6 Best Highly Rated Board Games to Play in 2026
Looking for highly rated board games? We tested tons and picked out the best ones for epic game nights with friends.
We’ve all stared at shelves packed with highly rated board games, scratching our heads and wondering which box of cardboard joy won’t start a family feud. Luckily, we put on our ‘serious board gamer’ hats and played some of the best out there, often with snacks flying and rules almost followed. When picking games for our top 6 list, we focused on fun, how easy it was to learn, replay value, and if it stopped Aunt Martha from fake-sneezing on the board when she lost. If you want to jump into the world of highly rated board games, we’ve got you covered.
On this list:
6 Pandemic
We picked Pandemic because if you want to test your friendships (and your ability to argue over who forgot to cure the red virus), this is the game. Pandemic has earned its spot among highly rated board games thanks to its easy-to-learn rules and tense, edge-of-your-seat gameplay. We have yelled, sweated, and celebrated over this one. It’s a rare co-op game where you either all win or all lose, which means you can blame your defeat on the group instead of just one unlucky soul. Great for new players—no one storms off angry. Probably.
5 Ticket to Ride
We had to put Ticket to Ride on this list of highly rated board games. It’s the go-to game for family gatherings, and even my Aunt Cheryl plays without groaning. You’ll feel clever when your routes connect and righteous fury when someone steals your spot from under your nose. Easy setup, simple rules, and fun competition—what’s not to love? This train game isn’t just for train nerds, or people who get lost driving around the block. It’s for everyone and anyone who likes blocking a friend’s path just for laughs.
4 Codenames
Codenames is the word game that always cracks us up. It’s a party game, but also a brain strain. Someone will always give a clue that makes no sense to anybody, but that’s half the fun. Highly rated board games like this one are perfect for new players. No long rules, quick rounds, and just the right amount of tension. It works great for families, friends, or even people you only sort of like. And if you can avoid giving clues that make your team face-palm, you’re a legend.
3 Carcassonne
Carcassonne makes us feel like tile-laying geniuses. There’s something very satisfying about building those little medieval towns and then fighting over a road. It’s one of the most highly rated board games for a reason. You can teach grandma, your neighbor, or even that guy who claims to hate board games. It plays fast, there’s just enough strategy, and it doesn’t end friendships (usually). We love it for how every game looks different when you finish. And you never have to remember the rules—there aren’t that many!
2 Azul
Azul makes you feel both artsy and sneaky. We always laugh when someone gets stuck with all the leftover tiles. It’s a great entry on any list of highly rated board games because it’s pretty, simple, and addictive. Even people who say, “I don’t get strategy games” end up obsessed. You’ll never play just once—trust us, we tried. Plus, the tiles look good enough to eat (please don’t). If you’re looking for a classic, Azul is ready to join your game night.
1 Wingspan
Wingspan sits at the top of our list and it’s not just because we got way too excited about the bird tokens. This is hands-down the best of these highly rated board games. It’s beautiful, clever, and super rewarding to play. Even our most competitive friend played nice because the birds are so pretty. Every game feels new thanks to all the unique bird cards. The rules are simple but the choices are fun. From new players to old pros, everyone we played with loved Wingspan. If you try only one of these, let it be Wingspan. You’ll thank us—and probably start quoting random bird facts.
