The best "Årets Spel"🇸🇪 game award winners and nominees 2024

We have compared all the games that have been awarded or nominated with the Swedish game award "Årets Spel" 🇸🇪 and listed them clearly.

What is the "Årets Spel"

Årets Spel ("Game of the Year" in Swedish) is a Swedish game award similar to the German "Spiel des Jahres" - so not an audience award but one with a fixed jury. From 1984 to 2002 it was awarded to the best family game and the best children's game (except 1991: here no children's game was awarded). Since 2003, the best game for adults has also been awarded.

Large wooden game piece as a trophy

It has the symbol of a golden cube, and the award is called Guldtärningen (The Golden Cube). The jury is selected by Lek-och Babybranschen (The Toy and Baby Industry) in Sweden. The physical object of the award is a huge wooden stamp (about 12x3 cm) with gold-colored cores, mounted on a wooden block.

For more info, visit the official Årets Spel Game Awards homepage.

More game awards from around the world

At the end of this page, we have listed for you the best game awards spread all over the globe: Game Awards from around the world.

List of the best winners and nominees of the Årets Spel 🇸🇪 game award

This list was last updated on November 30, 2024. We compared 124 board games for this list and selected the top 35. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. KLASK

    All details for the board game KLASK and similar games

    KLASK is a magnetic, fast-paced table-top game that combines elements of air hockey and foosball, offering a unique and exciting gameplay experience.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for KLASK
    • 2 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Codenames 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.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Cascadia

    All details for the board game Cascadia and similar games

    Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting board game that features the rich habitats and diverse wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. It combines strategic tile placement with wildlife conservation themes.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Cascadia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. HITSTER

    All details for the board game HITSTER and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for HITSTER
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Sushi Go Party!

    All details for the board game Sushi Go Party! and similar games

    Sushi Go Party! is an expanded version of the popular card game Sushi Go!, offering more variety and accommodating more players for a larger, more dynamic game experience.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    More details for Sushi Go Party!
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Patchwork

    All details for the board game Patchwork and similar games

    Patchwork is a two-player game where you compete to create the most beautiful and high-scoring patchwork quilt on your personal 9x9 game board.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Patchwork
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Patchwork

    • YouTube Review for the game "Patchwork" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Patchwork" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    All details for the board game The Quacks of Quedlinburg and similar games

    Become 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!

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    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
  8. Zombie Kidz Evolution

    All details for the board game Zombie Kidz Evolution and similar games

    Zombie Kidz Evolution is a pioneering legacy-style board game designed specifically for children. Building upon the foundation of the 2013 game Zombie Kidz, this version introduces a dynamic and evolving gameplay experience. Set in a school under siege by zombies, young players must navigate through rooms and entryways to fend off the undead and prevent them from overrunning the school. The objective is to lock all four entryways of the school, a task complicated by the absence of the custodian. As players progress and improve their skills, they can undertake missions and earn trophies and stickers, similar to achievements in video games. The game also features envelopes that, when opened, add new elements to the game, including challenges, powers, and heroes, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 5.

    More details for Zombie Kidz Evolution
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Smart10

    All details for the board game Smart10 and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    🔥 Deal: 24% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Smart10
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Las Vegas

    All details for the board game Las Vegas and similar games

    Las 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.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Las Vegas
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Las Vegas

    • YouTube Review for the game "Las Vegas" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  11. The Quest for El Dorado

    All details for the board game The Quest for El Dorado and similar games

    The Quest for El Dorado is a strategic and adventurous board game that immerses players in the exciting journey of discovering the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. Set in the lush South American jungles, this game combines deck-building and racing elements, challenging players to be both cunning and quick.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 6.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for The Quest for El Dorado
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Quest for El Dorado

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quest for El Dorado" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Pictures

    All details for the board game Pictures and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Pictures
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. My City

    All details for the board game My City and similar games

    My City is a groundbreaking competitive legacy game where players develop their own city across multiple epochs. This game uniquely blends city-building with the evolving challenges and narratives of a legacy format.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ 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
  14. Ticket to Ride

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride and similar games

    Ticket 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.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 11.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Ticket to Ride
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Incan Gold

    All details for the board game Incan Gold and similar games

    The 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.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Incan Gold
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Carcassonne

    All details for the board game Carcassonne and similar games

    Carcassonne is a renowned tile-placement game set in the picturesque landscape of Southern France. This game is beloved for its simplicity, depth, and the beautiful mosaic players create on the table.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Carcassonne
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Carcassonne

    • YouTube Review for the game "Carcassonne" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  17. Perudo

    All details for the board game Perudo and similar games

    Perudo, 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.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1993

    More details for Perudo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. 7 Wonders: Architects

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders: Architects and similar games

    7 Wonders: Architects invites 2-7 players into a fast-paced race to leave a lasting legacy in the ancient world by constructing an architectural marvel. Each player starts with an unconstructed wonder and embarks on a journey to gather resources, develop their society, and achieve greatness.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 5.

    More details for 7 Wonders: Architects
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Chronicles of Crime

    All details for the board game Chronicles of Crime and similar games

    Embark on a thrilling cooperative adventure with Chronicles of Crime, a unique blend of crime investigation, board game excitement, and a touch of Virtual Reality. Picture yourself at the heart of criminal investigations, where the seamless integration of an app with physical components creates an immersive experience.

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 5.

    More details for Chronicles of Crime
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime

    • YouTube Review for the game "Chronicles of Crime" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  20. Terraforming Mars

    All details for the board game Terraforming Mars and similar games

    Terraforming Mars is a strategic board game set in the 2400s, where players, representing giant corporations, embark on the colossal task of terraforming Mars. Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, each corporation competes to contribute most effectively to raising the planet's temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to make Mars habitable. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also compete for victory points awarded for their contributions to terraforming, advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and other notable achievements.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 14.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Terraforming Mars
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Terraforming Mars

    • YouTube Review for the game "Terraforming Mars" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  21. Ghost Blitz

    All details for the board game Ghost Blitz and similar games

    Ghost Blitz is a fast-paced and exciting game that tests your reflexes and ability to recognize shapes and colors. The game revolves around Balduin, the house ghost, who has accidentally created a set of puzzling photographs with his enchanted camera, leading to a spirited game of quick thinking and fast grabbing.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    More details for Ghost Blitz
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Anomia

    All details for the board game Anomia and similar games

    Anomia is a fast-paced card game that tests players' ability to quickly recall random information under pressure. The game draws on players' knowledge of various categories like food, music, and more. Gameplay involves drawing cards and facing off with other players in a battle of quick thinking when matching symbols are revealed. Players must rapidly provide examples of the category on their opponent's card, with successful answers winning them the card. The challenge intensifies with wild cards that create unexpected matches and cascading face-offs triggered by card exchanges.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    More details for Anomia
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Fauna

    All details for the board game Fauna and similar games

    Fauna is a captivating educational board game that invites 2-6 players to explore the animal kingdom. Each round, players are presented with a single animal, identified only by name and picture, and they must guess various aspects of its biology such as weight, length, height, tail length, and notably, the geographic regions where the animal resides. The game incorporates a strategic element where players place their tokens on a large map or on scales to indicate their guesses. Once a player places their token on a particular area or measurement, no one else can choose the same spot for that round, adding a competitive twist to the guessing game. Accuracy is rewarded with points, and even near misses can earn a player some credit, but incorrect guesses result in tokens being temporarily removed from play. The game proceeds through several rounds, each featuring a new animal, until a player reaches the predetermined score to win, typically after 8-12 rounds.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Fauna
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Herd Mentality

    All details for the board game Herd Mentality and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Herd Mentality
    • 4 - 20 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. La Boca

    All details for the board game La Boca and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for La Boca
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Second Chance

    All details for the board game Second Chance and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Second Chance
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Second Chance

    • YouTube Review for the game "Second Chance" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Second Chance" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  27. Blokus

    All details for the board game Blokus and similar games

    Blokus is an abstract strategy game known for its simple rules and deep strategic gameplay. It features colorful Tetris-shaped pieces that players aim to place on the board.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 4.

    More details for Blokus
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Tokyo Highway

    All details for the board game Tokyo Highway and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Tokyo Highway
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  29. Ave Caesar

    All details for the board game Ave Caesar and similar games

    Ave Caesar is a race game set in ancient Rome, where players maneuver chariots around the Circus Maximus using cards. The track design includes challenging elements like bottlenecks and lane restrictions, reminiscent of modern racing games like Detroit-Cleveland Grand Prix and Daytona 500. Players must complete three laps and make a strategic stop to 'Hail Caesar' before crossing the finish line. The game balances light strategy with the need for careful planning, especially when navigating corners.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    More details for Ave Caesar
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  30. Nacht der Magier

    All details for the board game Nacht der Magier and similar games

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2006

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2006

    More details for Nacht der Magier
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  31. Ubongo

    All details for the board game Ubongo and similar games

    Ubongo is a fast-paced, puzzle-solving board game where players race against time and each other to complete individual puzzles and collect precious gems.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 6.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005

    More details for Ubongo
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  32. The Enchanted Tower

    All details for the board game The Enchanted Tower and similar games

    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
  33. Spooky Stairs

    All details for the board game Spooky Stairs and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2004

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Spooky Stairs
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  34. Burg Appenzell

    All details for the board game Burg Appenzell and similar games

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 6.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2007

    More details for Burg Appenzell
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  35. Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin

    All details for the board game Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin and similar games

    Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin plunges players into an immersive escape room experience in the form of a board game. Trapped in a cabin with barred windows and a locked door, players must rely on their collective wits to find a way out.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

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