The best games from Alexander Pfister 🇦🇹👨 2025
Looking for a really good game from game designer Alexander Pfister 👨? Then we have just the thing: the list with the best Alexander Pfister games 2025.
Who is Alexander Pfister anyway?
Alexander Pfister has been designing dice, card & board games since 2008. The game designer hails from Bludenz, Vorarlberg, Österreich🇦🇹, was born in 1971 and currently lives in Wien, Österreich🇦🇹.
Pfister's first game "Freibeuter der Karibik" he developed in 2008 at the age of 37 - so he has been designing games for over 17 years. Famous Pfister games are for example Great Western Trail, Isle of Skye & Port Royal.
Game development since childhood
Pfister spent his childhood in Vorarlberg, Austria and developed his own games as a child. After studying economics, he worked as a freelancer in the financial sector. He then came into contact with various game publishers through the Viennese game agency White Castle. His first publication "Freibeuter der Karibik" was released in 2008 by Public Solution.
How good are "Alexander Pfister" games?
There are 8 games by Alexander Pfister in our Top1000 games list, making Pfister the #22 best game author out of a total of 708 authors in our database.
More information about Pfister
More information about Pfister can be found on:
- Pfister's BGG profile
- Pfister's Twitter feed
- Alexander Pfister's Facebook page
- Pfister's Instagram Account
- german Wikipedia entry for Pfister
List of best games by Alexander Pfister 2025
In this list we have listed the best board games that Alexander Pfister either designed himself - or was involved in designing.
Unfortunately, not all of Alexander Pfister's games are currently available. In the following list you can find all dice, board & card games by Alexander Pfister that you can buy 2025:
Port Royal
Port Royal is a competitive card game that immerses players in the world of Caribbean trade during the era of pirates and merchant ships. It combines elements of risk-taking, resource management, and strategic planning.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
More details for Port Royal- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 50 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Port Royal
Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King is a strategic tile-laying board game set in the stunning landscape of Isle of Skye. In this game, 2 to 5 players take on the roles of chieftains from different clans, each aspiring to expand their territories and build their kingdoms to gain the most points.
Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2016
More details for Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 50 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Port Royal: Unterwegs!
More details for Port Royal: Unterwegs!Port Royal Unterwegs is a standalone, streamlined sequel to the card game Port Royal, introducing new characters that can also be used as an expansion for the original game.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Port Royal: Unterwegs!
Great Western Trail
Great Western Trail is a strategic board game set in 19th-century America, where players take on the roles of ranchers herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City.
Nominated for 20 awards and won 7.
More details for Great Western Trail- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Great Western Trail
Great Western Trail: Second Edition
Great Western Trail: Second Edition is an enhanced version of the critically acclaimed strategy game set in 19th century America. Players take on the role of ranchers, herding cattle from Texas to Kansas City, navigating a series of strategic decisions along the Great Western Trail.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 17% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Great Western Trail: Second Edition- 1 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Isle of Skye: Big Box
More details for Isle of Skye: Big BoxGet the full experience of the modern classic tile-laying game with the Isle of Skye Big Box, which includes the award-winning base game and the expansion Druids, along with additional scoring and tunnel tiles. Players assume the roles of leaders from the five traditional Scottish clans, establishing their own realms to earn victory points, while each game features only four of the 24 available scoring cards, ensuring diverse strategies each time.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Broom Service
Broom Service is a captivating and strategic card-based game where players aim to score the most victory points by adeptly delivering potions throughout a magical realm. This game is a reimagined version of the award-winning Witch's Brew, offering a fresh theme and new gameplay elements, while retaining the core mechanics that made the original game popular.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Broom Service- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Oh My Goods!
Oh My Goods!, initially known as Royal Goods, immerses players in the role of European artisans during the Middle Ages, focusing on the production and trade of various goods.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Oh My Goods!- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Great Western Trail: New Zealand
Players assume the role of sheep farmers in 19th century New Zealand. They focus on diversifying sheep breeds and enhancing wool quality to ensure the prosperity of their family business. As the new century brings challenges, acquiring improved sheep breeds becomes essential for sustaining their livelihood.
Nominated for 3 awards.
🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Great Western Trail: New Zealand- 1 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Würfel-WG
Roll dice to acquire new roommates, who bring additional dice and assist with score-rolling activities. The dice results benefit not just the active player but everyone! The winner is the first to keep the hammock for one round, which is achieved by scoring 16 points.
🔥 Deal: 37% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Würfel-WG- 2 - 4 Players
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Tybor the Builder
More details for Tybor the BuilderPlayers receive a sheet with five multifunction cards, each depicting a professional who has come to Longsdale. After selecting a card, players choose how to use it: as a worker, builder, or city citizen, each providing different strengths and abilities. After a set number of rounds, players tally their points from buildings, and the one with the highest score wins.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Monster Expedition
Players embark on an expedition as the youngest members of the Royal Monstrological Society, hunting legendary monsters spotted in the clouds, the deep sea, and the haunted forest. They improve their camps, catch new monsters, and utilize the abilities of previously captured creatures through optimal dice combinations. At the start, each player receives a set of three supply camps, and a wilderness display is created from ten cards, leading to thrilling monster hunting experiences.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monster Expedition- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Monster Expedition
Gier
More details for GierPlayers steal cards from each other to build their own collection. Once they start taking goods from others, it becomes hard to stop; however, those who are too greedy may end up empty-handed. Each player begins with a thief card and seven number cards drawn face-down. Players take turns building their collections by revealing the cards they collect. During their turn, a player can either keep a drawn card or attempt to draw again from the same opponent, risking their chance if they draw matching cards. Special actions on some cards can affect opponents, such as viewing their hand or playing cards from the deck into a collection. The first player to collect six cards of the same value wins.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Maracaibo
Maracaibo is a strategy game for 1-4 players, crafted by the renowned game designer Alexander Pfister. Set in the vibrant backdrop of the Caribbean during the 17th century, it promises a rich blend of strategic depth and thematic immersion. Over four rounds, taking approximately 40 minutes per player, you'll navigate the complexities of influence and power among three different nations.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 1.
More details for Maracaibo- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Great Western Trail: Argentina
Players own a vast ranch in Argentina during the late 19th century, navigating the Pampas to deliver cattle to the main train station in Buenos Aires. The game features elements like card management and a rondel mechanism, with new worker types and paths that present strategic choices. Players can unlock shortcuts, manage resources like grain, and tackle the unique solo challenge of beating Pedro's score.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Great Western Trail: Argentina- 1 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Broom Service: The Card Game
More details for Broom Service: The Card GameBesendienst: The card game focuses on the remarkable mechanism used in the board game Broom Service and its predecessor, Hexengebräu. This game is the second in the Alea series of very small boxes and includes an expansion for the Besendienst game from the Alea large box series.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mombasa
Mombasa is a deep and strategic Euro-style board game set in 18th century Africa, revolving around economic expansion and investment in trading companies. Players work to spread their influence across the continent by investing in companies based in key African cities and engaging in various trade activities.
Nominated for 12 awards and won 4.
More details for Mombasa- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
CloudAge
Players explore a dark and dystopian world in a strategy game for 1 to 4 participants. After a devastating environmental catastrophe caused by the secretive "Cloud" society, they travel with airships across a parched landscape in search of a better life. The game features an innovative resource gathering mechanism and blends engine building, deck building, and resource management, along with a campaign system that introduces new elements as players progress through the story.
🔥 Deal: 51% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for CloudAge- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 100 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Expedition to Newdale
Players embark on a journey through the Kingdom of Longsdale in a campaign that can engage 1 to 4 participants aged 12 and up. The game involves various chapters, each lasting about 90 minutes, where players manage resources and workers to advance their strategies. With five phases in each round, careful planning and a bit of luck are essential to achieve success before the final scoring in the seventh round.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 48% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Expedition to Newdale- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Expedition to Newdale
Meins!
More details for Meins!Members of the "Society of Hunters and Gatherers" compete each year to find the most extraordinary exhibits. Players aim to acquire valuable items to expand their private collections. During their turn, players draw three "Acquisition" cards to secure exhibits that are worth victory points at the end of the game. The round ends when a player takes their third exhibit, and all players must discard some of their acquisition resources. After three rounds, players count their points and may collect bonus cards, with the player holding the highest total winning.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Blackout: Hong Kong
Blackout: Hong Kong is a strategy board game set against the backdrop of an unexpected and widespread blackout in Hong Kong. Designed by Alexander Pfister, this game challenges players to navigate the chaos and disorder that ensues from the sudden loss of electrical power, competing to restore order and establish their influence in the city's post-blackout era.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Blackout: Hong Kong- 1 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Blackout: Hong Kong
Skymines
More details for SkyminesFifty years ago, humanity began mining the Moon and asteroids, a task previously managed by the world government. Due to recent unrest, adventurous companies and private investors are now stepping in to revive this mining network.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Boonlake
Boonlake is a complex and engaging board game where players lead a group of pioneers in establishing a new community on the shores of the long-forgotten Boonlake. The game challenges players to explore uncharted landscapes, construct buildings, raise livestock, produce resources, and develop infrastructure. A key aspect of the game is the pursuit of efficiency and automation in these processes, as players strive to improve not only their own lives but also the collective well-being of their community.
Nominated for 5 awards.
🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Boonlake- 1 - 4 Players
- 80 - 160 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
The Mines of Zavandor
More details for The Mines of ZavandorPlayers take on the role of dwarves in the fantasy setting of Zavandor, focusing on mining and gem collection. Four different gems serve as currency, with income determined by drawing cards from various mines, each with unique distributions. Players can improve their mines and score by participating in simultaneous auctions, while upgrading objects is essential to maximize their benefits.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Mombasa (Limited Edition)
More details for Mombasa (Limited Edition)The wooden box edition was limited to 500 copies and included the E1E2 Company Track, a mini-expansion exclusive to this edition that was never released separately. Players acquire shares of charter companies based in Mombasa, Cape Town, Saint-Louis, and Cairo, spreading their trade posts across Africa to maximize profits. The game features a unique hand mechanism with a rotating display, allowing players to select action cards each round, reveal them simultaneously, and perform the actions, while previously played cards are recycled for future rounds. Each company has a double-sided company track, leading to varying gameplay depending on which tracks are revealed and where companies are placed.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
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