The best "Spiel des Jahres🇩🇪" board games 2023

We compare all games of the german board game award "Spiel des Jahres"🇩🇪. We list only the best nominated and awarded board games which you can buy in 2023.

What is "Spiel des Jahres"?

The German🇩🇪 critics' prize "Spiel des Jahres" (Game of the Year), which has been awarded since 1979, is probably the most important prize for board games. The prize is highly acclaimed worldwide, which is why it is also known as the "Oscar for board games".

Separate Awards for Families, Connoisseur's & Children

Since 2001, the Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children's Game of the Year) and since 2011 the Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseur's Game of the Year) have also been awarded. Furthermore, in 1999, it was introduced to award not only a single game with the Kinderspiel/Kennerspiel/Game of the Year per prize, but to additionally honor the other board games in the selection with Nominated for Game of the Year. In addition, sometimes a special prize is awarded for special board games, such as recently for Pandemic Legacy - Season 2.

But of course, the best of the best can also be compared to each other. Here now our recommendations among all Spiel des Jahres card & board games since 1979.

All "Spiel des Jahres" years listed individually

The Spiel des Jahres has been awarded since 1979. We have therefore created separate lists for all years, all award types (Spiel des Jahres, Kennerspiel, Kinderspiel) and all nominees:

List with the best Spiel des Jahres🇩🇪 winners and nominees:

Attached is our list of the best "Game of the Year" games to buy 2023:

This list was last updated on December 4, 2023. We compared 71 board games for this list and selected the top 50. There's also a print version for this list.
  1. Just One

    All details for the board game Just One and similar games

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Just One
    • 3 - 7 Players
    • 20 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Just One

    • YouTube Review for the game "Just One" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  2. MicroMacro: Crime City

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

    Nominated for 16 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for MicroMacro: Crime City
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  3. Codenames

    All details for the board game Codenames and similar games

    Nominated for 27 awards and won 15.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for Codenames
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 14+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  4. Cascadia

    All details for the board game Cascadia and similar games

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Cascadia
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  5. Azul

    All details for the board game Azul and similar games

    Nominated for 29 awards and won 19.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018

    🔥 Deal: 26% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!

    More details for Azul
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
    🔥 Great price!25€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Azul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Azul" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  6. Kingdomino

    All details for the board game Kingdomino and similar games

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Kingdomino
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Kingdomino

    • YouTube Review for the game "Kingdomino" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  7. The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    All details for the board game The Quacks of Quedlinburg and similar games

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 10.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quacks of Quedlinburg
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for The Quacks of Quedlinburg

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Quacks of Quedlinburg" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  8. The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine

    All details for the board game The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine and similar games

    Nominated for 25 awards and won 13.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  9. Dixit

    All details for the board game Dixit and similar games

    Nominated for 20 awards and won 10.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2010

    More details for Dixit
    • 3 - 8 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  10. Wingspan

    All details for the board game Wingspan and similar games

    Nominated for 25 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
  11. Pictures

    All details for the board game Pictures and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Pictures
    • 3 - 5 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Pictures

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pictures" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  12. Ticket to Ride

    All details for the board game Ticket to Ride and similar games

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 11.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2004

    More details for Ticket to Ride
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ticket to Ride

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ticket to Ride" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  13. Dorfromantik: The Board Game

    All details for the board game Dorfromantik: The Board Game and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Dorfromantik: The Board Game
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  14. Carcassonne

    All details for the board game Carcassonne and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2001

    More details for Carcassonne
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 45 Minutes
    • 7+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Carcassonne

    • YouTube Review for the game "Carcassonne" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  15. ICECOOL

    All details for the board game ICECOOL and similar games

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 6.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for ICECOOL
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for ICECOOL

    • YouTube Review for the game "ICECOOL" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  16. 7 Wonders

    All details for the board game 7 Wonders and similar games

    Nominated for 33 awards and won 19.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2011

    More details for 7 Wonders
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  17. Perudo

    All details for the board game Perudo and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1993

    More details for Perudo
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 15 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  18. Camel Up

    All details for the board game Camel Up and similar games

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Camel Up
    • 2 - 8 Players
    • 20 - 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  19. Dragomino

    All details for the board game Dragomino and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Dragomino
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  20. Dominion

    All details for the board game Dominion and similar games

    Nominated for 32 awards and won 17.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2009

    More details for Dominion
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  21. Hanabi

    All details for the board game Hanabi and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for Hanabi
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 25 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  22. Colt Express

    All details for the board game Colt Express and similar games

    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
  23. Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters

    All details for the board game Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters

    • YouTube Review for the game "Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  24. Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King

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

    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
  25. My First Stone Age

    All details for the board game My First Stone Age and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2016

    More details for My First Stone Age
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable

    Video reviews for My First Stone Age

    • YouTube Review for the game "My First Stone Age" by BoardGameGeek
      Video is in English
  26. Magic Mountain

    All details for the board game Magic Mountain and similar games

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Magic Mountain
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 15 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!23€ atAmazon.de
  27. Paleo

    All details for the board game Paleo and similar games

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2021

    More details for Paleo
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    👍 Good price!34€ atAmazon.de
  28. Istanbul

    All details for the board game Istanbul and similar games

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2014

    More details for Istanbul
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 40 - 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Istanbul

    • YouTube Review for the game "Istanbul" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  29. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases

    All details for the board game Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1985

    More details for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 13+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
    👍 Good price!50€ atAmazon.de

    Video reviews for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video is in English
  30. Qwirkle

    All details for the board game Qwirkle and similar games

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2011

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2011

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2011

    More details for Qwirkle
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  31. Dragon's Breath

    All details for the board game Dragon's Breath and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Dragon's Breath
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  32. Challengers!

    All details for the board game Challengers! and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Challengers!
    • 1 - 8 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  33. The Enchanted Tower

    All details for the board game The Enchanted Tower and similar games

    Nominated for 7 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013

    ⭐️ Nominated for Kinderspiel des Jahres 2013

    More details for The Enchanted Tower
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 25 Minutes
    • 5+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!25€ atAmazon.de
  34. Villa Paletti

    All details for the board game Villa Paletti and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2002

    More details for Villa Paletti
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    👍 Good price!29€ atAmazon.de
  35. Alhambra

    All details for the board game Alhambra and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2003

    More details for Alhambra
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  36. Living Forest

    All details for the board game Living Forest and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2022

    More details for Living Forest
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 40 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  37. Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin

    All details for the board game Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017

    More details for Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin
    • 1 - 6 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  38. El Grande

    All details for the board game El Grande and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1996

    More details for El Grande
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 12+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  39. Hedgehog Roll

    All details for the board game Hedgehog Roll and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2020

    More details for Hedgehog Roll
    • 1 - 4 Players
    • 20 - 25 Minutes
    • 4+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  40. Kingdom Builder

    All details for the board game Kingdom Builder and similar games

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2012

    More details for Kingdom Builder
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  41. Zooloretto

    All details for the board game Zooloretto and similar games

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2007

    More details for Zooloretto
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  42. Spinderella

    All details for the board game Spinderella and similar games

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 4.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Spinderella
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
    🔥 Great price!23€ atAmazon.de
  43. Thurn and Taxis

    All details for the board game Thurn and Taxis and similar games

    Nominated for 12 awards and won 5.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2006

    More details for Thurn and Taxis
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 60 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  44. CATAN

    All details for the board game CATAN and similar games

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 8.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1995

    More details for CATAN
    • 3 - 4 Players
    • 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  45. Valley of the Vikings

    All details for the board game Valley of the Vikings and similar games

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2019

    More details for Valley of the Vikings
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 15 - 20 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  46. Broom Service

    All details for the board game Broom Service and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Broom Service
    • 2 - 5 Players
    • 30 - 75 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  47. Heimlich & Co.

    All details for the board game Heimlich & Co. and similar games

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1986

    More details for Heimlich & Co.
    • 2 - 7 Players
    • 30 Minutes
    • 8+ years old
    • Immediately playable
  48. Tikal

    All details for the board game Tikal and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 2.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1999

    More details for Tikal
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 90 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Medium difficulty
  49. Manhattan

    All details for the board game Manhattan and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1994

    More details for Manhattan
    • 2 - 4 Players
    • 45 Minutes
    • 10+ years old
    • Easy to learn
  50. Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure

    All details for the board game Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure and similar games

    Nominated for 3 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Kinderspiel des Jahres 2023

    More details for Mysterium Kids: Captain Echo's Treasure
    • 2 - 6 Players
    • 21 Minutes
    • 6+ years old
    • Immediately playable

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