Best Recommended Board Games of 2024: Top 10 Reviewed

Looking for recommended board games? Try Gloomhaven, Pandemic Legacy, and Codenames. Perfect for new players eager to jump in.
Disclaimer: Clicking our links may result in us earning enough for a new pair of dice, but not enough to quit our day jobs as amateur board game hustlers.
Catan coverTicket to Ride coverCarcassonne cover

Top 10 Recommended Board Games for New Players and Veterans Alike

On this list:

10 Catan

Catan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Catan kicks off our list with a mix of strategy, luck, and trading. We love it because it’s a gateway game that welcomes newbies to the board game world. With its easy-to-understand rules and endless replayability, it’s hard not to get hooked.

9 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Ticket to Ride is perfect for those who love trains and strategy. The goal is to build the longest railway routes across North America. It’s straightforward, fun, and keeps everyone engaged till the last card is drawn.

8 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 35 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Carcassonne is a tile-placement game where you build a medieval landscape. We like it because it’s simple yet strategic. The game keeps evolving with every tile you place, making each session unique.

7 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

In Pandemic, you and your friends must work together to stop global outbreaks. It’s a cooperative game, which means you win or lose as a team. We appreciate the intense collaboration and the heart-pounding moments when it seems all hope is lost.

6 Splendor

Splendor cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Splendor is a game of chip-collecting and card development. You play as a Renaissance merchant trying to build the most impressive gem trade network. It’s quick to learn and always fun to try out new strategies.

5 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

7 Wonders is a card-drafting game where you build an ancient civilization. Each decision you make influences your city’s growth and can lead to victory or defeat. We love the depth and variety it offers, keeping us coming back for more.

4 Dominion

Dominion cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Dominion is a deck-building game where you compete to create the most powerful kingdom. Each turn lets you expand your deck with unique cards. We enjoy the ever-changing strategies and the thrill of outsmarting your friends.

3 Azul

Azul cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-45 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Azul is a beautiful game where you decorate the walls of a Portuguese palace with colorful tiles. It’s visually stunning and mentally challenging. The balance of aesthetic and strategy makes it a must-have in any board game collection.

2 King of Tokyo

King of Tokyo cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

King of Tokyo is a dice game where you play as a giant monster wreaking havoc. It’s simple, chaotic, and tons of fun. The mix of luck and strategy keeps every game exciting and unpredictable.

1 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Gloomhaven sits at the top because it’s an epic adventure in a box. You and your friends become mercenaries in a dark world full of quests and monsters. With every decision impacting future scenarios, it offers unmatched depth and immersion. We love it for its rich story and endless replayability.

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.