The best games released in 2021๐Ÿ“† 2024

Looking for a really good game from the year 2021? Then we have just the thing for you: our recommendation list with the best board games that were newly released in 2020.

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:

List of the best new games releases in 2020

This list was last updated on November 30, 2024. We compared 898 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. So Clover!

    All details for the board game So Clover! and similar games

    So Clover! is a cooperative word-association game that challenges players to think creatively and work together. The essence of the game is to generate and guess keywords based on shared features, aiming to achieve the highest possible team score.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for So Clover!
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  2. Cascadia

    All details for the board game Cascadia and similar games

    Cascadia is a tile-laying and token-drafting board game that features the rich habitats and diverse wildlife of the Pacific Northwest. It combines strategic tile placement with wildlife conservation themes.

    Nominated for 26 awards and won 15.

    โญ๏ธ Spiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Cascadia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea

    All details for the board game The Crew: Mission Deep Sea and similar games

    The Crew: Mission Deep Sea is a cooperative trick-taking card game that embarks players on an underwater expedition to discover the lost continent of Mu. Building on the foundations of its predecessor, The Crew, this game combines the familiar mechanics of trick-taking with unique cooperative elements and a compelling thematic narrative.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  4. MicroMacro: Crime City โ€“ Full House

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City โ€“ Full House and similar games

    MicroMacro: Crime City โ€“ Full House is a captivating detective game that expands upon the original MicroMacro: Crime City. Players become sleuths, examining a giant city map (75 x 110 cm) filled with intricate details to solve various crimes. This edition includes 16 new cases, each offering a unique story and set of challenges that require players to scrutinize the map to uncover hidden information and trace suspects' movements.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City โ€“ Full House
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  5. Trio

    All details for the board game Trio and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    More details for Trio
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. Stella: Dixit Universe

    All details for the board game Stella: Dixit Universe and similar games

    Stella: Dixit Universe offers a fresh and competitive twist to the beloved Dixit game, inviting players to dive into a world where interpretation and intuition meet under the stars. As Starseekers, players will explore thematic imagery on Dixit cards, using a shared clue to guide their choices and strategically score points by aligning their interpretations with those of others.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 1.

    More details for Stella: Dixit Universe
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  7. Grove: 9 card solitaire game

    All details for the board game Grove: 9 card solitaire game and similar games
    • 1 Players
    • 5 - 10 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. Marvel United: X-Men

    All details for the board game Marvel United: X-Men and similar games

    Marvel United: X-Men is an expansion to the cooperative board game Marvel United, focusing on the beloved X-Men universe. This game invites players to embody iconic Marvel heroes, joining forces to thwart the nefarious schemes of a villain who is orchestrating their master plan behind the scenes. With a mix of strategy, collaboration, and superhero flair, this game brings the X-Men's battles and stories to life on the tabletop.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Marvel United: X-Men
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Carcassonne: 20th Anniversary Edition

    All details for the board game Carcassonne: 20th Anniversary Edition and similar games

    Carcassonne: 20th Anniversary Edition celebrates two decades since the beloved tile-placement game Carcassonne won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award. This special edition not only commemorates the game's lasting appeal but also enhances the classic experience with new and exclusive content. Players continue to draw and place tiles depicting the picturesque landscapes of southern France, aiming to strategically deploy their meeplesโ€”be it as knights, robbers, monks, or farmersโ€”to score points by completing cities, roads, cloisters, and fields.

    More details for Carcassonne: 20th Anniversary Edition
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 35 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  10. Destinies

    All details for the board game Destinies and similar games

    Destinies is a unique blend of board gaming and digital app integration, offering a rich, competitive, story-driven experience set in a dark medieval-fantasy universe. It is the first game in a series utilizing the innovative Destinies system.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for Destinies
    • 1 - 3 Players
    • 90 - 150 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. King of Tokyo: Monster Box

    All details for the board game King of Tokyo: Monster Box and similar games
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. Radlands

    All details for the board game Radlands and similar games

    Radlands is a competitive and tactical dueling card game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players lead groups of survivors, each fighting to protect their camps from a rival tribe. The game emphasizes the importance of strategic card synergy and resource management, with water being a crucial element in gameplay.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 4.

    More details for Radlands
    • 2 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. 7 Wonders: Architects

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

    7 Wonders: Architects invites 2-7 players into a fast-paced race to leave a lasting legacy in the ancient world by constructing an architectural marvel. Each player starts with an unconstructed wonder and embarks on a journey to gather resources, develop their society, and achieve greatness.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 5.

    More details for 7 Wonders: Architects
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  14. Super Mega Lucky Box

    All details for the board game Super Mega Lucky Box and similar games
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  15. Cartographers Heroes

    All details for the board game Cartographers Heroes and similar games

    Cartographers Heroes embarks players on a new voyage through the storied Western Lands, enhancing the acclaimed formula of its predecessor with fresh challenges and dynamic elements. As royal cartographers, players are tasked with mapping these perilous territories, their efforts now intertwined with the valorous acts of heroes who stand against the encroaching Dragul forces. This sequel not only retains the beloved core mechanics of drawing and mapping but enriches the experience with innovative map sheets, scoring cards, and explore cards, all while introducing ambush cards that bring unique abilities into play.

    More details for Cartographers Heroes
    • 1 - 100 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Meadow

    All details for the board game Meadow and similar games

    Meadow is a beautifully illustrated set collection game where players become explorers, immersing themselves in nature observation. The game, suitable for 1-4 players, features over two hundred unique cards adorned with hand-painted watercolor illustrations. Players compete to become the most skilled nature observer by collecting valuable species, landscapes, and discovery cards.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Deal: 6% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Meadow
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  17. Canvas

    All details for the board game Canvas and similar games

    Canvas is a creative and visually-driven board game where players take on the roles of painters competing in an art competition. The game combines elements of strategy and puzzle-solving, focused on creating and scoring paintings.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 2.

    More details for Canvas
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Final Girl

    All details for the board game Final Girl and similar games

    Final Girl is a unique solitaire-only board game that puts you in the heart of a classic horror movie scenario. You play as the "final girl," the last woman standing, who must face off against a menacing slasher to survive.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Final Girl
    • 1 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  19. Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories

    All details for the board game Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories and similar games

    Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories brings the beloved Unlock! game system to younger audiences, allowing families to enjoy the thrill of escape rooms from the comfort of their homes. This edition is tailored for children aged 6 and up, offering a simplified experience that encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and imaginative play without the need for an app.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    More details for Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Top Ten 18+

    All details for the board game Top Ten 18+ and similar games
    • 4 - 9 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 18+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Catapult Feud

    All details for the board game Catapult Feud and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Catapult Feud
    • 2 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  22. Kids Chronicles: Quest for the Moon Stones

    All details for the board game Kids Chronicles: Quest for the Moon Stones and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  23. Chronicles of Crime: 1900

    All details for the board game Chronicles of Crime: 1900 and similar games
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Welcome to the Moon

    All details for the board game Welcome to the Moon and similar games

    Welcome to the Moon is an innovative flip-and-write game that evolves the gameplay of its predecessors, Welcome To... and Welcome To New Las Vegas. It takes players on a space colonization adventure, combining familiar mechanisms with new twists and a campaign mode that spans eight unique adventure sheets.

    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Welcome to the Moon
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 25 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ”ฅ Great price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  25. Botanik

    All details for the board game Botanik and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Botanik
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  26. The Adventures of Robin Hood

    All details for the board game The Adventures of Robin Hood and similar games

    The Adventures of Robin Hood offers a refreshing and innovative approach to board gaming, immersing players in the legendary tales of Robin Hood and his merry band in 1193 England. This game distinguishes itself with a dynamic game board that evolves and changes, reflecting the players' actions and choices throughout their quest against the tyranny of Prince John and his minions. With a unique movement mechanism and a story-driven gameplay that forgoes traditional cards for a narrative-driven hardcover book, players will find themselves deeply engaged in the forests and villages of Nottinghamshire.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    โญ๏ธ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for The Adventures of Robin Hood
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  27. Six Second Scribbles

    All details for the board game Six Second Scribbles and similar games
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  28. Turtle Splash!

    All details for the board game Turtle Splash! and similar games

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Turtle Splash!
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    ๐Ÿ‘ Good price!Check for best price now atAmazon*
  29. Tyrants of the Underdark: Board Game

    All details for the board game Tyrants of the Underdark: Board Game and similar games
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. My Gold Mine

    All details for the board game My Gold Mine and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    More details for My Gold Mine
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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