Best Coop Board Games 2026: Top 6 Reviewed
Looking for the best coop board games? We’ve gathered our favorites that keep everyone working together for laughs, strategy, and teamwork.
The 6 Best Coop Board Games for Teamwork, Laughs, and Surviving Total Disaster Together. Nothing brings friends closer than working together in coop board games, unless someone keeps calling the wrong shots (looking at you, Dave). We looked for games where teamwork matters, where winning feels epic, and where losing usually ends in lots of shouting and blaming—always in good fun. Whether you’re new to coop board games or want a fresh challenge, these picks tick all the boxes: clear rules, good replay value, and the perfect excuse for snacks. Trust us, your game nights just got better.
On this list:
6 Forbidden Island
Forbidden Island is often our starter pick for folks new to coop board games. We like how the rules are simple, and you get thrown right into a race against the clock. In our group, we all clung to our roles—someone always forgets the diver’s ability! The sinking tiles create nail-biting tension. Even when we lose (which happens a lot), it never feels unfair. Plus, it’s one of those games where you blame the game, not your friends. It’s cheap, quick to learn, and perfect for a rainy afternoon. Never have we felt so heroic snatching treasures from a disappearing map. If we had a dollar for every time someone yells, “The water’s rising!” we’d buy another copy.
5 Pandemic
Pandemic is the granddaddy of modern coop board games, and we always seem to whip it out when we want to feel like disease-fighting superheroes. It’s intense, it’s brain-burning, and it has made us question each other’s logic weekly. We once argued for ten minutes over whether to treat disease in Madrid or rush to Bangkok, and by the time we chose, well, both cities were in ruins. Still, that’s the magic. Pandemic plays well with everyone, even your uncle who doesn’t get why you’re so stressed. Every game feels close, and the thrill of stopping an outbreak is awesome. If you want a game that brings people closer—sometimes through shared panic—Pandemic is a must.
4 The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
The Crew is a trick-taking card game hiding as a coop board game—no board, but trust us, it counts. We love it because it’s sneaky-hard but super rewarding. Each round is a tiny puzzle, and you can’t talk! Watching our friend try to communicate through awkward silence always cracks us up. We messed up so many missions because someone forgot the secret handshake (it’s just a card). The missions get tough, but no game of The Crew feels the same. It scales well for small groups and is portable enough for game nights at the bar. If you want a coop board game that will test your minds and your friendships, this one’s a gem.
3 Spirit Island
Spirit Island puts you in the shoes—or vines, or claws, or whatever—of angry island spirits. We found it more complex than your usual coop board games, but once you get past the first play, it’s so rewarding. You team up to fight off pesky invaders. Every spirit feels different, so you get tons of replay value. We had epic moments where one spirit saved the island with a wild card play, and others where we lost, but at least the colonizers didn’t look too happy. If you want a coop board game with deep strategy and a unique theme, Spirit Island will scratch that itch.
2 Mysterium
Mysterium is our favorite for those mystery-loving, clue-giving game nights. One player’s a ghost; the others are psychics trying to solve a murder. We once spent three minutes arguing if a clue card was supposed to be a tree or a piece of broccoli (it was a tree). The artwork is spooky and lush, and the ghost has to stay silent, except for ghostly groans. It’s a great coop board game for groups who love to talk things out and point fingers (nicely). We’ve never had a quiet game, and it’s always a hoot seeing what odd clues the ghost comes up with. If your group likes a good story with their teamwork, Mysterium wins.
1 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is the absolute king of coop board games and that’s not just us being dramatic. After weeks of meeting up (and eating too much pizza) we found ourselves truly invested in the story and our quirky characters. It’s a giant box, yes, but every session felt like its own adventure. The choices matter, the teamwork is nonstop, and those moments where you pull off a team combo are legendary. You get roleplaying, story, strategy, and even a little bickering when someone opens a door too early (looking at you, Dave). If you want the ultimate coop board game that gives back tenfold what you put in, Gloomhaven is it.
