Best 12 BGG Top 100 Games Reviewed in 2025
Explore bgg top 100 games with us. We've tested, laughed, and voted—these are the gems you need.
Ready to level up your game night? We’ve scoured the bgg top 100 games and handpicked a dozen board games that promise to entertain, challenge, and bring joy. We focus on games with captivating themes, solid gameplay, and that special ‘je ne sais quoi’ that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re strategizing or just enjoying a light-hearted challenge, this list has something for everyone. Join us as we explore these exciting board games that have earned their spot among the best. Let’s roll the dice and see what makes these games a must-have for any collection!
On this list:
12 Wingspan
Combine birds, nature, and strategy, and what do you get? Wingspan! This game lets you play as bird enthusiasts, attracting the best feathered friends to your aviary. You’ll learn some fun bird facts along the way. Every game feels unique due to the different card combinations, which add variety to your gaming nights. Plus, it won a ton of awards, so you know it’s a good egg, I mean, buy. Perfect for families and those who enjoy a mix of competition and nature. Its presence in the bgg top 100 games list is well-earned.
11 Gloomhaven
This game is like a dungeon crawler on steroids! Imagine a role-playing game smooshed into a board game with all the bells and whistles. We spent hours lost in quests with epic battles, collecting loot, and making moral decisions. You feel like the star of your own fantasy novel, which is what makes it such a hit among hardcore gamers. It’s no surprise to see Gloomhaven standing tall on the bgg top 100 games list.
10 Terraforming Mars
Ever wanted to be like Elon Musk and terraform Mars? Now you can, without the risk of a billion-dollar investment. This game tasks players with turning the red planet into a habitable zone, using cards to build cities, conduct research, and raise temperatures. It’s all about strategy, making it a mainstay at our game nights. Our group always competes to see who can build the most impressive Martian utopia, which usually ends in good laughs and strategic back-stabbings. A solid pick from the bgg top 100 games.
9 Catan
Ah, Catan! The gateway board game for many. Everyone we know has a Catan story, usually involving blocked roads and sheep. It’s simple enough to bring new players into the fold but offers tactical depth to keep veterans engaged. Trading resources, building roads, and occasionally sabotaging friends has never been more fun. Its longevity on the bgg top 100 games list speaks for itself.
8 Azul
Azul is the absolute king of tile-laying games. It’s all about creating beautiful mosaics and achieving aesthetic bliss, earning your points along the way. We loved the tactile feel of the tiles, which, let’s face it, is half the fun. While the rules are simple, there’s room for strategy, making it perfect for anyone, from your grandma to your gaming buddies. Azul is a testament to quality, making a strong presence on the bgg top 100 games list.
7 Spirit Island
Who knew playing as spirits defending your home from those pesky settlers could be so exciting? Spirit Island flips the colonial narrative on its head, offering a deep cooperative experience. Each spirit has unique powers, leading to endless combinations and strategies. We love the challenge it presents, and every win feels well-earned. A cooperative stunner on the bgg top 100 games list.
6 Ticket to Ride
Keep your train of thought on track with Ticket to Ride. It’s an accessible yet strategically satisfying game about building railways across the globe. Who doesn’t love a good train game? It’s easy enough for new players, yet still provides seasoned strategists with ways to outmaneuver rivals. The game has a family-friendly charm that makes it a table favorite, justifying its place on the bgg top 100 games list.
5 Pandemic
Before the actual pandemic hit, we enjoyed saving the world in this cooperative game. The rush to stop outbreaks and find cures kept our adrenaline high, and it genuinely feels like you’re racing against the clock. It’s teaching teamwork one game at a time. We lost a lot, but that just made victories even sweeter. This game’s cooperative nature and intense gameplay make it a staple in the bgg top 100 games.
4 7 Wonders
Build wonders, accumulate resources, and lead your civilization to glory. That’s 7 Wonders in a nutshell. Perfect for game nights, it combines card drafting and strategy in a historical setting. We enjoy the constant action and decision-making, with no dull moments. It’s a wonder this game is part of the bgg top 100 games; easy to learn and even easier to keep playing.
3 Agricola
Farming might not sound thrilling, but Agricola makes growing carrots an intense strategic experience. Players manage resources to build up their family farmhouse and expand their land. We appreciated how every decision matters and creates a compelling gameplay arc. It’s a harrowing journey from the humble beginnings of a shack to a thriving farm. This one’s got its place on the bgg top 100 games list for good reason.
2 Scythe
The art in Scythe is a showstopper. With roots deep in an alternate history of the 1920s, this engine-building game is a feast for the eyes and the mind. We love the mixture of economic strategy and combat that takes the storyline to epic heights. Whether engaging in dramatic battles or building up resources, every decision counts. While fighting for dominance, the tension rises, making it a solid favorite from the bgg top 100 games.
1 Carcassonne
With Carcassonne, laying tiles to build cities and roads becomes a rewarding adventure. The thrill of seeing your medieval landscape come to life never gets old. Scoring points by deploying followers, or ‘meeples’, adds depth to the simple mechanics. This game was a hit with us and our friends for its easy rules and replayability factor. No wonder it’s a classic on the bgg top 100 games list. A perfect entry point for new gamers.
0 Ark Nova
Ark Nova, the shining champion from the bgg top 100 games list! It’s number one for a reason. Players build and manage wildlife parks, making it delightfully interactive and educational. The game combines strategy, conservation themes, and a bit of whimsy, keeping us engaged for hours. Every choice impacts your park’s success, adding layers to the fun. We love the balance between building, managing, and attracting visitors. It’s like Zoo Tycoon on cardboard, but way more strategic. It deserves the top spot due to its blend of education, enjoyment, and engagement.
