The best games by Jason Matthews 🇺🇸👨 2026

Who is Jason Matthews?

Jason Matthews is a US-American game designer with a clear focus on politically and historically themed games, particularly from the Cold War and US domestic politics. His best-known title is the card-driven game Twilight Struggle (2005, GMT Games), designed together with Ananda Gupta, which held the #1 spot on the BoardGameGeek rankings for many years. From the same design school come 1960: The Making of the President, 1989: Dawn of Freedom, Imperial Struggle, Twilight Struggle: Red Sea, and the multiple award-winning Votes for Women (2023).

Jason Matthews as a game designer

The first game by Jason Matthews in our database is Twilight Struggle from 2005 – Jason Matthews has been designing games for over 21 years. His most well-known game is Twilight Struggle.

How good are games by Jason Matthews?

There are 3 games by Jason Matthews in our Top-1000 games list – making Jason Matthews #65 of the best game designers out of 12777 designers in our database.

More information about Jason Matthews

List of the best games by Jason Matthews 2026

In this list you'll find the best board, card & dice games by Jason Matthews that you can buy 2026.

This list was last updated on June 29, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Twilight Struggle

    Twilight Struggle

    Twilight Struggle offers an immersive journey through a pivotal period in history, where the world stood on the brink of nuclear annihilation. This two-player game takes place during the forty-five year rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States. Instead of traditional warfare, players engage in a dance of intrigue, prestige, and the occasional outbreak of hostilities. As the superpowers strive to make the world safe for their ideologies, you'll navigate a complex web of politics, espionage, and strategy. The game begins in the aftermath of World War II, with both superpowers scrambling for control, and concludes in 1989, leaving only one superpower standing.

    All details & rating
    2 120–180 min 13+ For connoisseurs
  2. Campaign Manager 2008

    Campaign Manager 2008

    Campaign Manager 2008 is a strategic board game that captures the intensity and unpredictability of the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Players step into the roles of campaign managers for either Barack Obama or John McCain, competing to win critical battleground states and secure 270 electoral votes needed for victory. The game employs a unique card-driven system that challenges players to develop and execute political strategies effectively.

    All details & rating
    2 30–45 min 13+ Easy to learn
  3. Imperial Struggle

    Imperial Struggle

    In 1697, King Louis XIV of France left the continent after a decade of war, while King William III of England ascended the throne with ease. The looming Spanish succession crisis hinted at a turbulent century ahead, leading to a Second Hundred Years' War between the two rivals in various arenas including battlefields across India, Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as in the salons of Paris and the coffeehouses of London.

    All details & rating
    2 120–240 min 14+ For connoisseurs

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Twilight Struggle 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 are designed for exactly 2 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 13 years. Each game carries its own age rating.

How long does a game take?

A typical game takes about 120 to 180 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.

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