Best Good Board Games of 2024: Top 7 Picks
Discover 7 good board games perfect for beginners. We've picked the best games our friends and family enjoyed!
The Ultimate List of 7 Good Board Games for Your Next Game Night
Compare a few picks
| Game | Players | Play time | Age | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catan | 3-4 | 60-120 minutes | 10+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
| Ticket to Ride | 2-5 | 30-60 minutes | 8+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
| Pandemic | 2-4 | 45 minutes | 8+ | Check on Amazon ↗ |
On this list:
7 Catan
This game is a classic and perfect for newcomers. You trade resources, build roads, and try to settle the island. We’ve seen friendships made and broken over sheep trading! It’s simple to pick up but has enough strategy to keep it interesting. Plus, who doesn’t love yelling ‘I’ve got wood for your sheep!’
6 Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Ride is like Monopoly, but with trains and way less rage-inducing. You collect cards to claim railway routes across a map. It’s easy to learn and can get pretty competitive. Also, it’s visually appealing with colorful pieces and maps.
5 Pandemic
In this cooperative game, players work together to stop global pandemics. This game is all about teamwork and strategy. While it might be a bit too real after 2020, it’s exciting to race against the clock and save the world with your friends.
4 Azul
If you love a good puzzle, Azul is your jam. In this game, you draft tiles to complete beautiful patterns. It’s both relaxing and competitive. Plus, the tiles are so satisfying to handle! Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
3 Carcassonne
This tile-placement game demands creativity and strategy. Players build the landscape of a medieval city, scoring points for creating cities, roads, and farms. It’s easy to learn and perfect for all ages. Plus, adding expansions keeps it fresh and fun.
2 Splendor
Splendor asks you to become a wealthy merchant in the Renaissance. You collect gems and buy development cards to earn points. The game is simple but strategic. We’ve seen more than a few folks get addicted to collecting those shiny gems!
1 Terraforming Mars
This is our top pick! Terraforming Mars is the ultimate strategy game. Players work as rival corporations to make Mars habitable. With deep strategy, diverse paths to victory, and endless replayability, this game keeps you hooked. We spent entire weekends planning our Martian colonies!