The best games presented at the Spiel 2018 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 2018" in Essen and listed the top100.
Game fair in the German city of Essen
The International Spieltage SPIEL, often called the Essen Game Fair or Essen 2018 after the city where it is held, is an annual four-day board game fair that is also open to the public. In 2018, the Spiel'18 game fair was held from October 25 to 28 (Thursday through 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.
SPIEL'18 - the biggest game fair in the world
The first time the fair was held was in 1983 at the Volkshochschule Essen. With 1,150 exhibitors from 50 nations, nearly 1,400 new launches and 190,000 visitors, Spiel'18 was once again the world's largest trade fair for board games in 2018.
Buy board games on site, even from small publishers.
At SPIEL, board games are offered that are hard to find in retail stores - many international and small exhibitors present their products at Spiel18. While the prices for buying games at the fair are usually not much lower than in retail stores, the games are usually available earlier than in regular board game stores, come with promotional materials (usually extra cards or game pieces with a few more game mechanics, but also T-shirts and similar goodies), and it's an opportunity for passionate board game players to meet and chat with game designers, illustrators, and famous game critics.
More info about game fair "Spiel" is available at official game website.
Did we forget a game that was featured at Spiel'18?
If we forgot a game that was featured at Spiel 2018? What were your highlights of Spiel18 that are not on our list? Then write 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'18:
Just One
- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!19€ at
.deVideo reviews for Just One
Terraforming Mars: Prelude
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Terraforming Mars: Prelude- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Terraforming Mars: Prelude
Codenames
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.deDixit: Anniversary
🔥 Deal: 20% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Dixit: Anniversary- 3 - 6 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!16€ at.deVideo reviews for Dixit: Anniversary
Welcome To...
Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.
More details for Welcome To...- 1 - 100 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Welcome To...
Sagrada
Nominated for 10 awards.
More details for Sagrada- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!30€ at.deRailroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
ICECOOL2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for ICECOOL2
Belratti
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Belratti- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 45 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Downforce
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Downforce- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Chronicles of Crime
Nominated for 15 awards and won 5.
More details for Chronicles of Crime- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Meeple Circus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Meeple Circus- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Chronicles of Crime: Noir
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Chronicles of Crime: Noir- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Chronicles of Crime: Noir
Scythe: The Rise of Fenris
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Scythe: The Rise of Fenris- 1 - 5 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!52€ at.deClank!: The Mummy's Curse
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Kingdomino: Age of Giants
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!15€ at.deVideo reviews for Kingdomino: Age of Giants
Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Azul: Stained Glass of Sintra
Spyfall 2
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Spyfall 2- 3 - 12 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Spyfall 2
Word Slam Midnight
- 3 - 99 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 18+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Word Slam Midnight
Heckmeck Deluxe
- 2 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!20€ at.deChampions of Midgard
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Champions of Midgard- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Twin It!
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Twin It!- 2 - 6 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Twin It!
Stone Age: Anniversary
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Concordia Venus
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Concordia Venus- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Concordia Venus
Architects of the West Kingdom
Nominated for 17 awards and won 5.
More details for Architects of the West Kingdom- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 80 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!68€ at.deVideo reviews for Architects of the West Kingdom
Impact: Battle of Elements
- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!40€ at.deGloomhaven
Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.
More details for Gloomhaven- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!143€ at.deVideo reviews for Gloomhaven
Spirits of the Forest
- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Spirits of the Forest
Monster-Bande
- 2 - 8 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!18€ at.deVideo reviews for Monster-Bande
Reef
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Reef- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!23€ at.deVideo reviews for Chronicles of Crime: Welcome to Redview
Soviet Kitchen Unleashed
- 1 - 6 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Claim 2
- 2 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!9€ at.dePunto
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Punto- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!6€ at.deShifty Eyed Spies
- 4 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Shifty Eyed Spies
Knapp Daneben!
- 1 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!6€ at.deVideo reviews for Knapp Daneben!
Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Nominated for 14 awards and won 4.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019
More details for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game- 1 - 5 Players
- 120 - 180 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game
Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig
- 2 - 7 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Carpe Diem
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Shadows: Amsterdam
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Shadows: Amsterdam- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dale of Merchants
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants
Fool!
- 4 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Fool!
Curli Kuller
Nominated for 2 awards.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2009
More details for Curli Kuller- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!43€ at.deIsle of Skye: Druids
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!17€ at.deVideo reviews for Isle of Skye: Druids
Escape Room: The Game – Secret Agent
- 3 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dale of Merchants 2
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Dale of Merchants 2
Mole Rats in Space
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Treasure Island
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Treasure Island- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!38€ at.deVideo reviews for Treasure Island
Explorers of the North Sea
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Planet
Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.
More details for Planet- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Planet
Haste Worte? Das Würfelspiel
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Near and Far
Nominated for 6 awards.
More details for Near and Far- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Near and Far
Word Slam Family
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Word Slam Family- 3 - 99 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Word Slam Family
7 Wonders: Armada
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for 7 Wonders: Armada- 3 - 7 Players
- 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for 7 Wonders: Armada
Mythos Tales
- 1 - 10 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Mythos Tales
Gingerbread House
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Gingerbread House- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Gingerbread House
Imhotep: The Duel
Nominated for 2 awards.
🔥 Deal: 9% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Imhotep: The Duel- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!13€ at.deVideo reviews for Imhotep: The Duel
Cool Runnings
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Cool Runnings- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Blöde Kuh
- 3 - 6 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Speed Cups⁶
- 2 - 6 Players
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!19€ at.dePatchwork Express
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Patchwork Express- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Patchwork Express
Spring Meadow
- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Spring Meadow
The Color Monster
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for The Color Monster- 2 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 3+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!30€ at.deVideo reviews for The Color Monster
Naga Raja
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Naga Raja- 2 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
The North Sea Runesaga
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Brain Connect
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Jump Drive
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Jump Drive- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Trans Europa & Trans Amerika
- 2 - 6 Players
- 25 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!27€ at.deVideo reviews for A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians
Exit: The Game – The Haunted Roller Coaster
- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
A Tale of Pirates
🔥 Deal: 20% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for A Tale of Pirates- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!20€ at.deSpirit Island
Nominated for 14 awards and won 2.
More details for Spirit Island- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
🔥 Great price!49€ at.dePiepmatz
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Piepmatz- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
X-Code
- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for X-Code
Smash Up: Oops, You Did It Again
- 2 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Talisman: Legendary Tales
- 1 - 6 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Micropolis
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Micropolis
Root
Nominated for 24 awards and won 14.
More details for Root- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Hard to learn
Doodle Rush
🔥 Deal: 8% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Doodle Rush- 3 - 6 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!15€ at.deHostage Negotiator
Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.
More details for Hostage Negotiator- 1 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Carcassonne: Safari
Nominated for 1 award.
🔥 Deal: 5% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Carcassonne: Safari- 2 - 5 Players
- 35 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!18€ at.deVideo reviews for Carcassonne: Safari
Farben
- 3 - 5 Players
- 45 - 75 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Farben
Monolith Arena
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Monolith Arena- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Monolith Arena
Brains Family: Burgen & Drachen
🔥 Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Brains Family: Burgen & Drachen- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!9€ at.deBiberClan
- 2 - 6 Players
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Qwantum
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Qwantum
Great Western Trail: Rails to the North
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Great Western Trail: Rails to the North- 2 - 4 Players
- 75 - 150 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Great Western Trail: Rails to the North
Lighthouse Run
🔥 Deal: 40% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Lighthouse Run- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!6€ at.deVideo reviews for Lighthouse Run
Magic Maze Kids
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Magic Maze Kids- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 - 25 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Magic Maze Kids
Ex Libris
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
Honga
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Honga- 2 - 5 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Iron Curtain
- 2 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Coimbra
Nominated for 9 awards.
More details for Coimbra- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Blocky Mountains
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Blocky Mountains- 1 - 7 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Colt Express: Bandits – Django
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Colt Express: Bandits – Ghost
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Das Maß aller Dinge
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Fast Forward: FORTUNE
- 3 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Fast Forward: FORTUNE
Kakerlacula
- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!29€ at.de
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