Best board games 2023 – must-have favorites to play with friends and family

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A selection of the best board games - Disney Villainous, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and Jaipur

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

1. The quick list
2. Best for adults
3. Best 2-player
4. Best co-op
5. Best card game
6. Best RPG
7. Best classic
8. Best strategy
9. Best for families
10. Best for kids

It can be tough to know what the best board games are because there’s so much choice – Monopoly is far from the most interesting thing on the menu nowadays, after all. That’s why our tabletop experts created this list. It’s full of favorites across a range of budgets, genres, and skill-levels, so no matter whether you’re tracking something down for a party or your next games night with friends, there should be a recommendation to suit you below.

Wondering why we think these options are the best board games around? We only suggest entries that we’ve had extensive hands-on time with and genuinely love, so you won’t find anything here that we wouldn’t buy ourselves. Our team’s also been covering the industry with news, reviews, and features for years, so that’s given us a fairly solid idea of what we’re looking out for when it comes to good board games.

There’s no need to break the bank when shopping for the best board games either, so our bargain-hunting software will list the most tempting offers alongside each entry. If there’s a saving to be had, you should find it here.

Written by

Benjamin Abbott, Tabletop & Merch Editor at GamesRadar

Written byBenjamin Abbott

Benjamin’s covered board games professionally for over four years, but has been playing them ever since he was old enough to roll dice (an early favorite was the pirate-themed Buccaneer). That means he knows what makes the best board games tick – while testing, he’s on the lookout for replay value, complexity, and how easy they are to understand. In addition, he has experience with all of the entries listed below.

Best board games – the quick list

Keen to get going? Don’t worry, you’ll find a quick rundown of all the best board games here. If you want to find out more about these recommendations, just click on the relevant links below each suggestion.

Betrayal at House on the Hill 3rd edition box on a plain backgroundBest for adults

1. Betrayal at House on the Hill

Best board game for adults

Expertly balancing exploration, teamwork, and tension with a frantic dash to the finish, this is one of the best experiences you can have on games night – it’s a thrill.

Read more below

Disney Villainous box on a plain backgroundBest 2-player

2. Disney Villainous

Best 2-player board game

What if the bad guys won for a change? This one’s about giving the villains their happy ending, all while screwing over your opponents. It’s marvelously wicked.

Read more below

Pandemic box on a plain backgroundBest co-op

3. Pandemic

Best co-op board game

If you’d prefer to work with rather than against each other, this co-op classic comes highly recommended thanks to an emphasis on teamwork and nail-biting gameplay. It’s challenging enough that winning is extremely satisfying.

Read more below

Jaipur box on a plain backgroundBest card game

4. Jaipur

Best card game

Easy to get the hang of and supremely more-ish, this is the ultimate trading game with plenty of room to experiment in terms of strategy. A short play-time will keep you coming back too.

Read more below

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion box on a plain backgroundBest RPG

5. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

Best RPG board game

Thanks to a fully-realized world, a branching storyline, and more depth than the average mine, Jaws of the Lion is a must-have for fantasy-lovers that want a new epic to explore.

Read more below

Cosmic Encounter box on a plain backgroundBest classic

6. Cosmic Encounter

Best classic board game

This retro classic has been around for years, and that’s no surprise; its blend of negotiation and rule-breaking is still just as gripping now as it was in the ’70s.

Read more below

Root box on a plain backgroundBest strategy

7. Root

Best strategy board game

Don’t be fooled by that cutesy art style; this is as hardcore a strategy game as you can get. Because each woodland faction boasts unique skills and objectives, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. It’s very replayable as a result.

Read more below

Ticket to Ride box on a plain backgroundBest for families

8. Ticket to Ride

Best family board game

It’s rare to find a board game you don’t mind losing, but Ticket to Ride manages it. This is a phenomenally chilled-out experience that anyone can get their head around.

Read more below

Sushi Go box on a plain backgroundBest for kids

9. Sushi Go

Best children’s board game

If you’re shopping for children, board games that are easy to understand but endlessly replayable are king. We’ve yet to find one that does it better than Sushi Go, and it’s always one we recommend when asked.

Read more below

Best board games – for adults

Betrayal at House on the Hill cards, box, tokens, board, and models on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

1. Betrayal at House on the Hill

One of the best board games overall

Our expert review:

Specifications

Players: 3 – 6Ages: 12+Complexity: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Vivid, unpredictable setting+Creative scenarios+Very replayable

Reasons to avoid

-Potential for uneven games

Ever wonder how long you’d last in a horror movie? Betrayal at House on the Hill lets you find out. Setting players loose in a mansion that’s quite literally out to get you, it’s drenched with tension and is wild enough that you’re never sure what’s going to happen next.

That’s because this isn’t set up like traditional board games for adults. Your character has been drawn here for mysterious reasons (they received a strange invitation or are looking for a friend who’s gone missing, for example), and the house is revealed turn by turn as you try to solve that case. But because each room is drawn at random when you enter it, there’s no way to tell what’s lurking behind those doors. The only thing you do know for certain is that one of 50 missions will eventually begin depending on what you find, turning your allies – or the mansion itself – against you. (There’s a reason our review called the game “innovative, memorable, and unsettling.”)

If you’re new to the franchise, buckle up; this might become a favorite

GamesRadar+ review

This deadly twist on guess-who keeps you coming back for more, and we’ve still not seen everything these dusty halls have to offer after months of exploring them. It also puts Betrayal one step ahead of rivals like Arkham Horror or Mansions of Madness, leaving us with one of the best board games overall (and a must-have if you’re searching for good Halloween board games).

Best board games – 2-player

The Maleficent mover, board, and cards from Disney Villainous on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

2. Disney Villainous

Sometimes, it’s good to be bad

Our expert review:

Specifications

Players: 2 – 6Ages: 10+Complexity: HighLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Satisfyingly tactical+Fantastic artwork and design+Clever mechanics based on characters

Reasons to avoid

-Hard to explain

Never has a game been more on-brand than Villainous. It delights in letting you be as mean as possible, and you’re encouraged to scupper a foe’s plans in search of your character’s happy ending. You see, this isn’t a cash-in for kids; it’s ruthless, surprisingly tactical, and deliciously wicked.

To be precise, there’s complexity hidden beneath that gorgeous artwork. Because each character has their own unique objective and play-style, it’s surprisingly deep. (As our review points out, “there’s so much to get your teeth into.”) Genuine skill is rewarded here too; coming out on top isn’t due to luck, and you’ll need to be flexible when taking on different villains. Particularly if you throw Disney Villainous expansions into the mix. These add-ons encourage you to adopt all-new strategies, and they’re a good way of injecting life back into the game if you think you’ve mastered it.

What if the bad guys triumphed for once? And wouldn’t that be more fun? As it turns out, yes. Yes it would

GamesRadar+ review

If you ask us, that intricacy makes Villainous better when played head-to-head. While duking it out with lots of other people is fun, reducing the head-count makes things less chaotic and gives you more time to strategize. It’s the perfect choice if you’re hunting down great board games for 2 players.

Best board games – co-op

Pandemic board, cards, and tokens on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

3. Pandemic

Teamwork makes the dream work

Our expert review:

Specifications

Players: 2 – 4Ages: 10+Complexity: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Perfect team strategy+Tense+Challenging

Reasons to avoid

-Occasionally unfair

The odds are against you from the start in Pandemic, but that’s the beauty of it. This co-op epic is never less than thrilling, and it doesn’t feel hopeless either. Despite being tasked with curing a clutch of super-diseases, good communication (not to mention the ability to think on your feet) will see you through. Want satisfying cooperative board games for your collection? It doesn’t get much better than this.

That injection of risk and reward keeps Pandemic at the top spot as one of the best board games overall. In fact, the emphasis on teamwork makes it much more engaging than you might expect. Is it better to keep disease levels down so that they don’t spread from city to city in the short term, or should you play the long game and go all-in on developing cures? There’s no right answer, and we’ve rarely seen our group more invested at the table. As we mentioned in our full review, such white-knuckle decision-making “shows off everything tabletop gaming is capable of.” 

A psychological shot of espresso

GamesRadar+ review

Sure, its theme hits closer to home nowadays. But there’s something cathartic about giving a pandemic the boot… even if it’s only in this tabletop world of tokens and cards.

Best card game

Jaipur box, cards, and tokens laid out on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

4. Jaipur

The master of “just one more”

Specifications

Players: 2Ages: 10+Complexity: LowLasts: 30 mins

Reasons to buy

+Easy to learn+Moreish gameplay+Engrossing

Reasons to avoid

-Can’t add more players

Unusual, accessible, and delightfully compelling, Jaipur deserves to be in everyone’s collection. Actually, we’d argue that it’s one of the best card games ever made. After encountering it years ago at the suggestion of a board game cafe barista, we’ve been recommending it to anyone who’ll listen ever since.

Casting you as one of two traders in the eponymous city of Jaipur, your challenge is to earn an invite to the maharaja’s court by being the best businessperson in all the land. How you do that is up to you, though, and there’s plenty of room to experiment. Is it better to buy and trade cheap items as fast as possible? Or should you collect expensive goods for a bigger payday? There isn’t a ‘correct’ way to go about things, and that flexibility helps the game stand out.

It also provides an engaging tug of war between both players. Wares decrease in value as more are sold, so your opponent could beat you to the punch if you don’t cash your cards in quickly enough. This delicate balancing act will keep you coming back time and again, eager to play ‘just one more time.’

Best board games – RPG

The scenario book, map, models, and box of Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

5. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

An essential adventure for fantasy fans

Specifications

Players: 1 – 4Ages: 14+Complexity: HighLasts: 60+ mins

Reasons to buy

+Deep, but accessible+Lasting consequences+Combat isn’t random

Reasons to avoid

-Lightweight compared to original Gloomhaven

If you have a soft spot for fantasy and love nothing more than poring over ye-olde maps while dreaming of adventure, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion should be on your radar. This dungeon-crawling epic taps into all that with branching storylines more commonly seen in the best tabletop RPGs, and thanks to a setting reminiscent of The Witcher, it ticks all the right boxes.   

More importantly, it makes skilful use of ‘Legacy’ mechanics (elements that carry over from one game to the next, like character progression) to empower you. New missions and characters will become unlocked depending on what you choose to do, so tread carefully – decisions can, and will, have consequences.

Thanks to skill-based combat with no dice to be seen, that sense of agency extends to gameplay as well. However, it’s easier to get your head around than in the original (and much more expensive) Gloomhaven. Jaws of the Lion, so it’s a great place to start regardless of whether you intend to tackle other entries in the series or you just want to get a taste of adventure with one of the best RPG board games.

Best board games – classic

Cosmic Encounter box, cards, tokens, and playing pieces on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

6. Cosmic Encounter

Bargain your way into conquering the cosmos

Specifications

Players: 3 – 5Ages: 12+Complexity: ModerateLasts: 120 mins

Reasons to buy

+Mix of action and diplomacy+Easy to learn, but with lots of fun quirks+Variety of unique playstyles

Reasons to avoid

-Not like traditional games

Cosmic Encounter was first published in 1977 and has been through numerous editions since then, but all of them have something in common – they’re brilliant. Few classic board games have aged as well as this one.

Each player takes the reins of an alien race, and their aim is to establish colonies on planets owned by other players. They can do this through force (by playing a larger number from the cards in their hand) or negotiation, but the process isn’t as simple as it sounds. To begin with, each ‘encounter’ allows players to make alliances that can tip the balance in their favor. What’s more, every species has a special power that breaks the rules in some novel way. Examples include winning by losing or reversing attack card numbers so 17 becomes 71. Seeing as 51 aliens are included in the base set, there’s almost always something new to see.

Like many of the best board games, Cosmic Encounter creaks beneath the weight of expansion packs as well. More than half a dozen add-ons are available if you want to shake things up, so there’s plenty to keep you busy here.

Best board games – strategy

Root box, board, tokens, and cards on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

7. Root

Tiny tactics

Our expert review:

Specifications

Players: 2 – 4Ages: 10+Complexity: HighLasts: 90 mins

Reasons to buy

+Wide range of strategies+Iconic art-style+Encourages creative thinking

Reasons to avoid

-Rules take some getting used to

Looks can be deceiving, and Root is the perfect example. Despite an inviting art-style, this is about as hardcore a strategy game as it gets. Sure, the action takes place in a quiet woodland realm, but all is not well beneath those trees. The animals living there want to kick the stuffing out of each other, and you’ll need to hatch schemes that’ll put your faction on top.

Much like the Redwall novels, each player commands a tribe of anthropomorphic creatures that must fight for their place in the forest’s clearings. The base game gives you control of four factions: the ‘Marquise de Cat’ that must cement their rule by putting down rebellion, feudal birds who operate via espionage, an insurgency of ‘peasant’ animals (mice and hedgehogs) called the Woodland Alliance, and an adventuring racoon who sneaks around the board. Each one has its own unique playstyle, and although it’s a lot to take in, they encourage you to think creatively and dream up wild strategies.

Gleefully cribs the best ideas from the last few decades of wargame development

GamesRadar+ review

Just be aware that there is a learning curve. While our review called it “the most accessible complex wargame,” Root is still a complicated beast that needs a little investment to make the most of. That effort is worthwhile, though. Persevere and you’ll discover one of the best strategy board games out there; it’s a poster-child for everything this hobby is capable of.

Best board games – for families

Ticket to Ride tokens, cards, and tins from the Ticket to Ride 15th Anniversary set, laid out on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

8. Ticket to Ride

Even if you don’t win, it’s still a blast

Our expert review:

Specifications

Players: 2 – 5Ages: 8+Complexity: EasyLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Broad appeal+Extremely replayable+Chilled out

Reasons to avoid

-You’ll eventually learn the routes

Ticket to Ride is one of the most laid-back entries on this list, and that makes it the perfect choice if you want board games for families that aren’t going to start a civil war around the table. Thoughtful and relaxing, it’s a delight for all ages.

OK, so the railway theme may not light your world on fire. But there’s an undercurrent of strategy holding everything together here, allowing it to hit the perfect balance of being family-friendly without losing any tactical depth. That makes Ticket to Ride one of the best board games even if its players haven’t ventured beyond Scrabble.

Thoughtful, easy-going, and thoroughly chilled out

It’s not overly competitive, either. Unlike so many entries on this list, there’s less emphasis on screwing each other over. Although it’s frustrating when a rival claims a route you were going for, there’s usually an alternative to salvage all that time and effort. As such, this is an option we’re more than happy to break out if things can get heated on game night. As our review mentions, it’s “the perfect option for newcomers and tabletop veterans alike.”

Best board games – for kids

Sushi Go! cards and tin laid out on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future / Benjamin Abbott)

9. Sushi Go!

A must-have for at home or on the go

Specifications

Players: 2 – 5Ages: 8+Complexity: EasyLasts: 15 mins

Reasons to buy

+Fast-paced+Easy to learn+Really darn cute

Reasons to avoid

-Emphasis on chance

This light-hearted game is perfect if you want something quick but fun; it’s got the secret sauce of being fast-paced with easy-to-understand rules. More specifically, you can learn and complete it in under 15 minutes. That means you won’t mind playing round after round (which is always handy when it comes to board games for kids), especially because Sushi Go’s gameplay is so moreish.

It’s different every time you pick it up, too. It works in a very similar way to Exploding Kittens, with players taking a card and passing the rest on, except here you need to build a selection of dishes that earn points. Some are worth more while others require you to collect a large set for bigger payouts, so even younger players will be able to experiment with strategies. Don’t think those tactics are shallow as a result, though; smart cookies can sabotage their rivals by taking the cards someone else needs, for instance.

Basically? Sushi Go is a quickfire gem that won’t get boring any time soon. It’s light, breezy, and charming enough to turn you into an instant fan. Plus, the fact that it doesn’t have a board makes it a great travel option for gamers on the go.

Best board games – FAQ

best board games

(Image credit: Fantasy Flight / Avalon Hill / Stonemaier Games / Space Cowboys)

If we’re talking bestsellers, chess – yes, chess – takes the crown in terms of being the #1 board game

Ratings are a different matter, though. According to industry giant BoardGameGeek (a popular forum that holds a lot of weight when it comes to tabletop), Brass: Birmingham is the top-rated board game. This is followed closely by Pandemic Legacy and Gloomhaven. Until fairly recently, Gloomhaven actually sat in the number-one spot.

In terms of #1 board games that everyone’s talking about, BoardGameGeek indicates that upcoming dungeon-crawler Witcher: The Old World is high on many people’s wishlist, followed by Star Wars Unlimited. If you want to find out more about the latter, we wrote up our thoughts on why Star Wars: Unlimited may be the next big thing for trading card game fans.

What about us, then? If you ask the GamesRadar+ team, we think the best board games can be found on this very page – Betrayal at House on the Hill, Disney Villainous, Pandemic, Jaipur, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion, Cosmic Encounter, Root, Ticket to Ride, and Sushi Go.

Frosthaven takes everything that was great about the RPG and improves it

However, if by ‘popular’ you mean “something we think is really awesome”, our vote goes to Frosthaven. This Gloomhaven follow-up takes everything that was great about the RPG and improves it, leaving us with a strong game of the year contender that the community has been very excited about. You can read more in our Frosthaven first impressions guide.

How does GamesRadar+ test board games?

Our dedicated writers and freelancers have tried every game on this list, so the team only features recommendations that it really believes in. This is the result of multiple playtests with a variety of players, not to mention extensive hands-on time with the product in general – if we haven’t played it half to death and don’t love it, it’s not getting in. 

You can find out more in our guide on how we test board games and tabletop RPGs.


Eager for more recommendations? If you want something to play at your next game night, definitely check out the very best party board games – they’ll go down a storm with newcomers and tabletop veterans alike. And if you’d prefer something more adventurous, don’t forget about the best Dungeons and Dragons books.

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Best board games 2022

Hunting down the best board games? You’ve come to the right place. No matter whether you need family-friendly classics or a new favorite to play during your next get-together with friends, you’ll find something to suit you below.

There’s certainly enough to choose from. While our list includes older staples that continue to impress years after launch, you’ll also find more recent additions that blew us away over the last 12 months. Even if you already have many of the best board games weighing down your shelf, there should be something new to delight you in this guide.

The best board games we’ve played this month

best board games 7 Wonders Architects and Zillionaires Road Trip USA

(Image credit: Repos Productions, Big Potato Games)

7 Wonders Architects (available at Amazon) (opens in new tab)A quick and easy version of the classic game, Architects is a must-have if you want something to play with family.

Zillionaires Road Trip USA (available at Amazon) (opens in new tab)This straightforward but silly game of buying up America’s weirdest attractions is lots of fun.

To make things easier, we’ve also broken these recommendations down into manageable chunks that will allow you to zero in on exactly the kind of experience you want from the best board games. Want something to play at a party, with family, or as a couple? No problem – simply click the jump links and head straight to the section you want.

Our deal-finding software is constantly on the lookout for discounts as well. It scours the internet for reductions from verified retailers around the clock, so the lowest prices on the best board games are available via the links in each entry.

Wondering how we choose which products to feature? It’s simple – we only include options that our writers and freelancers have had extensive hands-on time with. The GamesRadar+ team spends a lot of time testing the best board games, so we’ll never recommend something we don’t believe in.

Best board games for adults

Move over, Monopoly; the industry has grown way beyond those humble beginnings, and these board games for adults will have you hooked. With intricate gameplay and mature themes, they’re the perfect choice for games night.

Betrayal at House on the Hill 2nd edition box

(Image credit: Future)

1. Betrayal at House on the Hill

The best board game for adults overall

Specifications

Players: 3 – 6Ages: 12+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Vivid, unpredictable setting+Creative scenarios+Very replayable

Reasons to avoid

-Potential for uneven games

Have you ever wondered how long you’d last as a horror movie character? This board game lets you find out. Setting players loose in a mansion that’s revealed room by room, something is waiting inside – and as you can probably tell, it’s not pleasant.

Betrayal’s gameplay is drenched in tension as a result (there’s a reason our review called it “innovative, memorable, and unsettling”). You never know what’s lurking beyond the next door, so everyone will need to work as a team if they want to get out of this house alive. Especially because one of you might be a traitor in disguise… 

That deadly twist on guess-who keeps you coming back for more, so this one’s a masterpiece worthy of any best board games list. Indeed, it’s why we always find ourselves returning to Betrayal at House on the Hill over more complicated equivalents such as Mansions of Madness.

Innovative, memorable, and unsettling

GamesRadar+ review

Just be aware that a brand-new version of the game is hitting shelves in the US this August 1 (UK readers can already get it from the likes of Amazon (opens in new tab)). As an improved update on the old design, it features revamped artwork to go with 50 brand-new scenarios . We gave it a go for our guide on Betrayal at House on the Hill 3rd edition vs 2nd edition and came away impressed, so we’d recommend grabbing it when you can.

best board games Pandemic

(Image credit: Z-Man Games)

2. Pandemic

The best co-op board game for adults

Specifications

Players: 2 – 4Ages: 10+Difficulty: HardLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Perfect team strategy+Tense+Challenging

Reasons to avoid

-Occasionally unfair

The odds are against you from the start in the Pandemic board game, but that’s the beauty of it. This co-op epic is never less than thrilling, and it doesn’t feel hopeless either. Despite being tasked with curing a clutch of super-diseases, good communication (not to mention the ability to think on your feet) will see you through. 

That injection of risk and reward keeps Pandemic at the top spot as one of the best board games overall. In fact, its emphasis on teamwork makes it much more engaging than you might expect; we’ve rarely seen our group more invested at the table. As we mentioned in our full review, this modern classic “shows off everything tabletop gaming is capable of”.

A psychological shot of espresso

GamesRadar+ review

Sure, its theme hits closer to home nowadays. But there’s something cathartic about giving a pandemic the boot – even if it’s only in this tabletop world of tokens and cards. That’s why we’d recommend it over spin-offs such as Pandemic World of Warcraft.

best board games Wingspan

(Image credit: Stonemaier Games)

3. Wingspan

The most relaxing board game for adults

Specifications

Players: 2 – 4Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Moreish +Beautiful art+Easy to learn

Reasons to avoid

-Tricky to master

As you may have guessed from its name, Wingspan puts birds front and center; you’ve got to attract as many as possible to your preserve. It isn’t as dry as it might sound, though. Clever mechanics form a moreish, satisfying loop that’ll keep you returning to increase your score.

A lot of this is due to the lack of direct competition – players don’t need to worry about opponents undoing their hard work with sabotage or last-minute treachery. Everyone focuses on their own separate board, and others benefit if you use a special ability. This turns Wingspan into a relaxing, zen-like experience you’ll enjoy regardless of whether you win or lose.

It’s also our top pick if loved ones are asking about the best board games. Everyone is able to get something out of it, and that’s why we always suggest Wingspan as a gift for parents that love tabletop gaming or players who want strategy without the pressure that normally goes along with it.

Best 2-player board games

Short on willing victims to play with? These board games for 2 players are perfect no matter whether you’re gearing up for date night or a competitive head-to-head. They aren’t consolation prizes, either; we’ve been sure to include options that are actually better with fewer people around the table.

best board games Disney Villainous

(Image credit: Ravensburger)

1. Disney Villainous

The best 2-player board game overall

Specifications

Players: 2 – 6Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Tactical+Fantastic artwork+Clever mechanics

Reasons to avoid

-Hard to explain

Never has a game been more on-brand than Disney Villainous. It delights in letting you be as mean as possible, and you’re encouraged to scupper a foe’s plans in search of your baddie’s own happy ending. That’s because this isn’t light-hearted family-fare for kids; it’s surprisingly tactical instead.

To be precise, there’s a lot of unexpected complexity hidden beneath the surface. That’s due to each character’s unique objective and play-style, resulting in new challenges that come from the many available villain combinations (especially when Disney Villainous expansions get involved). You’ll need skill to come out on top in this battle of backstabbing, and we’ve found that it only becomes more enjoyable as you uncover fresh tactics to capitalize on. As our review points out, it has “enough depth and spice to keep you playing for months”.

Delightfully wicked

GamesRadar+ review

That’s particularly true when you compete one-on-one. It’s less chaotic when there are fewer rivals to contend with, allowing you to really focus on the ins and outs of your character. Of all the games on this list, Disney Villainous might be the one we play the most in our spare time.

best board games Jaipur

(Image credit: Space Cowboys)

2. Jaipur

The best 2-player card game

Specifications

Players: 2Ages: 10+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 30 mins

Reasons to buy

+Easy to learn+Moreish gameplay+Engrossing

Reasons to avoid

-Can’t add more players

Unusual, accessible, and delightfully compelling, this deserves to be in everyone’s collection. We first encountered Jaipur years ago at the suggestion of a board game cafe barista, and it impressed us so much that we’ve been recommending it to anyone who’ll listen ever since.

Casting you as one of two traders in the eponymous city, your challenge is to earn an invite to the maharaja’s court by being the best businessperson in all the land. How you do that is up to you, though; there’s plenty of room to experiment. Is it better to buy and trade cheap items as fast as possible? Or should you collect expensive goods for a bigger payday? There’s no ‘right’ answer, and that flexibility helps it stand out amongst the best card games.

It also provides an engaging tug of war between both players. Wares decrease in value as more are sold, so your opponent could beat you to the punch if you don’t cash your cards in quickly enough. This delicate balancing act highlights why Jaipur is such an essential purchase.

best board games 7 Wonders Duel

(Image credit: Repos Production)

3. 7 Wonders Duel

The best strategy board game for 2 players

Specifications

Players: 2Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 30 mins

Reasons to buy

+Accessible+Great trade mechanics+Variety of strategies

Reasons to avoid

-Seems more complicated than it is

Even though it whisks us back to an ancient world of pyramids and antiquity, this two-player board game doesn’t feel old-fashioned. Rather, it’s a nimble and laser-focused strategy that keeps hold of what made the original 7 Wonders (opens in new tab) so good whilst updating its gameplay for two players.

Much like its predecessor, Duel tasks you with building the most powerful civilization of its age. And as before, there are many ways to achieve that goal (including scientific discovery or military might). This gives players ownership over their game-plan in a way few competitors do. It also allows each match to play out differently depending on which cards are available during a round.

Its trading mechanics are rock-solid too. While the likes of Catan rely on your rivals feeling generous, 7 Wonders Duel uses a system where you have to pay the bank extra for a resource depending on how much of it your opponent has. If you play your cards right (in a very literal sense), this is just one more method of wearing your rival down.

Best family board games

Families have been arguing over the best board games for more than a century, and now there’s enough choice to sink a (Battle)ship. Where should you start? These board games for families will hit the spot.

best board games Ticket to Ride

(Image credit: Days of Wonder)

1. Ticket to Ride

The best board game for families overall

Specifications

Players: 2 – 5Ages: 8+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Broad appeal+Extremely replayable+Chilled out

Reasons to avoid

-You’ll eventually learn the routes

Ticket to Ride is one of the most laid-back entries on this list, and that makes it a great choice if you want something to play with your loved ones. Thoughtful and relaxing, it’s a delight for all ages.

OK, so the railway theme may not light your world on fire. But there’s an undercurrent of strategy holding everything together, allowing it to hit the perfect balance of being family-friendly without losing any tactical depth. That makes Ticket to Ride one of the best board games even if its players haven’t ventured beyond Scrabble.

Thoughtful, easy-going, and thoroughly chilled out

It’s not overly competitive, either. Unlike so many entries here, there’s less emphasis on screwing each other over. Although it’s frustrating when a rival claims a route you were going for, there’s usually an alternative to salvage all that time and effort. As such, Ticket to Ride is a game we’re more than happy to break out if things usually get heated around the table.

best board games Herd Mentality

(Image credit: Big Potato Games)

2. Herd Mentality

The best party board game for families

Specifications

Players: 4 – 20Ages: 10+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 30 mins

Reasons to buy

+Everyone can play+Doesn’t get outdated+Fun tokens (squishy cow!)

Reasons to avoid

-Cards lose appeal if overused

Are you trying to find the best board games without confusing rules? Herd Mentality says hello. It’s easy to get the hang of and won’t ever go out of date.

That’s because it hinges on what everyone else thinks. Although quiz-style questions are posed, there’s no ‘right’ answer – instead, your aim is to be in the majority by writing down what you think most people around the room will say. It’s a superb icebreaker due to this, and family-members that don’t like being put on the spot can take comfort from strength in numbers. Even our loved ones that dislike board games enjoy it.

To be honest, Herd Mentality isn’t just good for families either. We always break it out when playing with a new group regardless of who they are. It’s a nice way of getting everyone chatting and laughing together quickly, which is definitely not what would happen if you tried other quiz games like Trivial Pursuit (opens in new tab) or Articulate (opens in new tab).

best board games Sushi Go

(Image credit: Gamewright)

3. Sushi Go!

The best card game for families

Specifications

Players: 2 – 5Ages: 8+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 15 mins

Reasons to buy

+Fast-paced+Easy to learn+Really darn cute

Reasons to avoid

-Emphasis on chance

This light-hearted little game is perfect if you want something quick; it’s got the secret sauce of being fast-paced with easy-to-understand rules. More specifically, you can learn and complete it in under 15 minutes. That means you won’t mind playing round after round, especially because Sushi Go’s gameplay is so moreish.

It’s different every time you pick it up, too – you never know which cards you’ll be able to choose from. That’s because it works in a very similar way to Exploding Kittens (opens in new tab). You take a card and pass the rest on, building points based on how many of a certain type you’ve collected. This allows smart players to sabotage their rivals by taking the cards they need.

Basically, Sushi Go is a quickfire must-have that won’t get boring any time soon. It’s light, breezy, and charming enough to turn you into an instant fan. Plus, the fact that it doesn’t have a board makes it a great travel option for games on the go.

Best board games for children

Need board games for kids that’ll delight your children but won’t make you want to tear your hair out if you join in? You’ll find the best board games for little ones and their grown-ups below. 

best board games

(Image credit: Zygomatic)

1. Spot It!

The best board game for younger children

Specifications

Players: 2 – 8Ages: 6+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 10 mins

Reasons to buy

+Short+Easy to understand+Suitable for all ages

Reasons to avoid

-Gets repetitive

You can usually tell that a board game is good when it has lots of special editions. Spot It (or ‘Dobble’, if you’re based in the UK) passes that test with flying colors. As well as a classic version, alternatives featuring everything from Harry Potter to Star Wars are available these days. And because all of them can be completed within 10 minutes or so, they’re an essential purchase for families with young children.

A lot of that comes down to straightforward gameplay – at its core, this is a more involved version of Snap. But don’t assume it’ll be easy. While you are matching symbols, these cards are littered with pictures of various sizes to make that job harder. Spotting and yelling out a match before anyone else can is immensely satisfying no matter your age.

For us, it also claims the top spot as one of the best board games for children due to its portable nature. Whereas Labyrinth (opens in new tab), Clue (opens in new tab), and other classics feature massive boards, Spot It is carried in a neat little tin that doesn’t take up much space in use. In other words, the fun can come with you regardless of where you go.

best board games

(Image credit: Iello)

2. King of Tokyo

The best board game for older children

Specifications

Players: 2 – 6Ages: 8+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 30 mins

Reasons to buy

+Exciting dice battles+Social elements+Fun theme

Reasons to avoid

-Little strategy

King of Tokyo is a great choice for big and little monsters alike. Putting you in charge of tongue-in-cheek super-creatures that are based on the likes of Godzilla, it’s about stomping all over the city and getting points in the process. Fast-paced and full of character, it’ll delight players of any age. As an example, we’ll never pass up an opportunity to play it ourselves – this is the perfect gateway into more complicated board games.

That’s because its mechanics are mercifully straightforward. Players simply roll dice three times and choose which results they want to keep, be it attacks, bonus points, or extra health. However, the only way to win is by rampaging across the city… and there’s no way to heal from your wounds there. Accordingly, you end up playing chicken with your monster’s life. This leads to a captivating balancing act that more than deserves its spot on our best board games list.

Naturally, being able to control a ‘Space Penguin’ or ‘Cyber Kitty’ also makes it a winner in our books. As you’ve probably guessed, this isn’t a game that takes itself seriously – and that should make kids love it all the more.

best board games Hey, That's My Fish!

(Image credit: Fantasy Flight)

3. Hey, That’s My Fish!

The best strategy board game for children

Specifications

Players: 2 – 4Ages: 8+Difficulty: EasyLasts: 20 mins

Reasons to buy

+Straightforward concept+Quick and breezy+Suitable for all ages

Reasons to avoid

-Fiddly tile setup

This quirky game sees penguins slip-sliding across an iceberg to collect fish, but the clock is ticking. You see, the ice is breaking beneath their flippers with every step. Because part of it disappears each time they move (thanks, global warming), the race is on to gather the tastiest seafood before it vanishes into the ocean.

One penguin’s problem is another penguin’s gain, though. This collapsing board allows you to cut other players off from the best fish and keep them for yourself, so there’s plenty of room to be devious. Just be careful – one wrong move might leave you stranded too. 

With that in mind, Hey, That’s My Fish is a clever exercise in forward-thinking and cunning plans. OK, so setting it up can be a little fiddly. But we find the payoff more than worthwhile, especially if you want to play something quick yet tactical.

Best co-op board games

If competitiveness around the table is getting you down, the best cooperative board games should help. Providing challenges that can only be solved by working together, they emphasise teamwork over an every-person-for-themselves scramble. 

best board games Unfathomable

(Image credit: Fantasy Flight)

1. Unfathomable

The best cooperative deception game

Specifications

Players: 3 – 6Ages: 14+Difficulty: HardLasts: 2+ hrs

Reasons to buy

+Superb mechanics+Top-notch worldbuilding+Fantastic traitor gameplay

Reasons to avoid

-Lots of systems to learn

How do you make the best board games even better? Add some good old-fashioned backstabbing. Unfathomable nails this with hidden roles which introduce paranoia from start to finish, and although that may seem counter-intuitive in a co-op experience, it makes good teamwork even more essential.

Set in the Arkham Horror universe, Unfathomable traps you aboard a passenger ship under attack from Lovecraftian Deep Ones. In short, this is far from a pleasure cruise; as well as contending with monstrous creatures slithering aboard (portrayed by awesome miniatures that were very popular in our play-sessions), the crew has to root out ‘hybrids’ who are hell-bent on sabotaging the vessel from within. Constant communication’s your only defence against their efforts, and this is balanced nicely by the lingering suspicion that you can’t trust anyone. It’s a spicy conundrum to wrestle with.

Superbly well thought-out

GamesRadar+ review

While there are many excellent deception games out there such as One Night Ultimate Werewolf and Secret Hitler, none can match Unfathomable’s variety of mechanics. Rather than focusing exclusively on uncovering a villain within the group, it tasks you with saving civilians, keeping the ship in working order, and solving story-driven problems with real consequences on whether you win or lose. That’s a lot to juggle, and it leaves us with one of the most satisfying co-op games we’ve played in recent years.

best board games Horrified

(Image credit: Ravensburger)

2. Horrified

The best co-op strategy board game

Specifications

Players: 1 – 4Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Tough choices+Classic monsters+Memorable objectives

Reasons to avoid

-Complicated at first

The best board games normally have you battling it out with other players, but Horrified is different. It challenges you to team up against some of the most beloved monsters of all time instead, and the whole thing creaks beneath the weight of nostalgia as a result. It doesn’t rest on its laurels, though; this is a unique, memorable adventure in its own right with co-op gameplay to die for.

That’s because it loves the ‘trolley problem’ – situations where there isn’t a right answer. As an example, the Creature from the Black Lagoon might have cornered a group of civilians as its next snack. Unfortunately, Dracula is also swooping in to feast on a villager at the opposite end of the board. You can only save one, and you’ve got to make time for completing objectives as well. What on earth should you do? This gives Horrified an edge, making victory all the sweeter.

While a newer version that spotlights Stateside creatures (Horrified: American Monsters (opens in new tab)) is available, our money’s still on the original. There’s something special about its line-up of classic villains, and everything from its artwork to mechanics exudes a compelling gothic vibe.

best board games Mysterium

(Image credit: Lillebud / Asmodee)

3. Mysterium

The best mystery co-op board game

Specifications

Players: 2 – 7Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 45 mins

Reasons to buy

+Quirky idea+Painterly style+Surprisingly funny

Reasons to avoid

-Better with more players

Want to level up from Clue? Mysterium fits the bill nicely. A murder mystery where you’ve got to solve the crime before dawn, it has all the trappings of a classic; the 1920s setting, a creaky old mansion, and some Sherlock Holmes-style deduction. It’s anything but predictable, though. You see, one of the players is dead… and they’re trying to solve their own murder.

Unfortunately for everyone else, this ghost isn’t chatty enough to bust the case wide open by themselves. They’re only able to communicate through impressionist ‘vision’ cards that are deliberately vague when taken out of context, so the rest of the team has to get sleuthing to figure out what they mean.

Because these wannabe ghostbusters will also be rooting through evidence in a bid to find the killer before dawn, working together and optimizing your actions is more important here than in most of the best board games. It’s a novel setup that gives Mysterium no shortage of flair, so we’d highly recommend getting involved if you can round up enough players. 

Best old-school board games

They don’t make ’em how they used to, and although that’s usually a good thing, you can’t beat the all-time greats. The best classic board games have become a cultural phenomenon with countless editions under their belt, so revisiting those old favorites can do wonders. We’ve collected our top picks here.

best board games

(Image credit: Catan Studio)

1. Catan

The best overall classic board game

Specifications

Players: 3 – 4Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Tactical+Lots of ways to win+Fun haggling and deal-making

Reasons to avoid

-Can be frustrating

Catan whisks us back to the age of explorers; faced with an uninhabited island, players have to settle it before their opponents do. And because everyone’s fighting to civilize the same frontier, clever manoeuvring is the order of the day.

Actually, it’s a crucial skill to master. The island’s limited resources are handed out based on probability, so foresight and good positioning can mean the difference between victory or defeat. That puts Catan amongst the best board games for players wanting a challenge. Particularly because you’ll need to trade with your rivals in order to progress. How’s that silver tongue of yours?

While games like Small World (opens in new tab) and 7 Wonders (opens in new tab) are broadly similar, Catan edges a win in our book because it combines with a sense of accessibility.

best board games HeroQuest

(Image credit: Hasbro)

2. HeroQuest

The best classic adventure board game

Specifications

Players: 2 – 5Ages: 14+Difficulty: HardLasts: 60+ mins

Reasons to buy

+Original gameplay remains intact+Reimagined art and miniatures+Unique competitive gameplay 

Reasons to avoid

-Very, very cheesy

HeroQuest was the final word in board game fantasy during the 1980s, and its sword-and-sorcery saga is held in high esteem because of that. Now the adventure is back for round two thanks to this 2021 revamp, and it bears the weight of that legacy like a champ. We opened the box and it was like we were kids again. 

In spite of classy new miniatures and terrain, this version of HeroQuest holds on to what made the original special whilst updating everything else for the modern day. Its classic story of good and evil remains intact alongside identical gameplay (including Dungeon Master mechanics where one player controls the game’s monsters), but now it features a fully-voiced app for solo play as well that we find streamlines things considerably. Its artwork has been given a facelift too, albeit one that doesn’t stray too far from its inspiration.

Yes, we’ll admit that it may have been superseded in the years since its heyday by Gloomhaven and Descent: Legends of the Dark. However, HeroQuest walked so they could run, and it’s good to see the return of the king after all this time.

best board games 221B Baker Street

(Image credit: Gibson)

3. 221B Baker Street

The best classic board game with a story

Specifications

Players: 2 – 6Ages: 10+Difficulty: ModerateLasts: 60 mins

Reasons to buy

+Each case has a unique written story+75 cases overall+A more advanced Clue / Cluedo

Reasons to avoid

-Some clues haven’t aged well

Want to be an armchair detective? It doesn’t get much better than 221B Baker Street. Allowing players to see if they have what it takes to rival a certain Sherlock Holmes himself, it’s still one of the best murder mystery board games despite having been kicking about since 1975.

Accessible, straightforward gameplay certainly helps. Even though you’re trying to track down a killer, the game’s methodical process of elimination (no pun intended) is easy to pick up. It’s like a souped-up version of Clue; every location on the beautifully painted board could hide useful information, but they may ask you to solve a riddle or read between the lines in order to figure out what’s going on. There’s a real satisfaction in cracking the case before anyone else because of this.

The stories behind it all are what make 221B Baker Street so enduring, though. Each case is preceded by a narrative that may contain clues of its own, and they’re well-written enough for us to feel like we’re in the heart of a Conan Doyle adventure when we read them. It’s magic.

Best board games – FAQ

best board games

(Image credit: Fantasy Flight / Avalon Hill / Stonemaier Games / Space Cowboys)

Chess (yes, chess) is one of the best-selling board games of all time

However, if by ‘popular’ you mean ‘something we think is really awesome’, our vote goes to Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar. As we mentioned in our hands-on first impressions, it’s a superb co-op experience with very promising gameplay. The art-design is also second to none, which isn’t surprising considering the fact that the team behind it made the beautiful Disney Villainous. We’d definitely recommend keeping an eye on it as we approach launch toward the end of the year.

How does GamesRadar+ test board games?

Our dedicated writers and freelancers have tried every game on this list, so the team only features recommendations that it really believes in. This is the result of multiple playtests with a variety of players, not to mention extensive hands-on time with the product in general. You can find out more in our guide on how we test board games and tabletop RPGs at GamesRadar+.


Eager for more recommendations? If you want something to play at your next game night, definitely check out the very best party board games – they’ll go down a storm with newcomers and tabletop veterans alike. And if you’d prefer something more adventurous, don’t forget about the best tabletop RPGs. Our guide is crammed with cool suggestions, including Dungeons and Dragons books.

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