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Board games worth the hype
47
items As an avid board gamer with a very competitive spirit, I've put together a list of our household's favorite games.
We host game nights pretty regularly, and our collection is constantly growing, so these are games we genuinely enjoy playing and coming back to. I'll keep adding to this list as we discover new favorites. If you have a game you think we need to try,...
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We host game nights pretty regularly, and our collection is constantly growing, so these are games we genuinely enjoy playing and coming back to. I'll keep adding to this list as we discover new favorites. If you have a game you think we need to try,...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking my links helps support this page at zero cost to you!
Sections
6
2 Players 🎲
2+ Players 👥
Groups / Party 🎉
Co-ops 🤝
Strategy / Immersive 🧠
Our Board Game Wishlist 💭
2 Players 🎲
Best board games for a date night, couples, or a chill night in with your favorite person! These games are made for two and shine when there’s just the two of you.
Why you should put game nights on your calendar!
5 Benefits of a Weekly Game Night for Your Mental Health
⭐ BGG Top 25 | 👥 2 players
A fantastic head-to-head civilization-building game where you draft cards, develop your city, and race toward military, science, or victory through points.
A fantastic head-to-head civilization-building game where you draft cards, develop your city, and race toward military, science, or victory through points.
7 Wonders Duel
2
👥 2 players
A Catan experience built specifically for two! Build up your own principality, expand your settlements, and try to out-develop your opponent.
A Catan experience built specifically for two! Build up your own principality, expand your settlements, and try to out-develop your opponent.
Rivals for Catan
2
👥 2 players
A clever, portable strategy game with no board required! Use your insect pieces to surround your opponent's queen while blocking their moves.
A clever, portable strategy game with no board required! Use your insect pieces to surround your opponent's queen while blocking their moves.
Hive
2
👥 2 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
Such a cute little game for date night! It's a trick-taking game with a fun twist… you want to win, but you don't want to win too much. It's small, easy to bring along, and perfect for two.
Such a cute little game for date night! It's a trick-taking game with a fun twist… you want to win, but you don't want to win too much. It's small, easy to bring along, and perfect for two.
The Fox in The Forest
2
👥 2 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
Work together to find all the secret agents before time runs out! A clever cooperative word game that's perfect for date nights and cozy nights in.
Work together to find all the secret agents before time runs out! A clever cooperative word game that's perfect for date nights and cozy nights in.
Codenames: Duet
2
2+ Players 👥
Great board games for two people, roommates, or a small group! These games are flexible enough to play with 2 players without needing a whole game night crew.
⭐ BGG Top 50 | 👥 1–5 players
Wingspan is one of those games that we never get tired of looking at… it's absolutely beautiful! We love building our bird sanctuary and watching all the little combos come together. There are several expansions, including European, Oceania, Asia, an...
Wingspan is one of those games that we never get tired of looking at… it's absolutely beautiful! We love building our bird sanctuary and watching all the little combos come together. There are several expansions, including European, Oceania, Asia, an...
Wingspan
(Finspan & Wyrmspan in comments)
4
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 2–4 players
We LOVE how chaotic this game gets! You’re making potions by blindly pulling ingredients from your bag and trying to push your luck without making your potion explode.
We LOVE how chaotic this game gets! You’re making potions by blindly pulling ingredients from your bag and trying to push your luck without making your potion explode.
Quacks
2
⭐ BGG Top 50 | 👥 1–4 players
Everdell might be one of the cutest games in our collection. We love building our little woodland city and filling it with adorable critters, and somehow the game manages to feel cozy while still giving you plenty to think about. There are also sever...
Everdell might be one of the cutest games in our collection. We love building our little woodland city and filling it with adorable critters, and somehow the game manages to feel cozy while still giving you plenty to think about. There are also sever...
Everdell
4
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 2-4 players
A beautiful, easy-to-learn tile-drafting game where you compete to create the most stunning mosaic. There are several expansions and standalone versions if you fall in love with the tile-laying gameplay.
A beautiful, easy-to-learn tile-drafting game where you compete to create the most stunning mosaic. There are several expansions and standalone versions if you fall in love with the tile-laying gameplay.
Azul
4
👥 2–4 players
Build your gem empire by collecting chips, purchasing cards, and creating powerful combos. Quick to learn, satisfying to play, and great for a casual game night.
Bonus: there are also expansion packs so you can grow your game over time.
Build your gem empire by collecting chips, purchasing cards, and creating powerful combos. Quick to learn, satisfying to play, and great for a casual game night.
Bonus: there are also expansion packs so you can grow your game over time.
Splendor
2
👥 2–4 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
Ticket to Ride: London is a 2-4 player game, but I actually prefer to keep this as a 2-player version. We love this version of Ticket to Ride when we don't want to commit to a full-length game. It's quick, cute, and has all the fun of building routes...
Ticket to Ride: London is a 2-4 player game, but I actually prefer to keep this as a 2-player version. We love this version of Ticket to Ride when we don't want to commit to a full-length game. It's quick, cute, and has all the fun of building routes...
Ticket to Ride: London
2
👥 2–6 players
This one is for all the Disney fans! You get to play as your favorite villain and work toward your own secret objective, which means everyone is playing a little differently. Plus, there are SO many expansions if you want to keep adding villains to y...
This one is for all the Disney fans! You get to play as your favorite villain and work toward your own secret objective, which means everyone is playing a little differently. Plus, there are SO many expansions if you want to keep adding villains to y...
Disney Villainous
4
👥 2–6 players
Assemble a party of adorable heroes, slay monsters, and sabotage your friends along the way. A lighthearted fantasy card game with plenty of chaos and take-that. Berserkers & Necromancers and other expansions add new characters, classes, and ways...
Assemble a party of adorable heroes, slay monsters, and sabotage your friends along the way. A lighthearted fantasy card game with plenty of chaos and take-that. Berserkers & Necromancers and other expansions add new characters, classes, and ways...
Here to Slay
2
👥 2–5 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
We LOVE Scout! This was a TikTok find, and we're honestly so happy we discovered it. It's super fun, incredibly easy to bring anywhere, and the tiny box makes it our new favorite brewery game! 🍻
We LOVE Scout! This was a TikTok find, and we're honestly so happy we discovered it. It's super fun, incredibly easy to bring anywhere, and the tiny box makes it our new favorite brewery game! 🍻
Scout
2
👥 2–5 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
Another perfect little travel/brewery game! It's quick to learn, easy to play, and small enough to throw in your bag without thinking twice. We love having games like this around for when we have time for “just one quick game.”
Another perfect little travel/brewery game! It's quick to learn, easy to play, and small enough to throw in your bag without thinking twice. We love having games like this around for when we have time for “just one quick game.”
dnup
2
👥 2–4 players (6 player version available)
Rummikub is a fast paced game that really uses your brain! If you like to think, then I promise Rummikub will be one of the most fun games for you!
Rummikub is a fast paced game that really uses your brain! If you like to think, then I promise Rummikub will be one of the most fun games for you!
Rummikub
2
Groups / Party 🎉
The best board games for game nights, parties, and groups of friends! Easy to bring out when you want everyone laughing, talking, competing, and having a good time.
Love Board Games? Want more recommendations? Check out Board Game Geek for ratings, recommendations, and more!
Board Game Ratings
3
⭐ Personal Favorite | 👥 3–7 players
Build an ancient civilization, develop your military and science, and construct a wonder of the world. 7 Wonders is our most played game! Each time you play, you change up your strategy based on the hand you get. So many ways to win, meaning so many ...
Build an ancient civilization, develop your military and science, and construct a wonder of the world. 7 Wonders is our most played game! Each time you play, you change up your strategy based on the hand you get. So many ways to win, meaning so many ...
7 Wonders
2
👥 3–4 players Base | 6 Player expansion available
Trade resources, build settlements, and compete for control of the island of Catan. A classic gateway game that's easy to learn and always gets people negotiating.
Bonus: there are tons of expansions and versions, so I definitely recommend getting Catan!
Trade resources, build settlements, and compete for control of the island of Catan. A classic gateway game that's easy to learn and always gets people negotiating.
Bonus: there are tons of expansions and versions, so I definitely recommend getting Catan!
Catan
5
👥 3–8 players
This game is pure chaos in the best way. 😂 You're betting on camel races, but the camels can stack on top of each other and completely change the race. It's one of our favorites for a group because you really don't know what's going to happen.
This game is pure chaos in the best way. 😂 You're betting on camel races, but the camels can stack on top of each other and completely change the race. It's one of our favorites for a group because you really don't know what's going to happen.
Camel Up
2
👥 2–5 players
Collect train cards and claim railway routes across the country while racing to complete your secret destinations. There are tons of expansions and map collections, so you can take the Ticket to Ride experience all over the world.
Collect train cards and claim railway routes across the country while racing to complete your secret destinations. There are tons of expansions and map collections, so you can take the Ticket to Ride experience all over the world.
Ticket to Ride
2
👥 2–10 players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
A super easy game for literally anyone! Draw cards, avoid the exploding kitten, and use your cards to mess with everyone else. It's quick, chaotic, and especially fun when you have people who don't normally play board games.
A super easy game for literally anyone! Draw cards, avoid the exploding kitten, and use your cards to mess with everyone else. It's quick, chaotic, and especially fun when you have people who don't normally play board games.
Exploding Kittens
2
👥 4+ players
Give clever one-word clues to help your team identify the right words while avoiding the assassin. A must-have party game for groups who love wordplay and inside jokes.
Bonus: Pictures, Duet, and other versions give you plenty of ways to keep the word-game fun going.
Give clever one-word clues to help your team identify the right words while avoiding the assassin. A must-have party game for groups who love wordplay and inside jokes.
Bonus: Pictures, Duet, and other versions give you plenty of ways to keep the word-game fun going.
Codenames
2
👥 3+ players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
This is our “okay, one more round” game. 😂 Keep flipping cards to rack up points, but get a duplicate and you could lose it all. It's ridiculously easy to learn and works especially well when you have a big group.
This is our “okay, one more round” game. 😂 Keep flipping cards to rack up points, but get a duplicate and you could lose it all. It's ridiculously easy to learn and works especially well when you have a big group.
Flip 7
👥 2+ players | ⏱️ Quick & Easy
This one is exactly what it sounds like… you have to sneak ridiculous phrases into normal conversations without anyone catching you. It's perfect for a group of friends who are looking for something silly and slightly inappropriate.
This one is exactly what it sounds like… you have to sneak ridiculous phrases into normal conversations without anyone catching you. It's perfect for a group of friends who are looking for something silly and slightly inappropriate.
Slip It In
👥 2+ players
Linkee is such a fun one for groups and game nights! It's basically trivia with a twist—you answer a few questions and then have to figure out what connects all the answers. It's easy to jump into even if people haven't played before.
Linkee is such a fun one for groups and game nights! It's basically trivia with a twist—you answer a few questions and then have to figure out what connects all the answers. It's easy to jump into even if people haven't played before.
Linkee
2
👥 2+ players
One of our favorite group games! You give clues and try to figure out where your friends think something falls on a spectrum, and somehow you learn WAY too much about how your friends' brains work. 😂
One of our favorite group games! You give clues and try to figure out where your friends think something falls on a spectrum, and somehow you learn WAY too much about how your friends' brains work. 😂
Wavelength
2
👥 3-10 players
This is such a fun group game for people who think they're good at describing colors. 😂 Give a clue, hope everyone knows exactly what shade you're picturing, and then prepare to realize that everyone sees colors VERY differently.
This is such a fun group game for people who think they're good at describing colors. 😂 Give a clue, hope everyone knows exactly what shade you're picturing, and then prepare to realize that everyone sees colors VERY differently.
Hues and Cues
3
Co-ops 🤝
Board games where you win (or lose) together! Perfect for couples, friends, and anyone who'd rather team up than destroy each other.
⭐ BGG Top 50 | 👥 2–5 players
We were NOT expecting this little card game to be as challenging as it is! You work together to complete missions while barely being able to communicate, and there's something so satisfying about finally figuring out a difficult one. With 96 missions...
We were NOT expecting this little card game to be as challenging as it is! You work together to complete missions while barely being able to communicate, and there's something so satisfying about finally figuring out a difficult one. With 96 missions...
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
2
👥 2–4 players
One of our favorite games when we want to work together instead of against each other. Everyone has a different role, and you have to coordinate your moves to stop the diseases before they take over the world. On the Brink, In the Lab, and State of E...
One of our favorite games when we want to work together instead of against each other. Everyone has a different role, and you have to coordinate your moves to stop the diseases before they take over the world. On the Brink, In the Lab, and State of E...
Pandemic
2
👥 2+ players | Adult Content
A Cards Against Humanity game with a twist! You're trying to think like your friends while they're answering ridiculous questions as completely different personas. It's SO funny when you realize you actually know your friends well enough to guess exa...
A Cards Against Humanity game with a twist! You're trying to think like your friends while they're answering ridiculous questions as completely different personas. It's SO funny when you realize you actually know your friends well enough to guess exa...
Head Trip
2
Strategy / Immersive 🧠
For when “let's play a game” turns into a whole event. Longer, deeper, more strategic games that are perfect for a dedicated game night.
⭐ BGG #1 | 👥 2–4 players
Okay, this is the heavy hitter in our collection. It's a deep economic strategy game where you're building industries, managing resources, and trying to outsmart everyone else. It's definitely a commitment, but if you love heavier strategy games, thi...
Okay, this is the heavy hitter in our collection. It's a deep economic strategy game where you're building industries, managing resources, and trying to outsmart everyone else. It's definitely a commitment, but if you love heavier strategy games, thi...
Brass: Birmingham
2
⭐ BGG Top 10 | 👥 2–4 players
If you're a Star Wars fan AND love strategy games, this one is incredible. The Empire is hunting for the hidden Rebel base while the Rebels try to complete their objectives and survive. It's a BIG game-night commitment, taking up several hours!
If you're a Star Wars fan AND love strategy games, this one is incredible. The Empire is hunting for the hidden Rebel base while the Rebels try to complete their objectives and survive. It's a BIG game-night commitment, taking up several hours!
Star Wars Rebellion
1
⭐ BGG Top 50 | 👥 2–4 players
Root is one of those games where everyone is basically playing a completely different game at the same table. 😂 You're battling for control of the woodland while each faction has its own unique abilities and goals. There are tons of expansions with ...
Root is one of those games where everyone is basically playing a completely different game at the same table. 😂 You're battling for control of the woodland while each faction has its own unique abilities and goals. There are tons of expansions with ...
Root
2
Our Board Game Wishlist 💭
These are games that we can't review or recommend, but if you are curious, here's our current wishlist! If you've played one of these games, please comment your thoughts! Would love to discuss!
⭐ BGG #2 | 👥 1–4 players
One for when we're ready to sit down and really play a game. 😂 We've heard so many good things about the strategy and replayability, and building your own modern zoo sounds right up our alley. Marine Worlds adds even more cards and aquatic animals, ...
One for when we're ready to sit down and really play a game. 😂 We've heard so many good things about the strategy and replayability, and building your own modern zoo sounds right up our alley. Marine Worlds adds even more cards and aquatic animals, ...
Ark Nova
2
👥 2–6 players
This is definitely our next buy, because it's the hottest game right now! It looks SO silly and chaotic, which is exactly why we want it. Everyone gets a completely different athlete with a unique ability, and the unpredictable races look like they w...
This is definitely our next buy, because it's the hottest game right now! It looks SO silly and chaotic, which is exactly why we want it. Everyone gets a completely different athlete with a unique ability, and the unpredictable races look like they w...
Magical Athlete
2
⭐ BGG Top 50 | 👥 2 players
This is high on our 2-player wishlist! You and your partner work together as a pilot and co-pilot to land a plane safely, and the limited communication makes it look SO much more stressful than it sounds. 😂
This is high on our 2-player wishlist! You and your partner work together as a pilot and co-pilot to land a plane safely, and the limited communication makes it look SO much more stressful than it sounds. 😂
Sky Team
2
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 2–5 players
This one has been everywhere lately, and we're very intrigued! It's a cooperative deduction game where you're trying to defuse a bomb together, and it looks like the perfect combination of teamwork, deduction, and “WAIT… DON'T CUT THAT WIRE!” 😂
This one has been everywhere lately, and we're very intrigued! It's a cooperative deduction game where you're trying to defuse a bomb together, and it looks like the perfect combination of teamwork, deduction, and “WAIT… DON'T CUT THAT WIRE!” 😂
Bomb Busters
2
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 1–4 players
Another one that caught our eye because it looks beautiful and relaxing while still being strategic. We love games where you're building something pretty while trying to maximize your points, and the little landscapes in this one are gorgeous.
Another one that caught our eye because it looks beautiful and relaxing while still being strategic. We love games where you're building something pretty while trying to maximize your points, and the little landscapes in this one are gorgeous.
Harmonies
2
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 2–5 players
A classic that's somehow still missing from our collection! We love the idea of building out a medieval landscape together while trying to strategically place our little meeples. There are tons of expansions, so this could easily become a whole new r...
A classic that's somehow still missing from our collection! We love the idea of building out a medieval landscape together while trying to strategically place our little meeples. There are tons of expansions, so this could easily become a whole new r...
Carcassonne
2
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 1–4 players
This one has been on our radar for a while! We love the idea of building a beautiful little ecosystem while trying to strategically place habitats and wildlife. It looks relaxing and cozy, but still has enough strategy to keep us thinking, which is e...
This one has been on our radar for a while! We love the idea of building a beautiful little ecosystem while trying to strategically place habitats and wildlife. It looks relaxing and cozy, but still has enough strategy to keep us thinking, which is e...
Cascadia
2
⭐ BGG Top 100 | 👥 1–6 players
We've heard SO many good things about this one! A racing game with strategy, deck-building, and just enough chaos sounds like something we'd have a blast playing on game night. The Heavy Rain and Tunnel Vision expansions add even more tracks, cars, a...
We've heard SO many good things about this one! A racing game with strategy, deck-building, and just enough chaos sounds like something we'd have a blast playing on game night. The Heavy Rain and Tunnel Vision expansions add even more tracks, cars, a...
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
2
👥 2–4 players
This one caught our eye because we LOVE a good tile-laying game, and the artwork is gorgeous. It looks like the perfect mix of relaxing gameplay and just enough strategy to keep things interesting.
This one caught our eye because we LOVE a good tile-laying game, and the artwork is gorgeous. It looks like the perfect mix of relaxing gameplay and just enough strategy to keep things interesting.
Inkwell
2
👥 2–4 players
This one is high on our list for a 2-player game! We love games with bluffing and trying to read the other person, and the idea of outsmarting your opponent while building your little neighborhood sounds right up our alley.
This one is high on our list for a 2-player game! We love games with bluffing and trying to read the other person, and the idea of outsmarting your opponent while building your little neighborhood sounds right up our alley.
Agent Avenue
2
👥 1–4 players
The theme alone sold us on this one! Building a colony on the moon while competing for resources and trying to make the best of your little lunar settlement sounds like a perfect medium-weight strategy game for us.
The theme alone sold us on this one! Building a colony on the moon while competing for resources and trying to make the best of your little lunar settlement sounds like a perfect medium-weight strategy game for us.
Moon Colony Bloodbath
2
👥 2–5 players
We love a quick game with a little bit of scheming, and Courtisans looks like exactly that! You're trying to influence different families at the royal court while secretly working toward your own goals. It looks like a great little game for a casual ...
We love a quick game with a little bit of scheming, and Courtisans looks like exactly that! You're trying to influence different families at the royal court while secretly working toward your own goals. It looks like a great little game for a casual ...
Courtisans
2