Best 8 Board Games for Adults in 2025
Looking for fun games for adults? We've selected the best ones that'll bring laughter and thrills to your gatherings.
Alright folks, gather ’round! We’re diving into the thrilling world of board games perfect for adults. Forget the days of candy-colored children’s games; this list is your ticket to sophisticated and strategic gameplay. We focus on replay value, complexity, humor, and strategy. Whether you’re looking for side-splitting laughs or deep-thinking strategy, our picks cater to every adults’ game night preference. Get ready to unleash your inner competitor, strategist, or even diplomat. We’ve handpicked games that promise to keep you and your friends entertained for hours, with no shortage of laughter and a dash of friendly rivalry.
On this list:
8 Cards Against Humanity
This game is a classic party game that never fails to get a room full of adults laughing. It’s perfect for those who enjoy edgy humor and want to see just how twisted their friends’ minds are. The concept is simple: make the funniest card combinations and enjoy the chaos. It’s easy to learn and requires no strategic skills, just a good sense of humor. With its plethora of expansion packs, it never gets old. We’ve spent countless nights crying from laughter, and though our humor might be questionable, the fun is undeniable.
7 Codenames
Codenames is a brilliant guessing game that appeals to adults who love wordplay and clever connections. Teams compete to find secret agents based on one-word clues given by their spymaster. It’s a game of wit, as you balance between giving clues broad enough to cover multiple words but specific enough not to give away the other team’s cards. It’s tense and exciting, a real brain workout but lots of fun too. We’ve had many moments of facepalming as someone guesses the obvious wrong word, and it just makes for great bonding.
6 Pandemic
Pandemic is perfect for those adults who prefer working together rather than against each other. You play as a team of specialists trying to stop diseases from spreading and wiping out humanity. It’s intense and requires critical thinking and teamwork. We love the challenge of working out strategy and the satisfaction of stopping outbreaks in the nick of time. It’s a cooperative game, so there’s no gloating winner, just a satisfied team if you manage to save the world. We often joke afterward about our newfound expertise in epidemiology.
5 Secret Hitler
If you’re looking for intrigue, deception, and a bit of history, Secret Hitler is the adult board game for you. Set in pre-World War II Germany, players are divided into two factions: Liberals and Fascists. The Fascists know who each other are, but the Liberals do not. It’s all about manipulation, hiding identities, and ultimately, trust or the lack thereof. We love the thrill of accusing our friends and the tension when accusations fly. It’s a strategic game of cat and mouse that leaves everyone guessing until the very end.
4 Ticket to Ride
For adults who enjoy a little competition and scenic train travel, Ticket to Ride is a delightful choice. The goal is to collect train cards and claim routes across a map of North America, all the while trying to complete specific routes for points. It’s a game of strategy and planning, but with an element of luck. We enjoy plotting our courses while blocking others and the satisfaction of completing long routes. The game is visually appealing and perfect for a relaxed evening of low-stakes rivalry.
3 The Resistance: Avalon
Avalon adds a medieval twist to the social deduction genre. Players take on roles as Arthur’s loyal servants or trying to sabotage the kingdom. The game involves lots of bluffing and deduction to figure out who is on which side. It’s like playing Sherlock, only with more lies and betrayal. We love the intense discussions that ensue and the satisfaction of uncovering a traitor. The game has a high replay value due to the various roles and different strategies you can employ. It’s always a hit at our game nights.
2 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars is an epic strategy game for adults who dream of colonizing the Red Planet. Players manage corporations aiming to make Mars habitable through strategic use of resources. The game is both competitive and complex, with many paths to victory. We enjoy the challenge of balancing our budget while developing technology and forming alliances. It’s an immersive experience that feels rewarding, especially when you see Mars slowly transforming. We often talk about how it feels like being in a sci-fi movie, complete with heated debates over which corporation is the best.
1 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven tops the list because it’s the ultimate adult board game experience. Combining tactical combat with dungeon crawling, it offers an epic and evolving storyline. Each player controls a mercenary, and together, you battle your way through a series of adventures. What sets Gloomhaven apart is how decisions impact future games, creating a richly detailed narrative. The game is complex and involved, requiring commitment, but the reward is an intensely satisfying gaming experience. We’ve lost hours, even days, to this game, completely immersed in its world. It’s the best choice for serious board game enthusiasts.
