9 Best Board Games for Adults in 2025 Reviewed
Looking for board games adults will love? These top picks promise fun, laughter, and a few awkward moments at your next gathering!
The 9 Best Board Games for Adults Who Want a Really Fun Night In! Looking for board games geared towards adults that can turn a regular night into the best party ever? We know picking the right game is tough, so we kept a sharp eye on games that spark laughs, clever bluffing, and just the right amount of friendly chaos. Whether you want strategy or just want to yell a bit at your friends, our list has you covered. We picked games that actually work with adults, because—trust us—no one wants to play another boring game of Monopoly.
On this list:
9 Codenames
Codenames brings out the cunning spy in all adults. We have played this at house parties, game nights, heck, even at an awkward work event, and it always gets people talking. The rules are easy, so even your forgetful friend Steve can join. Watching folks try to link words like ‘Penguin’ and ‘Opera’ with a single clue is comedy gold. The game sneaks strategy into the fun so you also get some sore losers and wild guessers. It’s social, quick, and perfect for groups where not everyone wants to commit to a heavy rulebook. Trust us, this one’s a crowd-pleaser among adults.
8 Wavelength
Wavelength is basically a mind-reading contest for adults who love to overthink everything. It’s all about finding that sweet spot on a spectrum, and it gets intense fast. We’ve seen friendships almost crumble because someone thought ‘Peanut Butter’ was closer to ‘Solid’ than ‘Liquid’. The best part is when you realize how differently your friends think, and you instantly start questioning all your life choices. It’s great for any group, has a simple setup, and is always hilarious. You don’t need to know every trivia fact—just bring your opinions and, ideally, a thick skin.
7 Decrypto
Decrypto is where adults try to communicate in code, and somehow manage to confuse everyone, including themselves. It’s a team game where giving clues is as risky as leaving your phone unlocked at a party. We’ve had games where the ‘obvious’ clue was only obvious to no one. The tension ramps up each round as you try not to give the other team too much info. If you’re the kind of person who thinks Codenames is too easy, this one gives your brain a workout. It’s challenging, rewarding, and makes failing surprisingly fun.
6 Betrayal at House on the Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill is for adults who love a bit of drama and don’t mind flipping on their friends. One minute you’re working together to explore a haunted house, and the next, someone’s trying to summon ghosts to eat you. The stories get wild and no two games are the same. We’ll never forget the time we spent 15 minutes arguing about whether we should split up. Spoiler: don’t. It’s unpredictable, full of laughs and screams, and has a certain ‘spooky movie night’ charm for adults who enjoy surprises.
5 Secret Hitler
Secret Hitler is the board game of lying, accusing, and overanalyzing your friends’ faces. Adults love it because you get to be sneaky without any actual consequences. We’ve played rounds where the shouting got so intense we nearly had to apologize to the neighbors. It’s a deduction game that gets your heart pounding and your blood pressure rising, but everyone keeps coming back for more. It’s best with adults who can handle a bit of deception and don’t mind being called a fascist for fun.
4 The Resistance: Avalon
The Resistance: Avalon is like party therapy for adults—if you like therapy sessions filled with wild accusations and secret plotting, that is. Every round, someone accuses their best friend of being a traitor, and trust us, it gets loud. If you enjoy bluffing, social games, and long debates about who sabotaged the last mission, this one’s for your group. We’ve played so many times we’ve started assigning ‘most suspicious’ awards. It’s easy to learn and brings out the best (and worst) in adults everywhere.
3 Scythe
Scythe is the heavy hitter for adults who like to pretend they’re masterminds. It’s set in an alternate-history 1920s where you control giant mechs and fight for glory. We love pulling off sneaky territory grabs while trying not to look like the main villain. It’s strategic, has gorgeous art, and gives you that satisfying feeling of building something from nothing. Not the quickest game, but adults who crave depth and a good old-fashioned power struggle will love it.
2 Azul
Azul is the stylish choice for adults who think tile-laying is an extreme sport. There’s no bluffing or alliances—just pure, competitive pattern-making. We’ve seen normally chill friends turn into ruthless tile snatchers. The gameplay is simple but tense, and it’s one of those games where you can chat but still feel your brain working. Plus, it’s so pretty you’ll want to Instagram your finished board. If adults want something beautiful that’s still got a bit of bite, Azul is a winner.
1 Wingspan
Wingspan is, hands down, the best adults board game we’ve played in recent years. It’s all about attracting birds to your wildlife preserve, but don’t let the feathery theme fool you—adults get fiercely competitive over rare eggs and bonus cards. Every round, we learn some weird bird fact, mess up a strategy, or get outplayed by a smug friend. It has gorgeous art, simple rules, and tons of replay value. Best of all, you can play it with hardcore gamers or your Aunt Cheryl, and everyone has a blast. For adults who want something clever, chill, and still a little ruthless, Wingspan delivers every time.
