12 Best Board Games of 2024: Top Picks Reviewed

Check out our list of the 12 best board games. These are perfect for bringing fun to any game night!
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Catan coverTicket to Ride coverPandemic cover

12 Catan

Catan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 mins

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Catan is a classic gateway game that brings trading and building to life. We love its blend of strategy and luck, making every game night different.

11 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-60 mins

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Easy to learn and highly addictive. Players build train routes across a map, and it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned gamers.

10 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45 mins

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One of the best cooperative games out there. Pandemic forces players to work together to stop global outbreaks, and it’s nail-biting fun!

9 Splendor

Splendor cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 mins

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Quick and easy to pick up. Splendor involves collecting gems and buying developments. It’s a tense and strategic game that’s quite addictive.

8 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 30 mins

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A card-drafting game where players develop civilizations. We’ve had some of the most engaging and competitive sessions with 7 Wonders.

7 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 35 mins

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This tile-placement game is a joy for all ages. We love the way it combines strategic thinking with family-friendly fun.

6 Codenames

Codenames cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2-8+
  • Play Time: 15 mins

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Perfect for party settings! Codenames involves guessing words based on clues, and it’s always a blast to see how friends’ minds work.

5 Azul

Azul cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-45 mins

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Beautifully designed and quick to play. Azul is a tile-drafting game that tests your strategic thinking and leaves you wanting more.

4 Dominion

Dominion cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 mins

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The original deck-building game. Dominion has endless replayability with its various card combos, keeping every session fresh.

3 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 mins

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For those who love deep strategy and storytelling. Gloomhaven offers a rich campaign experience that can last for months.

2 Wingspan

Wingspan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 40-70 mins

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A beautifully designed engine-building game with a unique bird theme. It’s relaxing yet challenging, perfect for a chill gaming session.

1 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 120 mins

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As our top pick, Terraforming Mars offers a deep and rewarding experience. Players work on transforming Mars into a habitable planet. The blend of science, strategy, and endless replayability makes it the best of the best.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.