The Best Games from GMT Games 🇺🇸🏢 2026
In this 2026 top list we have selected for you the best dice, card & board games from the game publisher "GMT Games" 🇺🇸🏢.
History of GMT Games
The board game company "GMT Games" was founded by Gene Billingsley, Mike Crane and Terry Shrum in 1990. The name of GMT is composed of the initials of the first names of the founders. The current company headquarters is in Hanford, California, USA 🇺🇸. The focus is on strategy games, wargames and eurogames.
Famous GMT Games games include Twilight Struggle, Dominant Species oder Commands & Colors: Ancients.
Precursor to crowdfunding
In the 1990s, GMT pioneered a pre-order system called "Project 500" or "P500," which the Washington Post called "Kickstarter before Kickstarter". Customers would pre-order a title and production would not begin until a certain minimum number of orders were reached. This system was also adopted by other wargame publishers. GMT was successful in the 1990s when other wargame publishers failed, attributed in part to their innovative P500 system.
How good are games from "GMT Games" game publisher?
There are 25 games from GMT Games included in our Top1000-Games-List, making GMT Games the #9 best games publisher out of a total of 284 games publishers in our database.
Further Information about the Game Publisher GMT Games
You can find more info about GMT Games under following links:
- official Website of GMT Games
- GMT Games's BGG-Profile
- GMT Games's Twitter-Feed
- GMT Games's Facebook Page
- GMT Games's Instagram-Profile
- Wikipedia-Entry for GMT Games
- german Wikipedia-Entry for GMT Games
List with the best Games by GMT Games 2026 🇺🇸🏢
Below is the always up-to-date list of the best board games from GMT Games that you can buy 2026:
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Battle Line
All details & ratingBattle Line is a strategic card game that pits two opponents against each other with the aim of capturing flags by creating powerful formations.
2 30 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Commands & Colors: Napoleonics
All details & ratingCommands & Colors: Napoleonics transports players to the tumultuous battlefield of the Napoleonic era, offering a unique blend of historical accuracy and strategic gameplay. This game pits the French army, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, against the forces of the British Empire, capturing the intense rivalry and the grandeur of Napoleonic warfare.
2 90 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Twilight Struggle
All details & ratingTwilight 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.
2 120–180 min 13+ For connoisseurs -
Ivanhoe
All details & ratingPlayers take on the role of knights participating in prestigious tournaments at the king's court. They use cards to win duels, fighting with swords, axes, or maces. Strategic use of action cards can change the dynamics of ongoing tournaments, impacting weapon choices and combat outcomes. The first player to win four or five different tournaments becomes the overall champion. There's more strategy involved than it may seem at first glance.
2–5 20–60 min 10+ Easy to learn -
The Hunters: German U-Boats at War, 1939-43
All details & ratingPlayers take command of a German U-boat during World War II in a tactical solitaire game. The mission involves destroying as much allied shipping and battleships as possible while improving crew quality and rank. The game is designed to provide an intense experience, filled with strategic decisions and all major U-boat models from the era, alongside detailed considerations of service time, armament, and crew composition.
1–2 120 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Commands & Colors: Samurai Battles
All details & ratingPlayers reenact important battles from Japanese history using flexible troop formations and terrain features. The game includes scenarios that vary in scale, with some representing entire clans while others depict just a few brave warriors.
2 60 min 14+ Medium complexity -
The Hunted: Twilight of the U-Boats, 1943-45
All details & ratingPlayers take command of various World War II submarine models in a tactical level game. Their mission is to destroy as much allied shipping and capital ships as possible while finding a way to survive and return home. Players will find it extremely challenging to survive a journey from 1943 to 1945, and they may start with a more advanced submarine model to improve their chances.
1–2 60–180 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Fort Sumter: The Secession Crisis, 1860-61
All details & ratingPlayers take on the roles of a Unionist and a Secessionist during the crisis of 1860 that led to the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Utilizing a card-driven system, they compete for control over key political dimensions that influence the outcome of the game. After three rounds, the game culminates in a final crisis confrontation, where players reveal their moves to determine the winner.
2 20–40 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Silent Victory: U.S. Submarines in the Pacific, 1941-45
All details & ratingPlayers take command of an American submarine during World War II in the Pacific, aiming to destroy as much Japanese shipping and military vessels as possible while improving their crew and decorations. The game is designed to offer an engaging and intense experience, requiring strategic decisions as players navigate various Pacific patrols throughout the war. The gameplay is built on the successful framework of the Hunters and includes various U.S. submarine types and components for a rich and detailed experience.
1–2 120–180 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945
All details & ratingTriumph & Tragedy is a geopolitical strategy game for 3 players (also playable with 2) set between 1936 and 1945, focusing on the competition for European domination among capitalism (the West), communism (the Soviet Union), and fascism (the Axis). Players manage military, diplomatic, economic, and technological elements, aiming to achieve economic hegemony, technological supremacy, or military victory.
2–3 240–360 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Wild Blue Yonder
All details & ratingIn 1992, GMT released Rise of the Luftwaffe, the first Down in Flames WWII air combat card game, covering the early part of the war in Europe from 1939 to early 1942. Following expansions added aircraft and campaigns for later in the war. Wild Blue Yonder is a completely new game that addresses past shortages, featuring a dozen complete campaigns, over 200 aircraft cards, and all necessary materials for gameplay, packaged in a large box similar to the Combat Commander series.
1–8 15–180 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Time of Crisis: The Roman Empire in Turmoil, 235-284 AD
All details & ratingDuring the crisis of the third century, the Roman Empire faced catastrophic internal and external turmoil. 2-4 players take on the role of Roman dynasties, vying for influence in the Senate, military, and among the populace to ensure their legacies endure. With gameplay that combines deck-building and light wargame mechanics, players must build armies, control valuable provinces, and navigate political rivalries while managing their hands and making strategic decisions.
2–4 120–180 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Red Winter: The Soviet Attack at Tolvajärvi, Finland – 8-12 December 1939
All details & ratingWinter 1939 sees the Soviet Union declaring war on Finland, unleashing destruction on Helsinki. In a fierce battle, Russian forces push back the Finns, led by Colonel Paavo Talvela, who must fortify their defenses at Tolvajärvi against an impending assault.
2 20–720 min 12+ Medium complexity -
Apocalypse Road
All details & ratingIn a grim future after the collapse of modern technology, society has transformed into a battle for survival. Central governments have been replaced by local powers, and while some areas resemble wastelands, others thrive by returning to a premodern lifestyle.
2–10 60–90 min 14+ Easy to learn -
Space Empires 4X
All details & ratingSpace Empires 4X is a grand strategy board game set in the vastness of space, where players assume the leadership of their own spacefaring empire. They will explore the galaxy, expand their territory, exploit resources, and exterminate rivals in a quest for dominance. The game emphasizes strategic planning, resource management, and tactical combat, offering a deep and engaging experience that mirrors the complexities of running an interstellar empire.
1–4 60–240 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Conquest of Paradise
All details & ratingPlayers build empires in the "Polynesian Triangle" of the central Pacific for two to four participants. They explore the ocean, aiming to discover and colonize lucrative island groups. Resources are limited, making their strategic use crucial for victory, while investments in exploration and cultural innovations can yield significant benefits. The game combines exploration, empire-building, and conflict, with critical decisions about warrior construction and resource allocation impacting success. It offers a quick learning curve and can be played in about 60-90 minutes.
1–4 90 min 12+ Medium complexity
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Battle Line 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 10 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 60 to 180 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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