Best 14 Board Games of 2024: Top 10 List+

Looking for the top 10 board games? We've played and rated our favorites to help you find the perfect match!
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Catan coverTicket to Ride coverPandemic cover

Board games are the perfect recipe for a fun night with friends. We’ve rounded up a list of the top 10 board games (plus a few extra gems) that will keep both newbies and seasoned players entertained. We focused on picking games that offer a mix of strategy, luck, and pure fun. This list has something for everyone, whether you enjoy building empires, solving mysteries, or just yelling at your friends. Ready to discover some new favorites? Let’s get rolling!

On this list:

14 Catan

Catan cover

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

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We love Catan because it combines strategy, resource management, and trading. We remember countless nights bartering for sheep like it was a Wall Street deal. It’s easy for new players to learn, but hard to master!

13 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

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

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Ticket to Ride is perfect for families. It’s a game where you build railroads across the country. My nephew still talks about his longest train route. It’s both educational and fun!

12 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

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

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Pandemic is a cooperative game where players team up to save the world from diseases. The tension is real! We’ve had many game nights nail-biting over a single card draw.

11 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

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

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Carcassonne is a tile-placement game that feels like building a puzzle. My friends and I have a blast making sprawling landscapes. It’s quick to set up and always rewarding.

10 Splendor

Splendor cover

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

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Splendor is a gem of a game about collecting… well, gems! It’s super easy to learn but very strategic. Many a friendship has been tested over who got the last emerald.

9 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

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

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7 Wonders takes drafting to a whole new level. We’ve had epic showdowns deciding which wonder to build next. It’s got depth yet can be played in under an hour.

8 Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 15 minutes

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Sushi Go! is a delightful pick-and-pass card game. It’s fast-paced and has adorable artwork. We always end up laughing over the wasabi card combos.

7 Dixit

Dixit cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 3-6
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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Dixit is all about storytelling and imagination. The surreal artwork sparks great conversation. We’ve had some of the most hilarious and touching moments with this game.

6 Azul

Azul cover

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

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Azul is a beautiful game with a unique theme of Portuguese tiles. The pieces are so tactile. We get competitive trying to make the best tile patterns!

5 King of Tokyo

King of Tokyo cover

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

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King of Tokyo is a great game for letting out your inner monster. It’s all about smashing and bashing. We end up in fits of laughter with all the chaos.

4 Dominion

Dominion cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-45 minutes

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Dominion introduced many of us to deck-building. It’s pure strategy and card combos. We’ve had intense matches seeing who can build the most efficient deck.

3 Codenames

Codenames cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2-8
  • Play Time: 15 minutes

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Codenames is a perfect party game. It tests your word association skills. We always get into heated debates over what the spymaster could possibly mean.

2 Small World

Small World cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 40-80 minutes

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Small World blends strategy and fantasy. We’ve had epic battles over a shrinking world. The unique races and abilities make every game different.

1 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

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

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Gloomhaven is hands-down the best board game we’ve played. It’s a sprawling epic with deep strategy and story. Despite the setup and playtime, the investment pays off with every session. We’ve laughed, cried, and celebrated victories together.

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.