The best "Grad Ludo๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช" winners and nominees 2026

You are looking for a good game that won the "Graf Ludo" (german for "Cout Ludo") award or was nominated for it? Then we have just the thing for you: A list with the best "Graf Ludo" winners and games that were on the nomination list.

What is the "Graf Ludo" game award?

The "Graf Ludo" is an award for dice, card & board games. The award originates from ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชGermany, was created in 2009 and is chosen by a jury.

Graf Ludo is an award for the design of board games.

Graf Ludo categories

The Graf Ludo award is given every year in the following categories:

  • Most beautiful children's game graphic
  • Most beautiful family game graphic

More info can be found on the official Grad Ludo homepage or the Wikipedia contribution of Graf Ludo.

Other game awards from all over the world

There are many more game awards from around the world, you can find a list at the bottom of this page.

List of best Graf Ludo winners & nominees 2026

This list was last updated on June 21, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Azul

    Azul

    Azul is a tile-laying game inspired by Portuguese azulejos: as artisans, players draft colored tiles from suppliers and place them in patterns to decorate the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora, scoring points for clever arrangements.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30โ€“45 min 8+ Easy to learn
    Video reviews 1
  2. Sea Salt & Paper

    Sea Salt & Paper

    Sea Salt & Paper is a set collection card game that combines strategic decision-making with the excitement of timing your moves just right. Similar to Rummy in gameplay, it involves collecting sets of cards to score points, while also navigating the timing of when to end the round for optimal advantage.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30โ€“45 min 8+ Immediately playable
  3. No Thanks!

    No Thanks!

    No Thanks! is a straightforward and captivating card game that offers a blend of strategy and luck. The game's simplicity makes it appealing and accessible to a wide range of players.

    All details & rating
    3โ€“7 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
  4. Spicy

    Spicy

    Spicy is a vibrant bluffing card game that captures the fiery competition among three big cats who, tired of their constant battling for supremacy, decide to engage in a spicy hot eating contest. This setup serves as a backdrop for a game filled with deceit, strategy, and quick thinking, designed for 2-6 players. The game's core mechanic revolves around players announcing their card plays without revealing them, allowing for a high degree of bluffing as cards are played face down.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 15โ€“20 min 10+ Immediately playable
    + 2 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    17 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  5. ICECOOL

    ICECOOL

    ICECOOL is an energetic and playful flicking game set in a penguin school, where players assume the roles of rascally penguins trying to snatch fish and the vigilant Hall Monitor trying to maintain order.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30 min 6+ Immediately playable
    + 1 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    21 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  6. Similo

    Similo

    Similo is a cooperative deduction game where players work together to guess a secret character from a set of twelve displayed in the middle of the table. Each version of Similo - such as Fables, History, or Myths - comes with a deck of thirty beautifully illustrated cards by Naรฏade, featuring characters that share a common theme.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“8 10โ€“15 min 7+ Immediately playable
  7. Wandering Towers

    Wandering Towers

    Players aim to bring all their wizards home to the Raven Castle before their opponents. The game board is set up in a circle with towers placed in a specific order, and each player starts with a certain number of wizards and movement cards. Players move their wizards or towers based on their played cards, capture opponents' wizards to fill their potion bottles, and ultimately try to place their last wizard in the Raven Castle to win. The game can also be played in teams with a variant that adds various spells.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“6 30 min 8+ Easy to learn
    + 16 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    33 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  8. Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories

    Unlock! Kids: Detective Stories

    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.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“4 20โ€“60 min 6+ Immediately playable
    + 9 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    29 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  9. When I Dream

    When I Dream

    When I Dream is a whimsical and imaginative board game that delves into the world of dreams, blending elements of storytelling, deduction, and teamwork in a playful setting.

    All details & rating
    4โ€“10 20โ€“40 min 8+ Immediately playable
    + 4 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    19 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  10. The Magic Labyrinth

    The Magic Labyrinth

    The Magic Labyrinth is an enchanting board game that tests playersโ€™ memory and skill as they navigate through a tricky maze. Designed for younger players, this game casts participants as little magician apprentices who must recover lost magical objects from within their masterโ€™s labyrinth. The catch? The walls of the maze are invisible, and players must rely on their memory and careful maneuvering to avoid them.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 20โ€“30 min 6+ Immediately playable
  11. King of the Dice

    King of the Dice

    You are finally a king! All your dreams have come true as you enjoy the view of your wonderful kingdom filled with green meadows, rolling fields, tall mountains, and clear rivers. However, you need citizens to thrive, so you must promote the merits of your kingdom throughout the land while competing against other kings to attract the best inhabitants.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20โ€“30 min 8+ Immediately playable
  12. Canvas

    Canvas

    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.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“5 30 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 7 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    33 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  13. Meadow

    Meadow

    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.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“4 60โ€“90 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 22 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    51 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  14. Concept Kids: Animals

    Concept Kids: Animals

    Players cooperate in a version of the game designed for children who cannot yet read. They take turns trying to have others guess an animal by using symbols on the game board to indicate characteristics of that animal. With 110 animals to guess, divided into two difficulty levels, this beautifully illustrated communication game helps children discover the world of animals in a fun and innovative way.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“12 20 min 4+ Immediately playable
    Video reviews 1
  15. Mysterium

    Mysterium

    Mysterium is a cooperative mystery-solving game set in the 1920s, where players take on the roles of mediums trying to solve a murder at a Scottish mansion, guided by a ghost who communicates through visions.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“7 42 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 7 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    42 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  16. Lost Ruins of Arnak

    Lost Ruins of Arnak

    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.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“4 30โ€“120 min 12+ Medium complexity
    + 14 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    55 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  17. Everdell

    Everdell

    Everdell invites players to immerse themselves in the enchanting valley of Everdell, where a thriving civilization of forest critters seeks to expand their territories and establish new cities beneath towering trees, meandering streams, and mossy hollows. As the leader of a group of ambitious critters, you have a busy year ahead, filled with construction, character encounters, and hosting events. Can you ensure that the sun shines brightest on your city before the winter moon rises?

    All details & rating
    1โ€“4 40โ€“80 min 10+ Medium complexity
    + 5 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    54 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
    Video reviews 1
  18. Sleeping Queens

    Sleeping Queens

    In Sleeping Queens, a whimsical and strategic card game, players embark on a mission to awaken sleeping queens using a mix of strategy, quick thinking, and luck. The game features the Pancake Queen, the Ladybug Queen, and ten other queen cards, all under a magical sleeping spell. The goal is to wake these queens from their slumber and earn points.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 20 min 8+ Immediately playable
  19. My First Stone Age

    My First Stone Age

    Join Jonon and Jada, two children from the Stone Age, on a journey to rediscover how the first humans settled the world around them. In this children's version of the classic family game, players collect resources and build their own settlement.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 15 min 5+ Immediately playable
    + 23 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    47 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  20. Morels

    Morels

    Morels takes players on a serene yet strategic journey through old-growth woods, where collecting and cooking mushrooms is the key to success. This two-player card game cleverly combines the charm of foraging with tactical decision-making, making every trip into the forest an engaging and thoughtful experience.

    All details & rating
    2 30 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 1 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    13 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  21. Claim

    Claim

    Claim is a captivating card game set in a realm thrown into chaos by the sudden death of its king. Players compete to win the support of five factions and claim the throne for themselves. The game is played in two phases: first, recruiting followers, and then using those followers to win over the factions. Each faction possesses unique powers that can influence the game, and these powers may vary between the phases. The goal is to secure the majority of followers in at least three of the five factions to win the game and ascend to the throne.

    All details & rating
    2 25 min 10+ Easy to learn
    + 1 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    10 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  22. Dream Home

    Dream Home

    Dream Home is all about unleashing your inner designer to create the perfect abode. Imagine deciding every detail of your house, from a luxurious bedroom with a canopy bed to a lavish living room with a grand piano. This family-friendly game turns you and your fellow players into architects and interior decorators, competing to build the most impressive home.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30 min 7+ Easy to learn
  23. Evergreen

    Evergreen

    Players aim to create a lush ecosystem by planting seeds, growing trees, and placing natural elements on their planet to make it the greenest and most fertile of all. They select biome cards from a shared pool to develop different areas each round, while unchosen cards increase the fertility and value of those regions. To build a vast forest, players plant trees and shrubs, and create lakes, strategically positioning them to maximize light without overlapping.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“4 45 min 8+ Easy to learn
  24. Baaaaa!

    Baaaaa!

    Help the shepherd lead his flock to the house on the three-tiered mountain while avoiding the hungry wolf. Each player selects a card from their hand and applies the movement indicated to navigate the sheep uphill. Afterward, they reveal a wolf card, which may result in the wolf capturing one of the sheep. Victory is shared if at least six sheep reach safety at the top.

    All details & rating
    1โ€“6 20 min 5+ Immediately playable
  25. Schnappt Hubi!

    Schnappt Hubi!

    In the cooperative game, players explore an old house by first constructing a 3D maze from "broken" walls and then pursuing a ghost. Each player starts in a corner of a 4x4 grid house, discovering wall types using a compass device. The goal is to find the "magical doors" to summon the ghost "Hubi," with the challenge increasing through different difficulty levels and a timer for the hardest mode.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 20 min 5+ Immediately playable
    + 5 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    35 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*
  26. Storytailors

    Storytailors

    Once upon a time, Wilfried and Marie discovered a magical book of stories. They could visit different tales and befriend amusing animal characters. Players decide who will take on each role, allowing characters to transform from a brave knight into a clumsy ninja, keeping beloved stories ever entertaining. Use your wit and imagination to shape the narratives and equip them with the right characters!

    All details & rating
    2โ€“6 20โ€“30 min 5+ Immediately playable
  27. Abyss

    Abyss

    Abyss plunges players into a deep-sea realm of power struggles, where they aim to ascend the throne and rule the underwater city. This game intertwines development, combination, and collection strategies in a captivating underwater setting.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 30โ€“60 min 14+ Easy to learn
  28. Die verzauberten Rumpelriesen

    Die verzauberten Rumpelriesen

    Players search for goblins hidden beneath leaves on the forest floor while avoiding awakening the sleeping giants that guard the land. They must act quickly and carefully; if the giants are disturbed, they will chase the players away. The game includes cooperative rules where players take turns searching together, aiming to find more than eight goblins without awakening the giants to win.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“4 15โ€“20 min 5+ Immediately playable
  29. Hide the Kids!

    Hide the Kids!

    A hide-and-seek game for 2 to 6 players. One player acts as the wolf and gives the other players 5 seconds to hide their goats in one of seven pieces of furniture. The wolf can then look at 2 pieces of furniture and collect any goats found there, while the undiscovered goats earn points.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“8 20 min 4+ Immediately playable
  30. The Color Monster

    The Color Monster

    Players work together to help a monster understand its emotions. They take turns rolling a die to move the monster on the board. When the monster lands on a space with an emotion token, the player picks it up and tries to find the corresponding glass from the hidden options. To keep a token, players must share a memory related to that emotion. The game can end in defeat if the monster gets too confused, but they win by successfully sorting all the emotions into the correct glasses.

    All details & rating
    2โ€“5 25 min 3+ Immediately playable
    + 4 โ‚ฌ above the best price
    35 โ‚ฌ at Amazon*

Frequently asked questions

Which game ranks first on this list?

Azul (Spiel des Jahres 2018 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?

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