The best games released in 2024๐ 2025
Looking for a really good game from the year 2024? 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:
- 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 2020
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth
More details for The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earthA dark rumor arises from Mordor, and the time has come for the Fellowship to unite once more. Players can choose to defend the free peoples as the Fellowship of the Ring or pursue Frodo and Sam as Sauron, deploying their hordes at enemy city gates. The fate of Middle-earth rests in your hands as you navigate the three chapters of the game, strengthening your skills and gathering resources to achieve one of the victory conditions.
- 2 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Harmonies
Players build landscapes by placing colored tiles to create habitats for their animals. To score the most points and win, they must cleverly integrate these habitats into their landscapes and attract as many animals as possible.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Harmonies- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Flip 7
More details for Flip 7Turn over one card after another without flipping the same number twice. This is not your typical card game; there is only one '1', two '2's, three '3's, and so on, along with a series of special cards that can earn you extra points, provide a second chance, or freeze you or your opponents in their tracks. Decide whether to play it safe and collect points or take a risk for bonus points by turning over seven cards in a row.
- 3 - 99 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Hitster: Summer Party
More details for Hitster: Summer PartyHitster is a party game featuring summer hits from past decades. Players take turns placing cards in the correct chronological order on their music timeline. This edition can be played on its own or combined with other Hitster editions.
- 2 - 10 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 16+ years old
- Immediately playable
Captain Flip
Ahoy, Captain! Raise your flag, recruit a crew, and fill your coffers with shiny gold coins. The game is simple and can be explained faster than a cannon shot. On your turn, draw a tile from the bag; if you like it, keep it, and if not, flip it over. Place it on your board to build your crew. With nine characters and four boards featuring different tactics, it offers an engaging and fun experience.
Nominated for 1 award.
โญ๏ธ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2024
๐ฅ Deal: 9% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Captain Flip- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Forest Shuffle: Alpine
More details for Forest Shuffle: AlpineNew cards are added to the base game to bring even more variety to your gaming tables. Players aim to attract the most valuable species to their forest, with some cards being removed from play based on the number of players. This first expansion introduces 36 new multifunctional cards, including two new tree species, along with some changes to the base game rules.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Gang
Gather your crew and get ready to commit a series of bank heists with the power of poker! In this cooperative version of Texas Hold'em, players bet on how well they estimate their hands compared to others, then attempt to fulfill their predictions.
๐ฅ Deal: 9% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for The Gang- 3 - 6 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Pixies
More details for PixiesPlayers move through the seasons and encounter tiny creatures that emerge from flowers or hide in tree hollows. Choose one of the revealed cards carefully, as you must consider which ones to leave for your opponents. Cards will be stacked and scored at the end of the round, along with your largest color zone and spirals.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
7 Wonders: Architects โ Medals
More details for 7 Wonders: Architects โ MedalsThe expansion introduces new elements to enhance gameplay without extending the playtime. It features two new wonders, Ur and Rome, offering players more building options, along with new science tokens that can be mixed with the original ones, enabling unique abilities. Additionally, players draw random medals at the start of the game, which can grant victory points if certain conditions are met.
- 2 - 7 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Bomb Busters
More details for Bomb BustersA bomb filled with wires is ticking down. Players will work together as bomb disposal experts to diffuse it. They must identify and cut identical wires based on the clues in front of them. Each mission presents unique challenges that become increasingly difficult, and players must navigate through all 12 numbers without triggering an explosion.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
King of Tokyo: Origins
More details for King of Tokyo: OriginsPlayers take on the role of monsters battling for supremacy in a standalone game designed for newcomers. It features four new monsters, a mix of power cards, energy dice, and special yellow dice. The objective is to be the first to reach 20 points or be the last monster standing. Players roll six dice to gain points, energy, heal, or attack others, with various strategic options for each turn.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Point of View: Lost Places
More details for Point of View: Lost PlacesFour large foldable maps feature a 3D scene with hidden objects, each showing the scene from a different perspective. Players see only one map at a time, making communication essential for piecing together information. The game includes 160 puzzle cards with various challenges, requiring intense discussion about what players see and don't see, alongside abstract thinking and clever combinations to solve each chapter's mysteries.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Star Wars: Unlimited
More details for Star Wars: UnlimitedPlayers engage in a fast-paced and dynamic experience that is easy to learn yet strategically deep. The game features iconic heroes, villains, ships, and locations from across the legendary Star Wars franchise, including films, TV series, comics, and video games.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
Dorfromantik: Sakura
More details for Dorfromantik: SakuraPlayers are transported to the idyllic landscapes of Japan in this standalone successor to the award-winning board game. With the introduction of cherry blossoms as a new element and over 40 achievements to unlock, there's plenty of exciting challenges to face. Numerous surprises await as players explore the world of Dorfromantik - Sakura.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 30 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Wyrmspan
Players take on the role of amateur dracologists in a vibrant world where dragons of all shapes and sizes soar through the skies. They will excavate hidden chambers in their sanctuaries to attract these magnificent creatures, allowing them to settle and combine powerful abilities. Inspired by the mechanics of Wingspan, the game introduces unique elements that create a distinct experience.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Wyrmspan- 1 - 5 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Courtisans
- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Groรe kleine Edelsteine
In the realm of goblins, a grand gem hunt has begun to locate valuable treasures missing from a legendary crown. Small helpers must find the missing jewels among a vast collection of unique gems based on shape and size.
Nominated for 1 award.
โญ๏ธ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2024
More details for Groรe kleine Edelsteine- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 5+ years old
- Immediately playable
MLEM: Space Agency
Travel to the year 2075, where cats have taken over the world and are now aiming for space! The best feline specialists compete for cosmic supremacy, undeterred by their lack of opposable thumbs. Players take on the role of fearless captains of a cosmic expedition to conquer the cosmos, navigating through chaos and unleashing their cat-like instincts. Prepare for an extraordinary adventure beyond this world!
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for MLEM: Space Agency- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Odin
More details for OdinPlayers aim to empty their hands as quickly as possible and send all Vikings into the world. Each round consists of players playing cards from a set featuring six colors numbered 1-9, starting with an initial hand of nine cards.
- 2 - 6 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Heat: Heavy Rain
More details for Heat: Heavy RainThis expansion introduces a new driver with player-specific components in orange, allowing for up to seven drivers. It adds two new maps (Japan and Mexico) and introduces new upgrade cards featuring a purple discard option that lets players return a heat card from their discard pile to their engine. Additional heat, stress, championship, sponsorship, and event cards are also included.
- 1 - 7 Players
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Cities
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 40 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
I AM DONE
More details for I AM DONEA card game filled with humor, it features 72 cards illustrated by various artists. The rules are straightforward: the first player to lay down the phrase "I am done" winsโwell, maybe. On their turn, players can either draw a card or play one from their hand, with certain card texts taking precedence over the standard rules.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 5 - 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
3 Chapters
More details for 3 ChaptersA magical fairy tale book contains three chapters. In 3 Chapters, a trick-taking game with three phases, players experience the story:
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Arcs
More details for ArcsPlayers engage in a sharp-witted sci-fi strategy game set in a dark yet whimsical universe. They take actions using versatile cards, set competitive goals each round, and prepare their fleets for battle, utilizing various dice to determine the outcome. The game features a hundred wooden ships and agents, 18 uniquely engraved dice, a beautifully designed board with six fields, and an extensive array of over 60 unique cards.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
AQUA: Biodiversity in the Oceans
More details for AQUA: Biodiversity in the OceansPlayers start with a hotspot surrounded by expanding coral formations that provide habitat for small sea creatures. Over 17 rounds, players add coral tiles and attract animals to their ecosystems by creating the right patterns. The player with the best coral formations and the most sea creatures at the end wins. The game immerses players in the beauty of the ocean while offering diverse experiences for the whole family.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Little Tavern
More details for Little TavernPlayers aim to seat various creatures at their tables, hoping for generous tips. However, the arrival of customers is unpredictable. Each round, players draw cards to place them on available spots, with certain groups preferring specific partners. After the tables are filled, tips are evaluated, and the player with the most money after several rounds wins.
- 3 - 5 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Botanicus
More details for BotanicusCreate your own botanical garden in the late 19th century as an aristocrat. Hire a gardener and seek out the finest plants, while ensuring they align with the preferences of discerning visitors. Compete for action points through a unique selection mechanism, manage resources, and gather funds to enhance your garden and attract more visitors than your rivals.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Duel
Two quacks compete for the title of guild master in a medieval marketplace. They must demonstrate knowledge and skill to attract patients with magical potions promising healing.
๐ฅ Deal: 7% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Duel- 2 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
More details for SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial IntelligencePlayers lead a scientific institution searching for life beyond Earth in this Eurogame for 1-4 players. They explore nearby planets and moons by launching probes, deciding whether to land for valuable samples or remain in orbit for deeper investigations. Back on Earth, players invest in upgrading equipment to analyze data more efficiently, increasing their telescope's signal capacity, and expanding their resource supply, all to enhance the chances of discovering extraterrestrial life. Over 200 unique cards represent real-life technologies and discoveries, guiding players in their research while offering bonuses and rewards.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 40 - 160 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Dune: War for Arrakis
More details for Dune: War for ArrakisArrakis is a seemingly barren desert world, harboring the galaxy's most vital resource: Spice. Control over Spice means power, and the House Atreides, initially given dominion over Arrakis by the Emperor, faces betrayal from the House Harkonnen, leading to a fierce struggle for survival. Players engage in asymmetric strategy, maneuvering factions like the Fremen and Sardaukar, while sending Spice Harvesters into the desert and challenging mighty sandworms, all within a system rich with action dice and event cards that bring the Dune saga to life with every playthrough.
- 1 - 4 Players
- 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
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