The best games from Reiner Knizia 🇩🇪👨 2025
Looking for a really good game from game designer Reiner Knizia 👨? Then we have just the thing: the list with the best Reiner Knizia games 2025.
Who is Reiner Knizia anyway?
Reiner Knizia has been designing dice, card & board games since 1990. The game designer hails from Deutschland🇩🇪, was born in 1957.
Reiner Knizia is a full-time game designer who lived in England for many years. He has a PhD in mathematics and previously worked in the banking industry.
Knizia's first game Goldrausch/Gold Digger he developed in 1990 at the age of 33 - so he has been designing games for over 35 years. Famous Knizia games are for example Ra, Whoowasit?, Tigris & Euphrates.
Game designer with the most games
Reiner Knizia is probably the board game inventor who has brought the most games to market: by now his works include over 600 games (and a few books about games). His works are published in numerous languages and countries, including many global licenses such as Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, LEGO, Mensa, Disney, Monopoly, Playmobil, Simpsons, Asterix, Star Trek and Star Wars. In total, there are already over 13 million games and books sold worldwide. He is especially known for his Auction Trilogy and Tiler Trilogy.
How good are "Reiner Knizia" games?
There are 24 games by Reiner Knizia in our Top1000 games list, making Knizia the #1 best game author out of a total of 708 authors in our database.
More information about Knizia
More information about Knizia can be found on:
List of best games by Reiner Knizia 2025
In this list we have listed the best board games that Reiner Knizia either designed himself - or was involved in designing.
Unfortunately, not all of Reiner Knizia's games are currently available. In the following list you can find all dice, board & card games by Reiner Knizia that you can buy 2025:
The Quest for El Dorado
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
Lost Cities
Lost Cities is a two-player card game focused on building profitable archaeological expeditions. Part of the Kosmos two-player series, it features a deck with cards ranked 2–10 in various colors, including a new sixth color added in 2019. The game also employs "handshake" cards as multipliers for scoring.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.
More details for Lost Cities- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
High Society
High Society is a competitive auction-style card game designed by Reiner Knizia, where players vie to acquire wealth and status while avoiding financial pitfalls. The game focuses on strategic bidding and careful money management.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for High Society- 3 - 5 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Schotten Totten
Schotten Totten is a strategic card game that combines elements of poker with a battle for territory. Players compete to capture boundary stones by creating powerful card formations, with a clever twist on using logic to claim victory.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Schotten Totten- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
My City
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 12 awards and won 4.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2020
🔥 Deal: 15% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for My City- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for My City
Battle Line
More details for Battle LineBattle Line is a strategic card game that pits two opponents against each other with the aim of capturing flags by creating powerful formations.
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kariba
More details for KaribaAll the animals are thirsty after an adventurous day in the savanna, so they've all wandered to the watering holes. Each animal wants to drink first, but beware! The elephant frightens the lion, the lion scares the zebra, and the zebra startles the antelope. Anything can happen, as even the antelope can scare the elephant. The player who scares away the most animals wins.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ra
Ra is an engaging board game that combines elements of auction and set-collection within an Ancient Egyptian theme. Players are immersed in a competition of power and fame across 1500 years of Egyptian history, condensed into an intense gaming experience.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ra- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
L.A.M.A. Party Edition
More details for L.A.M.A. Party EditionPlayers aim to discard their cards as quickly as possible in this game, but they may struggle to play what they want. Each player starts with six cards, drawn from a deck containing Llama cards and numbered cards from 1 to 6. The round continues until a player empties their hand or everyone passes, with players collecting tokens based on the cards they have in front of them.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Modern Art
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
Ribbit
Ribbit (formerly known as Schildkrötenrennen 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 turtles—or frogs, in the reprint—across a field to reach a tasty salad.
Nominated for 4 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005
More details for Ribbit- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Pickomino
Pickomino is a lively, dice-based game by renowned designer Reiner Knizia, suitable for players aged 8 and up. It involves a mix of luck and strategy, centered around chickens trying to acquire fried worms.
Nominated for 4 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005
More details for Pickomino- 2 - 7 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lost Cities: Roll & Write
Players embark on expeditions along six colored paths, aiming to start with the smallest possible dice rolls. They must decide whether to continue an expedition or begin a new one each round, while artifacts and acceleration fields help them progress quickly. Each player has a scoring sheet with columns for colored paths, artifacts, and dice, and points are earned based on the filled fields, with bonuses for being the first to fill certain boxes. The game concludes when all players are exhausted or all bridges are crossed, and the player with the highest score wins.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 13% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Lost Cities: Roll & Write- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
L.L.A.M.A.
L.L.A.M.A. is a light and engaging card game that combines elements of strategy and luck. The game's title, an acronym for "Lege alle Minuspunkte ab" (German for "discard all minus points"), cleverly plays on the word "llama," adding a whimsical touch to the gameplay.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2019
More details for L.L.A.M.A.- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
My City: Roll & Build
Players create a unique city over four chapters, each containing three episodes. A die roll indicates which building to draw on the player board, with new challenges arising in each episode. Players can choose to play through the entire campaign or select individual episodes or chapters to replay.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for My City: Roll & Build- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Winner's Circle
Winner's Circle is a thrilling board game that brings the excitement of horse racing to your table. Players get to place bets on various horses and try to accumulate the most money over the course of three races. It’s a game of chance, strategy, and a bit of intuition, making it a great pick for family game nights or gatherings with friends.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Winner's Circle- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Deluxe Edition is a celebrated two-player board game designed by Reiner Knizia. Set in the rich world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, this game allows players to immerse themselves in the epic struggle between the forces of Sauron and the Free Peoples. Renowned for its blend of strategy, bluffing, and adventure, this deluxe edition elevates the experience with enhanced components and new gameplay elements.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ingenious
Ingenious, also known as Einfach Genial, is a strategic tile-placement game that challenges players to think tactically about color scoring. It's a game that balances individual progress with the need to perform well across different areas.
Nominated for 15 awards and won 7.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2004
More details for Ingenious- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
MLEM: Space Agency
Travel to the year 2075, where cats have taken over the world and are now aiming for space! The best feline specialists compete for cosmic supremacy, undeterred by their lack of opposable thumbs. Players take on the role of fearless captains of a cosmic expedition to conquer the cosmos, navigating through chaos and unleashing their cat-like instincts. Prepare for an extraordinary adventure beyond this world!
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for MLEM: Space Agency- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Art Robbery
More details for Art RobberyOn March 18, 1990, in Boston, players take on the role of art thieves who have successfully completed a heist. Now they face the biggest challenge: dividing the loot. Over several rounds, competitors strive to secure a share of four collections while avoiding capture by the FBI by gathering sufficient alibis.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
GOLD
More details for GOLDThe call of gold echoes as the last remaining gold mine, Mount Gold Rush, is stormed from all sides. Players must uncover cards, find nuggets, outsmart rivals, and mine the most gold.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Wildlife Safari
Wildlife Safari, originally introduced as Flinke Pinke and later reissued under various names such as Quandary, Loco!, and Botswana, is a deceptively simple yet strategically rich card game designed by the renowned Reiner Knizia. This game, through its various iterations, has maintained its core gameplay while adopting different themes and presentation styles to appeal to a wide audience.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Wildlife Safari- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples
Players have reached the legendary city of gold and begun to explore it. They can play this game as a standalone or in combination with the 2017 title. What will they find there?
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Quest for El Dorado: The Golden Temples
Heckmeck Deluxe
More details for Heckmeck DeluxeHeckmeck Deluxe includes both the base game and the expansion. Players engage in a fun-filled experience with new challenges and twists. Enjoy the unique gameplay that comes with this deluxe edition.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Circus Flohcati
Circus Flohcati brings the vibrant world of the flea circus to your table, offering a fast-paced game of strategy and risk-taking. Players aim to collect a variety of acts, each represented by ten types (colors) and point values ranging from 0 to 7, to amass the highest score. Your turn could involve adding a face-up card to your hand or unveiling a new one from the deck, which might just force an action upon you—like pilfering a card from a rival. But beware, revealing a card matching the color of one already face-up means you end up empty-handed. The thrill of the game lies in deciding whether to secure a card in sight or gamble for a potentially better draw.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Circus Flohcati- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Age of War
More details for Age of WarAge of War is a fast-paced dice game centered on conquest and strategy, set in feudal Japan. The game is designed for quick play and involves capturing castles, managing resources, and strategic planning.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Samurai
Samurai is a strategic board game set in medieval Japan. It immerses players in a contest of influence and power among three key factions of the era: samurai, peasants, and priests.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Samurai- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Samurai
Butterfly Garden
Indigo is a captivating tile-laying game that combines strategy with a touch of competition, as players maneuver to guide precious gemstones to their goals. This game, reminiscent of classics like Metro, Tsuro, and Linie 1, challenges players to construct pathways on a shared board, where the twist lies in moving gems towards objectives for points, rather than simply building the longest route.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2012
More details for Butterfly Garden- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
High Score
Players engage in a clever dice game filled with unique challenges. Each new challenge card reveals how points can be earned and how dice can be re-rolled. After the first player finishes their turn, others can attempt to surpass their score, but taking too many risks might lead to losing out. The player with the highest score after seven rounds wins.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for High Score- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mille Fiori
Mille Fiori is a strategy board game designed by Reiner Knizia where players step into the roles of ambitious glass manufacturers and traders during the Renaissance, striving to maximize their influence and wealth through the artful production and distribution of glass. The game combines elements of card drafting, token placement, and strategic planning across various sectors of a dynamic game board.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
More details for Mille Fiori- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
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