The best games presented at the Spiel 2013 game fair in Essen, Germany 2025
Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2013" in Essen and listed the top100.
Game fair in the German city of Essen
The International Game Days "SPIEL", often called Essen Game Fair or Essen 2013 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.
SPIEL'13 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair was held was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. In 2013, Spiel'13 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games, with 826 exhibitors from 39 nations, 800 new launches and 156,000 game-loving visitors.
More info about game fair "Spiel" is available on the official game website.
Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'13?
If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2013.... 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'13:
Crokinole
More details for CrokinoleCrokinole is a traditional action and dexterity game that has been enjoyed for generations. Played on a circular wooden board, it combines skill, strategy, and a touch of luck.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Crokinole
Love Letter
In Love Letter, you must compete with other suitors to deliver a romantic letter to Princess Annette, who has secluded herself in the palace.
Nominated for 15 awards and won 7.
More details for Love Letter- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Love Letter
Skull
Embark on a journey of bluffing and suspense with Skull & Roses. This game is the epitome of strategic cunning, where every move unfolds in the minds of the players. Each participant starts by placing a face-down card, gradually revealing them one by one. The thrill escalates as players confidently claim the ability to uncover cards adorned only with roses. But beware, as opponents can challenge and bid to reveal even more cards. The highest bidder must then courageously unveil the specified number, hoping for a bed of roses and not the dreaded skull. Successfully navigating this bluffing showdown requires a poker face and unwavering eye contact, with victory hinging on two successful challenges.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.
More details for Skull- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Skull
Dixit: Origins
More details for Dixit: OriginsDixit: Origins (also known as Dixit 4) is a captivating expansion to the award-winning Dixit game, renowned for its creative and whimsical gameplay. This expansion introduces 84 new cards adorned with surreal and imaginative artwork that enriches the core game, providing fresh inspiration for the storytellers and adding to the game's vast replayability.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a lively, dice-based game that combines luck, strategy, and the joy of thwarting your opponents. Developed by Stefan Brück at alea, it's designed to be an easy and interactive game, full of schadenfreude moments.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2012
More details for Las Vegas- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Las Vegas
Coconuts
Coconuts is a lively dexterity game inspired by the "Monkey King" character from Chinese mythology. In this engaging and playful game, players take turns launching coconuts towards cups positioned in the center of the play area. Successfully landing a coconut in a cup allows you to stack it on your board. Even more strategically, if you land a coconut in an opponent's cup, you can claim it and move it to your board. The game also features "Monkey King Magic" cards, which add a twist by allowing players to disrupt their opponents' shots in various ways. The first player to build a pyramid of six cups on their board is the winner.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Coconuts- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Coconuts
Qwixx
Qwixx is a fast-paced and engaging dice game that involves all players actively, regardless of whose turn it is. It combines simple mechanics with a need for strategic decision-making, making it a fun and interactive game for all involved.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Qwixx- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Time's Up! Edición Azul
More details for Time's Up! Edición AzulPlayers form teams to participate in a charades-based party game. Each player selects cards featuring famous historical or fictional characters, which are then shuffled into a common set for three rounds. Team members take turns giving clues to help each other guess as many names as possible within a time limit, using varying rules for hints and responses in each round.
- 4 - 12 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
BANG! The Dice Game
BANG! The Dice Game transports players to the U.S. wild west, where the classic confrontation between the law and outlaws unfolds with an added threat of Indian attacks. This dice game adaptation retains the essence of the original Bang! card game while introducing new dynamics and challenges.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for BANG! The Dice Game- 3 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Time's Up! Family
More details for Time's Up! FamilyPlayers form teams of two or more and engage in a charades-based party game. Before the game starts, each player selects cards featuring familiar objects, crafts, and animals, which are then mixed into a stack for three rounds. Team members take turns giving clues to help their partners guess as many words as possible within 30 seconds, with each round introducing new rules for how clues can be given.
- 4 - 12 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Time's Up! Academy
More details for Time's Up! AcademyTime is up! Academy is a team-based party game that relies on charades, best enjoyed with pairs. Players select cards featuring old TV shows, music, and movies, which are then shuffled into a deck for three rounds of play, with varying rules for giving clues. In each round, team members take turns getting their teammates to guess as many names and titles as possible within 30 seconds, using increasingly limited clues.
- 4 - 12 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coup: Reformation
More details for Coup: ReformationCoup: Reformation is an engaging expansion to the popular game Coup: City State. This expansion from La Mame Games introduces additional cards and exciting new rules for factions and team play, enriching the original game's bluffing and strategy elements. Designed to increase tension and interaction, especially in games with four or more players, it also expands the game's capacity to accommodate up to ten players.
- 2 - 10 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Concordia
Concordia is a peaceful yet strategic board game set in Roman times, focusing on economic development and expansion. It is designed for 2-5 players aged 13 and up.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Concordia- 2 - 5 Players
- 100 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Concordia
Hanabi
Hanabi, named after the Japanese word for "fireworks," invites players to collaboratively create the perfect fireworks display. In this cooperative game, the goal is to arrange cards on the table in the correct order to achieve a stunning pyrotechnic spectacle. However, there's a catch - players must hold their cards so that they are visible only to their teammates. To succeed, you'll need to provide hints to your fellow players about the numbers and colors of their cards, working together to avoid mistakes and complete the fireworks show before running out of cards.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2013
More details for Hanabi- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
King of Tokyo: Halloween
More details for King of Tokyo: HalloweenKing of Tokyo: Halloween is an exciting expansion to the popular King of Tokyo game. It brings a spooky twist to the city-smashing monster battles, perfect for Halloween or any fans of horror-themed fun.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Takenoko
Takenoko is a charming board game set in the Japanese Imperial court, revolving around the care of a giant panda gifted by the Chinese Emperor. Players, as court members, are tasked with managing a bamboo garden for the panda.
Nominated for 18 awards and won 7.
More details for Takenoko- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Takenoko
Concept
In Concept, the challenge is to convey words using a network of icons. A pair of players, seated as neighbors, collaborate to select a word or phrase that others must deduce. Working in tandem, they strategically place markers on the available icons on the game board.
Nominated for 14 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Concept- 4 - 12 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters
Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters, also known as Geister, Geister, Schatzsuchmeister!, is an award-winning cooperative board game where players embark on an eerie adventure to collect treasures from a haunted house.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters
Tokaido: Crossroads
More details for Tokaido: CrossroadsTokaido: Crossroads introduces new treasures for the most dedicated travelers. Experience cherry blossoms, luxurious bathhouses, lucky charms, calligraphy, legendary items, and even secret game halls. This expansion opens new avenues and strategies to enhance your journey.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Terror in Meeple City
In Terror in Meeple City (formerly known as Rampage), players step into the roles of colossal monsters, hungry for destruction and chaos in the heart of Meeple City. The objective is simple: create mayhem by demolishing buildings and devouring innocent meeples, all in a race to become the most fearsome monster of them all.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.
More details for Terror in Meeple City- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Zombie Dice 2: Double Feature
More details for Zombie Dice 2: Double FeatureZombie Dice 2: Double Feature is an expansion to the popular game Zombie Dice, adding a cinematic twist with three new thematic dice that enhance gameplay and offer fresh challenges. This expansion is cleverly divided into two thematic "movies," each introducing unique characters and mechanics, and can be combined for an even more engaging gameplay experience.
- 2 - 99 Players
- 10 - 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ghost Blitz: 5 to 12
The fast-paced game adds new shapes and challenges. Five wooden objects sit on the table, with players competing to grab the correct one based on the current card showing three items. The game escalates as players must navigate various rules involving color, shape, and special scenarios like identifying times or naming objects, all while aiming to collect the most cards by the end.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Ghost Blitz: 5 to 12- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dominion: Guilds
Dominion: Guilds is a clever and engaging expansion to the widely beloved deck-building game, Dominion. This expansion, the eighth addition to the series, introduces players to the bustling world of guilds, where artisans from various professions—ranging from the whimsical to the essential—hone their crafts and vie for dominance. With a humorous nod to the complexities of the economy and job market, Guilds adds depth and variety to the Dominion universe through its thematic focus on guild membership, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of masterpieces.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Dominion: Guilds- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Northern Pacific
More details for Northern PacificNorthern Pacific is a railway construction game for 3-5 players, lasting about twenty minutes. Players start with a mix of investment dice and build tracks across the United States from Minnesota to Washington, beginning in Minneapolis-St. Paul. When the railway reaches Seattle, the round ends, and players compare their investment successes to determine the winner, who is either the one with the most good investments or, in case of a tie, the fewest bad investments.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Machi Koro
Machi Koro is a light and fast-paced city-building board game, where players take on the role of mayor of a small town, striving to develop it into a thriving city.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015
More details for Machi Koro- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Machi Koro
Hive: The Pillbug
More details for Hive: The PillbugThe Pillbug is a new tile addition that can be integrated into Hive. It moves like the queen bee, one space at a time, but also has a unique ability to move an adjacent, non-stacked piece, whether friend or foe, two spaces. This ability comes with specific restrictions, such as not moving a recently moved opponent's piece or any piece in a stack.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
Blueprints
Blueprints is a creative and strategic board game where players take on the role of architects. The objective is to skillfully use colored dice to construct three distinct structures from blueprints. Each die color offers different benefits, adding a layer of strategy to the building process.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Blueprints- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Blueprints
Battle Sheep
Battle Sheep, formerly known as Splits, is a light-hearted yet strategic board game where players aim to spread their flock of sheep across the pasture to occupy the most territory. The game is known for its simple rules, quick gameplay, and fun theme, making it a great choice for families and casual gamers.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Battle Sheep- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Carcassonne: South Seas
Carcassonne: South Seas brings the classic tile-laying charm of the original Carcassonne to a vibrant, tropical setting. This standalone game, the first in the "Carcassonne Around the World" series, offers players the task of building island landscapes filled with inviting seas and lush islands. Instead of the traditional cities, roads, and fields, players work to gather bananas, shellfish, and fish, trading these resources for points with various traders. The familiar mechanics of placing tiles and meeples blend seamlessly with this refreshing maritime theme, offering both seasoned Carcassonne fans and newcomers a delightful new variant to explore.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Carcassonne: South Seas- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne: South Seas
Ticket to Ride Map Collection 4: Nederland
More details for Ticket to Ride Map Collection 4: NederlandTicket to Ride Map Collection: Volume 4 - Nederland adds an innovative twist to the classic Ticket to Ride gameplay, focusing on the picturesque landscapes and intricate waterways of the Netherlands. This expansion not only brings a fresh geographical setting to the game but also introduces new strategic elements that significantly impact how players approach the game.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Mascarade
Mascarade is a bluffing and strategy card game that revolves around hidden identities and tactical actions. Players engage in a masquerade, taking on various roles to gain coins and outwit their opponents.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Mascarade- 2 - 13 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Mascarade
Dungeon Raiders
Join a brave group of adventurers and explore a dungeon filled with monsters, traps, and treasures! Each player assumes the role of a different adventurer, working together to survive the dungeon. However, only one will escape with the greatest treasure to win the game, with each playthrough offering new surprises and challenges.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Dungeon Raiders- 3 - 5 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Dungeon Raiders
Suburbia Inc
Suburbia Inc elevates the city-building experience of the original Suburbia game, inviting players to explore new horizons as city planners of growing boroughs. The incorporation of your town isn't just a matter of paperwork; it opens the door to innovative development strategies and opportunities. This expansion introduces unique borders, over a dozen new buildings, and additional game mechanics like Bonuses for income boosts and Challenges to enhance your reputation. These elements combine to deepen the strategic depth of the game, offering fresh ways to grow your urban landscape.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Suburbia Inc- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Mini Curling Game
Compact Curling is a board game version of curling designed for two players, or more if played in teams. Each team has four stones and begins in a starting zone at one edge of the board, aiming to slide their stones across to the house on the opposite side. The goal is to have as many stones as possible closest to the center of the house.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Mini Curling Game- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
CATAN
CATAN, formerly known as The Settlers of Catan, is a highly acclaimed and award-winning strategy board game where players aim to become the dominant force on the island of Catan. The game is renowned for its appeal to both experienced gamers and newcomers to the board game hobby.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 9.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1995
More details for CATAN- 3 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Pick-a-Polar Bear
More details for Pick-a-Polar BearPlayers take on the role of Nanuks navigating global warming challenges while trying to survive with a limited supply of canned fish. The game involves matching cards with various attributes and offers two gameplay variants that introduce exciting bonus rounds and strategic decisions. The player with the most collected cards at the end wins.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Brandon the Brave
Players strive to become as strong, brave, and glorious as the knight Brandon the Brave. To achieve knighthood, they must complete royal tasks and demonstrate good intuition. The player who skillfully arranges the tiles to conquer these challenges will emerge as the shining champion at the end of the game.
Nominated for 1 award.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Brandon the Brave- 1 - 4 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game
Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game is a creative and interactive game where players collaboratively weave a fairy tale story. Using cards that depict common fairy tale elements, one player takes on the role of the Storyteller, steering the narrative toward their desired ending, while others interject to redirect the story and become the new Storyteller. The objective is to play all your cards and conclude with your "Happy Ever After" ending.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Once Upon a Time: The Storytelling Card Game- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Martian Dice
Martian Dice offers a light-hearted and engaging dice game where you play as Martians on a mission to abduct Earth's inhabitants. The goal is simple: collect as many Chickens, Cows, and Humans as possible while avoiding the planet's military defenses. It's a game of risk, reward, and strategy packaged in quick, fun turns perfect for family game night or as a warm-up for a longer gaming session.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Martian Dice- 2 - 99 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Sandwich
Players collect ingredients to prepare the best possible sandwiches, or at least the least unappetizing ones. Each player starts with nine face-down ingredient cards, which include both traditional and unusual options. After selecting ingredients and creating sandwiches to share with neighbors, players taste each other's creations and score them based on their appeal. The player with the most points after three rounds wins.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Sandwich- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Quick Cups
Haim Shafir's renowned game features a bell that players love to ring after discovering winning combinations. Each player has a set of five colored plastic cups and tries to replicate a colored sequence shown on a card drawn from a shuffled deck. The first to ring the bell correctly claims the card, and play continues until all cards are collected, with the player holding the most cards declared the winner.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Quick Cups- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice
A fast-paced, physically intense dice game for 2 to 4 players, it is set in the world of professional Mexican wrestling, or "Lucha Libre." Players start with health points and roll dice to reduce their opponent’s strength to zero for a knockout or pin them to win. Each player uses their own set of wrestling dice to attempt attacks and counters, with special conditions for double hits and team play.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Luchador! Mexican Wrestling Dice- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coup: Rebellion G54
More details for Coup: Rebellion G54Coup: Rebellion G54 is a standalone game that evolves the successful elements of the original "Coup" into a new and exciting format. The game emphasizes strategy, deception, and survival, making it a thrilling challenge for players who enjoy bluffing and deduction.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Fun Farm
Animals have escaped from the farm! You must bring them back before they get into trouble, and do it faster than your opponents to save more than they can.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Fun Farm- 2 - 10 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
SOS Titanic
At 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic strikes an iceberg, flooding the ship and causing chaos among passengers. Players take on the role of crew members who must act quickly to rescue as many passengers as possible as time runs out. Using a patient card mechanism, the game requires players to organize passengers into lifeboats while managing the sinking ship's available resources.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for SOS Titanic- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kayanak
In the icy frost of the Arctic, Inuit or polar bears engage in their favorite activity: ice fishing. Players punch holes in the "ice" to try to catch fish represented by steel balls of various sizes. The first player to catch ten fish wins, and for children aged six and up, larger fish are worth more points.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1999
More details for Kayanak- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Nosferatu
In 1887, a vampire awakens and seeks to quench his thirst for blood. Brave men and women unite to destroy him while thwarting the plot of his loyal servant, Renfield.
🔥 Deal: 28% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Nosferatu- 4 - 10 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Lost Legacy
More details for Lost LegacyLost Legacy is an official spin-off that includes two sets of 16 cards: The Spaceship and Flying Garden. Players can use either set or combine them in different ways to change the available powers. It is a game of risk, deduction, and luck for 2-4 players, where each round involves drawing, playing a card, executing its effect, and guessing the location of the "Lost Legacy" card.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Stories!
More details for Stories!Players take turns telling stories based on themes drawn from cards. Before telling a story, they must list five words they expect to hear, earning points for each word mentioned. Asking questions during the story allows them to influence the narrative, but doing so can also cost them points if they ask too many.
- 3 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Stories!
Der Schatz von Castellina
More details for Der Schatz von CastellinaLook, on the hill! An old castle, surely filled with treasures and who knows what else? Players explore inside the castle to find the treasure marked in their individual treasure boards, but they cannot look inside while searching. They reach in to feel among the treasures laid out before them, hoping to retrieve what they need. However, by observing other players searching for their treasures, they can gather useful information on where their own goods may be hidden.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Seasons: Enchanted Kingdom
More details for Seasons: Enchanted KingdomThe expansion for Seasons introduces 20 new power cards, 10 enchantment cards, and 12 special ability tokens that fit into a player's board. It also includes additional materials, such as two replacement cards that have been updated in newer editions.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Trains
Trains is a strategic deck-building board game that combines railway development with elements of capitalist competition. Set against the backdrop of the industrial revolution and the subsequent railway boom, players take on the roles of capitalists managing private railway companies in Japan. The game offers a fascinating blend of historical railway development and modern strategic gameplay.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Trains- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Trains
Banjooli Xeet
The tribe's wizard has died, leading aspiring wizards to make predictions for the ostrich race in hopes of becoming the new wizard. Players must forecast the finishing order of racing ostriches, while avoiding obstacles, collecting berries, evading a feared lion, and not waking sleeping crocodiles. Banjooli Xeet is a fast-paced racing game for 2 to 5 players filled with bluffs, wild predictions, and hilarious fun.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Banjooli Xeet- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Scopa
More details for ScopaScopa is a traditional Italian card game played for over 400 years. It uses a 40-card Italian deck and can be played by four players in partnerships or individually. Players aim to capture cards from the table based on their values, scoring points for various achievements, such as sweeping the table or collecting the most cards. The game continues until a player or team reaches a specific point total, typically 11 or 21.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Modern Art Card Game
Players act as art critics and gallery owners, working to increase the value of certain artists' works before redeeming them. The game includes masterpieces from five different artists, and players start with a hand of masterpiece cards that let them influence the fate of these artists. The game consists of four rounds where players earn money based on the popularity and representation of the artists’ works.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Modern Art Card Game- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Om Nom Nom
More details for Om Nom NomAll these carrots look so tempting that you might just grab them, but what if the wolves are expecting a greedy rabbit like you? You can never know...
- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Sanssouci
More details for SanssouciCreate a flower garden for the world-famous Sanssouci Palace in this tile-laying game. Compete against up to three other landscape architects, building rose gardens and vineyards while meeting specific building requirements. Players manage personal boards divided into rows and columns, drafting tiles to fulfill garden layouts and earn points based on completed rows and columns. The game lasts 18 rounds, with bonus points awarded at the end for completed objectives.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ka-Boom
More details for Ka-BoomPlayers take on the role of either a builder or a saboteur in Ka-Boom, where the fate of towers rising and falling depends on their role. At the start, tiles representing towers are placed around a center piece, and the builder constructs towers using blocks while saboteurs try to knock them down with ammo dice. When time runs out, the builder claims points for standing towers, and the first player to reach 16 points wins the game.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
MammuZ
More details for MammuZIn the card game, players encounter mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, and other ancient animals, aiming to discard them as quickly as possible. The game features asymmetrical play with various animal cards and special dinosaur abilities. Players dispose of cards by claiming they represent a specific type of animal while others can challenge this claim, leading to strategic deception and excitement until someone runs out of cards and wins.
- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Coal Baron
"Coal Baron," also known as "Glück Auf" in German, is a strategic and immersive board game that plunges players into the world of coal mining. In this game, players become managers of their own coal mines, sending workers underground to dig tunnels and extract coal of varying quality to fulfill contracts.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Coal Baron- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Coal Baron
Ricochet Robots
Ricochet Robots offers a unique blend of puzzle and game, challenging players to find efficient solutions in a dynamic board setup. The game features a modular board representing a room filled with walls and targets, where the main objective is to maneuver color-coded robots to their corresponding targets using the least number of moves possible.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Ricochet Robots- 1 - 99 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Crazy Time
Somewhere in the universe, creatures count the hours to let time flow. To make the passage of time more enjoyable, they invented a game with ever-changing rules.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Crazy Time- 4 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Cardline: Globetrotter
More details for Cardline: GlobetrotterPlayers aim to get rid of their cards as quickly as possible. The first player with an empty hand wins the game.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Steam Park
Steam Park is an imaginative and engaging board game where players become owners of a steam-themed amusement park. The goal is to build impressive coal-powered rides, attract a multitude of visitors, and effectively manage the park’s resources. The game stands out with its three-dimensional ride constructions and a blend of strategic planning and quick decision-making.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Steam Park- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Steam Park
CV
CV is a dice and card game that explores the intriguing concept of life's possibilities and choices. Players get to create a narrative for their character, guiding them through various stages of life, from early adulthood to old age. The game combines elements of strategy and chance, allowing players to craft a unique life story for their character based on the decisions they make and the paths they choose.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for CV- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Blood Bound
More details for Blood BoundPlayers take on the roles of members from two clans: the brutal warriors of the Beast clan and the graceful members of the Rose clan, along with the human Inquisition if there's an odd number of players. Under secret identities, they aim to capture the opposing clan's Elder or sacrifice themselves for their own. Players must attack, negotiate, and deduce information, revealing ranks or clan affiliations to gain the upper hand, while unique character abilities come into play when revealing ranks. Victory is achieved by capturing the correct Elder of the rival clan, but capturing the wrong one leads to defeat.
- 6 - 12 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ligretto Junior
More details for Ligretto JuniorLigretto Junior features the same gameplay as Ligretto, where players aim to empty their card piles as quickly as possible by placing cards on central stacks. It uses only three card colors per player's stack, allowing up to five players instead of four. While not compatible with other Ligretto games, it can be combined with different themed versions of itself.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Going, Going, GONE!
Can you stay calm as the bids rise? Experience the thrill of real-life auctions! Players aim to win items by bidding in five simultaneous auctions while the auctioneer counts down from 10 to 1. Each player tosses their wooden cubes, known as "Bucks," into the auction cups representing different item cards.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Going, Going, GONE!- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Feuerdrachen
In the valley of Fire Dragon, danger brews beneath the earth. The mighty volcano Rubino is about to erupt after a thousand years. Players assume the role of dragon riders, aiming to collect valuable dragon rubies by navigating around the volcano with tactical skill and a bit of luck. The player with the most rubies in their pouch at the end wins.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Feuerdrachen- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
DOG
DOG shares similarities with the "Mensch Ärgere Dich nicht" game family but introduces notable twists. Players move their game pieces from home to the target area based on card values, aiming to be the first team to place all eight pieces in the target area.
🔥 Deal: 18% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for DOG- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Rococo
Rococo immerses players in the lavish Rococo era during the reign of Louis XV, where they take on the role of managing a prestigious ball. The game blends elements of deck-building and resource management, requiring players to skilfully navigate the demands of dressmaking and event planning to gain the most prestige.
Nominated for 3 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Rococo- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Eat Me If You Can!
More details for Eat Me If You Can!Red Riding Hood and the pig family live peacefully in the village until a hungry wolf appears, eager to feast on them. Instead of giving in, they plan to trap the wolf and drive him away. In this game, the wolf player tries to eat other players to score points, while the prey players can earn points by catching the wolf. Players secretly choose cards to either rest or set a trap, and outcomes depend on their choices in a round-based system. The game concludes when a player reaches ten or more points, and the one with the most points wins.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small – Even More Buildings Big and Small
More details for Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small – Even More Buildings Big and SmallThe expansion features 27 new buildings for the base game, along with a fifth stable tile and a farmer extension. New building examples include the "Farm Joinery," the "Rent Office" (which costs three points but provides an extra worker), and the "Livestock Market" (allowing you to trade reeds for any animal).
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Glass Road
Glass Road celebrates the centuries-old tradition of glass-making in the Bavarian Forest, offering a unique blend of resource management and strategy in a historical setting.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Glass Road- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 80 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Dungeon Roll
Dungeon Roll is a dice-based adventure game where players explore a fantasy dungeon, battling monsters, acquiring treasures, and ultimately facing the formidable dragon. Each player takes on the role of a hero with unique abilities and aims to amass the most experience points through their daring exploits.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Dungeon Roll- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Dungeon Roll
Dungeon Fighter: Fire at Will
More details for Dungeon Fighter: Fire at Will"Fire Away!" is the first of four expansions for Dungeon Fighter, each dedicated to an element: air, earth, water, and fire. This expansion introduces new monsters, weapons, items, and armor, along with a new gameplay mechanic that challenges players with difficult rolling techniques, such as throwing dice through a "burning" fire ring. The goal remains to survive the dungeon and defeat the boss.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
King & Assassins
More details for King & AssassinsKing and Assassins is an asymmetric strategy and deception game for two players. One player controls a despised king and his knightly retainers, attempting to break through a mob of angry citizens into the castle. The other player commands the mob and three hidden assassins, aiming to eliminate the king before he can escape or be overwhelmed by his own subjects. Players must strategically use action cards that dictate their moves each turn, and victory conditions differ for both sides, making for an engaging and tactical experience.
- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for King & Assassins
Russian Railroads
Russian Railroads is a strategic board game where players compete to build the most extensive and advanced railway network in Russia. The game combines worker placement with track building and resource management elements, offering players various paths to victory.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.
More details for Russian Railroads- 2 - 4 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk Road
More details for Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk RoadPlayers trade various spices that travel along the Silk Road from Asia to Europe. Each controls three caravans, starting with three cards representing caravan members with unique abilities. Players perform one action on their turn by selecting a card and executing its action, affecting their supply of spices, gold, and mules, while also bringing new members into their caravans or completing delivery cards. The game ends when a player reaches 25 points through collecting character cards and fulfilling delivery requests.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Kashgar: Merchants of the Silk Road
Ascension: Rise of Vigil
More details for Ascension: Rise of VigilPlayers acquire cards from a central pool in this deck-building game and use them to enhance their decks. They can also battle creatures to gain victory points and other advantages, such as removing less useful cards from their decks. The game ends when all victory points are claimed or the shared deck is exhausted. New treasure cards introduce energy that players can use to activate special powers on certain cards.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Talo
Talo is a game for children and families that features many wooden pieces for building. The goal is to be the first player to reach the top. Co-designer Johann Rüttinger notes that it is a great way to learn math without even realizing it.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014
More details for Talo- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Builders: Middle Ages
The Builders: Middle Ages is a card game where players construct buildings by matching worker skills with building requirements. Strategic use of resources is key to earning points and money through completing buildings.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for The Builders: Middle Ages- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
1911 Amundsen vs Scott
More details for 1911 Amundsen vs ScottRoald Amundsen and his four companions were the first to reach the South Pole in 1911, beating Robert Falcon Scott's British expedition by just weeks. The game "1911 Amundsen gegen Scott" is an asymmetric experience for two players, each taking a different route with the goal of reaching the South Pole first. Players can collect or play cards to advance, hinder their opponent, or activate special effects; if neither reaches the pole before the draw pile runs out twice, both players lose.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Caverna: The Cave Farmers
Caverna: The Cave Farmers is a worker-placement board game that builds upon the mechanics of its predecessor, Agricola. It combines farming and cave dwelling themes, where players manage a dwarf family and their expanding homestead.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.
More details for Caverna: The Cave Farmers- 1 - 7 Players
- 30 - 210 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
UGO!
Players attempt to establish a powerful kingdom by expanding their realm with well-maintained territories. The game involves playing cards in turns, where the highest card wins the round, with tiebreakers determined by following the lead color. Cards are added to the winner's kingdom in a specific order, and once placed, they cannot be rearranged for the next round.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for UGO!- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Firefly: The Game
Firefly: The Game is a thematic and strategic board game based on the popular Firefly television series created by Joss Whedon. The game immerses players in the universe of the show, where they take on the roles of captains of Firefly-class transport ships, navigating through space, taking on jobs, and dealing with various challenges.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Firefly: The Game- 1 - 4 Players
- 120 - 240 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Wings of Glory: WW2 Airplane Packs
More details for Wings of Glory: WW2 Airplane PacksA blister pack includes a fully assembled and painted 1200 scale model airplane along with additional maneuver cards.
- 2 - 99 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Revolver
Step into the world of outlaws and gunslingers in the year 1892, as Jack Colty and his gang wreak havoc after robbing a bank in Repentance Springs. Players take on the roles of Colonel Ned McReady and his lawmen or the infamous Colty gang, each featuring unique cards and abilities for a life-or-death showdown. The game's asymmetrical structure leads to intense tactical decisions, with victory hinged on eliminating gang members or ensuring their escape across the Mexican border.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Revolver- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Glastonbury
Players take on the role of witches and wizards, purchasing ingredients for their potions. Their game piece moves around a row of ingredient cards, allowing them to choose one from the row or column they land on, with the card’s number determining their movement for the next turn. To earn points, players must collect sets of four matching ingredients; having only one of a specific ingredient results in penalty points.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
🔥 Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Glastonbury- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Longhorn
More details for LonghornIn 1870, the cattle ranching of Longhorns from Northern Mexico booms in Texas, attracting both farmers and outlaws. Players assume the roles of notorious outlaws Eagle Perkins and Jessie Artist Byrd, aiming to steal cattle and gold nuggets to amass the most wealth or get their opponent arrested by the sheriff.
- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Amerigo
Amerigo takes players on an adventurous journey with the famed explorer Amerigo Vespucci, as they discover new lands in South America, establish trading routes, and build settlements. The game stands out with its unique cube tower mechanic, which adds an element of surprise and strategy to the gameplay.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Amerigo- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion
Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion continues the epic saga introduced in the acclaimed Mage Knight Board Game. This expansion brings a blend of fear and hope to the world of Atlantea with the reemergence of General Volkare and his Lost Legion, introducing a new dynamic to the game with both a new Mage Knight — Wolfhawk — and a formidable foe, General Volkare himself. Designed by Vlaada Chvátil and presented by WizKids, this expansion enriches the Mage Knight universe with additional tiles, cards, and scenarios, enhancing the gameplay experience and introducing rules for up to five players.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Mage Knight Board Game: The Lost Legion Expansion- 1 - 5 Players
- 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Space Cadets: Dice Duel
Space Cadets: Dice Duel throws you into the midst of a frenetic space battle where teamwork and quick decision-making are key to victory. In this real-time, dice-rolling game, players split into two teams, each operating a spaceship aiming to outmaneuver and outgun their opponents. The game captures the chaos of space combat as you and your crew rush to man your stations, from generating power to firing torpedoes, all in a bid to land the crippling blow on the enemy ship.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Space Cadets: Dice Duel- 4 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Castellan
Two players collaborate to build a castle by connecting finely detailed wall and tower pieces to form courtyards. The player who completes a courtyard claims it with a keep and scores points based on the number of surrounding tower pieces. Each player starts with two stacks of cards, one for walls and one for towers, allowing them to play the components depicted on the cards.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Castellan- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Cthulhu Fluxx
More details for Cthulhu FluxxCthulhu Fluxx immerses players in the eerie and uncertain world of H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, where sanity is fleeting and the risk of doom is ever-present. This iteration of the popular Fluxx card game series brings the thematic elements of cosmic horror and the supernatural into the ever-changing rules and gameplay that Fluxx fans adore. Players will navigate through the chaos, attempting to fulfill strange and shifting victory conditions while warding off madness and the disruptive influence of Creepers like Cthulhu itself.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 - 40 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Light Line
More details for Light LineConnect quickly and call it out! Players must keep track of colorful lines and avoid missing potential connections. Longer lines, especially when created simultaneously, provide the best chances for victory. The game includes basic rules for younger children and a standard version for older players, where they compete in real-time.
- 1 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
Koryŏ
Koryŏ is set in a politically steampunk universe. Players simultaneously choose a political family from their hand and play as many cards as they wish from that family. Each family has a value from 1 to 9, determining both the number of cards and the victory points earned by the controlling player. The game lasts for eight rounds, with each family providing specific powers that are crucial for success. As players gain influence, the number of cards drawn per round decreases, complicating their choices.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Koryŏ- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ultimate Werewolf: Inquisition
In a local village, a terrible event occurs: werewolves are responsible for the deaths of many villagers. To restore order, master inquisitors are called in to eliminate the chaos before it's too late. However, the inquisitor team has been infiltrated by werewolves, creating a dilemma where players must save the village while outsmarting their own infiltrators.
🔥 Deal: 12% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Ultimate Werewolf: Inquisition- 3 - 12 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Continental Express
More details for Continental ExpressPlayers add wagons to their station to fulfill objectives and maximize the value of their secret contracts. Each player selects one of two revealed contract cards requiring the collection of specific symbols or sets. They take turns drawing cards from three face-up rows, with the option to claim objectives that match their wagons. Players can also draw characters and use their special actions, which may include beneficial effects like drawing specific wagons or stealing money from others. The game ends when a player reaches their fourth objective, after which players tally points to determine the winner.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar – Tribes & Prophecies
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar – Tribes & Prophecies expansion adds a rich layer of strategy and variability to the already complex and engaging game of Tzolk'in. By introducing individual tribes with unique abilities, players are given distinct advantages that can influence their strategy throughout the game. This thematic addition not only deepens the immersion into Mayan culture but also encourages players to explore new tactics and strategies to maximize their tribe's potential.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar – Tribes & Prophecies- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
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