The best Real-Time board games ⏳ 2025
Looking for a game that really gets you going? Then we have just the thing: a list of the best 31 real-time social games ⏳.
What does "real-time" mean in dice, card & board games?
Real-time social games often allow players to complete their turns (or part of their turns) simultaneously. This is in contrast to turn-based games. There are also some real-time games where there are consequences if a player does not make their move in a certain amount of time.
Real-time means: constantly making decisions
So you have to overcome both the challenge of making decisions under pressure and the fact that there is almost no waiting or downtime. Some of the real-time board games destroy any kind of relaxed and casual atmosphere for some players - you should definitely be in the right mood for real-time games.
Exit games are mostly "real time games" as well
Escape room, escape room, or exit room games almost all also run in real time, both temporally and technically. But since they feel like their own distinct game genre, we've additionally created another list for you for exit games: The Best Escape Room Board Games - and yet another category: The Best Crime Dinner Games for Home.
List of the best real-time ⏳ board games 2025
KLASK
KLASK is a magnetic, fast-paced table-top game that combines elements of air hockey and foosball, offering a unique and exciting gameplay experience.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.
More details for KLASK- 2 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Telestrations
Telestrations is a light-hearted and entertaining party game that blends drawing and word-guessing in a hilarious and often unpredictable way. The game is based on the classic concept of "telephone" but adds a visual twist.
Nominated for 9 awards and won 7.
⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013
🔥 Deal: 37% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Telestrations- 4 - 8 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Telestrations
Ready Set Bet
Players and their friends head to the races to cheer and bet on their favorite horses, with outcomes determined by dice rolls. The game is played over four rounds, each consisting of a race followed by a betting resolution. Players can place their betting tokens freely on the board during the race and earn money based on their bets, with a chance to gain a VIP club card for greater winnings in subsequent races. The player with the most money after four rounds wins.
Nominated for 5 awards and won 1.
More details for Ready Set Bet- 2 - 9 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Immediately playable
Werewords
Werewords is a fast-paced word-guessing game blended with the intrigue of a hidden role mechanism. In this engaging party game, players work together to guess a secret word, while also navigating the deceit of a werewolf who knows the word but is trying to lead them astray.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2019
More details for Werewords- 4 - 10 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
5-Minute Dungeon
5-Minute Dungeon is a fast-paced, cooperative, real-time card game that challenges players to escape a dungeon within a five-minute time limit. The game is characterized by its intense pace and the need for quick thinking and effective teamwork.
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for 5-Minute Dungeon- 2 - 5 Players
- 5 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Telestrations After Dark
More details for Telestrations After DarkThis is an adult version of the award-winning Telestrations. While the gameplay remains the same, the word content has shifted to a more mature theme, featuring terms such as "Anaconda," "Jackhammer," "Doggie Style," and "Human Centipede."
- 4 - 8 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 17+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mutabo
More details for MutaboPlayers create a sentence using two cards: one for the beginning and one for the end of the sentence. The paper is then passed left, where the next player draws what they see, hides the original sentence, and continues the process. The game ends when the papers are full, and players can vote on the funniest sentences for additional scoring.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 25 - 45 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Immediately playable
Loopin' Louie
Loopin' Louie is a light-hearted, action-packed board game that is as silly as it is addictive. Designed for players of all ages, this game centers around protecting your chickens from a looping airplane piloted by Louie.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1994
⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2006
More details for Loopin' Louie- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 4+ years old
- Immediately playable
Kites
The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and it's time to gather your friends to fly some kites! Players collaborate to keep all their kites, represented by colorful hourglasses, in the air by playing cards, flipping the hourglasses, and coordinating with each other. If any hourglass runs out, a kite crashes, adding a fun challenge to the game. Play all the kite cards in the stack to achieve a collective victory!
Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.
More details for Kites- 2 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
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.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for When I Dream- 4 - 10 Players
- 20 - 40 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for When I Dream
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.
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
Loony Quest
Loony Quest is a vibrant and imaginative drawing game set in the fantastical land of Arkadia, where players embark on an adventurous quest to win a royal tournament and claim the throne of an heirless king. The game stands out with its unique blend of drawing challenges and video game-inspired mechanics, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages.
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Loony Quest- 2 - 5 Players
- 20 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Loony Quest
Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box
More details for Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big BoxPlayers must escape from a temple after awakening an ancient curse. They navigate through the temple by rolling dice and matching symbols to gain access to adjacent rooms. Each exploration is unique, and all players must find the exit before the curse traps them forever, all while racing against a soundtrack that acts as the game's timer.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Escape: The Curse of the Temple – Big Box
Pictomania
Pictomania turns the conventional drawing game on its head by combining drawing and guessing into simultaneous, frenetic action. This game, perfect for those who pride themselves on either their quick sketching or sharp guessing skills, ensures a level playing field and promises high energy from start to finish. Over five rounds, players are challenged to draw a word or phrase indicated by randomly assigned cards while also guessing what their opponents are drawing to earn points. Missteps can lead to becoming the round's "black sheep," affecting scores negatively, making each stroke and guess a calculated risk.
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Pictomania- 3 - 6 Players
- 25 Minutes
- 9+ years old
- Easy to learn
KLASK 4
More details for KLASK 4KLASK 4 offers the same gameplay found in KLASK but within a round playing field featuring four goals. This version allows four players to compete simultaneously.
- 4 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
5-Minute Mystery
Players work together in a high-intensity, deductive puzzle game to identify the culprit hidden among a group of suspects. A criminal has stolen the priceless MacGuffin right before the Museum of Everything was set to unveil it, and it's up to the detectives to solve the case. Search for hidden symbols in various museum rooms, match them on the codex, and unlock clues to reveal the thief, all while racing against the clock.
🔥 Deal: 28% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for 5-Minute Mystery- 1 - 6 Players
- 5 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Escape: The Curse of the Temple is a cooperative, real-time board game that offers an exhilarating and unique gaming experience. The game's theme centers around players working together to escape a cursed temple before it collapses.
Nominated for 11 awards and won 1.
More details for Escape: The Curse of the Temple- 1 - 5 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Video reviews for Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Captain Sonar
Embark on an adrenaline-pumping undersea adventure with Captain Sonar, a board game that plunges you into the heart of intense submarine warfare. In this gripping scenario, every move and decision can be the difference between victory and defeat. Form a skilled crew aboard a cutting-edge submarine as you strive to locate and eliminate an enemy sub before they do the same to you. The underwater battlefield is unforgiving, and effective communication and coordination are paramount for success.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
More details for Captain Sonar- 2 - 8 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Captain Sonar
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
Unlock!: Timeless Adventures
More details for Unlock!: Timeless AdventuresUnlock! Timeless Adventures offers a trio of captivating "escape room" scenarios packed into one tabletop game. This cooperative card game draws players into immersive adventures requiring teamwork, puzzle-solving, and quick thinking, all facilitated through a blend of physical cards and a digital companion app.
- 1 - 6 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Ghost Blitz
Ghost Blitz is a fast-paced and exciting game that tests your reflexes and ability to recognize shapes and colors. The game revolves around Balduin, the house ghost, who has accidentally created a set of puzzling photographs with his enchanted camera, leading to a spirited game of quick thinking and fast grabbing.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.
🔥 Deal: 13% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Ghost Blitz- 2 - 8 Players
- 20 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Anomia
Anomia is a fast-paced card game that tests players' ability to quickly recall random information under pressure. The game draws on players' knowledge of various categories like food, music, and more. Gameplay involves drawing cards and facing off with other players in a battle of quick thinking when matching symbols are revealed. Players must rapidly provide examples of the category on their opponent's card, with successful answers winning them the card. The challenge intensifies with wild cards that create unexpected matches and cascading face-offs triggered by card exchanges.
Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.
More details for Anomia- 3 - 6 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
Happy Salmon
Happy Salmon is a delightfully simple and frenetic card game that promises loads of laughter and fast-paced fun. With no turns and rapid-fire gameplay, it's perfect for parties and family gatherings.
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Happy Salmon- 3 - 8 Players
- 2 Minutes
- 6+ years old
- Immediately playable
Spot it!
Spot it!, also known as Dobble, is a fast-paced, fun-filled pattern recognition game. It's a simple yet engaging game where players race to find matching symbols between two cards.
Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.
More details for Spot it!- 2 - 8 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 7+ years old
- Immediately playable
Mini-Mutabo
More details for Mini-MutaboA standalone expansion adds 100 new cards to Mutabo, creating 90,000 new "stories." Players will need to provide their own pens and paper as the box does not include these items.
- 3 - 6 Players
- 25 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Immediately playable
5-Minute Marvel
More details for 5-Minute Marvel5-Minute Marvel is the Marvel Universe adaptation of the fast-paced, cooperative card game 5-Minute Dungeon, providing a superpowered twist with beloved Marvel heroes taking on infamous Marvel bosses. This game encapsulates the essence of quick, engaging gameplay combined with the rich lore of Marvel, creating an exhilarating experience that can be enjoyed in short, intense bursts of fun.
- 2 - 5 Players
- 5 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
WeyKick
More details for WeyKickA fast-paced soccer game for 2 players or two teams. Each player controls 1 or 2 soccer players by moving magnets under the wooden game table. The players aim to throw a small marble into the opponent's goal, with the first player to score ten goals winning the game.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 10 Minutes
- 3+ years old
- Immediately playable
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
More details for Taco Cat Goat Cheese PizzaTaco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a lively and fast-paced card game that combines elements of classic hand-slapping games like "Snap" and "Dobble". The game is simple, fun, and suitable for players of all ages, making it a great choice for family game nights or casual get-togethers.
- 2 - 8 Players
- 10 - 30 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dr. Eureka
Dr. Eureka is a fast-paced, dexterity-based board game that challenges players to become the quickest and most precise scientist in the laboratory. Designed for players with a keen sense of logic and a steady hand, this game puts your problem-solving and fine motor skills to the test.
Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.
More details for Dr. Eureka- 2 - 4 Players
- 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Dutch Blitz
More details for Dutch BlitzDutch Blitz is a fast-paced card game that combines elements of speed, strategy, and quick thinking, where each player uses a unique deck of forty cards divided into four colors. The game's objective is to be the first to empty your blitz pile by playing cards onto the center Dutch piles in ascending order by color or onto your post piles in descending order with alternating Pennsylvania Dutch boy and girl images.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 1 - 15 Minutes
- 8+ years old
- Immediately playable
Space Alert
Space Alert is a thrilling cooperative game where players become crew members of a spaceship navigating dangerous parts of the galaxy. Unique for its real-time gameplay, each mission in Space Alert is a frantic race against time, lasting precisely 10 minutes. The game stands out for its use of a soundtrack that not only enhances the thematic experience but also functions as a timer for the game.
Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.
⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2009
More details for Space Alert- 1 - 5 Players
- 30 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
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