If we're talking the best-selling board games of 2023, it's a good idea to check out the Amazon bestsellers list. As one of the biggest online retailers in the world, seeing what's in the top spot is probably going to be a good indication. Clue currently occupies the number one position, followed closely by Monopoly Deal. This spinoff has been dominating the charts for quite a while.
You're probably expecting something like Monopoly to walk away with the prize as the most popular board game ever, but that's actually not the case. Rather, chess (yes, chess) is one of the best-selling board games of all time.
Top 10 Card and Board games games for Xbox One
It's officially sweater weather, and that means it's time for the best board games to shine. No matter whether you're seeking out a new favorite for your family to enjoy or something to liven up your next party with friends, there's no shortage of choice. Long gone are the days when Monopoly was the most interesting thing on the menu.
To get you started, our team has put together a list of suggestions across a range of genres. In our opinion, they're the best board games on shelves right now. These recommendations include options both new and old too, so even though you'll find classics here that continue to impress years after launch, you'll also come across more recent additions that have blown us away over the last 12 months.
To make things easier, we've broken these recommendations down into manageable chunks that should allow you to zero in on exactly the kind of experience you want. Looking for the best board games to play with family, kids, or as a couple? No problem - simply click the jump links and head straight to the section you want.
We've roused our bargain-hunting software from its slumber as well to find you the best offers. It scours the internet for reductions every 30 minutes or so and is updated around the clock with discounts from trusted retailers, so you can take advantage of the lowest available prices on board games no matter where you are in the world.
Wondering how we choose which products to feature, on the other hand? 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.
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.
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 over more complicated equivalents such as Mansions of Madness.
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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. 2ff7e9595c
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