The best games released in 2023πŸ“† 2025

Looking for a really good game from the year 2023? 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 March 19, 2025. We compared 4557 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition

    All details for the board game The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition and similar games

    The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition revitalizes Stefan Feld's classic strategy game for 1-4 players, where participants embody aristocrats managing their princedoms. This special edition, a collaboration between Ravensburger and Awaken Realms, elevates the game with a full art redesign, premium materials, and enhanced components, offering a luxurious playing experience as players build their settlements, castles, and engage in trade.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 70 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  2. Sky Team

    All details for the board game Sky Team and similar games

    Players take on the roles of a pilot and a co-pilot in a cooperative game for two. The objective is to work together to land your airplane at various airports around the world. Successful landing requires silently coordinating dice placement in your cockpit to balance the aircraft, control speed, deploy flaps, and even brew coffee to enhance focus. Each airport presents unique challenges, so stay alert for turbulenceβ€”it could be a bumpy ride!

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for Sky Team
    • 2 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  3. MicroMacro: Crime City – Showdown

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City – Showdown and similar games

    Showdown is the fourth and final installment of the MicroMacro: Crime City series, featuring a new city map and brand-new criminal cases. The 16 cases included can be played independently of the previous games. Players work together to solve tricky cases, investigate motives, find evidence, and catch the culprits, relying on sharp observation and creative deduction skills.

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City – Showdown
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West and similar games

    Players embark on twelve journeys through North America as 19th-century pioneers. Starting on the East Coast, they face challenges while aiming to complete ticket objectives and develop new skills to overcome unexpected events and rivals. As the campaign progresses, players unlock new rules and content, creating a uniquely tailored experience that evolves with their choices, resulting in a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2024

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 10% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  5. Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Salt

    All details for the board game Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Salt and similar games

    A mini-expansion for Sea Salt & Paper, presented as a booster pack. It includes 8 new cards featuring 5 new effects.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Salt
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  6. MicroMacro: Crime City – Bonus Box

    All details for the board game MicroMacro: Crime City – Bonus Box and similar games

    Welcome back to Crime City. After solving numerous crimes and putting many criminals behind bars, you will now investigate more unsolved cases. The Bonus Box includes 14 cases with a total of 136 cards, featuring 3 "Epic Cases" spread across the game's four maps and 11 bonus cases, some of which have been previously unpublished or available only at events and in limited retail. This box completes the Crime City series.

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City – Bonus Box
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  7. That's Not a Hat

    All details for the board game That's Not a Hat and similar games

    Can you remember a few things? It sounds simple, but it’s a challenge! Players give each other gifts and try to recall who gave them what and which gift they have in front of them. If they can’t remember, they must bluff to avoid a penalty point.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    More details for That's Not a Hat
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  8. Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game

    All details for the board game Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game and similar games

    Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game brings the epic conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance to your tabletop. This two-player game captures the essence of the Star Wars universe, offering a dynamic and strategic experience where players build their decks and battle to destroy each other's bases.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Dixit: Disney Edition

    All details for the board game Dixit: Disney Edition and similar games

    Each round features a storyteller who selects one of six cards and creates a sentence based on its imagery, without revealing it to others. Other players then choose a card from their own hand that fits the sentence and submit it anonymously to the storyteller. Points are awarded based on how many players guess the storyteller's card correctly, while the game concludes when the card stack is exhausted or a player reaches 30 points, with victory going to the player with the highest score. The game includes 84 cards representing various Disney and Pixar films.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 18% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Dixit: Disney Edition
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Faraway

    All details for the board game Faraway and similar games

    Welcome to Alula, a mysterious continent with ever-changing geography that follows the rhythm of the seasons. Explore the land, uncover its secrets, meet its inhabitants, and document its wonders to earn more glory than your opponents.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Faraway
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  11. Nekojima

    All details for the board game Nekojima and similar games

    On Nekojima, the "Island of Cats" in Japan, players build an electrical grid to supply various lively districts. Installing power poles becomes increasingly challenging due to the limited space and the curious cats that roam the cables.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Nekojima
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  12. Forest Shuffle

    All details for the board game Forest Shuffle and similar games

    Forest Shuffle is a strategic and environmentally themed card game where players vie to create the most ecologically rich and balanced forest habitat. By gathering valuable trees and attracting diverse species, players work towards building a vibrant ecosystem, all while keeping an eye on the changing seasons that signal the game's end.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 13% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Forest Shuffle
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  13. Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze

    All details for the board game Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze and similar games

    Players collaborate to defeat one of two villains: Mothman or the Martian Invader. Each villain has a unique battlefield with specific objectives, and if they succeed or defeat the heroes, the players lose. The game introduces four new heroes, each with distinct abilities, and remains compatible with other sets in the Unmatched series.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    More details for Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 9+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Knarr

    All details for the board game Knarr and similar games

    Players lead a group of Vikings to new destinations, managing recruitment and choosing the best areas for exploration. As objectives are achieved, either through trade or influence, players can enhance their reputation and gain more wealth. Each turn allows players to add a new member to their crew, activate effects from matching symbols, and explore new locations for trade opportunities.

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Knarr
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. The Vale of Eternity

    All details for the board game The Vale of Eternity and similar games

    Players take on the role of tamers hunting various monsters and spirits to train them as servants. In this fantasy world, many creatures live in harmony, with dragons being the most valuable and noble. The player who manages to tame the most exceptional servants wins. Each round consists of three phases: hunting, action, and resolution, where players draw cards, perform actions, and utilize the effects of summoned cards. The game features seventy creatures inspired by myths from around the world.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for The Vale of Eternity
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  16. Dune: Imperium – Uprising

    All details for the board game Dune: Imperium – Uprising and similar games

    Balance military power with political intrigue while employing new tools to achieve victory. Utilize spies to support your plans, forge important contracts to expand your resources, or learn the ways of the Fremen and ride powerful sandworms into battle. This standalone spinoff introduces a six-player mode where two teams engage in the largest conflict yet, while remaining compatible with previous expansions and the core game's cards. Choose your path; the Empire awaits!

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Dune: Imperium – Uprising
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  17. Prey Another Day

    All details for the board game Prey Another Day and similar games

    Large predators hunt smaller ones, but they are quick and can easily escape. Use your animal instincts to outsmart other players and discover which animals they send on the hunt. The first player to collect 5 food tokens is crowned the king of prey!

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Prey Another Day
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Beacon Patrol

    All details for the board game Beacon Patrol and similar games

    Players act as the captains of the coast guard. They work together to control buoys and lighthouses to ensure safety along the North Sea coast. The goal is to explore as many tiles as possible by connecting them on all four sides.

    More details for Beacon Patrol
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Point City

    All details for the board game Point City and similar games

    From the creators of the hit game Point Salad, this card-drawing and engine-building game features over 150 unique building cards, allowing players to create a completely different city in each session. Players take two adjacent cards from the dynamic city grid to grow their city, utilizing resource cards and bonuses to construct buildings that require specific combinations. By creating special urban structures, players can multiply their city's points and strive to become the best city planner!

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Point City
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Cabanga!

    All details for the board game Cabanga! and similar games

    Players aim to get rid of their hand cards as quickly as possible, ideally without accumulating penalty points. Each round begins with cards placed in eight colors in the center and players taking turns to lay down cards next to the corresponding row cards. If the number gap between two cards is too large, other players can call out and throw cards at the active player, leading to more penalties. The game ends when a player reaches 18 points, with the winner being the one with the fewest points.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Cabanga!
    • 3 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  21. Mindbug: Beyond Evolution

    All details for the board game Mindbug: Beyond Evolution and similar games

    This standalone expansion introduces the Evolve effect on certain cards, allowing for a three-stage evolution line with changing creature abilities. Players summon hybrid creatures to battle against their opponent, but must beware, as the opponent can use one of their Mindbugs to take control. Mindbug blends the accessibility of a simple card game with the strategic depth of a complex one, resulting in a skill-based card duel that offers a unique experience.

    More details for Mindbug: Beyond Evolution
    • 2 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Art Society

    All details for the board game Art Society and similar games

    Art Society is a new art collection game for 2 to 4 players, featuring easy-to-learn rules. Players assume the role of art connoisseurs, competing to create the most impressive collection by bidding on trendy artworks and arranging them into a stylish gallery. Be cautious, as trends can change quickly, and artworks not acquired might end up in a museum, affecting your collection's value.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Art Society
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. 5 Towers

    All details for the board game 5 Towers and similar games

    Players step into the role of master architects, acquiring cards to construct the tallest towers. Cards are gained by being willing to take more than others, but since only one tower of each of the five types can be built, taking too many cards at once may limit future possibilities.

    More details for 5 Towers
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  24. Diced Veggies

    All details for the board game Diced Veggies and similar games

    In the kitchen, something delicious is simmering. As a talented chef, you must carefully chop the right ingredients and transform them into culinary masterpieces. Switch between using the cleaver and cutting ingredient cubes from the shared block, while matching them to the recipes you are working on. This unique resource-gathering mechanism is key to your success, as you manage limited cuts and strive to unlock additional bonuses that enhance your score. A clever cleaver is all you need to create delightful recipes in this dice game for up to four cooks!

    More details for Diced Veggies
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  25. Surfosaurus MAX

    All details for the board game Surfosaurus MAX and similar games

    Outshine the competition! The cards come in seven colors with values ranging from 01 to 12. Players play a single hand card and draw a new one immediately. When the right number of cards is reached, the strongest combination from all played cards wins. Players who contributed to the winning combination can score points.

    More details for Surfosaurus MAX
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Cascadia: Landmarks

    All details for the board game Cascadia: Landmarks and similar games

    Players create expansive habitats and place beautiful natural landmarks within them. These landmarks provide unique aesthetics and dynamic bonuses for endgame scoring. The expansion also introduces new scoring cards for wildlife and habitat tiles, along with components for accommodating 5-6 players.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Cascadia: Landmarks
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. In the Footsteps of Darwin

    All details for the board game In the Footsteps of Darwin and similar games

    Twenty years after his journey around the world, Charles Darwin writes about the origin of species and seeks new information about animal life, especially from unexplored continents. Young, adventurous naturalists board the Beagle to assist him in completing his famous work. Players study animals, conduct surveys, publish findings, and develop theories, aiming to score more points than their competitors and demonstrate their significant contributions to Darwin's research.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for In the Footsteps of Darwin
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  28. Noch mal! Deluxe

    All details for the board game Noch mal! Deluxe and similar games

    Encore! Deluxe follows the same gameplay as its predecessor, engaging players with three color dice and three number dice to mark areas on their personal player boards. Players aim to fill columns or colors for bonus points. The game features wipeable boards, a 3D dice tower, a cooperative mode with shared objectives, and both an original solo variant and a new solo challenge with missions.

    πŸ”₯ Deal: 11% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Noch mal! Deluxe
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  29. SchΓ€tz it if you can

    All details for the board game SchΓ€tz it if you can and similar games

    Players guess facts and measurements, such as whether the Eiffel Tower weighs more than the Titanic. Questions can range from the length of a clarinet compared to a snake to the cost of a night at a hotel versus a kitchen appliance. The key to success is convincing others of your answers, even when you're unsure.

    More details for SchΓ€tz it if you can
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 40 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  30. Passt nicht!

    All details for the board game Passt nicht! and similar games

    Players lay matching cards on the central stack, similar to Mau Mau or UNO. The round ends when a player has played their last card.

    More details for Passt nicht!
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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