Best 10 Board Games 2024 by Top Companies

Explore the best board games by the top board game companies. Fun, engaging, and perfect for new players!
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Ticket to Ride coverCarcassonne coverPandemic cover

Looking for the best board games from the top board game companies? You’re in the right place! We’ve handpicked a list of gems that deliver fun, strategy, and all-around great times. When curating this list, we focused on games that balance complexity and accessibility, offer engaging themes, and have strong replay value. These aren’t just our opinions; these games have kept our game nights alive and kicking. If you’re new to the board game world or just looking for your next favorite, these picks from top board game companies will not disappoint.

On this list:

10 Ticket to Ride

Ticket to Ride cover

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

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Well, who doesn’t love a game about trains? The appeal of Ticket to Ride lies in its simple rules but deep strategy. You can’t help but feel the rush when blocking your friends’ routes before they can complete them. Compared to other games, it’s easy to pick up and replay value is huge.

9 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

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

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Carcassonne brings tile-laying to a new level. It’s like building a map together, but in the end, you want the most territory. The game is simple but strategic, making it perfect for newbies. Plus, it’s great to see all the little cities and roads come together.

8 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

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

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Pandemic has you and your friends working together to save the world. It’s a cooperative game that fosters team spirit. When we played, we either felt like heroes or ended up blaming each other for the world ending. It’s intense in a good way!

7 Settlers of Catan

Settlers of Catan cover

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

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Ah, Settlers of Catan, where friendships are tested over sheep trades and road placements. This game has a bit of everything; trading, strategy, and a dash of luck. It’s easy to learn and has that ‘one more game’ feel. Many board game nights start and end with this.

6 Codenames

Codenames cover

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

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Codenames is a word game for the sleuth in all of us. Perfect for parties, this game has you guessing words based on clues. When we played it, the room was filled with a mix of laughter and intense concentration. It’s easy to learn and always fun.

5 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

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

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This is a game of building civilizations. 7 Wonders offers an engaging mix of strategy and card drafting. It’s like building an empire, but quicker and more fun. We enjoyed how every decision mattered and how each play felt different.

4 Dominion

Dominion cover

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

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Dominion is a deck-building game where you build your deck as you play. What makes it unique is the variety of strategies you can take to win. Every game feels different because of the varied card combinations. We loved the endless replayability.

3 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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Gloomhaven is a beast of a game. It’s a legacy game that means you’ll be playing a grand adventure over many sessions. Our group got hooked from the first play. It’s deep, immersive, and offers a rich storyline. Not for the faint-hearted, but oh so rewarding.

2 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 120 minutes

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Terraforming Mars has you shaping the red planet. It’s a heavier game where you balance building and resource management. Our group got really into it, debating over strategies to make Mars habitable. A bit complex, but once you get it, it’s amazing.

1 Wingspan

Wingspan cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 40-70 minutes

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Wingspan is our top pick. It’s a beautifully designed game that has you building a bird habitat. The components are stunning, and the gameplay is smooth. We had so much fun watching our bird sanctuaries grow. It’s accessible, strategic, and utterly charming.

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.