The best games released in 2018📆 2024
Looking for a really good game from the year 2018? Then we have just the thing for you: our recommendation list with the best board games that were newly released in 2018.
More lists from similar periods
A list with the best games from other years can be found at the end of the page.
In addition, we have created several more lists of card & board game awards:
- The Best Games by Decade.
- The best board game awards
- The best current games-new releases
- The best classic games
List of the best new games releases in 2018:
Just One
Just One is a cooperative party game that combines elements of mystery and creativity. Players work together to guess as many words as possible, using unique clues provided by their teammates.
Nominated for 15 awards and won 4.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2019
More details for Just One- 3 - 7 Players
- 20 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Just One
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
The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!
Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.
⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018
More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
Zombie Kidz Evolution
Zombie Kidz Evolution is a pioneering legacy-style board game designed specifically for children. Building upon the foundation of the 2013 game Zombie Kidz, this version introduces a dynamic and evolving gameplay experience. Set in a school under siege by zombies, young players must navigate through rooms and entryways to fend off the undead and prevent them from overrunning the school. The objective is to lock all four entryways of the school, a task complicated by the absence of the custodian. As players progress and improve their skills, they can undertake missions and earn trophies and stickers, similar to achievements in video games. The game also features envelopes that, when opened, add new elements to the game, including challenges, powers, and heroes, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 5.
More details for Zombie Kidz Evolution- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Star Realms: Frontiers
Star Realms: Frontiers is a dynamic standalone game within the Star Realms series, offering fast-paced space combat with deckbuilding elements. Designed for 1-4 players, it can be enjoyed on its own or integrated with other Star Realms sets for expanded play.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Star Realms: Frontiers- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Detective Club
Detective Club is a social deduction and party game that involves both cooperation and deception. Players are drawn into rounds of intrigue, where one player secretly passes clues to their accomplice to reveal a secret word, while others, acting as detectives, try to unveil the conspiracy. Creativity and persuasion play crucial roles as players discuss and defend their choices to avoid suspicion.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for Detective Club- 4 - 8 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Detective Club
Men at Work
Men At Work is a dexterity game that challenges players to become the most skilled and careful construction workers on the job site. The goal is to build a towering structure of steel girders and wooden beams, placing workers and bricks with precision to avoid any disastrous collapses. Players must balance risk-taking with cautious strategy to outmaneuver their opponents and impress Rita, the tough-as-nails boss, in hopes of being named Employee of the Month.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Men at Work- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Men at Work
That's Pretty Clever!
That's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schön clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018
More details for That's Pretty Clever!- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Orchard: 9 card solitaire game
Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game is an engaging and compact solitaire tile-laying game that has captured the hearts of players with its simplicity, strategic depth, and quick playtime. Garnering acclaim by winning the 2018 9-Card Nanogame Print and Play Design Contest, Orchard challenges players to skillfully manage a limited set of resources — in this case, nine double-sided cards — to create a flourishing orchard.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Orchard: 9 card solitaire game- 1 Players
- 5 - 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Welcome To...
Welcome To... is a unique, dice-less roll-and-write game where players take on the role of 1950s American architects, aiming to design and construct the most prosperous suburban neighborhood.
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...
Cahoots
Cahoots is a cooperative card game where players work together to meet a series of challenging goals. Each player must strategically contribute to four communal piles by matching either the color or the number of the cards. Communication about the contents of one's hand is not allowed, adding a layer of challenge as players must intuitively cooperate to meet the objectives.
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Cahoots- 1 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Video reviews for Cahoots
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition is a captivating multiplayer puzzle game that combines strategy and luck to create a unique gaming experience.
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
The Mind
The Mind is a unique card game that combines elements of cooperation, intuition, and silent communication. It is as much an experiment in group dynamics as it is a game.
Nominated for 20 awards and won 9.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2018
More details for The Mind- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Menara
Menara is a cooperative, physical skill-based game where players work together to construct a temple using pillars and uniquely shaped floors. The game challenges players not just with its physical demands but also through its requirement for teamwork and strategic planning. As players build the structure, they must carefully balance the need for precision with the architectural requirements to prevent the temple from becoming unstable. Mistakes have consequences, requiring the addition of new floors and making the challenge even more daunting.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Menara- 1 - 4 Players
- 10 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
🔥 Great price!Check for best price now at*War Chest
War Chest is a distinctive bag-building war game that requires players to skillfully manage their army both on and off the battlefield.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for War Chest- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for War Chest
Belratti
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Belratti- 3 - 7 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Chronicles of Crime
Embark on a thrilling cooperative adventure with Chronicles of Crime, a unique blend of crime investigation, board game excitement, and a touch of Virtual Reality. Picture yourself at the heart of criminal investigations, where the seamless integration of an app with physical components creates an immersive experience.
Nominated for 17 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
Space Base
Space Base is a dynamic and fast-paced dice game that blends strategy and luck, where players take on the roles of Commodores commanding a fleet of ships.
Nominated for 4 awards.
More details for Space Base- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Space Base
Ticket to Ride: New York
Ticket to Ride: New York is a fast-paced, compact variation of the beloved Ticket to Ride game series. Set against the backdrop of Manhattan, this version offers a quick and streamlined playing experience, perfect for both fans of the original game and newcomers. With a focus on the bustling streets of New York City, players race to complete taxi routes and reach destinations in a condensed version of the classic gameplay.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Ticket to Ride: New York- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 - 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Ticket to Ride: New York
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition is a dynamic and engaging multiplayer puzzle game where players aim to build the most efficient transportation network. The game revolves around connecting as many exits as possible on individual erasable boards using routes determined by dice rolls. Strategic planning is key, as players must balance the desire to expand their network with the risk of leaving routes incomplete.
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
Drop It
Drop It is a dynamic and visually engaging board game that challenges players to strategically drop geometric shapes into a vertical game board. The objective is to score points by positioning these shapes to touch higher levels and special locations on the board. However, players must be careful as the pieces can bounce unpredictably, and scoring is nullified if a piece touches another of the same shape or color.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Drop It- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Don't Get Got!
- 2 - 10 Players
- 30 - 1440 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Don't Get Got!
Everdell
Everdell invites players to immerse themselves in the enchanting valley of Everdell, where a thriving civilization of forest critters seeks to expand their territories and establish new cities beneath towering trees, meandering streams, and mossy hollows. As the leader of a group of ambitious critters, you have a busy year ahead, filled with construction, character encounters, and hosting events. Can you ensure that the sun shines brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?
Nominated for 16 awards and won 7.
More details for Everdell- 1 - 4 Players
- 40 - 80 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Everdell
Sprawlopolis
Sprawlopolis is an engaging cooperative city-building game where 1-4 players join forces to transform a tiny town into a bustling metropolis. The game is known for its compact design, using only 18 cards, and a dynamic scoring system that ensures a unique experience every time you play.
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Sprawlopolis- 1 - 4 Players
- 15 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
CuBirds
CuBirds is a charming and strategic card game where players help disorganized birds regroup into their flocks to return home. Featuring a unique gameplay mechanism and a delightful bird theme, this game requires players to cleverly manage their hand of bird cards and make tactical decisions on gathering and scoring bird flocks.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.
More details for CuBirds- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Illusion
Illusion is a visually stimulating card game that challenges players to question their perception of color. The game's simple rules allow for immediate gameplay, making it accessible and engaging. Players must discern and compare the proportions of colors on different cards, testing their ability to accurately perceive and estimate color quantities. It's a game of visual judgment and quick thinking, asking players who can truly trust their eyes and who has the right perspective to see through the illusions.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Illusion- 2 - 5 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
PUSH
- 2 - 6 Players
- 20 - 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
👍 Good price!Check for best price now at*Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe
- 4 - 8 Players
- 1 - 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe
Dungeon Mayhem
More details for Dungeon MayhemDungeon Mayhem drops you into the heart of an action-packed Dungeons & Dragons card battle where the last adventurer standing claims victory. Choose from four unique, quirky characters—be it the barbarian, paladin, rogue, or wizard—and dive into a dungeon brimming with treasures and challenges. With a lively mix of strategy and luck, you'll sling spells, swing weapons, and strategize to outmaneuver your opponents. The vivid illustrations bring each character's personality to life, making every match not just a battle, but a story unfolding right before your eyes.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 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: