The best games presented at the Spiel 2016 game fair in Essen, Germany 2023

Are you looking for a good new game? We have compared all the games presented at the game fair "Spiel 2016" 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 2016 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2016, the Spiel'16 game fair was held from October 13 to 16 (Thursday to the following Sunday) at the Messe Essen exhibition center in Essen, Germany. Many new games are released at the fair every year, especially (but not exclusively) European-style board games.

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

SPIEL'16 - the biggest game fair in the world

The first time the fair took place was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. In 2016, Spiel'16 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games, with 1,021 exhibitors from 51 nations, nearly 1,200 new launches and 174,000 game-loving visitors.

Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'16?

If we have forgotten a game that was presented at Spiel 2016? Then write to us at tibi+brettspiele@cephea.de.

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.

If you are generally looking for the always best game new releases, then we have another always top current list for you: The Best New Game Releases 2023.

List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'16:

This list was last updated on November 27, 2023. We compared 49 board games for this list and selected the top 48. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Dixit: Revelations

    All details for the board game Dixit: Revelations and similar games
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Kingdomino

    All details for the board game Kingdomino and similar games

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Kingdomino
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Kingdomino

    • YouTube Review for the game "Kingdomino" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  3. Junk Art

    All details for the board game Junk Art and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Junk Art
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for 7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon

    • YouTube Review for the game "7 Wonders Duel: Pantheon" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  5. King of Tokyo

    All details for the board game King of Tokyo and similar games

    Nominated for 19 awards and won 7.

    More details for King of Tokyo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!27€ atAmazon.de
  6. Tempel des Schreckens

    All details for the board game Tempel des Schreckens and similar games
    • 3 - 10 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Tempel des Schreckens

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tempel des Schreckens" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. Encore!

    All details for the board game Encore! and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!9€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Encore!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Encore!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  8. Mansions of Madness: Second Edition

    All details for the board game Mansions of Madness: Second Edition and similar games
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 120 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  9. Raiders of the North Sea

    All details for the board game Raiders of the North Sea and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Raiders of the North Sea
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 80 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. Word Slam

    All details for the board game Word Slam and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    More details for Word Slam
    • 3 - 99 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Word Slam

    • YouTube Review for the game "Word Slam" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  11. Dr. Eureka

    All details for the board game Dr. Eureka and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Dr. Eureka
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!24€ atAmazon.de
  12. Fuji Flush

    All details for the board game Fuji Flush and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Fuji Flush
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Fuji Flush

    • YouTube Review for the game "Fuji Flush" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Dominion: Empires

    All details for the board game Dominion: Empires and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  14. Arboretum

    All details for the board game Arboretum and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

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

    Video reviews for Arboretum

    • YouTube Review for the game "Arboretum" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  15. Mission: Red Planet (Second Edition)

    All details for the board game Mission: Red Planet (Second Edition) and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Tiefe Taschen

    All details for the board game Tiefe Taschen and similar games
    • 4 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 50 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Tiefe Taschen

    • YouTube Review for the game "Tiefe Taschen" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  17. Star Wars: Rebellion

    All details for the board game Star Wars: Rebellion and similar games

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.

    More details for Star Wars: Rebellion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 180 - 240 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Star Wars: Rebellion

    • YouTube Review for the game "Star Wars: Rebellion" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  18. Mystic Vale

    All details for the board game Mystic Vale and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.

    More details for Mystic Vale
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Mystic Vale

    • YouTube Review for the game "Mystic Vale" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  19. Orléans: Trade & Intrigue

    All details for the board game Orléans: Trade & Intrigue and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  20. Viticulture: Moor Visitors Expansion

    All details for the board game Viticulture: Moor Visitors Expansion and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  21. Do De Li Do

    All details for the board game Do De Li Do and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 10 - 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. World's Fair 1893

    All details for the board game World's Fair 1893 and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for World's Fair 1893
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 35 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Arkham Horror: The Card Game and similar games

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 4.

    More details for Arkham Horror: The Card Game
    • 1 - 2 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Arkham Horror: The Card Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  24. Port Royal: Unterwegs!

    All details for the board game Port Royal: Unterwegs! and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Port Royal: Unterwegs!

    • YouTube Review for the game "Port Royal: Unterwegs!" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  25. Cottage Garden

    All details for the board game Cottage Garden and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Cottage Garden
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Cottage Garden

    • YouTube Review for the game "Cottage Garden" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  26. Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride: Rails & Sails" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  27. 51st State: Master Set

    All details for the board game 51st State: Master Set and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  28. A Feast for Odin

    All details for the board game A Feast for Odin and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.

    More details for A Feast for Odin
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Hard to learn

    Video reviews for A Feast for Odin

    • YouTube Review for the game "A Feast for Odin" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "A Feast for Odin" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  29. First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express!

    All details for the board game First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express! and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  30. Escape Room: The Game

    All details for the board game Escape Room: The Game and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    More details for Escape Room: The Game
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 16+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    👍 Good price!35€ atAmazon.de
  31. Costa Rica

    All details for the board game Costa Rica and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  32. Evolution: The Beginning

    All details for the board game Evolution: The Beginning and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Evolution: The Beginning
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  33. Fields of Green

    All details for the board game Fields of Green and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Fields of Green

    • YouTube Review for the game "Fields of Green" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
    • YouTube Review for the game "Fields of Green" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  34. La Granja: No Siesta

    All details for the board game La Granja: No Siesta and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for La Granja: No Siesta

    • YouTube Review for the game "La Granja: No Siesta" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  35. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game

    All details for the board game The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 15+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  36. Aventuria: Ship of Lost Souls

    All details for the board game Aventuria: Ship of Lost Souls and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  37. Risk: Europe

    All details for the board game Risk: Europe and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  38. Five Tribes: The Thieves of Naqala

    All details for the board game Five Tribes: The Thieves of Naqala and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 40 - 80 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  39. Game of Thrones: The Trivia Game

    All details for the board game Game of Thrones: The Trivia Game and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Game of Thrones: The Trivia Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Game of Thrones: The Trivia Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  40. Legendary Inventors

    All details for the board game Legendary Inventors and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  41. Trickerion: Legends of Illusion

    All details for the board game Trickerion: Legends of Illusion and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  42. Railroad Revolution

    All details for the board game Railroad Revolution and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!58€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Railroad Revolution

    • YouTube Review for the game "Railroad Revolution" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  43. Deus: Egypt

    All details for the board game Deus: Egypt and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Deus: Egypt
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Deus: Egypt

    • YouTube Review for the game "Deus: Egypt" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  44. The Architects of the Colosseum

    All details for the board game The Architects of the Colosseum and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Architects of the Colosseum

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Architects of the Colosseum" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  45. Doom: The Boardgame

    All details for the board game Doom: The Boardgame and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 180 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Doom: The Boardgame

    • YouTube Review for the game "Doom: The Boardgame" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  46. Key to the City: London

    All details for the board game Key to the City: London and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    🔥 Great price!13€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Key to the City: London

    • YouTube Review for the game "Key to the City: London" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  47. Xibalba

    All details for the board game Xibalba and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  48. In the Name of Odin

    All details for the board game In the Name of Odin and similar games
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for In the Name of Odin

    • YouTube Review for the game "In the Name of Odin" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English

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: