The best games released in 2022📆 2024

Looking for a really good game from the year 2022? Then we have just the thing for you: our recommendation list with the best board games that were newly released in 2020.

More lists from similar periods

A list with the best games from other years can be found at the end of the page.

In addition, we have created several more lists of card & board game awards:

List of the best new games releases in 2020

This list was last updated on November 20, 2024. We compared 655 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. HITSTER

    All details for the board game HITSTER and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for HITSTER
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Ready Set Bet

    All details for the board game Ready Set Bet and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Ready Set Bet
    • 2 - 9 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

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

    Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a dynamic and strategic racing board game that simulates the thrill and intricacies of car racing. It offers players a chance to experience the excitement of racing while managing crucial elements like speed, car upgrades, and varying track conditions.

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 7.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. MicroMacro: Crime City – All In

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City – All In and similar games

    MicroMacro: Crime City – All In is the latest installment in the MicroMacro: Crime City series, offering players a new district of the black-and-white, crime-ridden metropolis known as Crime City to explore. This edition comes with a fresh, large city map that connects seamlessly with the maps from previous games, presenting 16 new and more complex crime cases for players to solve.

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City – All In
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Sea Salt & Paper

    All details for the board game Sea Salt & Paper and similar games

    Sea Salt & Paper is a set collection card game that combines strategic decision-making with the excitement of timing your moves just right. Similar to Rummy in gameplay, it involves collecting sets of cards to score points, while also navigating the timing of when to end the round for optimal advantage.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    More details for Sea Salt & Paper
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Splendor Duel

    All details for the board game Splendor Duel and similar games

    Splendor Duel is an intriguing two-player game that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor, Splendor, enhancing it with new layers of strategy and competitiveness. Designed specifically for two players, this standalone game maintains the core elements of Splendor while introducing novel twists and mechanics, making it more dynamic and interactive.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Splendor Duel
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Dorfromantik: The Board Game

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

    Dorfromantik: The Board Game transitions the charming and strategic essence of the beloved video game into a tactile family board game experience. Designed by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach, this game invites up to six players to collaboratively construct a picturesque landscape using hexagonal tiles. Players aim to satisfy community demands while strategically extending rivers and tracks, and optimizing points through clever area enclosure with flags.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Dorfromantik: The Board Game
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Next Station: London

    All details for the board game Next Station: London and similar games

    Next Station: London invites players to take on the role of project managers tasked with the ambitious job of redesigning London's iconic underground network. The game challenges players to strategically optimize connections, incorporate as many of the city's landmarks as possible, and efficiently use the tunnels under the Thames, all while adhering to the city's specific requirements.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Next Station: London
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 25 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Lands of Galzyr

    All details for the board game Lands of Galzyr and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Lands of Galzyr
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Phantom Ink

    All details for the board game Phantom Ink and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Phantom Ink
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  11. Trekking Through History

    All details for the board game Trekking Through History and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Trekking Through History
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Star Wars: Jabba's Palace – A Love Letter Game

    All details for the board game Star Wars: Jabba's Palace – A Love Letter Game and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Akropolis

    All details for the board game Akropolis and similar games

    Akropolis is a strategic board game set in ancient Greece, where players take on the roles of skilled architects competing to build the most prestigious city. The game focuses on urban planning, resource management, and tactical tile placement.

    Nominated for 19 awards and won 10.

    More details for Akropolis
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Planet Unknown

    All details for the board game Planet Unknown and similar games

    Planet Unknown is a competitive and strategic game for 1-6 players set in a future where Earth's resources are depleted. Players are tasked with developing the most efficient and habitable planet among a series of newfound worlds. Using polyomino-shaped tiles, each representing vital infrastructure, players work to efficiently cover their planets and build an effective support system for life.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Planet Unknown
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 80 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. Mindbug: First Contact

    All details for the board game Mindbug: First Contact and similar games

    Mindbug: First Contact is an innovative and strategic duel card game where players summon unique hybrid creatures to battle their opponent. However, the twist lies in the Mindbug cards, which can turn the tide of the game by allowing players to take control of an opponent's creature.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    More details for Mindbug: First Contact
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Azul: Master Chocolatier

    All details for the board game Azul: Master Chocolatier and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Wingspan Asia

    All details for the board game Wingspan Asia and similar games

    Wingspan Asia is the third expansion of the acclaimed game Wingspan, introducing a captivating collection of Asian bird species to the existing lineup. This expansion not only adds diversity with birds chosen from over 2,800 species native to Asia but also brings versatile gameplay options.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Wingspan Asia
    • 1 - 2 Players
    • 40 - 70 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Kites

    All details for the board game Kites and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.

    More details for Kites
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Fun Facts

    All details for the board game Fun Facts and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Fun Facts
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. The Guild of Merchant Explorers

    All details for the board game The Guild of Merchant Explorers and similar games

    The Guild of Merchant Explorers is a unique and engaging strategy game that blends exploration with city-building elements. Players begin with a single city on their personal map and must skillfully expand their territory by placing cubes based on terrain cards drawn from a shuffled deck. The game emphasizes strategic planning and adaptability, with players aiming to efficiently complete areas, connect cities, and maximize their score through various means.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for The Guild of Merchant Explorers
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash

    All details for the board game Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Secret Identity

    All details for the board game Secret Identity and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Secret Identity
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Bohnanza: 25th Anniversary Edition

    All details for the board game Bohnanza: 25th Anniversary Edition and similar games
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition

    All details for the board game Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition and similar games

    Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition is a unique and innovative quantum trick-taking card game that challenges 2 to 5 players to think strategically about color and number. This deluxe edition of the game enhances the experience with high-quality components and new features.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    More details for Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Wandering Towers

    All details for the board game Wandering Towers and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 7.

    🔥 Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Wandering Towers
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Feed the Kraken

    All details for the board game Feed the Kraken and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Feed the Kraken
    • 5 - 11 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Spots

    All details for the board game Spots and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 25 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. Caper: Europe

    All details for the board game Caper: Europe and similar games

    Caper: Europe thrusts players into the heart of a high-stakes game of thievery and strategy, set against the backdrop of Europe's most iconic locations. As rival criminal masterminds, players draft a crew of skilled thieves, dispatch them across the continent, and equip them with various gear to pull off daring heists. The challenge lies in outsmarting your opponent by efficiently managing your resources, controlling key locations, and securing valuable stolen goods. With only six rounds to enact your master plan, the pressure is on to be the most cunning and successful mastermind.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Caper: Europe
    • 2 Players
    • 25 - 35 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. boop.

    All details for the board game boop. and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for boop.
    • 2 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  30. Stomp the Plank

    All details for the board game Stomp the Plank and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 4.

    More details for Stomp the Plank
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 5+ 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: