The best games from Richard Garfield 🇺🇸👨 2025
Looking for a really good game from game designer Richard Garfield 👨? Then we have just the thing: the list with the best Richard Garfield games 2025.
Richard Garfield has become world famous for his smash hit "Magic the Gathering" - but he has also invented some other very good board & card games. We bring light into the darkness and have picked out the best for you.
Who is Richard Garfield anyway?
Richard Garfield has been designing dice, card & board games since 1993. The game designer hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA🇺🇸, was born in 1963 and currently lives in Kirkland, Washington, USA🇺🇸. His full name is Richard Channing Garfield.
Garfield's first game "Magic: The Gathering" he developed in 1993 at the age of 30 - so he has been designing games for over 32. Famous Garfield games include King of Tokyo, Magic: The Gathering, Android: Netrunner & RoboRally.
In 1998, Garfield was inducted into the Origins Award Hall of Fame.
Inventor of collectible card games... and patent holder
Richard Garfield is one of the most famous game designers in the world. He was granted a patent on trading card games for his first game, Magic: The Gathering - now a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. Since then, he has designed many award-winning collectible card games and board games.
Garfield's childhood & youth
Richard Garfield spent his childhood traveling the world as his father worked in architecture. Eventually, they moved to Oregon when he was 12 years old. While initially interested in puzzles, his passion for games began with the discovery of Dungeons & Dragons. Richard Garfield designed his first game "RoboRally" at the age of 13 - but did not find a publisher until 1991, when he published it in 1994.
Professional career
Garfield earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computational mathematics in 1985. He then initially worked at Bell Labs, but eventually continued his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, this time in combinatorial mathematics. He then received a PhD in mathematics from the same university in 1993.
He was then a professor of mathematics at Whitman College before co-founding Wizards of the Coast (WofC) - also abbreviated as "Wizards" and the original publisher of Magic. Today, WofC is now owned by Hasbro.
Then, when Magic was published in 1993, Garfield decided to take a full-time job as a game developer.
How good are "Richard Garfield" games?
There are 9 games by Richard Garfield in our Top1000 games list, making Garfield the #18 best game author out of a total of 708 authors in our database.
More information about Garfield
More information about Garfield can be found on:
- Garfield's BGG profile
- Richard Garfield's Facebook page
- official Richard Garfield website
- english Wikipedia entry for Richard Garfield
- german Wikipedia entry for Garfield
List of best games by Richard Garfield 2025
In this list we have listed the best board games that Richard Garfield either designed himself - or was involved in designing.
Unfortunately, not all of Richard Garfield's games are currently available. In the following list you can find all dice, board & card games by Richard Garfield that you can buy 2025:
King of Tokyo: Dark Edition
More details for King of Tokyo: Dark EditionKing of Tokyo: Dark Edition is a limited collector's edition of the popular game King of Tokyo. Set in an alternative, darker version of Tokyo, this edition brings a new level of intensity to the battle for control of the city.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
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.
Nominated for 20 awards and won 7.
More details for King of Tokyo- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of Tokyo: Monster Box
More details for King of Tokyo: Monster BoxAll the King of Tokyo fun comes in a Monster Box. The battle for dominance in Tokyo has never been more intense, packed with excitement and adrenaline! It includes the essential Power Up! and Halloween expansions, evolution cards to enhance your monsters, and even a new version of Gigazaur with exclusive cards and a new dice tray for stylishly wreaking havoc in Tokyo.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mindbug: First Contact
Mindbug: First Contact is an innovative and strategic duel card game where players summon unique hybrid creatures to battle their opponent. However, the twist lies in the Mindbug cards, which can turn the tide of the game by allowing players to take control of an opponent's creature.
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Mindbug: First Contact- 2 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
King of Tokyo: Origins
More details for King of Tokyo: OriginsPlayers take on the role of monsters battling for supremacy in a standalone game designed for newcomers. It features four new monsters, a mix of power cards, energy dice, and special yellow dice. The objective is to be the first to reach 20 points or be the last monster standing. Players roll six dice to gain points, energy, heal, or attack others, with various strategic options for each turn.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Hive Mind
More details for Hive MindRichard Garfield presents Hive Mind, an exciting new party game about conformity! Players answer interesting questions based on their experiences and opinions. The more answers they share with others, the more points they earn. Represented by bee figures called Beeples, players navigate the hive, and those with the fewest points each round move closer to the exit. The game ends when one or more bees leave the hive, with all remaining bees winning and surviving the winter! It accommodates three to as many players as you like.
- 3 - 12 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mindbug: Beyond Evolution
More details for Mindbug: Beyond EvolutionThis standalone expansion introduces the Evolve effect on certain cards, allowing for a three-stage evolution line with changing creature abilities. Players summon hybrid creatures to battle against their opponent, but must beware, as the opponent can use one of their Mindbugs to take control. Mindbug blends the accessibility of a simple card game with the strategic depth of a complex one, resulting in a skill-based card duel that offers a unique experience.
- 2 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Bunny Kingdom
Bunny Kingdom is a charming and strategic board game where players lead clans of rabbits to establish their dominance over a vast kingdom. The game combines elements of drafting, resource management, and area control to create a dynamic and engaging experience.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Bunny Kingdom- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Bunny Kingdom
The Great Dalmuti
The Great Dalmuti is a light and engaging card game that revolves around players striving to improve their social status by being the first to discard all their cards. The game is a commercial adaptation of the traditional card game President, and it offers a fun, fast-paced experience.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for The Great Dalmuti- 4 - 8 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of New York
King of New York is a fast-paced, standalone board game designed by Richard Garfield, which builds upon the ideas of its predecessor, King of Tokyo. Players step into the roles of giant monsters vying for supremacy in the bustling metropolis of New York City. The objective is to be the first to accumulate 20 victory points (VPs) or to be the last monster standing in this thrilling city-destroying battle.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for King of New York- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dice Hunters of Therion
More details for Dice Hunters of TherionPlayers take on the role of a dice hero, confronting villains that plague the kingdom. They use their dice to secure rewards and discover valuable treasures. With courage and the favor of the dice, they will achieve glory and honor in the name of Therion.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dungeons, Dice & Danger
More details for Dungeons, Dice & DangerGather your courage, grab your sword, and roll the dice as you travel through the realm in search of treasure and glory. Explore deep, dark dungeons filled with treasures and monsters. Will you become a legendary hero?
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Carnival of Monsters
More details for Carnival of MonstersThe Royal Monstrological Society includes the most renowned experts in monster studies. Each year, only one new member is allowed to join, and applicants must compete to capture the most extraordinary monsters they can find. Players collect cards to capture and display exotic monsters, hire talented assistants, and pursue secret goals, earning points through monster exhibitions, achieving objectives, and collecting crowns over four seasons. The player with the most profitable and spectacular carnival at the end wins!
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carnival of Monsters
Android: Netrunner
Android: Netrunner is an asymmetrical Living Card Game for two players, set in a cyberpunk future. It involves strategic card play, where one player controls a megacorporation and the other plays as a lone runner.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for Android: Netrunner- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Monstrolicious
More details for MonstroliciousOriginally known as "Auf die Palme," this card game by Richard Garfield and George Elias features two players competing with 12 birds of various values to claim the top 10 feeding spots in a palm tree. Only one bird is allowed per spot, creating a contest of strategy. Players must cleverly position their birds, bluff, and resist the temptation to cheat, as the goal is to secure the best feeding locations.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
RoboRally
RoboRally is a dynamic and chaotic racing board game where players control robots in a high-stakes race through a hazardous factory. The game combines strategy, quick thinking, and a bit of luck to create an engaging and often humorous experience.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for RoboRally- 2 - 8 Players
- 45 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for RoboRally
Treasure Hunter
Treasure Hunter is a fast-paced and strategic drafting game where players become adventurers in search of valuable treasures over the course of five thrilling rounds. The game cleverly combines elements of strategy, luck, and foresight as players select from a hand of cards to assemble their team of treasure hunters, all while navigating the ever-changing opportunities and pitfalls presented by the treasures themselves.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Treasure Hunter- 2 - 6 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
KeyForge: Call of the Archons
KeyForge: Call of the Archons is a groundbreaking card game from the mind of Richard Garfield, offering a unique experience where each deck is one-of-a-kind. In this game, traditional deckbuilding and boosters are replaced by a world of endless discovery and strategic depth.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.
More details for KeyForge: Call of the Archons- 2 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for KeyForge: Call of the Archons
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) is a highly influential collectible card game (CCG) that has shaped the genre since its inception. Players take on the roles of planeswalkers, powerful wizards engaging in strategic duels.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 6.
More details for Magic: The Gathering- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
The Hunger
Players optimize their deck of vampire cards while hunting humans for victory points and completing secret missions. The goal is to acquire a rose and return to the castle before sunrise. As players hunt more, both they and their deck slow down, creating a challenging race against time. The game ends at sunrise, and the surviving player with the most victory points wins.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
🔥 Deal: 5% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for The Hunger- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Twitch
More details for TwitchZack! is a frantic reaction game based on new information. Players must quickly determine if a played card points to them and respond by throwing the top card from their pile onto the stack. If they are too slow, another player can challenge them, forcing them to take all cards in the stack. The first to empty their pile wins.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of Tokyo: Duel
More details for King of Tokyo: DuelAs night falls over Tokyo, two giant silhouettes rise from the smoke of destroyed skyscrapers. Only one can be crowned the King of Tokyo, either by defeating their rival or instilling fear in the crowd. King of Tokyo Duel is a dice game for two players. Choose your unique monster and roll new dice to gain glory and destruction points, or crush your rival with new special power cards to become the ultimate King of Tokyo!
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
King of Monster Island
A new ruler rises: King of Monster Island. Unusual movements have been detected on Monster Island as the volcano erupts like never before. Monsters from all over the world gather on the island, not to fight each other but to confront a greater threat that endangers them all.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for King of Monster Island- 1 - 5 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Robo Rally
More details for Robo RallyRobo Rally is a dynamic and strategic board game where players navigate their robots through a chaotic factory floor, aiming to hit designated checkpoints in sequence amidst a plethora of obstacles and hazards. This high-energy game combines elements of planning, race, and sabotage, making it a thrilling competition of wits and speed.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Shadow Blades
More details for Shadow BladesBecome a master spy tasked with dominating the covert intelligence world by deploying agents for crucial missions. In SpyNet, 2 to 4 players work solo or in teams to gather the information needed to recruit the best agents and disrupt their opponents' plans.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dilbert: Corporate Shuffle
More details for Dilbert: Corporate ShuffleA fast-paced card game featuring Dilbert, the cartoon hero of the workplace. Players aim to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible to climb the corporate ladder. Based on the card game Great Dalmuti, it includes unique Dilbert comics on each card along with new rules and cards.
- 4 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
KeyForge: Mass Mutation
More details for KeyForge: Mass MutationThe Mass Mutation set for the unique deck game introduces over 200 brand new cards to the pool. Dark Amber's mutation power has transformed many familiar creatures into strange versions. Each starter set for two players comes with two ready-to-play decks and all the tokens needed to enjoy KeyForge.
- 2 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
KeyForge: Age of Ascension
Delve deeper into the world of the Crucible in the Age of Ascension, the second era of KeyForge. This expansion features 204 new cards integrated into a pool of 370 different cards, creating a fresh collection of Archon decks to explore and master.
🔥 Deal: 20% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for KeyForge: Age of Ascension- 2 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Filthy Rich
More details for Filthy RichFilthy Rich is a card game played with a stapler and four Ultra Pro card protector pages. Players start with business posters in the form of cards placed in the pages. When the number rolled on the business dice matches your advertisement board, you earn money to purchase luxury items. The first player to own three luxury items wins, but players must manage taxes during random tax phases, or they risk liquidating their empire. Special action cards and events add to the fun of this light-hearted game.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
KeyForge: Dark Tidings
KeyForge: Dark Tidings is the fifth set in the KeyForge series. Each deck contains cards from three of the seven houses, with the Unfathomable house replacing Dis, specializing in controlling enemies by exhausting their creatures. Players can hinder opponents' fighting forces and gain advantages by manipulating tides, with some cards gaining enhanced effects depending on the tide status.
🔥 Deal: 11% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for KeyForge: Dark Tidings- 2 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
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