13 Best Geek Board Games to Play in 2025
Looking for adventure, puzzles, and sci-fi fun? Our list of best geek board games has something epic for every geeky group.
Our group loves discovering the best geek board games, but picking just 13 was no easy feat! We focus on rich themes, deep strategy, and replay value. We also look for games that spark heated debates and laugh-out-loud moments, because what’s the point if you can’t gloat just a little? Whether you want to build empires, battle alien invaders, or outwit your friends with sneaky tactics, there’s something here for every flavor of geek. Buckle up—this list promises unforgettable adventures, crazy choices, and maybe a little friendly table-flipping. Ready to find your next gaming obsession?
On this list:
13 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars stands as one of the best geek board games because it mixes science, strategy, and a bit of luck. We loved fighting over oxygen levels while arguing about which card combo was the most broken. Plus, it makes us feel like billionaires fighting climate change with lasers. The card-driven engine building makes each game unique, which keeps us coming back. The theme is strong and the mechanics are smart, so you don’t need to be a science geek to enjoy it, but it sure helps. Everyone seems to have a different strategy in our group—except Gary, who always tries to raise the ocean first and, oddly, sometimes wins.
12 Scythe
If you want to feel like a brooding alternate-history genius, Scythe smacks it out of the park. In our games, we started off farming and suddenly giant mechs rolled in, usually right over my carefully placed workers. Scythe has cool artwork and great resource management. It’s the best geek board game for anyone who loves engine builders with fierce competition and just enough combat to keep everyone paranoid. The sense of growth and control is so strong that one of us even tried speaking in a fake Russian accent the whole game (it didn’t help him win, but it was fun).
11 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven delivers epic adventure without ever leaving your table. When we played, we lost hours of our lives… and a few characters to some shady cultists. It’s big, it’s deep, and it’s almost as heavy as my neighbor’s dog. We recommend this best geek board game for those who want tactical combat, story, and a legacy experience all rolled together. Just be sure you have a big table and a few friends who don’t mind coming over weekly—we learned that the hard way after three sessions and an angry spouse.
10 Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Twilight Imperium is the space opera of best geek board games. Our group started at noon and finished after midnight—no, really. It’s diplomacy, betrayal, politics, war, and snacks, all packed into a single game. We loved the stories it creates: alliances turn to dust, plans blow up, and everyone tries to grab that last secret objective. Just clear your schedule and stock up on snacks. It’s only for the truly committed (or the slightly unhinged), but there’s nothing quite like it.
9 Ark Nova
Ever wanted to design a scientifically accurate zoo? Ark Nova will scratch that itch. When we played, we acted like excited zoologists planning who would get the pandas first. It’s a clever card game for geeks who like to puzzle over combos and efficient moves without fighting everyone else. The planning and timing feels so satisfying that we finished each game looking up obscure animals and fun facts. Warning: may cause obsession with sloths.
8 Root
Root is what happens when woodland creatures wage asymmetric war with surprisingly deep strategy. Each faction is unique: one game you’re a sneaky cat overlord, the next you’re a raccoon trying to survive. Our group loves the wild variety—it feels fresh every time. Best geek board games don’t need orcs and lasers; sometimes, angry birds with a thirst for conquest will do nicely. Plus, nothing is funnier than a woodland critter revolution.
7 Everdell
Everdell combines worker placement with adorable woodland creatures and a stunning 3D tree centerpiece. We joined in, each time picking a different animal to play as. The combos are surprisingly deep, and the art makes every turn feel magical. It’s a best geek board game because it packs engine building, resource management, and a bit of whimsy. We once spent more time admiring the tree than actually playing…so it’s got table presence too.
6 Star Wars: Rebellion
Do you like Star Wars? Do you secretly want to destroy a planet with a Death Star? Star Wars: Rebellion is the best geek board game for you. It’s a tense battle of wits and epic moments. The Rebels ran circles around us for hours until our Imperial player finally tracked them down (with a lucky probe droid, of course). If you want big movie moments at your table, grab this one.
5 Spirit Island
Spirit Island flips the script on colonization games. You play angry island spirits, stopping invaders with wild powers and teamwork. It’s one of the best geek board games because of the way it rewards clever play and cooperation. Our group loves puzzling out combos and yelling when we perfectly destroy a whole invader army. It also has a ton of replay value, so you never feel bored.
4 Brass: Birmingham
Few games make economic strategy this much fun. Brass: Birmingham is a favorite with our geekiest friends for its deep planning and cutthroat market. You’ll feel like a Victorian tycoon even if you don’t understand how coal works. Every game plays out a little different, and the tension between cooperation and competition keeps everyone on their toes. The British setting is just the right level of grimy, too.
3 Great Western Trail
This one takes you on a cattle-driving journey across the American West, but with way more planning than our actual road trips. Great Western Trail is a geeky favorite for mixing deck-building, route-building, and strategy. We traded cows, built buildings, and messed with each other’s paths just for fun. If you enjoy a game that makes you say ‘just one more turn’, this is it.
2 The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
If you want a cooperative card game with a space twist, The Crew is one of the best geek board games out there. Our group cheered, groaned, and plotted our way through the missions, trying desperately not to mess up. The Crew takes classic trick-taking rules and folds in clever teamwork. It’s small but mighty—perfect for geeks who like to puzzle together.
1 Codenames: Pictures
Codenames: Pictures is our top pick for best geek board games because it works with any group and always brings the laughs. The images are wacky but clever, so even the quietest geek at the table can come up with wild guesses. We’ve played it at parties, family dinners, and even with non-gamers—and it always gets people chatting, thinking, and making ridiculous connections. The best part? It’s simple to teach, quick to play, and endlessly replayable. No matter your fandom or skill level, Codenames: Pictures is our winner for pure geeky fun and accessibility.
