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!
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!
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:
- Catan Shop on Amazon ↗
- Ticket to Ride Shop on Amazon ↗
- Pandemic Shop on Amazon ↗
- Carcassonne Shop on Amazon ↗
- Splendor Shop on Amazon ↗
- 7 Wonders Shop on Amazon ↗
- Sushi Go! Shop on Amazon ↗
- Dixit Shop on Amazon ↗
- Azul Shop on Amazon ↗
- King of Tokyo Shop on Amazon ↗
- Dominion Shop on Amazon ↗
- Codenames Shop on Amazon ↗
- Small World Shop on Amazon ↗
- Gloomhaven Shop on Amazon ↗
14 Catan
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 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 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 is a tile-placement game that feels like building a puzzle. It’s quick to set up and always rewarding.
10 Splendor
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 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! 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.