The best games presented at the Spiel 2000 game fair in Essen, Germany 2024

Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2000" 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 2000 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.

Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'00?

If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2000.... please write us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de. Then we will add it to the list.

Spiel-Messe Essen from other years

The Essen Game Fair has been held since 1983, we have listed for you both across all game years and listed separately by year at the bottom of the page.

list with the top100 new releases of Spiel'00:

This list was last updated on February 25, 2024. We compared 94 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Carcassonne

    All details for the board game Carcassonne and similar games

    Carcassonne is a renowned tile-placement game set in the picturesque landscape of Southern France. This game is beloved for its simplicity, depth, and the beautiful mosaic players create on the table.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Carcassonne
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Carcassonne

    • YouTube Review for the game "Carcassonne" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  2. Hamster Roll

    All details for the board game Hamster Roll and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!33โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*
  3. Monza

    All details for the board game Monza and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Monza
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 10 - 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Monza

    • YouTube Review for the game "Monza" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  4. Blokus

    All details for the board game Blokus and similar games

    Blokus is an abstract strategy game known for its simple rules and deep strategic gameplay. It features colorful Tetris-shaped pieces that players aim to place on the board.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 4.

    More details for Blokus
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. 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.

    โญ๏ธ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Deal: 57% 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
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!17โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*
  6. Orchard

    All details for the board game Orchard and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Orchard
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 3+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!26โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*
  7. Nightmare Productions

    All details for the board game Nightmare Productions and similar games

    Nightmare Productions, designed by Reiner Knizia, is a unique auction-based board game centered around the theme of producing movies, with a special twist in its Nightmare Productions edition that brings a horror and fantasy element to the filmmaking process. The game is structured around bidding for various components necessary to complete a movie, with a focus on strategic bidding and resource management.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Nightmare Productions
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Trendy

    All details for the board game Trendy and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  9. Ivanhoe

    All details for the board game Ivanhoe and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  10. Zitternix

    All details for the board game Zitternix and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 10 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Zitternix

    • YouTube Review for the game "Zitternix" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  11. Anno Domini: Sport

    All details for the board game Anno Domini: Sport and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. River Dragons

    All details for the board game River Dragons and similar games

    River Dragons is a dynamic and strategic board game where players aim to cross a river by building a network of planks over foundational stones. The challenge comes from the fact that each player plans their moves secretly and simultaneously, leading to unexpected outcomes and interactions as players' paths cross and plans collide.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for River Dragons
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for River Dragons

    • YouTube Review for the game "River Dragons" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Animal Poker

    All details for the board game Animal Poker and similar games
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  14. RoboRally: Crash and Burn

    All details for the board game RoboRally: Crash and Burn and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  15. Klondike

    All details for the board game Klondike and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    โญ๏ธ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Klondike
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  16. Tally Ho!

    All details for the board game Tally Ho! and similar games
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!15โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*
  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. Zapp Zerapp

    All details for the board game Zapp Zerapp and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    โญ๏ธ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Zapp Zerapp
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Lord of the Fries

    All details for the board game Lord of the Fries and similar games
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Meuterer

    All details for the board game Meuterer and similar games

    Meuterer is a compelling role selection and card game where players navigate the treacherous waters of mutiny aboard a merchant ship. Each player assumes the role of a crew member, each with their own agenda and goods to sell. The game unfolds over several rounds, with players revealing goods they wish to sell. However, as the ship visits ports that specialize in only one type of good, the captain's role becomes crucial as only they can decide the ship's course.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Meuterer
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Kill Doctor Lucky

    All details for the board game Kill Doctor Lucky and similar games

    Kill Doctor Lucky puts a unique spin on the classic mystery genre. In this darkly humorous game, players scheme to off the ill-fated Doctor Lucky. He's the guy everyone loves to hate โ€“ maybe he snubbed you in his will, or perhaps he's responsible for your pet rock's untimely demise. Whatever the reason, you're out for revenge, but so is everyone else! The catch? You've got to do the deed secretly, without witnesses, or it's back to square one.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Kill Doctor Lucky
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Bongo!

    All details for the board game Bongo! and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  23. Turbo Taxi

    All details for the board game Turbo Taxi and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. High Bohn

    All details for the board game High Bohn and similar games
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Im Mรคrchenwald

    All details for the board game Im Mรคrchenwald and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    โญ๏ธ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Im Mรคrchenwald
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. The Lord of the Rings

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings and similar games

    The Lord of the Rings is a cooperative board game that immerses players in the epic journey of the Fellowship as they strive to destroy the One Ring and thwart the dark powers of Sauron. Each player assumes the role of a Hobbit from the Fellowship, each with unique abilities that contribute to the team's success.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 2001

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for The Lord of the Rings
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!42โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*

    Video reviews for The Lord of the Rings

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Lord of the Rings" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  27. Ebbe & Flut

    All details for the board game Ebbe & Flut and similar games
    • 1 - 2 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!8โ‚ฌ atAmazon.de*
  28. MotorChamp

    All details for the board game MotorChamp and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Babel

    All details for the board game Babel and similar games

    Babel is a competitive game where you leverage the strengths of ancient tribes to build temples, outmaneuver your opponent, and ultimately construct the tallest structures for victory. Set against the backdrop of five ancient civilizationsโ€”Medes, Sumerians, Hittites, Persians, and Assyriansโ€”you're dealt cards representing each tribe, using them to strategically move, build, or disrupt your opponent's progress on a compact board adorned with regions of these civilizations.

    More details for Babel
    • 2 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Knights

    All details for the board game Knights and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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: