The best "Deutscher Spielepreis"🇩🇪 award winners and nominees 2024

The "Deutscher Spielepreis" (German Game Award), which has been awarded since 1990, is presented annually for 10 family and 10 adult games. Unlike the Spiel des Jahres, however, this is not awarded by critics but by a professional audience (individual players, game circles, journalists, retailers). It is also called the "player" award - by players for players.

Since 1992, the German Children's Games Award has also been awarded - here, only children's games are honored.

All "Deutscher Spielepreis" years listed individually

The German Game Award has been awarded since 1990, we have listed them again for you separately by year: German Games Award broken down by year.

You can find more info on the official website of the "Deutscher Spielepreis".

More game awards from all over the world

There are many more game awards from around the world, you can find our list at the bottom of this page.

List with the best "Deutscher Spielepreis" winners and nominees of all years:

But of course you can also compare the best of the best with each other. Here now our list with the card & board games recommendations of the "Deutscher Spielepreis" winners since 1990, which you can buy 2024:

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 77 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Azul

    All details for the board game Azul and similar games

    Azul invites you to step into the captivating world of Portuguese artistry and craftsmanship. This board game draws inspiration from the introduction of azulejos, originally white and blue ceramic tiles, by the Moors. The tiles found a new home in Portugal when King Manuel I, during a visit to the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain, was enchanted by the exquisite Moorish decorative tiles adorning its interior. Filled with awe and inspiration, the king promptly ordered the embellishment of his own palace in Portugal with similar decorative tiles. As a skilled tile-laying artist, you are tasked with the prestigious mission of adorning the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora.

    Nominated for 30 awards and won 19.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Azul
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Azul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Azul" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. PitchCar

    All details for the board game PitchCar and similar games

    PitchCar and its earlier version Carabande are dexterity-based board games that create a fun and competitive racing experience. Players use finger flicks to propel small discs (representing cars) around a track constructed from wooden pieces.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1996

    More details for PitchCar
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

    All details for the board game The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine and similar games

    The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine is a cooperative trick-taking game that takes players on an adventurous space journey, filled with challenges and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  4. Wingspan

    All details for the board game Wingspan and similar games

    Wingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 16.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Wingspan
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 70 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!41€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Wingspan

    • YouTube Review for the game "Wingspan" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  5. Take 5

    All details for the board game Take 5 and similar games

    6 nimmt!, also known as Take 5, Category 5 and other names, is a card game focused on scoring as few points as possible. It combines elements of strategy, prediction, and a bit of luck.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 3.

    More details for Take 5
    • 2 - 10 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!7€ atAmazon.de*
  6. 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
  7. 7 Wonders

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 33 awards and won 19.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2011

    More details for 7 Wonders
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. 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
  9. The Castles of Burgundy

    All details for the board game The Castles of Burgundy and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    More details for The Castles of Burgundy
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for The Castles of Burgundy

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Castles of Burgundy" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Lost Ruins of Arnak

    All details for the board game Lost Ruins of Arnak and similar games

    Lost Ruins of Arnak is an adventurous board game that blends deck-building with worker placement, set on an unexplored island filled with remnants of an ancient civilization.

    Nominated for 29 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Lost Ruins of Arnak
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  11. Dominion

    All details for the board game Dominion and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 32 awards and won 17.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Dominion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!34€ atAmazon.de*
  12. Modern Art

    All details for the board game Modern Art and similar games

    Engage in the captivating world of art commerce with Modern Art. As both buyer and seller, players navigate the vibrant art market, aiming to turn their transactions into lucrative endeavors. Five unique artists have contributed a plethora of paintings, and it's your task to strategically auction them for maximum profit. Each turn, players auction a painting from their hand, gaining wealth if others purchase it or incurring costs if they buy it themselves. The key lies in shrewd decision-making.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    More details for Modern Art
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Pandemic

    All details for the board game Pandemic and similar games

    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.

    Nominated for 29 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Pandemic
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!33€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Pandemic

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  14. Stone Age

    All details for the board game Stone Age and similar games

    Stone Age catapults players into the challenging era of our ancestors, a time when survival hinged on the relentless pursuit of progress. In roles as hunters, collectors, farmers, and toolmakers, players will experience the hardships and triumphs of this prehistoric age. Here's an overview of the game:

    Nominated for 22 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Stone Age
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!34€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for Stone Age

    • YouTube Review for the game "Stone Age" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Ark Nova

    All details for the board game Ark Nova and similar games

    Ark Nova is a strategic board game where players take on the role of zoo planners, aiming to build and manage the most successful modern zoo.

    Nominated for 23 awards and won 11.

    🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Ark Nova
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
    🔥 Great price!45€ atAmazon.de*
  16. San Juan

    All details for the board game San Juan and similar games

    San Juan is a captivating card game that is inspired by the highly acclaimed board game, Puerto Rico. It is a game of strategy and resource management, set against the backdrop of the historic city of San Juan.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for San Juan
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for San Juan

    • YouTube Review for the game "San Juan" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "San Juan" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Alhambra

    All details for the board game Alhambra and similar games

    Alhambra is a strategic board game set in the historical context of the construction of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, during the Middle Ages. It combines elements of resource management, tile placement, and strategic planning.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2003

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

    More details for Alhambra
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    🔥 Great price!37€ atAmazon.de*
  18. Puerto Rico

    All details for the board game Puerto Rico and similar games

    Puerto Rico is a strategy game where players become colonial governors in Puerto Rico, aiming to earn victory points through trade and construction.

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2002

    More details for Puerto Rico
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  19. El Grande

    All details for the board game El Grande and similar games

    El Grande is a classic strategy board game set in medieval Spain, where players, as powerful lords or "Grandes," vie for control over various regions in a declining kingdom. The game is known for its blend of tactical depth and strategic planning.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1996

    More details for El Grande
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  20. A la carte

    All details for the board game A la carte and similar games

    In A la carte, players don the hats of eccentric chefs embroiled in the culinary showdown of a lifetime. This lighthearted and quirky game, conceived by Karl-Heinz Schmiel, is as much about managing the chaos of a kitchen as it is about the precise art of cooking itself. Each chef is armed with a mini pan and a hotplate, competing not just against time but against each other's culinary shenanigans.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for A la carte
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!40€ atAmazon.de*
  21. Thurn and Taxis

    All details for the board game Thurn and Taxis and similar games

    In the strategic world of Thurn & Taxis, players immerse themselves in the bustling realm of Bavaria and its surrounding regions, embarking on a quest to construct post office routes. The game unfolds on a dynamic board depicting a map of cities, with interconnecting roads weaving through various colored regions. Players strategically build postal routes from city to city, navigating the intricate network of roads and collecting bonus points through clever decisions.

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2006

    More details for Thurn and Taxis
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Saint Petersburg

    All details for the board game Saint Petersburg and similar games

    Saint Petersburg is a strategic card game that transports players to the early days of the famous Russian city. The game revolves around building the most impressive version of Saint Petersburg by acquiring various cards representing craftsmen, buildings, and aristocrats.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Saint Petersburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. CATAN

    All details for the board game CATAN and similar games

    CATAN, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is a highly acclaimed and award-winning strategy board game where players aim to become the dominant force on the island of Catan. The game is renowned for its appeal to both experienced gamers and newcomers to the board game hobby.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1995

    More details for CATAN
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. The Voyages of Marco Polo

    All details for the board game The Voyages of Marco Polo and similar games

    The Voyages of Marco Polo is a captivating board game that allows players to relive the epic journey of Marco Polo. Set in 1271, players follow Marco Polo’s path from Venice to Kublai Khan’s court in China, navigating through ancient cities and traversing the famed Silk Road.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 7.

    More details for The Voyages of Marco Polo
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 100 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!59€ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for The Voyages of Marco Polo

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Voyages of Marco Polo" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  25. Manila

    All details for the board game Manila and similar games

    Manila is an engaging and speculative board game for 3-5 players, centered around the bustling world of maritime trade. Players take on the role of investors, speculating on and betting against a variety of goods shipments – jade, ginseng, silk, and nutmeg – as they make their precarious journey along sea routes to Manila. The game is a blend of strategy, risk, and luck, with the fate of each shipment ultimately being decided by dice rolls.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    More details for Manila
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Vikings

    All details for the board game Vikings and similar games

    Vikings is a fast-paced economic board game that, despite its title, focuses more on resource management and strategy than on traditional Viking themes like exploration or combat. The game's standout feature is its unique pricing wheel, which introduces an innovative approach to acquiring resources.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Vikings
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Vikings

    • YouTube Review for the game "Vikings" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  27. Fresco

    All details for the board game Fresco and similar games

    Fresco is a thematic board game that immerses players in the world of Renaissance artistry, specifically in the restoration of a fresco in a church. This game combines resource management, strategy, and a unique wake-up mechanic to create an engaging experience.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for Fresco
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  28. Tikal

    All details for the board game Tikal and similar games

    Tikal is a compelling strategy game set in the dense jungles of Central America, where players embark on an expedition to uncover lost temples and hidden treasures. As explorers, players reveal new parts of the jungle board, discovering temples that need to be excavated and treasures that can be collected. The objective is to score points by controlling these temples and treasures. Notably, Tikal is the first game in the renowned Mask Trilogy.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1999

    More details for Tikal
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  29. Manhattan

    All details for the board game Manhattan and similar games

    Manhattan is a strategic board game where players engage in the construction of a skyline of skyscrapers on Manhattan Island. The game blends area control mechanics with spatial strategy, as players aim to dominate the skyline by building the tallest structures in various districts of Manhattan.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1994

    More details for Manhattan
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Notre Dame

    All details for the board game Notre Dame and similar games

    Notre Dame is a strategic board game set in 14th century Paris, where players assume the roles of heads of influential families vying for prosperity and reputation around the iconic Notre Dame cathedral.

    Nominated for 8 awards.

    More details for Notre Dame
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 75 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

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: