The 59 favourite games of Matt from SU&SD 2026

Looking for really good board games? We've listed the favourite games of board game expert Matt from SU&SD.

What is Shut Up & Sit Down?

Shut Up & Sit Down (or "SU&SD" for short) is a team of board game enthusiasts. Alongside their SU&SD website, their podcast, and various social profiles (e.g. Twitch, Twitter), they also run a very successful SU&SD YouTube channel with nearly 300,000 subscribers — even though they only uploaded their first video there in November 2016. Originally, they had been uploading their videos on Vimeo since mid-2011.

Regular, humorous board game content for 15 years

As of July 2021, that's already 10 years of steady, in-depth coverage of board games of every kind — and always with a great sense of humour. Alongside Matt there's another team member at "Shut Up & Sit Down": Quinn. You can find his list here: The favourite games of Quinn from SU&SD.

Favourite games of Matt from SU&SD 2026

In one of the videos on their YouTube channel, Matt presented his 59 favourite games. All the games are listed below for easy reference:

This list was last updated on June 10, 2026. There's also a print version for this list .
  1. Monikers

    Monikers is a lively and entertaining party game inspired by the classic public domain game Celebrities. It is designed for players who enjoy guessing games and offers a fun challenge through a series of rounds where the methods of clue-giving evolve and become more restrictive.

    Nominated for 1 award.

    More details for Monikers
    • 👥 4 - 16 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 17+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Monikers

    • YouTube Review for the game "Monikers" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  2. Love Letter

    In Love Letter, you must compete with other suitors to deliver a romantic letter to Princess Annette, who has secluded herself in the palace.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 7.

    More details for Love Letter
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  3. Skull

    Embark on a journey of bluffing and suspense with Skull & Roses. This game is the epitome of strategic cunning, where every move unfolds in the minds of the players. Each participant starts by placing a face-down card, gradually revealing them one by one. The thrill escalates as players confidently claim the ability to uncover cards adorned only with roses. But beware, as opponents can challenge and bid to reveal even more cards. The highest bidder must then courageously unveil the specified number, hoping for a bed of roses and not the dreaded skull. Successfully navigating this bluffing showdown requires a poker face and unwavering eye contact, with victory hinging on two successful challenges.

    Nominated for 5 awards and won 2.

    More details for Skull
    • 👥 3 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Skull

    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Skull" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  4. Looking for some really good board games? We've listed the favorite games from gaming expert Matt at SU&SD.

    The 59 favorite games of Matt from SU&SD →
  5. Decrypto

    Engage in the riveting team-based challenge of Decrypto, where players strive to correctly interpret coded messages from their teammates while unraveling the intercepted codes of the opposing team.

    Nominated for 15 awards and won 7.

    More details for Decrypto
    • 👥 3 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Decrypto

    • YouTube Review for the game "Decrypto" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  6. The Quack of Quedlinburg (Kennerspiel 2018 winner)

    Become a cunning charlatan or a quack doctor in the whimsical world of The Quacks of Quedlinburg. In this quirky board game, each player concocts their own secret brew, one ingredient at a time. But beware, for a careless addition could spoil the entire mixture!

    Nominated for 17 awards and won 12.

    ⭐️ Kennerspiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for The Quack of Quedlinburg (Kennerspiel 2018 winner)
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  7. The Resistance: Avalon

    The Resistance: Avalon is a standalone game set in the legendary world of King Arthur, combining the mechanics of secret identities and deduction found in The Resistance with a thematic backdrop of Arthurian legend and the struggle between good and evil.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 1.

    More details for The Resistance: Avalon
    • 👥 5 - 10 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  8. Insider

    Insider is a unique board game that offers a fresh and engaging experience for players. With its distinctive gameplay and innovative mechanics, it stands out in the world of board games.

    Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.

    More details for Insider
    • 👥 4 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 Minutes
    • 🧒 9+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Insider

    • YouTube Review for the game "Insider" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Insider" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  9. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

    One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a dynamic and fast-paced game for 3-10 players that brings the excitement and deduction of werewolf stories to your tabletop. This game is all about quick thinking, bluffing, and trying to outsmart your friends.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for One Night Ultimate Werewolf
    • 👥 3 - 10 Players
    • ⏱️ 10 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  10. Coup

    Coup is a strategic bluffing game set in an Italian city-state. Players, as heads of rival families, seek to outmaneuver and eliminate others to be the last one standing. Influence is key, represented by face-down character cards, each offering unique powers.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    More details for Coup
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable

    Video reviews for Coup

    • YouTube Review for the game "Coup" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  11. 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
  12. In this 2026 top list we have selected for you the best dice, card & board games from the game publisher "Czech Games Edition" 🇨🇿🏢. They have published more than just such popular games as Codenames or Galaxy Trucker - but still some rather unknown treasures.

    The Best Games from Czech Games Edition 🇨🇿🏢 →
  13. THE GAME card game

    The Game is a cooperative card game that challenges players to strategically discard all 98 cards onto four piles. It requires careful planning and teamwork, with a hint of luck, to achieve victory.

    Nominated for 3 awards.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for THE GAME card game
    • 👥 1 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 20 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  14. Sheriff of Nottingham

    Sheriff of Nottingham is an engaging board game of bluffing, bribery, and negotiation set in the medieval town of Nottingham.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 1.

    More details for Sheriff of Nottingham
    • 👥 3 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Sheriff of Nottingham

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sheriff of Nottingham" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  15. 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.

    Nominated for 14 awards and won 6.

    More details for Mysterium
    • 👥 2 - 7 Players
    • ⏱️ 42 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  16. Pandemic

    Pandemic is a highly acclaimed cooperative board game where players take on the roles of disease-fighting specialists. Their mission is to contain and cure four deadly diseases that have broken out across the globe. The game is set on a board depicting major world population centers and requires players to strategize and work together to manage the outbreaks and develop cures before the diseases spiral out of control.

    Nominated for 30 awards and won 9.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2009

    💰 25% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers

    More details for Pandemic
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  17. Funemployed

    Funemployed is a card-based party game where players compete to land jobs. They apply for real positions like astronaut, lawyer, or priest while claiming absurd qualifications, such as being able to talk to pandas. Players must creatively present their qualifications in a role-playing manner, aiming to convince others that they are the best fit for the job.

    More details for Funemployed
    • 👥 3 - 20 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  18. Pipeline

    • 👥 1 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 10 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Immediately playable
  19. Machi Koro

    Machi Koro is a light and fast-paced city-building board game, where players take on the role of mayor of a small town, striving to develop it into a thriving city.

    Nominated for 6 awards and won 1.

    ⭐️ Nominated for Spiel des Jahres 2015

    More details for Machi Koro
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 Minutes
    • 🧒 10+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Machi Koro

    • YouTube Review for the game "Machi Koro" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  20. Burgle Bros.

    Burgle Bros. is a cooperative heist game where 1 to 4 players team up as a crew of burglars attempting to pull off a daring robbery in a highly secure, multi-level building.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Burgle Bros.
    • 👥 1 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 - 90 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  21. Paperback

    Paperback is an innovative board game that combines word-building with deck-building mechanics. Players take on the roles of paperback authors striving to complete various genres of novels, blending strategic card play with linguistic creativity.

    Nominated for 4 awards.

    More details for Paperback
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  22. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (Spiel des Jahres 1985 winner)

    Embark on a captivating journey through Victorian London alongside the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases. This immersive and challenging game allows you to step into the shoes of a detective, matching wits with Holmes himself.

    Nominated for 4 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 1985

    More details for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (Spiel des Jahres 1985 winner)
    • 👥 1 - 8 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (Spiel des Jahres 1985 winner)

    • YouTube Review for the game "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (Spiel des Jahres 1985 winner)" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  23. Inis

    Inis invites players to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Celtic history and lore, vying for the esteemed title of King of the Island. Rooted in strategic depth and Celtic mythology, the game offers a unique blend of victory conditions and gameplay dynamics.

    Nominated for 6 awards.

    More details for Inis
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 90 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Inis

    • YouTube Review for the game "Inis" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Inis" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  24. The Taverns of Tiefenthal

    The Taverns of Tiefenthal is a strategic and immersive board game that transports players to a bustling village tavern, where they must attract guests and manage resources to become the most successful establishment in Tiefenthal.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 4.

    💰 4% cheaper on Amazon than at other retailers

    More details for The Taverns of Tiefenthal
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for The Taverns of Tiefenthal

    • YouTube Review for the game "The Taverns of Tiefenthal" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "The Taverns of Tiefenthal" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  25. Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 is an epic, cooperative board game that continues the narrative and innovative gameplay of its predecessor. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity struggles to survive after a devastating plague. It offers a unique gaming experience, where players' decisions and actions have long-lasting consequences, making each playthrough distinct.

    Nominated for 10 awards and won 3.

    ⭐️ Spiel des Jahres 2018

    More details for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Pandemic Legacy: Season 2

    • YouTube Review for the game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 2" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  26. Gloomhaven

    Gloomhaven is a Euro-inspired tactical combat game set in a persistent and evolving world. Players assume the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills and motives, as they explore dungeons, ruins, and engage in cooperative battles against automated monsters.

    Nominated for 22 awards and won 10.

    More details for Gloomhaven
    • 👥 1 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Gloomhaven

    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Gloomhaven" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  27. Star Wars: Imperial Assault

    Star Wars: Imperial Assault is a captivating strategy board game that brings the iconic Star Wars universe to life through tactical combat and missions. Designed for two to five players, the game offers a dual experience: a campaign game and a skirmish game.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 2.

    More details for Star Wars: Imperial Assault
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Star Wars: Imperial Assault

    • YouTube Review for the game "Star Wars: Imperial Assault" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  28. Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    Arkham Horror: The Card Game is a Lovecraftian horror card game that blends role-playing and card game elements. Set in the eerie town of Arkham, players face mysterious, monstrous, and maddening challenges.

    Nominated for 13 awards and won 4.

    More details for Arkham Horror: The Card Game
    • 👥 1 - 2 Players
    • ⏱️ 60 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

    • YouTube Review for the game "Arkham Horror: The Card Game" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  29. Kemet

    Kemet is a strategy board game set in ancient Egypt, where players command Egyptian tribes and harness the powers of gods to earn victory points through battles and territorial control.

    Nominated for 1 award and won 1.

    More details for Kemet
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty

    Video reviews for Kemet

    • YouTube Review for the game "Kemet" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Kemet" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  30. Bargain Quest

    Bargain Quest offers a unique blend of adventure and economics where 2-6 players become shopkeepers in a fantasy town teeming with monsters and brave heroes. Your goal is to entice heroes into your shop, outfit them for battle, and then reap the rewards as they defeat threats to the town. This game cleverly combines strategy, draft mechanics, and player interaction in a competitive quest for wealth and prestige.

    More details for Bargain Quest
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 8+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Bargain Quest

    • YouTube Review for the game "Bargain Quest" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
    • YouTube Review for the game "Bargain Quest" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  31. V-Sabotage: Secret Weapons

    Players find themselves isolated in enemy territory, striking at the heart of hostile facilities and sabotaging their most strategic secret projects. They take on the role of the stealthiest heroes of World War II, conducting outstanding operations to undermine the enemy using cunning, speed, and self-control. The expansion introduces new terrains, characters with unique abilities, and the option to destroy targets remotely while facing elite paratroopers.

    More details for V-Sabotage: Secret Weapons
    • 👥 1 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 30 - 180 Minutes
    • 🧒 13+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn
  32. KeyForge: Call of the Archons

    KeyForge: Call of the Archons is a groundbreaking card game from the mind of Richard Garfield, offering a unique experience where each deck is one-of-a-kind. In this game, traditional deckbuilding and boosters are replaced by a world of endless discovery and strategic depth.

    Nominated for 9 awards and won 3.

    More details for KeyForge: Call of the Archons
    • 👥 2 Players
    • ⏱️ 15 - 45 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for KeyForge: Call of the Archons

    • YouTube Review for the game "KeyForge: Call of the Archons" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  33. Keyflower

    Keyflower is a strategic board game designed for 2-6 players that spans over four rounds, each representing a different season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The game combines elements of auction, tile placement, and resource management set in a medieval world. Players start with a "home" tile and a team of workers, using them to bid for new tiles, gather resources, and build their village.

    Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.

    More details for Keyflower
    • 👥 2 - 6 Players
    • ⏱️ 90 - 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty
  34. Last Will

    Last Will is a unique board game that flips traditional gaming objectives on its head. In this game, players compete to squander an inheritance the fastest, following the peculiar will of a rich uncle who believes that the best way to enjoy wealth is to spend it lavishly.

    Nominated for 5 awards.

    More details for Last Will
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 - 75 Minutes
    • 🧒 14+ years old
    • 🧩 Medium difficulty
  35. Arctic Scavengers - Survival in the Year 2097

    Arctic Scavengers plunges players into a frozen post-apocalyptic future where survival is the only goal. As the leader of a tribe of survivors, you are tasked with gathering resources, recruiting mercenaries, and expanding your tribe amidst the harsh realities of a new ice age. This deck-building game for up to five players emphasizes strategic resource management, player interaction, and direct conflict, offering a unique blend of tactics and bluffing to outmaneuver your opponents and ensure the prosperity of your tribe.

    More details for Arctic Scavengers - Survival in the Year 2097
    • 👥 2 - 5 Players
    • ⏱️ 45 - 60 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Easy to learn

    Video reviews for Arctic Scavengers - Survival in the Year 2097

    • YouTube Review for the game "Arctic Scavengers - Survival in the Year 2097" by Shut Up & Sit Down
      Video
  36. Alchemists

    In the enchanting world of Alchemists, two to four aspiring alchemists engage in a spirited competition to unearth the secrets of their mystical art. Points, the coveted currency of success, can be acquired through various means, but the pinnacle lies in the publication of accurate theories—a challenge that adds a layer of complexity to the pursuit.

    Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

    More details for Alchemists
    • 👥 2 - 4 Players
    • ⏱️ 120 Minutes
    • 🧒 12+ years old
    • 🧩 Hard to learn

    Video reviews for Alchemists

    • YouTube Review for the game "Alchemists" by BoardGameGeek
      Video
  37. Looking for a game that pits one person against all others? Then we have just the thing: The 30 best one vs. many games 2026.

    The best "One Versus Many" games →

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