The best games released in 2018π 2026
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:
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Just One
All details & ratingJust 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.
3β7 20β60 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 5 β¬ above the best price21 β¬ at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Decrypto
All details & ratingEngage 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.
3β8 15β45 min 12+ Easy to learn+ 1 β¬ above the best price20 β¬ at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
Zombie Kidz Evolution
All details & ratingZombie Kidz Evolution is a legacy-style board game made for children: players team up to defend a school against zombies and lock its four entryways, while sealed envelopes, trophies and stickers steadily evolve the game.
2β4 15 min 7+ Immediately playable -
The Quack of Quedlinburg
All details & ratingBecome 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!
2β4 45 min 10+ Easy to learn+ 5 β¬ above the best price33 β¬ at Amazon* -
Detective Club
All details & ratingDetective 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.
4β8 45 min 8+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Men at Work
All details & ratingMen 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.
2β5 30β45 min 8+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Star Realms: Frontiers
All details & ratingStar 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.
1β4 20β45 min 12+ Easy to learn -
Orchard: A 9 card solitaire game
All details & ratingOrchard: 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 β in this case, nine double-sided cards β to create a flourishing orchard.
1 5β10 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Cahoots card game
All details & ratingCahoots 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.
1β4 20 min 10+ Immediately playable+ 1 β¬ above the best price10 β¬ at Amazon*Video reviews 1 -
That's Pretty Clever! dice game
All details & ratingThat's Pretty Clever is a strategic dice game where players must make thoughtful choices to optimize their score. The game's title, Ganz schΓΆn clever in German, aptly describes the need for cleverness and tactical thinking.
1β4 30 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 4 β¬ above the best price11 β¬ at Amazon* -
Welcome To...
All details & ratingWelcome 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.
1β100 25 min 10+ Easy to learn5 β¬ below the next retailer20 β¬ at Amazon*Video reviews 2 -
ICECOOL2
All details & ratingICECOOL2 is both a standalone game and an expansion for ICECOOL. It introduces tasks on 1-point cards, fish movement power on 2-point cards, and an optional tournament scoring. Combining both ICECOOL sets allows for new layouts, a new game mode called "The Race," play for up to eight players, and the ability to create custom layouts.
2β4 30 min 6+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Railroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition
All details & ratingRailroad Ink: Deep Blue Edition is a captivating multiplayer puzzle game that combines strategy and luck to create a unique gaming experience.
1β6 20β30 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 5 β¬ above the best price23 β¬ at Amazon* -
The Mind
All details & ratingThe 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.
2β4 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Menara
All details & ratingMenara 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.
1β4 10β60 min 8+ Easy to learn+ 1 β¬ above the best price30 β¬ at Amazon* -
Belratti
All details & ratingPlayers purchase artwork for their museum while trying to align with current trends and uncover genuine pieces created by their team. However, the notorious Belratti aims to trick them with fake paintings in their collection.
3β7 25 min 8+ Immediately playable -
My First Adventure: Finding the Dragon
All details & ratingEmbark on an incredible adventure as you explore the world to find and adopt a dragon. "Find Your Dragon!" is the first book in the "My First Adventure" series, where you become the little hero. Choose your character and dive into a unique story where every decision you make alters your journey.
1β5 10β20 min 3+ Immediately playable -
Drop It
All details & ratingDrop 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.
2β4 30 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 6 β¬ above the best price18 β¬ at Amazon* -
Illusion
All details & ratingIllusion 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.
2β5 15 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Don't Mess with Cthulhu Deluxe
All details & ratingPlayers take on the roles of either investigators or cultists in a social deduction game. Investigators aim to prevent Cthulhu from awakening, while cultists seek to bring about a disastrous end to the world. The game is played over four rounds, with players using investigation cards to uncover clues, and the outcome depends on whether Cthulhu is revealed or if all clues are discovered first.
4β8 1β30 min 10+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Don't Get Got!
All details & ratingPlayers receive six secret missions in a party game where the first to complete three wins. The game is designed to be played in the background, allowing it to be enjoyed at home, on vacation, at the office, or at a party. Missions can include getting compliments from another player, hiding a card in a glass, or inventing a word and prompting someone to ask about its meaning.
2β10 10+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
Ticket to Ride: New York
All details & ratingTicket 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.
2β4 10β15 min 8+ Immediately playableVideo reviews 1 -
PUSH
All details & ratingChallenge your luck... but not too much! Earn points by playing cards to the stacks, but be careful! You cannot repeat a color or number. Decide when to stop and score from the best stack, or push your luck for more!
2β6 20β25 min 8+ Immediately playable -
CuBirds
All details & ratingCuBirds 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.
2β5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Railroad Ink: Blazing Red Edition
All details & ratingRailroad 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.
1β6 20β30 min 8+ Immediately playable+ 2 β¬ above the best price18 β¬ at Amazon* -
War Chest
All details & ratingWar Chest is a distinctive bag-building war game that requires players to skillfully manage their army both on and off the battlefield.
2β4 30 min 14+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 2 -
Dungeon Mayhem
All details & ratingDungeon 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 charactersβbe it the barbarian, paladin, rogue, or wizardβand 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.
2β4 10 min 8+ Immediately playable -
Space Base
All details & ratingSpace 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.
2β5 60 min 14+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Chronicles of Crime
All details & ratingEmbark 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.
1β4 60β90 min 12+ Easy to learnVideo reviews 1 -
Sprawlopolis
All details & ratingSprawlopolis 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.
1β4 15β20 min 8+ Easy to learn
Frequently asked questions
Which game ranks first on this list?
Just One (Spiel des Jahres 2019 winner) currently tops our list. The ranking is derived from player community ratings and is recalculated continuously.
How many players do the games on this list support?
Most games on this list support 2 to 4 players. The exact player count is listed with each game.
What age are these games suitable for?
Publisher age recommendations on this list start at 3 years. Each game carries its own age rating.
How long does a game take?
A typical game takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Each game's playing time is listed individually.
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: