7 Best Board and Card Games of All Time 2025
Looking for the best board and card games of all time? We’ve played them all. Here are our picks and wild stories.
The 7 Best Board and Card Games of All Time That Every Game Night Needs: When we hunt for the best board and card games of all time, we grab games that turn any boring evening into laughs, friendly trash talk, and real memories. We look for easy rules, quick setup, and something even your aunt can understand (without flipping the board in rage). These games we picked aren’t just loved by board game geeks—they’re a hit with newbies, families, and anyone who wants simple fun with a dash of cleverness. If you’re stuck picking your next big hit, this list is a great place to start!
On this list:
7 Codenames
We can’t count the number of times Codenames saved our game night from boredom. It’s a word game that everyone catches onto in about five seconds, but still manages to make us all feel like geniuses or absolute fools, depending on the round. The mix of clever clues, wild guesses, and those moments where you’re sure your friend is on your wavelength—only for them to pick ‘assassin’—always gets us laughing. It’s great for groups, and works across ages, which makes it one of the best board and card games of all time for new players.
6 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is the game we keep pulling out when everyone is tired of Monopoly causing family feuds. It mixes simple rules with just enough strategy to make us all feel clever for laying that perfect route. The train pieces are fun to fiddle with, too. We’ve played with grandparents, kids, and even grumpy uncles—everyone laughs, everyone plots, and someone always blocks your longest route. If you want an easy entry to the best board and card games of all time, this is a safe bet.
5 Sushi Go!
Who knew passing cards around the table could be so addictive? Sushi Go! packs all the fun into a small tin. We keep it in our bag for cafe meetups or quick after-dinner rounds. Picking the best sushi combo while guessing what everyone else is after creates a perfect amount of table teasing. It’s easy to learn, fast to play, and the art makes us hungry every single time. For newcomers, it’s a top pick among the best board and card games of all time.
4 Splendor
If you love pretending you’re a gem tycoon (and who doesn’t?), Splendor brings that fantasy to life. The rules are simple, but we learned fast that planning ahead is key—or you’ll be left snatching whatever’s left. The chunky gem chips are so satisfying to handle, it’s half the fun. We’ve played serious, we’ve played silly, and we always want ‘just one more’ game. A sure-fire pick for new fans looking for the best board and card games of all time.
3 Azul
Azul makes us feel like artists—who are also secretly sabotaging each other’s mosaics. The tactile tiles are a joy to play with, and the gameplay has just the right dose of strategy for seasoned and newbie players alike. We get to flex our planning muscles, but also enjoy moments where the perfect piece falls into our laps. It’s gorgeous on the table and easy to explain, which is why we keep it in rotation as one of the best board and card games of all time.
2 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is the game that taught us how sneaky our friends could be. You build the map as you go, which means every turn is a bit of luck and a lot of plotting. We’ve had epic showdowns over fields and cities, only to find out granny’s been winning quietly the whole time. It’s one of our favorite introductions to strategy games and always comes with plenty of laughs. It rightfully earns its spot on any ‘best board and card games of all time’ list.
1 7 Wonders
We chose 7 Wonders as the best among the best board and card games of all time because it nails that mix of depth and speed. Every time we play, it feels fresh—there’s so much variety in the cards and strategies. It scales well, meaning it’s just as fun with three as with seven. Plus, it keeps all players engaged the whole time (no staring off into space while waiting for your turn). We always finish a game grinning, ready to go again. For new players and veterans, it’s a modern classic that deserves the top spot.
