2025’s Best Board Games for Teenagers Adults: Top 10 Review

We've tried many, but these are the best board games for teenagers adults. Perfect for fun, laughter, and a challenge!

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Settlers of Catan coverTicket to Ride coverCodenames cover

Hey there, fellow game enthusiasts! Choosing the perfect board game for a mix of teenagers and adults can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, right? That’s why we’ve crafted a list of the best board games for teenagers adults, focusing on fun, strategy, and ease of learning. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, these games promise epic battles, clever strategies, and a good dose of laughs. We considered games that spark creativity, teamwork, and, yes, a bit of friendly rivalry. Get ready to clear your schedules because these games are going to become your favorites!

On this list:

10 Settlers of Catan

Settlers of Catan cover

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

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Catan is like the gateway drug to the world of strategic board games. We all know that teenager or adult who utterly believes in their luck with dice. This is the game that will prove them right or wrong. We found ourselves bartering sheep for wood like our lives depended on it. It’s a classic for a reason and is easy to pick up after just a few rounds.

9 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

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

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Ticket to Ride is perfect for those who dream of travel or at least fantasize about being a train conductor. In our gatherings, it was enjoyable watching alliances form and crumble like biscuits. All you do is build your trains across the map, it’s simple yet incredibly satisfying.

8 Codenames

Codenames cover

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

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Codenames is just like a real-life spy adventure except with less danger and more heated debates. It’s all about giving one-word clues to get your team to guess the related words. Watching friends argue over word associations is a highlight of our game nights. It’s quick, takes minimal setup, and maximum fun.

7 Splendor

Splendor cover

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

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I never thought collecting gems could become so competitive. Splendor is a game of collecting gem cards to buy even better cards. With its easy-to-learn rules, we found ourselves hoarding shiny tokens like our lives depended on it. It’s a fast-paced strategy game that keeps everyone engaged.

6 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

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

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Want to save the world? Pandemic is your game, but don’t expect it to be easy. We experienced more pandemics in our living room than in a history book. It requires teamwork, and is perfect for those who love a challenge. Beware, it might also test your friendships!

5 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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7 Wonders is all about building civilizations and battling for the best resources. We found it fun to see who could build the biggest monument while trying to thwart others’ plans. It’s strategic and yet can be played quickly, making it a staple at our game nights.

4 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-45 minutes

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Carcassonne is about building landscapes with beautiful tiles, and it’s strangely addictive. We were hooked from the first tile we laid down. It’s got a nice balance of strategy and luck, keeping everyone on their toes. The best part? It feels different every time we play.

3 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

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

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Want to head to Mars without leaving your sofa? Terraforming Mars is your ticket! It’s an intense game where players try to make Mars habitable. We found the game both challenging and rewarding, as players juggle resources and compete for milestones. It’s like a space race!

2 Azul

Azul cover

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

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Azul is like playing with tiles on a medieval Portuguese floor, but without getting your hands dirty. Its colorful tiles and simple rules make it perfect for any gathering. We cherished the strategy involved in winning and never got bored of the beautiful pieces.

1 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 120+ minutes

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Gloomhaven stands atop the heap as our top pick for the best board games for teenagers adults. It’s an epic journey with a storyline so immersive that we lost track of time. Imagine a world where your decisions matter, and the cooperative gameplay only adds to the thrill. We love how each session is different thanks to numerous scenarios and characters. The complexity might be daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it’s like binge-watching your favorite series. It’s the best for those who want depth and adventure in a single box.

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.