The best games with alternating starting player each round 2025

Looking for a really good game with a starting player that changes in turn every round? Then we have just the thing for you: The list with the best "starting order: progressive" games 2025.

What are games with alternating starting player?

One player has the token of the first player. At the end of the round, the token passes to the player to the left. This player becomes the new first player for the next round. During the round, players take turns in clockwise order.

Counterclockwise turn order is called "reverse turn order" and can also be included in this category.

In English, by the way, "starting order: progressive" is called "turn order: progressive."

Examples of games with the starting player changing in turn every round:

A good example of a "turn order: progressive" game is Isle of Skye.

List of Games with different Turn Order Mechanisms

There are many more, creative Turn Order Mechanisms than the "Alternating Start Player" based one. You can find a list at the bottom of this page.

List of best starting order: progressing games 2025

This list was last updated on July 10, 2025. We compared 270 board games for this list and selected the top 30. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. 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 turbulence—it could be a bumpy ride!

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2024

    More details for Sky Team
    • 2 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  2. Jaipur

    All details for the board game Jaipur and similar games

    In the bustling city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, you find yourself in a fierce competition as one of the two most powerful traders. However, being a prominent trader isn't enough; the ultimate goal is to earn two coveted "seals of excellence" to secure an invitation to the Maharaja's prestigious court. To outshine your direct competitor, you'll need to demonstrate superior trading skills by buying, exchanging, and selling goods at advantageous prices, all while carefully managing your valuable camel herds.

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 4.

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

    More details for Jaipur
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Wingspan

    All details for the board game Wingspan and similar games

    Wingspan is a captivating, competitive board game from Stonemaier Games, masterfully designed by Elizabeth Hargrave. It's a medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building game that stands out with its unique theme and stunning artwork, featuring over 170 bird illustrations by artists Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana Maria Martinez.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 16.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Wingspan
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 70 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Wingspan

    • YouTube Review for the game "Wingspan" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  4. Dune: Imperium

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

    Dune: Imperium is a strategic deck-building game inspired by the iconic Dune universe, incorporating elements from both the recent film adaptation and the classic novels. Players lead one of the Great Houses in the interstellar political landscape of the Landsraad.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Dune: Imperium
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  5. Sagrada

    All details for the board game Sagrada and similar games

    Sagrada is a visually striking board game where players draft dice to create beautiful stained glass windows, combining strategy and aesthetics.

    Nominated for 13 awards.

    More details for Sagrada
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  6. Akropolis

    All details for the board game Akropolis and similar games

    Akropolis is a strategic board game set in ancient Greece, where players take on the roles of skilled architects competing to build the most prestigious city. The game focuses on urban planning, resource management, and tactical tile placement.

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 10.

    More details for Akropolis
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  7. Planet Unknown

    All details for the board game Planet Unknown and similar games

    Planet Unknown is a competitive and strategic game for 1-6 players set in a future where Earth's resources are depleted. Players are tasked with developing the most efficient and habitable planet among a series of newfound worlds. Using polyomino-shaped tiles, each representing vital infrastructure, players work to efficiently cover their planets and build an effective support system for life.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Planet Unknown
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 80 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  8. Terraforming Mars

    All details for the board game Terraforming Mars and similar games

    Terraforming Mars is a strategic board game set in the 2400s, where players, representing giant corporations, embark on the colossal task of terraforming Mars. Sponsored by the World Government on Earth, each corporation competes to contribute most effectively to raising the planet's temperature, oxygen level, and ocean coverage to make Mars habitable. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also compete for victory points awarded for their contributions to terraforming, advancing human infrastructure throughout the solar system, and other notable achievements.

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 14.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Terraforming Mars
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Terraforming Mars

    • YouTube Review for the game "Terraforming Mars" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  9. Lost Ruins of Arnak

    All details for the board game Lost Ruins of Arnak and similar games

    Lost Ruins of Arnak is an adventurous board game that blends deck-building with worker placement, set on an unexplored island filled with remnants of an ancient civilization.

    Nominated for 30 awards and won 14.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Lost Ruins of Arnak
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  10. 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 5 awards and won 1.

    More details for Dune: Imperium – Uprising
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Hard to learn
  11. Botanik

    All details for the board game Botanik and similar games

    Develop the most effective network of Mecha-Botanik, a blend of plants and science. The game features a simple mechanic with one action per turn and an intricate exchange system involving tiles of different groups and colors. Earn points by creating groups of three or more matching tiles and by having flowers on your tiles.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Botanik
    • 2 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  12. Targi

    All details for the board game Targi and similar games

    Targi is a strategic board game set against the backdrop of the Tuareg culture in the desert. Players assume the roles of leaders of Tuareg tribes, engaging in trade and seeking to expand their families and influence.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Targi
    • 2 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Targi

    • YouTube Review for the game "Targi" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Jamaica

    All details for the board game Jamaica and similar games

    In the swashbuckling world of 1675 Jamaica, Captain Henry Morgan, after a notorious career in piracy, becomes the Governor of Jamaica. In a surprising turn of events, he invites his former pirate comrades to join him in retirement, celebrating their plundered treasures in the annual Great Challenge – a thrilling race around the island. The cunning Captain with the most gold at the end of the race claims the title of Grand Winner. Jamaica is a pirate-themed tactical race game that combines strategic ship movement, treasure hunting, and player interaction.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    More details for Jamaica
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. 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.

    🔥 Deal: 8% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for The Vale of Eternity
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  15. Marvel Champions: The Card Game

    All details for the board game Marvel Champions: The Card Game and similar games

    In the immortal words of Stan Lee, "With great power, there must also come great responsibility." Enter the thrilling world of Marvel Champions: The Card Game, where Iron Man and Black Panther unite to thwart Rhino's rampage through New York, and Captain Marvel teams up with Spider-Man to face the looming threat of Ultron and global annihilation. Do you possess the mettle to stand alongside these legendary heroes and emerge as a true champion?

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 2.

    More details for Marvel Champions: The Card Game
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Marvel Champions: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Marvel Champions: The Card Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  16. Orléans

    All details for the board game Orléans and similar games

    Orléans is a strategic board game set in medieval France, where players compete to gain supremacy through trade, construction, and science by assembling a diverse following of characters like farmers, merchants, knights, and monks.

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Orléans
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  17. Colt Express

    All details for the board game Colt Express and similar games

    Colt Express is a fast-paced, action-packed board game set in the Wild West, where players take on the roles of bandits attempting to rob a moving train.

    Nominated for 18 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Colt Express
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  18. Blood Rage

    All details for the board game Blood Rage and similar games

    In the midst of Ragnarök, the cataclysmic end of the world, seize your opportunity for glory in Blood Rage. Each player commands a Viking clan, complete with fearless warriors, a formidable leader, and a mighty ship. As the world crumbles, it's the Vikings' last chance to seek Valhalla, to be forever remembered at Odin's side. In this epic battle, there are myriad paths to honor, from plundering the land and crushing opponents to fulfilling quests, enhancing your clan's strength, or embracing a glorious demise.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 2.

    More details for Blood Rage
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  19. Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

    All details for the board game Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King and similar games

    Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King is a strategic tile-laying board game set in the stunning landscape of Isle of Skye. In this game, 2 to 5 players take on the roles of chieftains from different clans, each aspiring to expand their territories and build their kingdoms to gain the most points.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 50 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  20. Wyrmspan

    All details for the board game Wyrmspan and similar games

    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 3 awards.

    More details for Wyrmspan
    • 1 - 5 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  21. Stone Age

    All details for the board game Stone Age and similar games

    Stone Age catapults players into the challenging era of our ancestors, a time when survival hinged on the relentless pursuit of progress. In roles as hunters, collectors, farmers, and toolmakers, players will experience the hardships and triumphs of this prehistoric age. Here's an overview of the game:

    Nominated for 23 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2008

    More details for Stone Age
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Stone Age

    • YouTube Review for the game "Stone Age" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  22. Stone Age: Anniversary

    All details for the board game Stone Age: Anniversary and similar games

    The Stone Age was indeed tough. Players gather wood, break stones, and wash gold from rivers while trading, expanding their villages, and striving to reach new levels of civilization. They deploy tribal members across the board in three phases, activating regions for resources while ensuring they have enough food to sustain their growing population.

    More details for Stone Age: Anniversary
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  23. Oriflamme

    All details for the board game Oriflamme and similar games

    Oriflamme immerses players in the cutthroat world of medieval politics. After the king's death, players, as leaders of influential families, vie for the throne using strategy and deceit.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Oriflamme
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  24. Tiny Towns

    All details for the board game Tiny Towns and similar games

    Tiny Towns is a charming and strategic board game where players take on the role of mayors building their own tiny towns in a forest. The game challenges players to manage resources wisely and plan their towns carefully to maximize prosperity.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 2.

    More details for Tiny Towns
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  25. Hues and Cues

    All details for the board game Hues and Cues and similar games

    Hues and Cues is a lively board game that explores the fascinating intersection of language and color perception. Players challenge each other to connect specific colors to word cues, using just one or two words to describe one of 480 distinct hues on the board. The accuracy of the guesses determines the score, making each round an engaging test of how we individually interpret color through language.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Hues and Cues
    • 3 - 10 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  26. Zombicide: Black Plague

    All details for the board game Zombicide: Black Plague and similar games

    Zombicide: Black Plague is an exciting board game that takes the popular zombie apocalypse theme and transports it into a medieval fantasy world. This game is a fresh twist on the classic Zombicide series, offering players the chance to battle the undead hordes in an age of swords and sorcery.

    Nominated for 2 awards.

    More details for Zombicide: Black Plague
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 180 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  27. 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
  28. Cribbage

    All details for the board game Cribbage and similar games

    Cribbage is a classic card game with a rich history, dating back to the early 17th century. It's a game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck, making it a favorite among card game enthusiasts.

    More details for Cribbage
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  29. Furnace

    All details for the board game Furnace and similar games

    Furnace is a strategic engine-building Eurogame set in the 19th century. Players act as capitalists aiming to develop their industrial corporations and maximize profits through effective resource management and company acquisitions.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for Furnace
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  30. Pan Am

    All details for the board game Pan Am and similar games

    Pan Am is an engaging board game that immerses players in the era of pioneering air travel, where they compete to build and expand their own airline empires. The game cleverly integrates strategy, bidding, and economic elements, allowing players to navigate through the historical landscape of the aviation industry.

    🔥 Deal: 44% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Pan Am
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Easy to learn

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