The best games presented at the Spiel 1999 game fair in Essen, Germany 2024

Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all games presented at the game fair "Spiel 1999" in Essen and listed the top100.

Game fair in the German city of Essen

The International Game Days "SPIEL", often called the Essen Game Fair or Essen 1999 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. Many new games are released at the fair each year, especially (but not exclusively) European-style board games.

More info about game fair "Spiel" is available on official game website.

Game fair Essen from other years

Essen game fair is held since 1983, we have for you both across all game years and listed separately by year bottom of the page.

List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'99:

This list was last updated on November 6, 2024. We compared 70 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Bohnanza

    All details for the board game Bohnanza and similar games

    Bohnanza is a unique card game about planting, trading, and harvesting beans. Unlike typical card games, you can't rearrange your hand, adding a strategic twist. The core of the game lies in trading beans with others to manage your hand effectively.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Bohnanza
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  2. Anno Domini: Seefahrer & Flieger

    All details for the board game Anno Domini: Seefahrer & Flieger and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Mamma Mia!

    All details for the board game Mamma Mia! and similar games

    Mamma Mia! is a delightful card game from designer Uwe Rosenberg, blending strategy and memory skills in a fun pizza-making theme. Players compete to complete pizza orders by strategically playing ingredient cards into a common pool and timing their pizza baking to utilize the available ingredients in the kitchen.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Mamma Mia!
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Frank's Zoo

    All details for the board game Frank's Zoo and similar games

    Frank's Zoo is a lively card game that challenges players to strategically rid themselves of all their cards across multiple hands, with scoring based on how quickly players can empty their hand each round. The game can be enjoyed in two modes: with consistent solo play or with alternating partners, adding a layer of strategy in team play.

    More details for Frank's Zoo
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Arbos

    All details for the board game Arbos and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 2000

    More details for Arbos
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Elk Fest

    All details for the board game Elk Fest and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  7. Kayanak

    All details for the board game Kayanak and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 1999

    More details for Kayanak
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  8. TurfMaster

    All details for the board game TurfMaster and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 75 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. RoboRally

    All details for the board game RoboRally and similar games

    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

    • YouTube Review for the game "RoboRally" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  10. Tikal

    All details for the board game Tikal and similar games

    Tikal is a compelling strategy game set in the dense jungles of Central America, where players embark on an expedition to uncover lost temples and hidden treasures. As explorers, players reveal new parts of the jungle board, discovering temples that need to be excavated and treasures that can be collected. The objective is to score points by controlling these temples and treasures. Notably, Tikal is the first game in the renowned Mask Trilogy.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 1999

    More details for Tikal
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  11. The Rose King

    All details for the board game The Rose King and similar games

    The Rose King (originally published as Texas) is a strategic board game that pits two playersโ€”or two teams in a four-player partnership variantโ€”against each other in an abstract battle for territory. Set against the historical backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, players assume the roles of the Lancaster and York factions, striving to dominate the board by forming contiguous regions of their markers.

    More details for The Rose King
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Anno Domini: Frauen

    All details for the board game Anno Domini: Frauen and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  13. Nicht die Bohne!

    All details for the board game Nicht die Bohne! and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. Kippit

    All details for the board game Kippit and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Union Pacific

    All details for the board game Union Pacific and similar games

    Union Pacific is a strategic train-themed stock market game where players navigate the balance between expanding railway companies and acquiring stock shares. The game revolves around increasing the value of different companies by extending their rail lines and strategically managing your stock portfolio for maximum dividends.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    โญ๏ธ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 1999

    More details for Union Pacific
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  16. Kahuna

    All details for the board game Kahuna and similar games

    Kahuna is a strategic two-player game set in the South Seas, where players take on the roles of Kahuna โ€“ powerful sorcerers of the Pacific. The game revolves around competing for dominance over an archipelago of twelve small islands.

    More details for Kahuna
    • 2 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Bus

    All details for the board game Bus and similar games

    Bus is a pioneering strategy game by Splotter Spellen, emerging from Essen 1999 as a standout creation by a group of students. This game challenges players to efficiently manage a public transportation system to deliver as many passengers to their destinations as possible. The game combines route planning, passenger distribution, and timing to create a deeply strategic and competitive experience.

    More details for Bus
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  18. Space Beans

    All details for the board game Space Beans and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Bargain Hunter

    All details for the board game Bargain Hunter and similar games
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Matschig

    All details for the board game Matschig and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Die Mauer

    All details for the board game Die Mauer and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Nichts als ร„rger!

    All details for the board game Nichts als ร„rger! and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Taj Mahal

    All details for the board game Taj Mahal and similar games

    Taj Mahal is a strategic board game set in northwest India during the early 18th century, a time when the power of the Grand Moguls was declining. This historical setting provides a rich backdrop for a game of influence and palace building.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for Taj Mahal
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  24. Lifetime

    All details for the board game Lifetime and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. Aladdin's Dragons

    All details for the board game Aladdin's Dragons and similar games

    Aladdin's Dragons (also known as Morgenland), developed from Richard Breese's Keydom, evolves the bidding and resource management mechanics into a vibrant, strategic board game that transports players to a realm of magical intrigue. Through clever placement of numbered bidding chips on a tripartite board, players engage in a tense contest of wits and bluffing. The objective is to amass wealth and magical artifacts, with treasure tokens serving as the pivotal currency for advancement.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for Aladdin's Dragons
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. Schrille Stille

    All details for the board game Schrille Stille and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. Torres

    All details for the board game Torres and similar games

    Torres is an abstract strategy game centered around the themes of castle building and strategic pawn movement. It is known for its deep tactical gameplay and resource management elements.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 2000

    More details for Torres
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Torres

    • YouTube Review for the game "Torres" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  28. Maskenball Venezia

    All details for the board game Maskenball Venezia and similar games
    • 5 - 12 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  29. Vinci

    All details for the board game Vinci and similar games

    Vinci draws inspiration from games like History of the World, challenging players to navigate through various European civilizations to amass the most points. Each civilization comes with its unique powers, allowing players to expand their empires and strategically outmaneuver their opponents. The essence of the game revolves around the judicious management of civilizationsโ€”knowing precisely when to let one decline in order to adopt another more advantageous one. This tactic is key to accumulating points and achieving victory.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Vinci
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  30. Tales of the Arabian Nights

    All details for the board game Tales of the Arabian Nights and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

Didn't find the game you were looking for?

We're positive that you'll find it in one of our other lists! To make the search easier for you, we split our website into different categories. The following board game categories will help you find the right list: