverns of Bane
- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
The Palaces of Carrara
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2013
More details for The Palaces of Carrara- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Legends of Andor
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Codinca
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Panic Lab
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Panic Lab- 2 - 10 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Kolejka
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Kolejka- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
AstroNuts
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Castellan
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Castellan- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
War of the Ring: Lords of Middle-earth
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Monster Factory
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Monster Factory- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
BANG! 10th Anniversary
- 3 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for BANG! 10th Anniversary
Bohn to Be Wild!
- 1 - 7 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Spectaculum
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Völuspá
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Völuspá- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ogre
- 1 - 3 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Schlag den Raab: Das Quiz
- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Core Worlds: Galactic Orders
- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Sheepland
Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.
More details for Sheepland- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Munchkin Conan
- 3 - 6 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Open Sesame
- 3 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Power Grid: Northern Europe/United Kingdom & Ireland
- 2 - 6 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Zombie Fluxx
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Zombie Fluxx- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Saint Malo
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Snowdonia
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Snowdonia- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Thunderstone Advance: Root of Corruption
- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Pastiche
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Pastiche- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
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: