Best Top 100 Board Games 2025: 12 Reviewed
Looking for the top 100 board games? We've played them all! Here's a sneak peek of our ultimate favorites.
Ah, board games. There’s just something magical about gathering friends, arguing over the rules, and silently judging everyone’s strategy. When creating our list of the 12 best ‘top 100 board games’, we focused on games that not only offer endless entertainment but also bring people together. We sought out classics that even your grandma would enjoy and new gems that challenge seasoned players. Our criteria? Well, if it made us laugh, think, or do a victory dance, it made the cut. Ready for some friendly rivalry and a lot of laughter? Let’s get going with these fantastic games!
On this list:
12 Pandemic
Who doesn’t love saving the world on a Friday night? Pandemic is a classic that almost always makes it into the top 100 board games. We tried it with a group of friends, and suddenly, we all had a Master’s degree in Epidemiology, or at least it felt that way. The game is all about teamwork to stop worldwide outbreaks. It’s exciting and suspenseful, and occasionally, someone will yell, ‘I’m the scientist!’ as if it makes them a superhero. It’s got that cooperative vibe, which means no one ends up flipping the board in anger, which is a major plus.
11 Ticket to Ride
All aboard the choo-choo train of fun! Ticket to Ride is one of those games that seems simple, but oh boy, can it get intense. We played it with some friends, and I watched as Bob turned into this master train baron with a look of sheer determination. It’s a great game for newbies but has enough strategy to keep everyone on their toes. Plus, it’s always fun to learn useless facts about train routes. This game has been a staple on the top 100 board games list for years because it’s easy to learn and still challenging as heck.
10 Catan
In the land of sheep and wood, Catan reigns supreme. This game is the undisputed king of the top 100 board games. We’ve played it countless times, and each game feels like a new adventure. I remember the time my friend Joe traded his entire brick supply for a single sheep – not his brightest move, but it kept us laughing. Catan is all about building and trading, and getting that longest road or biggest army is such a gratifying feeling. The beauty of Catan is it evolves; strategies change, but the fun remains constant.
9 Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a tile-laying game that’s as addictive as placing tiles gets, and yes, that’s a thing. We played it last Sunday and couldn’t stop until the pizza delivery guy warned he wouldn’t come back again. Building the landscape with cities, roads, and fields while trying to outdo your opponents is a delight. It’s like being a medieval town planner but without the medieval hygiene issues. It’s consistently on the top 100 board games list thanks to its simplicity and depth. A perfect game for those who love a mix of strategy and luck.
8 7 Wonders
7 Wonders brings a taste of ancient civilization right to your table. We once played this with our history buff friend, who insisted on singing while playing. You lead an ancient city to greatness, making strategic decisions about resources, military, and culture. What I love is how everyone completes turns at the same time—no waiting around. It’s on the top 100 board games list due to its unique card drafting and simultaneous play. Quickly turning into a fan favorite, it’s perfect for those who love building and strategy. Just be wary of friends who think they’re Julius Caesar.
7 Dominion
Dominion introduced us to the deck-building genre. It’s one of those games where every play feels like you’re a tactical genius. I remember the thrill of chaining card actions together, even if my strategy mostly relied on blind luck. We played it with friends who kept looking for a board, only to realize it’s all in the cards. That’s the charm! Dominion makes the top 100 board games list thanks to its variability and replayability. Each game feels fresh with new strategies to explore, proving that a game doesn’t need fancy bells and whistles to be phenomenal.
6 Azul
Azul is like playing with tiles that belong in a museum. This game has elegance, strategy, and, thankfully, no actual grout. I played it with my artsy friend who, halfway through, started color coordinating the tiles with her outfit. The game is simple to learn but hard to master, which means lots of strategy and lots of cursing when plans go awry. It’s been a top choice in the top 100 board games for a reason. If you love tactile games with a touch of art and strategy, Azul is your canvas. Just don’t eat the pieces; they’re not candy.
5 Scythe
Scythe blends resource management with the thrill of a 1920s alternate universe. We played this monster of a game on a rainy afternoon, with our friend in charge acting like a military general. The game is beautifully intricate, with mechs, resources, and a whole lot of strategy. It’s become a must-play in the top 100 board games list because it offers something for everyone: strategy, conflict, and stunning art. If you love games that engage both your tactical brain and your artistic side, Scythe is your jam. Plus, you get to say ‘mechs’ a lot, which is always cool.
4 Splendor
Feeling the need to become a Renaissance merchant? Splendor is the game for you. We tried it out during a lazy Saturday, and suddenly, everyone grabbed chips as if their life depended on it. The game looks simple but demands clever strategy and resource management. The tactile satisfaction of collecting poker-style chips alone cemented its place in the top 100 board games. It’s quick, straightforward, and every game feels like a fresh start with new paths to victory. Ideal for both seasoned players and newbies, Splendor is a gem in the gaming community.
3 Gloomhaven
Gloomhaven is like entering a fantasy book you never want to finish. We started this with our group, usually skeptical of long campaigns, yet we were hooked the moment we dove in. It’s rich with storytelling, character growth, and tactical combat, leaving it firmly on the top 100 board games list. We spent entire weekends exploring and strategizing, and my friend even named her character after her cat, bringing her own twist to the story. Gloomhaven’s depth and immersive experience make it ideal for those who love a good challenge and a better story. A full-blown adventure in a box!
2 Wingspan
Wingspan makes you feel like an ornithologist in search of the rarest birds. We gave it a go, and it quickly turned into a friendly competition of who could create the most beautiful aviary. The game’s art is stunning, and it’s as much a visual delight as it is strategic. It’s simple to learn, yet it offers layers of complexity, which is why it proudly stands in the top 100 board games list. Ideal for nature lovers or anyone who wants to appreciate feathers without the mess. Play this one in the garden for an extra touch of ambiance!
1 Terraforming Mars
Feeling ambitious? Terraforming Mars lets you shape a planet, which is slightly less messy than cleaning your home. We played this game, feeling like top-notch scientists as we turned barren Mars into a thriving paradise. It mixes resource management with tile placement and card drafting, making it a jack-of-all-trades that’s consistently on the top 100 board games list. The strategic depth and theme kept us hooked, turning a virtual Mars into our own. Brilliant for those who love planning ahead while spicing things up with a few curveballs. Who knew turning red dust into green was so much fun?
