The best "As d'Or - Jeu de l'Annรฉe"๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท nominations. 2026

Looking for a really good board game that was nominated for the As d'Or โ€“ Jeu de l'Annรฉe๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท but didn't win it? We have a list of the best.

The As d'Or โ€“ Jeu de l'Annรฉe ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท is a French game award that has existed every year since 1988. It is meanwhile awarded in Cannes at the "Festival International des Jeux" to a board game that has been published within the last 18 months. As d'Or means "golden ace" (in the sense of the game card "As") and Jeu de l'annรฉe in German "Spiel des Jahres".

The award can be considered the French equivalent of the German Spiel des Jahres.

All "As d'Or โ€“ Jeu de l'Annรฉe" years listed individually.

The "French Game of the Year" has been awarded since 1988. Originally there were two different awards ("As d'Or" and "Jeu de l'Annรฉe") โ€“ but in 2005 they merged into one award. We have created separate lists for you for all years, all award types (family, expert, children's game) as well as all nominees:

More game awards from all over the world

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

List of the best nominations for the As d'Or โ€“ Jeu de l'Annรฉe ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท 2026

In this list you will find the best board games that were nominated for the "As d'Or โ€“ Jeu de l'annรฉe" but didn't win it.

This list was last updated on June 19, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Codenames

    Codenames

    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.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“8 15 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 2 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    17 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  2. Kingdomino

    Kingdomino

    Embark on a noble quest to expand your kingdom in Kingdomino. As a lord, your mission is to explore vast lands filled with wheat fields, serene lakes, and towering mountains. Competing with fellow lords, you must identify the choicest plots to claim as your own.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 15โ€“25 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 4 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    14 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  3. Top Ten

    Top Ten

    Top Ten is a lively party game that challenges players to creatively rank responses based on humorous or bizarre scenarios. Each playerโ€™s task is to align their answer with a secret number they are assigned, ranging from worst (1) to best (10), according to the theme provided by the round's chief. The game combines elements of comedy, strategy, and social deduction as players try to guess and assign the correct rankings to each other's answers.

    All details & rating
    4โ€“9 30 min 14+ Immediately playable
  4. Love Letter

    Love Letter

    In Love Letter, you must compete with other suitors to deliver a romantic letter to Princess Annette, who has secluded herself in the palace.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 20 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 25 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    39 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  5. No Thanks!

    No Thanks!

    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.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“7 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
  6. Draftosaurus

    Draftosaurus

    Draftosaurus is a charming and quick drafting game where players aim to build the most attractive dinosaur park. The game stands out for its use of dino meeples and unique placement restrictions, making it an engaging experience for all ages.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 15 min 8+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  7. That's Not a Hat

    That's Not a Hat

    Can you remember a few things? It sounds simple, but itโ€™s a challenge! Players give each other gifts and try to recall who gave them what and which gift they have in front of them. If they canโ€™t remember, they must bluff to avoid a penalty point.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“8 15 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 1 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    8 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  8. Captain Flip

    Captain Flip

    Ahoy, Captain! Raise your flag, recruit a crew, and fill your coffers with shiny gold coins. The game is simple and can be explained faster than a cannon shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag; if you like it, keep it, and if not, flip it over. Place it on your board to build your crew. With nine characters and four boards featuring different tactics, it offers an engaging and fun experience.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 5 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    22 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  9. Flamme Rouge

    Flamme Rouge

    Flamme Rouge presents an exhilarating bicycle racing experience where strategy, timing, and tactical decisions are paramount to success. This fast-paced game captures the intensity of a real bike race, offering players a blend of excitement and strategic gameplay.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30โ€“45 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 6 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    30 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  10. Strike

    Strike

    Strike is a thrilling dice game that combines luck, skill, and a bit of daring. Players toss dice into an arena (the game box itself, cleverly designed to keep the action contained) with the aim of matching dice numbers to keep playing and ultimately be the last one standing with dice in hand.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 15 min 8+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  11. Splendor

    Splendor

    Splendor beckons you into the vibrant world of Renaissance merchants, where the pursuit of gem mines, modes of transportation, and opulent shops is the path to acquiring prestigious points. In this strategic game of chip-collecting and card development, your goal is to amass wealth and influence that will make you the most renowned merchant of the era. Perhaps, if fortune smiles upon you, nobility may even grace your endeavors, further enhancing your prestige.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 1 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    34 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  12. King of Tokyo

    King of Tokyo

    King of Tokyo is a game where players take on the roles of mutant monsters, robots, and aliens, all competing to become the sole King of Tokyo.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 30 min 8+ Immediately playable
  13. Cockroach Poker

    Cockroach Poker

    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.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  14. Loony Quest

    Loony Quest

    Loony Quest is a vibrant and imaginative drawing game set in the fantastical land of Arkadia, where players embark on an adventurous quest to win a royal tournament and claim the throne of an heirless king. The game stands out with its unique blend of drawing challenges and video game-inspired mechanics, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20โ€“30 min 8+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  15. Imagine

    Imagine

    Imagine is a creative and engaging party game that challenges players to guess over a thousand different items from various categories using 61 unique transparent cards. These cards can be combined by placing them next to each other or by layering them on top of one another to create representations of the items to be guessed. The key rule is that players must convey these concepts silently, relying solely on their ability to manipulate and combine the cards to express their ideas.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“8 20 min 12+ Immediately playable
  16. Fiesta de los Muertos

    Fiesta de los Muertos

    Welcome to the Fiesta de los Muertos. On this sacred day, the dead return! Choose a word to describe your deceased character, but be careful as it will be passed around and change. Can you identify your character and those of the other players? This cooperative game combines imagination and deduction, ensuring plenty of laughs.

    All details & rating
    4โ€“8 15 min 12+ Immediately playable
  17. Tales & Games: The Hare & the Tortoise

    Tales & Games: The Hare & the Tortoise

    The Hare & the Tortoise offers a unique spin on the classic fable through a card-driven betting game where players wager on the outcomes of an animal race. This game combines strategy, luck, and deduction as players manage their hands and place their bets on various creatures, each with distinct movement abilities influenced by the cards played.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 15โ€“20 min 7+ Immediately playable
  18. 7 Wonders

    7 Wonders

    In 7 Wonders, you step into the role of a leader of one of the seven great cities of the Ancient World. Your objective is to gather resources, establish commercial routes, and assert your military might. The game is not just about managing resources but also about building an architectural wonder that will stand the test of time.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“7 30 min 10+ Easy to learn
  19. Parade

    Parade

    In Taj Mahal, players are immersed in the setting of northwest India at the beginning of the 18th century. This period marks the decline of the Grand Moguls' rule, presenting an opportunity for Maharishis and princes to assert control over the region. The game revolves around gaining influence through various strategic moves.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 45 min 8+ Immediately playable
  20. Ribbit

    Ribbit

    Ribbit (formerly known as Schildkrรถtenrennen or "Turtle Race" in its original version) offers a delightful, strategic race experience suited for families and players of all ages. This game is built around the concept of racing turtlesโ€”or frogs, in the reprintโ€”across a field to reach a tasty salad.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20 min 5+ Immediately playable
  21. Jamaica

    Jamaica

    In the swashbuckling world of 1675 Jamaica, Captain Henry Morgan, after a notorious career in piracy, becomes the Governor of Jamaica. In a surprising turn of events, he invites his former pirate comrades to join him in retirement, celebrating their plundered treasures in the annual Great Challenge โ€“ a thrilling race around the island. The cunning Captain with the most gold at the end of the race claims the title of Grand Winner. Jamaica is a pirate-themed tactical race game that combines strategic ship movement, treasure hunting, and player interaction.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 30โ€“60 min 8+ Easy to learn
  22. Riff Raff

    Riff Raff

    Players engage in a dexterity game where they load wooden "cargo" onto a swaying wooden ship. Items like bottles, sailors, and rats are placed on the ship's body and on three throwing arms extending from the mast.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30 min 8+ Immediately playable
  23. Dominion

    Dominion

    In Dominion, you step into the shoes of a monarch, much like your ancestors, ruling over a small, picturesque kingdom. However, your ambitions stretch far beyond the peaceful realm you've inherited. Your goal is to expand your territory, transforming these modest lands into a vast dominion filled with diverse landscapes and resources.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30 min 13+ Easy to learn
    + 2 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    37 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  24. The Castles of Burgundy

    The Castles of Burgundy

    The Castles of Burgundy is set in the medieval Burgundy region of France, where players assume the roles of aristocrats seeking to expand their princedoms. The game revolves around building settlements, constructing castles, engaging in river trade, mining for silver, and utilizing travelers' knowledge.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30โ€“90 min 12+ Medium complexity
    Video reviews 1
  25. District Noir

    District Noir

    Players engage in bluffing and set collection in a two-player game. Each round, players will either play a card to the end of the row or collect the last five played cards. The game ends after four rounds, and players score points based on their collected cards, with a special win condition for gathering all three special cards.

    All details & rating
    2 10โ€“20 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 2 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    15 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  26. In the Footsteps of Darwin

    In the Footsteps of Darwin

    Twenty years after his journey around the world, Charles Darwin writes about the origin of species and seeks new information about animal life, especially from unexplored continents. Young, adventurous naturalists board the Beagle to assist him in completing his famous work. Players study animals, conduct surveys, publish findings, and develop theories, aiming to score more points than their competitors and demonstrate their significant contributions to Darwin's research.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20โ€“30 min 8+ Easy to learn
  27. Twin It!

    Twin It!

    Players must quickly find pairs of cards on the table in Twin It! To set up, shuffle the double-sided cards and distribute them evenly among players. Players take turns placing cards face up, and when someone spots a match, they claim the pair. The first to collect five pairs wins. The game can also be played in teams or with cards held in hand facing each player.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 5โ€“10 min 6+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  28. Animal Upon Animal: Balancing Bridge

    Animal Upon Animal: Balancing Bridge

    Players stack animals in this exciting game for 2-4 participants aged 5 to 99. Flamingos, giraffes, panthers, bats, and iguanas embark on an adventurous journey across a shaky hanging bridge. Each player has three secret stacking tasks involving specific animals, and the first to complete these tasks skillfully wins the game.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 15 min 5+ Immediately playable
  29. Dealt!

    Dealt!

    Players start with three life tokens and two reserve cards, which are placed face up. Each player receives a hand of cards that cannot be reordered and takes turns playing combinations of up to three cards. The player who plays the highest combination wins the round and begins the next, while those unable to play must use reserve cards or lose life tokens, leading to potential elimination if they run out.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“5 30 min 10+ Immediately playable
  30. Dice Forge

    Dice Forge

    Embark on a heroic journey in Dice Forge, where the gods extend an invitation to heaven for the hero who can conquer their rivals. Your courage and wit will be crucial as you harness divine dice to collect resources on the path to victory.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  31. Sleeping Queens

    Sleeping Queens

    In Sleeping Queens, a whimsical and strategic card game, players embark on a mission to awaken sleeping queens using a mix of strategy, quick thinking, and luck. The game features the Pancake Queen, the Ladybug Queen, and ten other queen cards, all under a magical sleeping spell. The goal is to wake these queens from their slumber and earn points.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
  32. Pluckin' Pairs

    Pluckin' Pairs

    Pluckin' Pairs captures the spirit of classic party games by encouraging players to match images to score points, but it allows for more individual freedom as everyone plays alone. In each round, eleven images are laid out, and players secretly form pairs based on similarities, writing them down on their sheets. Points are awarded based on how many players match the same pairs, with the player having the highest score after a set number of rounds declared the winner.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“8 50 min 12+ Immediately playable
  33. Pandemic

    Pandemic

    Pandemic is a highly acclaimed cooperative board game where players take on the roles of disease-fighting specialists. Their mission is to contain and cure four deadly diseases that have broken out across the globe. The game is set on a board depicting major world population centers and requires players to strategize and work together to manage the outbreaks and develop cures before the diseases spiral out of control.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 45 min 8+ Easy to learn
    10 โ‚ฌ below the next retailer
    30 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  34. Qwirkle

    Qwirkle

    The abstract game of Qwirkle unfolds with 108 wooden blocks, each featuring six different shapes in six distinct colors. Unlike traditional board games, there is no designated board; players utilize any available flat surface.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 45 min 6+ Easy to learn
    + 4 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    27 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  35. Cardline: Animals

    Cardline: Animals

    Kardlinie: Tiere is a card game played with approximately 100 cards, featuring various animals along with their names and classes. Players decide whether to compare the length, weight, or lifespan of the animals before the game begins. Each player places a number of face-down animal cards on the table, and the game proceeds with players taking turns to lay down cards in numerical order based on the chosen attribute, aiming to be the first to play all their cards correctly.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“8 15 min 7+ Immediately playable

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Codenames (Spiel des Jahres 2016 winner) currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.

How many players do the games on this list support?

Most games on this list support 2 to 5 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.

What age are these games suitable for?

Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 5 years. Each game carries its own age rating.

How long does a game take?

A typical game takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

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