14 Best Top Selling Games of 2025 Reviewed

Discover the top selling games that have been favorites for years. Fun and engagement guaranteed, perfect for everyone!

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Catan coverTicket to Ride coverCarcassonne cover

Finding the perfect board game can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Our roundup of 14 top selling games is just what you need. We focus on games that bring people together, spark joy, and maybe a little bit of friendly competition. Whether you’re gathering with family or hosting a game night with pals, we’ve got you covered. Each game has its unique charm, offering excitement, strategy, or creativity. Get ready to embark on epic adventures, build empires, and maybe even outsmart your closest friends.

On this list:

14 Catan

Catan cover

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

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Catan is like that old friend who’s always up for a good time, but sometimes forgets to bring the snacks. You know you’ll have a blast, even if you have to remind them to share the resources. It’s a mix of strategy, luck, and good ol’ fashioned bargaining. Perfect for breaking the ice or just having a competitive family night. Don’t forget those sheep cards – they can be sneakily crucial!

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 your ticket to a cross-country adventure. It’s the game to teach your friends that planning routes is tougher than it looks. It’s got a great balance of strategy and luck, plus a bit of geography mixed in. We always end up laughing over the surprise long routes, and you can bank on at least one player dramatically exclaiming, ‘But I was going there!’

12 Carcassonne

Carcassonne cover

  • Age Range: 7+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 30-45 minutes

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Carcassonne is the game that got me hooked on subconsciously hoarding tiles. It’s simple to learn but tricky to master. You build fields and cities like you’re ruling a medieval empire. The suspense of drawing that perfect tile is oddly exhilarating. Watch out though, because your friends might beat you to constructing the longest road!

11 The Game of Life

The Game of Life cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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This classic lets you experience a whole life journey without leaving the table. From college decisions to retirement homes, the choices are in your hands. Beware of the taxes and car loans – they’re just as pesky as real life! It’s a colorful ride that’s easy to pick up and play. Just don’t take it too seriously, or you might end up with Monopoly-level rivalries.

10 Pandemic

Pandemic cover

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

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Ever felt like saving the world from a global outbreak? Pandemic gives you that chance and keeps you on your toes. Sure, it’s a bit intense for a game night, but the teamwork aspect is fantastic. You either win together or lose to the relentless spread of disease. I remember one game where victory was so close, but an outbreak ruined our plan. The panic was real!

9 Dixit

Dixit cover

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

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Dixit is like a surreal art show that you control! You use beautiful, abstract cards and your imagination to win. It’s easy to learn, and it gets everyone involved in storytelling. The challenge is in crafting hints that aren’t too obvious yet not too vague. We once had a round with a ‘cat in a hat playing jazz’ as a clue. Imagine the laughs!

8 Codenames

Codenames cover

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

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Codenames is one of those simple but addictive games that pits your word association skills against your friends. You play as spies trying to communicate with your team without alerting the opposing spies. The thrill of giving the perfect one-word clue is intense, and you can’t beat the satisfaction of a well-executed round. Just don’t end up on the opposing team’s side by mistake!

7 Azul

Azul cover

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

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Azul is like tiling a bathroom floor but way, way more fun! It’s a visually delightful game where you collect and place tiles to decorate a palace. The strategy sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you’re planning five moves ahead like a master. It’s especially satisfying when your tile placements click perfectly into place. Just don’t drop any; trust me!

6 Splendor

Splendor cover

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

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Splendor lets you live out your gem-brokering fantasies. You collect chips and cards to build your gem empire. The rules are simple, but the strategy can get complex. We love watching the gears turn in everyone’s heads as they plan their moves. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about collecting those chip stacks. Pro tip: Keep an eye on the nobles – they’re sneaky point boosters!

5 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

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

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In 7 Wonders, you build a civilization to last through the ages. But there’s a twist – you’re also watching your neighbors’ progress like a hawk. It’s a game of drafting and strategy that can get unexpectedly cutthroat. The first time the cards went around, I underestimated my friends’ ruthlessness. Lesson learned: build your wonder and hold onto those military cards!

4 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

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

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Gloomhaven is the epic board game every RPG fan should try. It’s a massive adventure that’ll have you and your friends exploring, fighting, and strategizing for hours. It’s like Dungeons and Dragons but with less arguing over rules. Just make sure you have a roomy table and a solid chunk of time; this game demands commitment!

3 Scythe

Scythe cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 90-115 minutes

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Scythe takes you to an alternate past where mechs dominate the landscape. You manage resources, expand territories, and maneuver these giant machines. It’s beautifully illustrated and complex in a way that draws you in. There’s nothing quite like the tension of a well-timed move or the satisfaction of a developed strategy. Plus, those metal mechs are just cool!

2 Wingspan

Wingspan cover

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

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Wingspan is perfect for nature lovers and strategists alike. You attract and gather birds to your wildlife preserve with the goal of creating the best habitats. Each turn reveals a different strategy and a new challenge. It’s a unique blend of simplicity and depth that keeps you coming back. Plus, the bird facts are a hoot, literally!

1 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

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

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Terraforming Mars has you and your friends transforming the Red Planet into a new home for humanity. It’s strategic, deep, and incredibly rewarding. You’ll juggle resources, manage projects, and vie for milestones and awards. The learning curve is steep, but the payoff is worth it. One game night, we found ourselves cheering as we completed terraforming just in time. It’s as thrilling as it sounds!

0 Gloomhaven

Gloomhaven cover

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

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Gloomhaven takes the crown as the best. It’s the sprawling RPG we’ve been waiting for. The narrative is gripping, and the characters evolve beautifully. With every playthrough, it promises a unique journey. Each scenario demands teamwork, wit, and strategy. One epic night, we lost ourselves in its immersive world, playing until dawn. It’s more than a board game; it’s an experience!

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.