The best games presented at the Spiel 2017 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 2017" 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 2017 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2017, the Spiel'17 game fair took place from October 26 to 29 (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'17 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair took place was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. With 1,100 exhibitors from 51 nations, over 1,000 new launches and 182,000 game-loving visitors, Spiel'17 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games in 2017.
Did we forget a game that was presented at Spiel'17?
If we forgot a game that was presented at Spiel 2017? What were your highlights of Spiel17 that are not on our list? 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 novelties, then we have another always top current list for you: The Best New Games 2025.
List with the top100 new releases of Spiel'17:
Azul
Azul invites you to step into the captivating world of Portuguese artistry and craftsmanship. This board game draws inspiration from the introduction of azulejos, originally white and blue ceramic tiles, by the Moors. The tiles found a new home in Portugal when King Manuel I, during a visit to the Alhambra palace in Southern Spain, was enchanted by the exquisite Moorish decorative tiles adorning its interior. Filled with awe and inspiration, the king promptly ordered the embellishment of his own palace in Portugal with similar decorative tiles. As a skilled tile-laying artist, you are tasked with the prestigious mission of adorning the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora.
Nominated for 30 awards and won 19.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018
More details for Azul- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Azul
Sushi Go Party!
Sushi Go Party! is an expanded version of the popular card game Sushi Go!, offering more variety and accommodating more players for a larger, more dynamic game experience.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 2.
More details for Sushi Go Party!- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Kingdomino
Embark on a noble quest to expand your kingdom in Kingdomino. As a lord, your mission is to explore vast lands filled with wheat fields, serene lakes, and towering mountains. Competing with fellow lords, you must identify the choicest plots to claim as your own.
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
Codenames: Duet
Embark on a collaborative journey of espionage in Codenames Duet, where the familiar elements of Codenames persist – providing one-word clues to unveil your agents among those on the table. This time, however, you and your teammate work together to uncover all your agents, adding a thrilling cooperative dimension to the challenge. The mystery of not knowing your agents from the outset adds an intriguing layer to the mission, raising questions that even Congressional investigators might ponder later!
Nominated for 9 awards and won 4.
More details for Codenames: Duet- 2 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 11+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Codenames: Duet
Decrypto
Engage in the riveting team-based challenge of Decrypto, where players strive to correctly interpret coded messages from their teammates while unraveling the intercepted codes of the opposing team.
Nominated for 14 awards and won 7.
More details for Decrypto- 3 - 8 Players
- 15 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Decrypto
Dixit: Harmonies
More details for Dixit: HarmoniesDive even deeper into fantasy with the latest expansion of the hit game Dixit: Harmonies! This expansion features unique artwork by Paul Echegoyen, enhancing players' imagination and challenging them as only Dixit can. Compatible with the base game and other expansions, it adds 84 new image cards to increase replayability and enjoyment.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
No Thanks!
No Thanks! is a straightforward and captivating card game that offers a blend of strategy and luck. The game's simplicity makes it appealing and accessible to a wide range of players.
Nominated for 5 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2005
More details for No Thanks!- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Carcassonne Big Box 6
More details for Carcassonne Big Box 6Carcassonne Big Box 6 is a comprehensive edition of the beloved tile-laying game Carcassonne, combining the base game with its two major expansions and several mini-expansions into one grand package. Players build the landscape of a medieval fortress city one tile at a time, placing their followers on roads, cities, cloisters, and fields to gather points. This edition not only includes the core game that has captivated millions worldwide but also enriches the experience with expansions that introduce new tiles, mechanics, and strategies.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne Big Box 6
Flamme Rouge: Peloton
Flamme Rouge: Peloton is the exciting first expansion to the popular cycling race game Flamme Rouge. This expansion introduces a new set of pink and white rouleur and sprinter riders, increasing the maximum player count to six. It also adds new gameplay tiles and rules to enhance the race dynamics, including breakaway and supply zone tiles that can be used at any player count. The iconic cobblestone tracks, narrower and more challenging, bring a classic element to your tabletop race.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Flamme Rouge: Peloton- 1 - 12 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Flamme Rouge: Peloton
Hanamikoji
Hanamikoji is a strategic card game set in the historical context of Geisha culture in Japan. The game immerses players in the role of patrons who are competing to gain the favor of seven renowned Geishas by collecting items related to their art and performances.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Hanamikoji- 2 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Hanamikoji
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure
Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure is an exciting board game where players become daring thieves, sneaking into a dragon's lair to steal artifacts while avoiding making noise to prevent waking the dragon.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.
More details for Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Lovecraft Letter
More details for Lovecraft LetterLovecraft Letter transports you into the eerie world of H.P. Lovecraft in the 1920s. This card game, a unique take on the Love Letter system, blends mystery with an "insanity" mechanic that adds depth and intrigue to the gameplay.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 5 - 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Lovecraft Letter
When I Dream
When I Dream is a whimsical and imaginative board game that delves into the world of dreams, blending elements of storytelling, deduction, and teamwork in a playful setting.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for When I Dream- 4 - 10 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for When I Dream
Meeple Circus
Meeple Circus is a vibrant and engaging dexterity board game where players become circus directors, aiming to create the most spectacular show and wow the audience. It's a game where physical skill meets strategic planning, and each action is a performance in itself.
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 17% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Meeple Circus- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Ethnos
Ethnos is a fantasy-themed board game where players harness the powers of various mythical tribes to gain control of the land. The game is a blend of strategy and area control mechanics, set in a vibrant mythical world.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Ethnos- 2 - 6 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Ethnos
King of the Dice
More details for King of the DiceYou are finally a king! All your dreams have come true as you enjoy the view of your wonderful kingdom filled with green meadows, rolling fields, tall mountains, and clear rivers. However, you need citizens to thrive, so you must promote the merits of your kingdom throughout the land while competing against other kings to attract the best inhabitants.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Valeria: Card Kingdoms
More details for Valeria: Card KingdomsValeria: Card Kingdoms is a tableau-building game set in the fantastical land of Valeria, besieged by monstrous hordes. Players take on the roles of Dukes, tasked with fortifying their kingdoms, recruiting citizens, and fighting off the encroaching enemies.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Memoarrr!
Players need the power of memory and a bit of pirate luck to escape Captain Goldfish's island before the lava engulfs them in the game. They reveal locations connected to the last shown spot, but making a wrong connection eliminates them from the round. The last remaining pirate claims a valuable treasure, with each round building on previously gathered information for a chance at victory. Advanced players can utilize special actions triggered by connected locations for an even more exciting experience.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Memoarrr!- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Game: Face to Face
More details for The Game: Face to Face"Face to Face" offers similar gameplay to its predecessor, where players must place their hand cards in ascending and descending stacks. Now, it’s a two-player competition where each player races to discard their cards first. Though aiming for individual victory, players inevitably have to assist their opponent along the way.
- 2 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dice Forge
Embark on a heroic journey in Dice Forge, where the gods extend an invitation to heaven for the hero who can conquer their rivals. Your courage and wit will be crucial as you harness divine dice to collect resources on the path to victory.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 1.
More details for Dice Forge- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Dice Forge
Istanbul: The Dice Game
Istanbul: The Dice Game is a vibrant standalone dice game set in the bustling bazaar of Istanbul, where players vie to collect rubies as a symbol of their prosperity and victory. Utilizing dice as the core mechanic, participants must strategically acquire money and goods through the roll of the dice. These resources are then cleverly traded for the coveted rubies. The game encapsulates the essence of the Istanbul bazaar's lively trade and commerce atmosphere, demanding clever strategy and a bit of luck from its players to navigate the market's opportunities and secure the precious jewels that signify triumph.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Istanbul: The Dice Game- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Bunny Kingdom
Bunny Kingdom is a charming and strategic board game where players lead clans of rabbits to establish their dominance over a vast kingdom. The game combines elements of drafting, resource management, and area control to create a dynamic and engaging experience.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Bunny Kingdom- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Bunny Kingdom
Claim
Claim is a captivating card game set in a realm thrown into chaos by the sudden death of its king. Players compete to win the support of five factions and claim the throne for themselves. The game is played in two phases: first, recruiting followers, and then using those followers to win over the factions. Each faction possesses unique powers that can influence the game, and these powers may vary between the phases. The goal is to secure the majority of followers in at least three of the five factions to win the game and ascend to the throne.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Claim- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Queendomino
Queendomino is a standalone board game that builds upon the concepts introduced in Kingdomino. It offers a more complex and strategic experience, allowing players to create their kingdoms with an added layer of depth.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
🔥 Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Queendomino- 2 - 4 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.
Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.
More details for Gloomhaven- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Gloomhaven
Majesty: For the Realm
Majesty: For the Realm is a strategic board game set in the Middle Ages, where players vie for the crown by building the most prosperous domain. The game revolves around recruiting a variety of characters from the medieval society, each contributing to the growth and wealth of your kingdom in different ways. Players must make tactical decisions to assemble the most effective combination of subjects to outmaneuver their rivals and claim supremacy.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.
More details for Majesty: For the Realm- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ticket to Ride Map Collection 6: France & Old West
The card collection includes a double-sided game board featuring France on one side and the western half of the United States on the other. Players collect train cards and claim routes to complete tickets, navigating the challenge of uncolored tracks in France and overlapping railway beds. In the Old West portion, players choose starting cities and connect their routes, earning points based on city ownership and completed tickets, with an optional variant involving a character named Alvin the Alien.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Ticket to Ride Map Collection 6: France & Old West- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Lost Expedition
The Lost Expedition is a gripping survival game that takes you on a perilous journey through the Amazon jungle, following in the footsteps of the legendary explorer Percy Fawcett. The goal is not only to trace Fawcett's path but more importantly, to emerge alive with the ultimate treasure: your life.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for The Lost Expedition- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 - 50 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Lost Expedition
Dragon Castle
Dragon Castle is a captivating game that draws inspiration from the classic Mahjong Solitaire. Imagine yourself in the role of a lord tasked with constructing a grand castle in your own realm. The central "castle," known as the Dragon Castle, holds a wealth of identical tiles waiting to be used in your architectural endeavors. As you build, you'll need to make strategic decisions, consolidate tiles, construct shrines, and harness the powers of spirit cards—all while keeping an eye on the ever-changing dragon card. Only the player who skillfully designs their castle and accumulates the most points will become the lord of the new Dragon Castle and claim victory.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Dragon Castle- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Dragon Castle
Splendor: Cities of Splendor
Cities of Splendor enriches the Splendor base game with four distinct expansions, each offering a unique twist to the original gameplay. These expansions are designed to be used one at a time, adding variety and strategic depth to the classic gem-collecting game.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Splendor: Cities of Splendor- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Splendor: Cities of Splendor
Exit: The Game – The Sunken Treasure
More details for Exit: The Game – The Sunken TreasureExit: The Game – The Sunken Treasure immerses players in the captivating world of puzzle-solving and adventure, akin to the thrilling experience of an escape room. This installment, part of the acclaimed Exit series, introduces players to the mysteries of a sunken treasure, offering a gateway to the series with a beginner-level difficulty.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 is an epic, cooperative board game that continues the narrative and innovative gameplay of its predecessor. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive after a devastating plague. It offers a unique gaming experience, where players' decisions and actions have long-lasting consequences, making each playthrough distinct.
Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018
More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
Okiya
Players arrange game pieces to gain the favor of the emperor in Okiya, also known as Niya. They can also block opponents from placing their tokens in the imperial garden to show more control.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Okiya- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Voodoo Prince
More details for Voodoo PrinceVoodoo Prince focuses on making the necessary tricks as late as possible. Waiting too long, however, may result in not scoring any points at all.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Rajas of the Ganges
Rajas of the Ganges is a strategy board game set in 16th century India, during the rise of the Great Mogul Empire. Players take on the roles of influential nobles, striving to transform their estates into prosperous provinces.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Rajas of the Ganges- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Hellapagos
Hellapagos is a game of survival and treachery, aptly termed a "co-opetition," where players must cooperate to some extent but ultimately look out for themselves. Stranded on a desert island with limited resources, up to twelve players must negotiate and strategize to gather supplies, build a raft, and escape before a looming hurricane destroys everything. However, not all players may make it off the island due to the scarce availability of food and water.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Hellapagos- 3 - 12 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
7 Wonders: Leaders Anniversary Pack
More details for 7 Wonders: Leaders Anniversary PackThe Leaders Anniversary Pack is a mini-expansion that introduces fifteen new leaders, including Gorgo, Cornelia, Enheduanna, and Roxana. It enhances the gameplay experience for fans of the original games.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Pairs
Paaranoia is a game where players aim to avoid pairs of cards. Using a deck of 55 cards, players are dealt one card and must decide whether to draw again or risk losing the round. If they draw a matching card, they incur penalty points and the game continues until someone exceeds a predefined threshold of penalty points and loses. Various versions of the game feature different artwork and some include unique rules related to their themes.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Pairs- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- Immediately playable
7 Wonders: Cities Anniversary Pack
More details for 7 Wonders: Cities Anniversary PackThe Cities Anniversary Pack is a mini-expansion for 7 Wonders and 7 Wonders: Cities. It includes fifteen new buildings, such as a memorial, a customs office, a counterfeiters' office, and a smuggler's cache.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Exit: The Game – The House of Riddles
Players engage in a puzzle game inspired by escape rooms. Starting from the third season, the EXIT series is divided into difficulty levels, with "The House of Riddles" categorized as beginner level.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Exit: The Game – The House of Riddles- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kodama: The Tree Spirits
Kodama: The Tree Spirits is a charming and strategic board game where players assume the role of caretakers for Kodama, the enchanting tree spirits. The game is set in a rapidly growing forest, and your goal is to create a healthy and thriving home for these whimsical creatures. Designed by the creator of Kigi, this game offers a unique and engaging way to play.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Kodama: The Tree Spirits- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Godfather: Corleone's Empire
The Godfather: Corleone's Empire is a standalone big box board game designed by Eric Lang, renowned for his "dudes on a map" games. In Lang's words, this game can be described as "thugs on a map." It delivers a streamlined, confrontational worker placement experience filled with intrigue and criminal activities. Players assume the roles of rival mafia families, competing for economic control over the organized crime networks of New York City. Deploy your thugs, don, wife, and heir on the board, extort businesses, and engage in turf wars to establish dominance.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Godfather: Corleone's Empire- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Nations: The Dice Game
More details for Nations: The Dice GameNations: The Dice Game is a fast-paced, dice-driven game that captures the essence of civilization-building. Designed for 1-4 players, it condenses the expansive experience of the original Nations board game into a more streamlined and quicker format, ideal for players looking for a shorter playtime without sacrificing strategic depth.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Nations: The Dice Game
Schummel Hummel
More details for Schummel HummelTo win, players must get rid of their cards before everyone else, and unlike most games, they can cheat to discard cards from their hand. However, one player acts as the guardian, and if they catch someone cheating, that player must keep their original card and take one of the guardian's cards while also becoming the guardian themselves.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 20 - 25 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
The Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game
More details for The Castles of Burgundy: The Dice GameThe Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game is a streamlined, dice-driven version of the acclaimed strategy game The Castles of Burgundy. This adaptation retains the essence of expanding territorial estates through strategic decisions but transitions the gameplay into a fast-paced, roll-and-write format.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Castles of Burgundy: The Dice Game
Nusfjord
Nusfjord is a captivating strategy board game set in the serene fishing village of Nusfjord in the Lofoten archipelago of Norway. Players take on the roles of fishing company owners during a time when the industry was thriving, aiming to develop the harbor and the surrounding area.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Nusfjord- 1 - 5 Players
- 20 - 100 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Loot N Run
More details for Loot N RunThe great pyramids are filled with treasures just waiting for you! However, other explorers are trying to awaken mummies, werewolves, and Franken to chase you down. Players engage in subtle bluffing, making key decisions about when to take risks by looting treasures, scoring points, or awakening monster guardians to disrupt opponents. The first player to reach 35 points wins!
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Karuba Junior
More details for Karuba JuniorPlayers work together in a tile-laying adventure to help three brave explorers search for treasures in the jungle of Karuba Island. They must strategically place the path tiles to reach all the treasures before the pirates invade. Cooperation and careful navigation are key to outsmarting the pirates and avoiding tigers that block the paths.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
King of Tokyo/New York: Monster Pack – King Kong
More details for King of Tokyo/New York: Monster Pack – King KongKing Kong is not happy! He is ready to conquer the Empire State Building and the Tokyo Tower to find his love. Players can choose to cross his path or, even worse, capture his beloved.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for King of Tokyo/New York: Monster Pack – King Kong
Pandemic: Rising Tide
Pandemic: Rising Tide is a thematic and cooperative board game that immerses players in the historical context of the Netherlands during the Industrial Age. The game challenges players to manage and mitigate flooding from the North Sea using innovative hydraulic technologies, strategic planning, and teamwork.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Pandemic: Rising Tide- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a green strategy board game where players engage in the growth and development of a forest. The game revolves around the central theme of photosynthesis, the process by which trees and plants use sunlight to produce energy.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 4.
🔥 Deal: 40% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Photosynthesis- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Photosynthesis
Zooloretto Würfelspiel Trio
More details for Zooloretto Würfelspiel TrioZooloretto Würfelspiel Trio is a package containing three expansions, each featuring fifty single-sided sheets for players to use during the game, along with rules in English and German. The expansions include Monkey House, Baby Boom, and XXL, all of which have been previously released.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Exit: The Game – Dead Man on the Orient Express
More details for Exit: The Game – Dead Man on the Orient ExpressExit: The Game – Dead Man on the Orient Express is a captivating addition to the popular "Exit: The Game" series, which simulates the escape room experience in a board game format. This particular edition draws inspiration from the classic mystery setting of the Orient Express, offering players a challenging and immersive puzzle-solving adventure.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
London (Second Edition)
London (Second Edition) is a refined version of a classic board game that caters to players who enjoy strategic planning and city-building. Set in the aftermath of the Great Fire of London, players are tasked with the ambitious goal of reconstructing the city. This game challenges players to balance the complexities of urban development, financial management, and social responsibility.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for London (Second Edition)- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Concordia: Aegyptus / Creta
More details for Concordia: Aegyptus / CretaConcordia: Aegyptus & Creta is an expansion that introduces two new maps for strategic challenges. Aegyptus features the Nile, which provides additional food through annual floods, and the chance to trade incense or gold for sesterces and victory points. Creta presents a compact map with only twenty cities across nine provinces, ensuring competitive play especially with four or five players, and includes a new format for personality cards that features diverse additional costs.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
My First Stone Age: The Card Game
More details for My First Stone Age: The Card GamePlayers aim to repair their houses using three different resources hidden in the grass. With the help of Martin, the mammoth, they search for these resources. The first player to build three houses wins the game.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Captain Sonar: Upgrade One
More details for Captain Sonar: Upgrade OneUp to eight players take on the role of a submarine crew in a fierce battle against rival players. The expansion introduces five new scenarios, two new weapons, eight erasable markers, and various options for playing the roles of captain and radio operator.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 12 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Captain Sonar: Upgrade One
Lorenzo il Magnifico
Lorenzo il Magnifico is a strategic board game set in the Italian Renaissance, where players embody heads of noble families vying for prestige and fame. This game is a blend of resource management, strategic planning, and careful maneuvering.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Lorenzo il Magnifico- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Lorenzo il Magnifico
Clans of Caledonia
Embark on a captivating journey to 19th-century Scotland in Clans of Caledonia, where the winds of change sweep across the Scottish landscape. As the country transitions from agriculture to industrialization, historic clans play a pivotal role in shaping its destiny. Against this backdrop, players take on the mantle of clan leaders, each with unique abilities, competing to thrive in this era of economic transformation. The game unfolds as a strategic dance of production, trade, and export, with the coveted Scottish whisky at the center of economic endeavors. Now, let's delve into the intricacies of gameplay that define this immersive economic board game.
Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.
More details for Clans of Caledonia- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962
13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis is a tense, strategic two-player game set during the critical moments of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It captures the high-stakes Cold War atmosphere, offering a rich thematic experience in just 45 minutes. The game challenges players to navigate complex dilemmas, such as choosing between gaining prestige or risking global nuclear war, and strategically managing their hand of cards to outmaneuver their opponent.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for 13 Days: The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Deckscape: Test Time
More details for Deckscape: Test TimePlayers are chosen by the brilliant students of Doctor Thyme for a special project that tests their skills. An accidental button press triggers an alarm, locking the lab and plunging it into darkness. Using just sixty cards, players embark on a frantic adventure to solve puzzles and escape the lab.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Vikings Gone Wild: Ragnarok!
More details for Vikings Gone Wild: Ragnarok!The "Ragnarök" expansion introduces a solo and cooperative mode. Players lead a clan to battle against others, aiming to prove who has the mightiest clan by earning victory points through attacks, defenses, upgrades, and completing missions. The expansion includes a map with undead units, buildings, leaders, quests, objectives, and more.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 40 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Vikings Gone Wild: Ragnarok!
Unearth
More details for UnearthUnearth is a dice placement and set collection game that invites players to explore ancient ruins and rebuild a lost civilization. Suitable for 2-4 players and taking less than an hour to play, it's a blend of strategy and luck, accessible to gamers of various skill levels.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Unearth
The Bloody Inn: The Carnies
More details for The Bloody Inn: The CarniesThe Carnies expansion introduces strange and fascinating guests from a traveling carnival to the inn, including a bear tamer, a bearded lady, and a knife thrower. It features new tricks and 52 cards across three modules, which can be played in any combination while keeping the basic rules intact. Each module introduces unique mechanics, adding depth and strategy to the game.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Bloody Inn: The Carnies
Arkham Horror: The Card Game – The Path to Carcosa: Expansion
More details for Arkham Horror: The Card Game – The Path to Carcosa: ExpansionA new theater production has arrived from Paris to Arkham, capturing the attention of the town's elite. Investigating the play reveals a darker history of disappearances, suicides, and madness. In the second Deluxe expansion for Arkham Horror: The Card Game, players must uncover the secrets of this unusual performance while delving deeper into mystery and insanity. The expansion introduces new scenarios, encounter cards, six new investigators, and sixty player cards, offering fresh ways to explore the game and face new challenges.
- 1 - 2 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Arkham Horror: The Card Game – The Path to Carcosa: Expansion
StoryLine: Fairy Tales
More details for StoryLine: Fairy TalesThe phrase "Once upon a time" is incredibly powerful, evoking adventures, magic, enchanted creatures, and mysterious transformations. It brings to life distant lands, brave hunters, determined princesses, fearsome giants, and talking animals, initiating beloved fairy tales.
- 3 - 8 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Nations: The Dice Game – Unrest
More details for Nations: The Dice Game – UnrestCaution! Unrest can manifest in the worst possible situation. New advantages await the nations that act quickly. Build the largest nation from your unique starting conditions!
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Nations: The Dice Game – Unrest
Fast Forward: FEAR
More details for Fast Forward: FEARAre you afraid of ghosts, or do you face the danger and scare your opponents? It is a fast-paced card management game centered around ghost hunting.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Fast Forward: FEAR
Magic Maze: Maximum Security
More details for Magic Maze: Maximum SecurityRecently, the Magic Maze has been regularly raided by unscrupulous adventurers stealing from the same four shops. As a response, new security systems have been installed to deter further dishonest acts.
- 1 - 8 Players
- 1 - 24 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Imhotep: A New Dynasty
More details for Imhotep: A New DynastyImhotep: A New Dynasty adds five new locations, fourteen market cards, seven god cards, four chariots, and 56 game pieces. Players can use the god cards to predict the progress of various buildings, receiving rewards for correct forecasts and penalties for incorrect ones at the end of the game.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 50 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Imhotep: A New Dynasty
Yogi
More details for YogiPlayers are challenged to twist their bodies in unusual ways, ideally mimicking a pretzel better than everyone else. In each round, a player flips the top card; if it's red, they must place or hold the card on their body as instructed. If it's green, the card remains on the table while the player must perform the actions specified, such as holding a thumb on their chin. Keep going and stay flexible!
- 3 - 12 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Yokohama
In Yokohama, set during the Meiji era's transformative period, you step into the role of a merchant in the rapidly modernizing city of Yokohama. As the city evolves from a quaint fishing village into a bustling trade hub, you are at the forefront, capitalizing on this economic boom.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Yokohama- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Manhattan
Manhattan is a strategic board game where players engage in the construction of a skyline of skyscrapers on Manhattan Island. The game blends area control mechanics with spatial strategy, as players aim to dominate the skyline by building the tallest structures in various districts of Manhattan.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1994
More details for Manhattan- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Fabled Fruit: The Lime Expansion
More details for Fabled Fruit: The Lime ExpansionMany consider green to be one of the most important colors of the rainbow, so no fruit-themed game would be complete without the addition of limes, which add just the right twist to Fabled Fruit. This expansion introduces twenty new locations, exciting game tokens, and the mysterious cloak: the Lime Expansion!
- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Secrets
Players are assigned to a hidden team, either the CIA or the KGB, aiming to score the most points. Some players act as secret anti-establishment hippies, seeking to fight against the system with the goal of having the fewest points. Players take turns offering agent cards to others, and the game ends when a player has five cards, revealing team affiliations and determining the winner based on points.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Secrets- 4 - 8 Players
- 15 - 35 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Secrets
Karuba: The Card Game
More details for Karuba: The Card GameGuide your adventurers skillfully through the jungle! In each round, choose two pathway cards from your hand to outsmart your opponents. Players will connect their adventurers to temples, with the one scoring the most points from valuable treasures and temples declared the winner.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Karuba: The Card Game
T.I.M.E Stories: Estrella Drive
More details for T.I.M.E Stories: Estrella DriveIn Hollywood, the ghosts of the past never sleep! Players embark on an adventure back to 1982 to investigate a time anomaly in an allegedly haunted Hollywood villa as members of the T.I.M.E. Agency. This expansion is recommended for an adult audience due to certain themes that may be offensive to younger players.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for T.I.M.E Stories: Estrella Drive
L'Arbre
More details for L'ArbreEvery spring, the magical tree is reborn. As one of its spirit guardians, you nurture the tree according to your preferences while competing against other sylvan spirits. Each turn, you draw cards or place your tokens on the tree, with different rules for each tree element. The first player to use all their tokens wins.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Vikings Gone Wild
More details for Vikings Gone WildVikings Gone Wild is a dynamic deck-building and resource management game that challenges players to master both strategy and bluffing. Drawing inspiration from its online real-time strategy game origins, players engage in a thrilling race to build up their Viking villages, amass powerful decks, and launch daring raids on opponents. Victory hinges on cunning attacks and shrewd defenses, making every move a test of nerve and skill.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Vikings Gone Wild
Fast Forward: FORTRESS
More details for Fast Forward: FORTRESSA large fortress looms in the distance, and it must be yours! Accept the challenge to conquer the fortress and outsmart your friends to become the dominant ruler of the kingdom. Players start a Fast Forward game without reading the rulebook beforehand, discovering the rules as they play through a pre-sorted deck of cards. It takes twelve games to fully explore the system, after which it can be reset for the same or different groups.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Fast Forward: FORTRESS
Hostage Negotiator
Hostage Negotiator is a gripping solo board game where you take on the role of a law enforcement agent tasked with negotiating the release of hostages from a dangerous hostage-taker. The game immerses you in high-stakes crisis negotiation, demanding strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hostage Negotiator- 1 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Schollen Rollen
More details for Schollen RollenPlayers take turns rolling dice to catch differently colored fish from a central pool, with yellow fish worth 1 point and red fish worth 5 points. After rolling, the player can collect one fish for each rolled fish, benefiting from special effects on the dice that may allow them to double, quadruple, or even octuple their catch, steal from opponents, or block future rolls. The game ends when all fish are caught, and the player with the most points wins.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Carcassonne für 2
More details for Carcassonne für 2Carcassonne für 2 tailors the classic Carcassonne experience for a duel between two players, maintaining the beloved mechanics of tile placement and strategic meeple deployment within the picturesque Southern French landscape. This edition simplifies the setup for more intimate and rapid gameplay sessions without sacrificing the depth and decision-making the series is known for. Packaged in a convenient metal box, it includes 48 tiles and 12 meeples, offering a compact yet complete version of the game designed specifically for two players.
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Carcassonne für 2
Knister
More details for KnisterPlayers use a dry-erase marker and a shiny game board featuring a 5x5 grid in this dice-based game. During a round, they roll two standard six-sided dice 25 times, recording each sum on their board. After three rounds, the player with the highest cumulative score wins, with specialized scoring for different combinations. A double-sided board allows for an alternative 6x6 grid, shortening the game to two rounds for more players.
- 1 - 12 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Five Tribes: Whims of the Sultan
More details for Five Tribes: Whims of the SultanThe Sultanate of Naqala continues to thrive, with the new Sultan founding five fabulous cities to take advantage of this prosperous time. However, these cities have attracted more competitors than grains of sand in the desert, and the fate of the Sultanate rests once again in the hands of the five tribes and the mighty Djinn.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 40 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
After the Virus
More details for After the VirusThe zombie apocalypse has arrived! Players cooperate as they build their decks to survive and complete various missions. With 15 missions that create an overarching narrative, survival won't come easy as zombies attack in greater numbers with each shuffle of your deck. Searching the environment for useful weapons and items is essential, as managing your deck and play area effectively is crucial to finishing missions before being overwhelmed.
- 1 - 3 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Axio
More details for AxioPlayers take turns adding tiles to a shared game area. Each time a tile is placed, points are earned for matching symbols in rows extending from the newly placed tile. At the end of the game, players calculate their scores based on the lowest value among their symbols, and the player with the highest of these lowest scores wins.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Axio
Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp
More details for Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic LampA wizard has sent you, a street boy like Aladdin, into a cave to search for a magic lamp that grants you the favor of a genie. The cave also holds fabulous treasures sorted into three chests. If you can curb your greed, this might be your chance to get rich!
- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Tales & Games: Aladdin & the Magic Lamp
BAM! Ihr habt es so gewollt!
More details for BAM! Ihr habt es so gewollt!Players fill in the blanks on cards with suitable terms. The goal is not to create grammatically correct or meaningful sentences, but to convince the BAM! Master that your idea is the most original and funniest. The game features popular "Cards of the Month" and some of the best suggestions from the community.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Immediately playable
Fieber
More details for FieberFever is a cheeky card game for 2 to 5 players that requires nerves of steel. Players take on the role of a medical team trying to manage a patient's unpleasant fever while dealing with intense rivalry among colleagues. Everyone has their own secret agenda to impress the chief physician.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
This War of Mine: The Board Game
This War Of Mine: The Board Game is a profound tabletop adaptation of the acclaimed video game, capturing the harrowing experiences of civilians in a war-torn city. It's a game that delves deep into the survival narrative, emphasizing the human aspect of war and the tough decisions that come with it.
Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.
More details for This War of Mine: The Board Game- 1 - 6 Players
- 45 - 120 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Quadropolis: Public Services
More details for Quadropolis: Public ServicesPlayers can add new public service buildings to their cities with the expansion. They must decide whether to grow their population with a maternity hospital or to protect citizens with a new police station. In each round, a selection of public service tiles is revealed, allowing players to construct buildings that provide various bonuses and scoring opportunities.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Iquazú
More details for IquazúThe Inox people have lived peacefully in the land of waterfalls, but now they face a dangerous threat from evil Rhujas seeking to steal their gems. To protect them, the Inox hide their gems behind the Iquazú waterfall, guarded by their water dragon Silon. Players must skillfully use their cards to place their colored gems on the board while avoiding obstacles, aiming for the best scoring opportunities as they take turns until the last column is filled.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 50 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ex Libris
Ex Libris is a strategic board game that immerses players in the role of book collectors in a bustling gnomish village, all vying for the coveted position of Grand Librarian. This game combines elements of resource management, worker placement, and collection building, set in a whimsical fantasy world where players compete to create the most impressive personal library.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Ex Libris- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Ex Libris
Smash Up: Sheep
More details for Smash Up: SheepSmash Up: Sheep is a promotional item for the different factions given out by AEG to those who complete a survey about the Smash Up game line. The minions in the sheep faction obediently follow other minions from base to base, then crush their opponents relentlessly with an unstoppable wave of minions. Baaa!
- 2 - 4 Players
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Caverna: Cave vs Cave
Caverna: Cave vs. Cave is a strategic two-player game set in the world of Caverna. Players start as dwarf tribes living in a small mountain excavation, and over eight rounds, they expand their dwellings, increase their workforce, and seek to build the most prosperous subterranean domain. This game focuses on efficient resource management and strategic planning within a confined space and timeframe.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Caverna: Cave vs Cave- 1 - 2 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Caverna: Cave vs Cave
Masmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia
More details for Masmorra: Dungeons of ArcadiaMasmorra: Dungeons of Arcadia invites players into an action-packed adventure set within the vibrant universe of Arcadia Quest. As a dungeon crawl board game that emphasizes speed and strategy, Masmorra offers a unique blend of exploration, combat, and competition, making it a standout title for those who love dynamic and engaging gameplay.
- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Small World: Sky Islands
More details for Small World: Sky IslandsKleine Welt: Sky Islands introduces seven new races and powers to the base game, along with new territories for previously released races to fight over. At the start, set up the Sky Islands board to display either two or three islands, and use the Standard board as if playing with one fewer player. Players can then place access points to the sky islands and attempt to conquer areas as permitted by their powers. Controlling all regions on an island at the end of a turn grants an extra coin.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 40 - 80 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Small World: Sky Islands
Boom, Bang, Gold
Booooooom! Since gold was discovered in the once-sleepy town of Old Town, chaos has ensued. Everyone, from seasoned prospectors to hotel owners, grabs dynamite and rushes to the ghost mine to blast gold from the mountain.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Boom, Bang, Gold- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Schüttel's
More details for Schüttel'sPlayers engage in a game of luck and skill, using a magical cup to unleash dizzying gnomes. As wizards, they must outsmart lazy bakers and sleepy carpenters to make business thrive. However, if the gnome-shaking goes awry, they may face ridicule and penalties from their opponents.
- 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: