The best games in which the players at the back are favored (Catch the Leader) 2026
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 2026.
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 2026
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The Quack of Quedlinburg
All details & ratingBecome 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!
2–4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 7 € above the best price28 € at Amazon* -
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
All details & ratingHeat: 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.
1–6 30–60 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Flamme Rouge
All details & ratingFlamme 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.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 6 € above the best price30 € at Amazon*Video reviews 3 -
My City
All details & ratingMy 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.
2–4 30 min 10+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Quacks & Co.
All details & ratingIt's race day in Quedlinburg, and with the right mix of food and luck, you ride your mount to victory and win the golden cauldron. Players build their own bag of tiles throughout the game, drawing them to advance on the race track. They will collect resources, gain bonuses, and strategize until someone crosses the finish line first.
2–4 25 min 6+ Immediately playable -
Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
All details & ratingIsle 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.
2–5 30–50 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Geisterfalle
All details & ratingRestless ghosts are everywhere in the ghost trap, and only players can stop them. Each player has a marble track and three ghost trap marbles to roll into the track's holes to catch the ghosts. The first to do so shouts "Stop!", ending the round, and players earn points before a new round begins; the player with the most points wins.
2–4 6+ Immediately playable -
Cubitos
All details & ratingCubitos 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.
2–4 30–60 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Cartagena 1: The Escape
2000 Edition
All details & ratingCartagena 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.
2–5 45 min 8+ Easy to learn57 % cheaper than at other retailers17 € at Amazon* -
Sticky Cthulhu
All details & ratingPlayers each have a long sticky "tentacle" and the table is covered with six types of creature tiles in various colors, along with some investigator tiles. To start a round, one player rolls two dice to determine a color and a creature, and all players try to hit the matching creature tile with their tentacle. The round ends when a player removes their tile and holds it, earning a point, and the game continues until someone reaches the required number of points to win, while collecting "Deep Ones" points adds curses that change how you can use your tentacle.
2–6 15 min 6+ Immediately playable -
Blue Banana
All details & ratingIn the fast-paced card game, players face confusion from changing colors and symbols. Each round features two motif cards displaying their symbols in incorrect colors, challenging players to collect cards that match the desired properties amid the chaos. Success requires clever thinking and the ability to see beyond the misleading colors to identify the correct motifs.
2–5 10+ Immediately playable -
My Island
All details & ratingPlayers develop their own unique islands using interconnected hexagons in a competitive legacy format inspired by a previous game. Over 24 sessions, they will uncover the story and secrets of their island, with each game introducing new rules and materials that permanently alter the landscape.
2–4 30 min 10+ Easy to learn -
Aristeia!
All details & ratingSet 175 years in the future, humanity has reached the stars and citizens connect to Maya, an interplanetary network, indulging in the thrill of entertainment. Among the many forms of excitement, Aristeia! stands out as the most popular extreme sport, where players take on the role of managers for their competition teams in a visually spectacular showdown.
2 60–90 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Charterstone
All details & ratingCharterstone 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.
1–6 45–75 min 14+ Medium complexity -
Tiny Turbo Cars
All details & ratingTiny Turbo Cars is a fast-paced racing game for 2 to 4 players, where you program the movements of your toy car in advance using a sliding puzzle as the controller. Players choose their car, create the track, and simultaneously work through their sliding puzzles to determine the sequence of actions for their cars during the round.
2–4 30–45 min 8+ Easy to learn -
Tash-Kalar: Arena of Legends
All details & ratingTash-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.
2–4 30 min 13+ Medium complexity+ 118 € above the best price153 € at Amazon*Video reviews 1
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
The Quack of Quedlinburg (Kennerspiel 2018 winner) 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 support 2 to 4 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 6 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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