The best games in which the players at the back are favored (Catch the Leader) 2024

Looking for a really good game where those behind are favored? Then we have just the thing for you: the list of "best first to catch up" games 2024.

What are first to catch up games?

Game systems favor players who are behind - or disadvantage players who are ahead. In computer games the principle is called "Catch-Up" - known e.g. from racing games like [Need for Speed](https:// de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need_for_Speed) or [Mario Kart](https:// de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Kart): Here those behind are rewarded with higher speed and in Mario Kart additionally with better specials.

If this advantage is concretely limited to the turn order, then the further category "statistically determined start player" is used.

In English, by the way, "catching first" is called "catching the leader".

Examples of games that favor those behind:

A good example of a catch-first game is The Quacks of Quedlinburg.

list of the best first catch up games 2024

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 113 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    All details for the board game The Quacks of Quedlinburg and similar games

    Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quacks of Quedlinburg" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Heat: Pedal to the Metal

    All details for the board game Heat: Pedal to the Metal and similar games

    Heat: Pedal to the Metal is a dynamic and strategic racing board game that simulates the thrill and intricacies of car racing. It offers players a chance to experience the excitement of racing while managing crucial elements like speed, car upgrades, and varying track conditions.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 6.

    More details for Heat: Pedal to the Metal
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. Flamme Rouge

    All details for the board game Flamme Rouge and similar games

    Flamme Rouge presents an exhilarating bicycle racing experience where strategy, timing, and tactical decisions are paramount to success. This fast-paced game captures the intensity of a real bike race, offering players a blend of excitement and strategic gameplay.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 2.

    More details for Flamme Rouge
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Flamme Rouge

    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Flamme Rouge" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. My City

    All details for the board game My City and similar games

    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 11 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for My City
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for My City

    • YouTube Review for the game "My City" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash

    All details for the board game Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Quacks & Co.: Quedlinburg Dash
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!25€ atAmazon.de*
  6. Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

    All details for the board game Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King and similar games

    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
  7. Cubitos

    All details for the board game Cubitos and similar games

    Cubitos presents a thrilling and colorful dice-racing game where players engage in the annual Cube Cup race, balancing strategy and luck to emerge as the champion.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Cubitos
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de*
  8. Geisterfalle

    All details for the board game Geisterfalle and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. YINSH

    All details for the board game YINSH and similar games

    YINSH is a strategic abstract game that is part of the renowned GIPF series of games. It involves a clever combination of movement and flipping of markers on the board, with players aiming to align five markers of their own color. The unique aspect of YINSH is its balance between advancing towards victory and simultaneously weakening your position.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for YINSH
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. Dice Town

    All details for the board game Dice Town and similar games

    Dice Town is a lively game where players step into the wild west with five poker dice and eight dollars in hand. Each turn, you'll assemble a poker hand from your dice rolls, vying for control of various key locations in Dice Town, each offering unique actions.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Dice Town
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Lords of Vegas

    All details for the board game Lords of Vegas and similar games

    Lords of Vegas is a dynamic board game where players take on the roles of developers in a growing Nevada city, aiming to build the most profitable casinos along "The Strip." Starting with mere parking lots, players strategize to expand, reorganize, and gamble their way to success, aiming to score the most points by owning the most lucrative casinos and appointing the best bosses.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Lords of Vegas
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Lords of Vegas

    • YouTube Review for the game "Lords of Vegas" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  12. Cartagena

    All details for the board game Cartagena and similar games

    Cartagena is a thematic board game based on the historical 1672 pirate jailbreak from the fortress of Cartagena. It blends strategy and tactical movement with a strong pirate theme.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014

    🔥 Deal: 58% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Cartagena
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    🔥 Great price!17€ atAmazon.de*
  13. Suburbia

    All details for the board game Suburbia and similar games

    Suburbia is a tile-laying strategy board game where players take on the role of city planners, tasked with transforming small towns into bustling metropolises. Players strategically use hexagonal building tiles to construct residential, commercial, civic, and industrial areas, along with unique points of interest that harness the resources of nearby towns. The goal is not just to expand but to effectively manage the economic and reputation aspects of their growing cities.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Suburbia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  14. Power Grid

    All details for the board game Power Grid and similar games

    Power Grid is a strategic board game that combines elements of network building and commodity trading. Players aim to supply power to the most cities as their networks expand.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.

    More details for Power Grid
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Power Grid

    • YouTube Review for the game "Power Grid" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Power Grid" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Sticky Cthulhu

    All details for the board game Sticky Cthulhu and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Pit Crew

    All details for the board game Pit Crew and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Pit Crew
    • 2 - 9 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  17. Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America

    All details for the board game Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America and similar games

    Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America is a standalone game in the Power Grid universe, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the original Power Grid game. This deluxe edition boasts a double-sided game board featuring maps of Europe and North America, newly designed wooden components, and a completely new deck of power plants, including some that use natural gas. The game also introduces an enhanced two-player experience called “Against the Trust” and new overview cards for resource refills.

    More details for Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. My Island

    All details for the board game My Island and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    🔥 Great price!30€ atAmazon.de*
  19. Aristeia!

    All details for the board game Aristeia! and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  20. Blue Banana

    All details for the board game Blue Banana and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Blue Banana
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!9€ atAmazon.de*
  21. Charterstone

    All details for the board game Charterstone and similar games

    Charterstone invites players into the Kingdom of Greengully, where they are tasked with building a new village as part of a grand decree by the Forever King. This competitive legacy game evolves with each play, offering a unique and enduring experience.

    Nominated for 7 awards.

    More details for Charterstone
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 75 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  22. Tammany Hall

    All details for the board game Tammany Hall and similar games

    Tammany Hall is a fiercely competitive game of political intrigue, corruption, and the quest for power in 19th-century New York. Players vie to become the most influential force in the city by manipulating immigrant populations, securing votes, and strategically using political favors to slander opponents and win elections.

    More details for Tammany Hall
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Tammany Hall

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tammany Hall" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  23. Dicey Peaks

    All details for the board game Dicey Peaks and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 50 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends

    All details for the board game Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends and similar games

    Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends is a captivating game of magical strategy and tactics, where two to four players assume the roles of summoners in an epic arena battle. Each summoner, either working alone or in teams, demonstrates their mastery of magic by deploying minions to create complex patterns, summoning powerful beings, and outmaneuvering their opponents.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  25. Tiny Turbo Cars

    All details for the board game Tiny Turbo Cars and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Dicey Goblins

    All details for the board game Dicey Goblins and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 20 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  27. Viral

    All details for the board game Viral and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Viral
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  28. Age of Steam

    All details for the board game Age of Steam and similar games

    Age of Steam transports players back to the pioneering days of U.S. railroad expansion, offering a strategic gaming experience centered around building and operating a railroad empire.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Age of Steam
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  29. The Expanse Board Game

    All details for the board game The Expanse Board Game and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for The Expanse Board Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Expanse Board Game" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "The Expanse Board Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  30. Trickerion: Legends of Illusion

    All details for the board game Trickerion: Legends of Illusion and similar games

    Trickerion: Legends of Illusion is a competitive, Euro-style strategy board game set in a late 19th-century world infused with supernatural elements. The game revolves around rival stage illusionists vying for fame, fortune, and magical supremacy.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Trickerion: Legends of Illusion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

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