13 Best Economic Board Games to Play in 2025
Looking for the best economic board games? We tested the top picks, from trading empires to stock markets. These deliver big economic fun!
13 Best Economic Board Games to Boost Your Inner Tycoon
Ever wondered if you’d thrive in a high-stakes world of cash, trade, and business deals? We’ve gathered the 13 best economic board games out there—tried and tested with our crew, so no boring numbers or endless rules make the cut. Our focus? Games where you hustle for profits, make slick deals, and see your empire grow, but without leaving new players bankrupt (of fun) by round two. Whether you’re after intense auctions, clever resource management, or sharp investments, this list has something for everyone who loves a good economic challenge.
On this list:
13 Power Grid
We chose Power Grid because it perfectly captures the thrill and pain of running your own power company. It’s an economic dance of buying resources and expanding your network, and every round feels like your wallet is about to cry. We love how it makes you plan ahead, gamble a bit, and still sometimes lose to Aunt Linda because she found a way to outbid us on coal. It’s a classic with a learning curve, but once you get it, you’ll want to play again and again. Bonus: you’ll never look at your electric bill the same way.
12 Le Havre
Le Havre gives you the vibe of being a dock worker who suddenly learns how to run a small city. Every move counts. The economic strategy is all about turning fish into fancy goods and not forgetting to feed your workers—yeah, we’ve seen a fish famine destroy our plans. The game grows as you build buildings, and strategic choices can make or break your port empire. It’s a thinker’s game but not so complex that you’ll fall asleep mid-turn. If you like economic games with satisfying decisions, this one’s a winner.
11 Brass: Birmingham
Brass: Birmingham made us feel like we were building the very pipes of the economic revolution. This game is brutal—in a good way. Money is tight, choices are tense, and beer is literally a resource you might trade with your best friend (or mortal enemy). We picked it for its deep economic system, historical setting, and the fact that our group still jokes about accidentally bankrupting ourselves. The board transforms every game, keeping us coming back. If you want a heavy economic game, this is your ticket.
10 Food Chain Magnate
If you ever wanted to run a greasy diner and crush the competition, Food Chain Magnate is your dream. We picked it because it’s a cutthroat economic game where you need to hire, fire, and sometimes sabotage to take control of the fast-food market. It’s a brain-burner with tough choices and many ways to get rich or go broke. The retro look hides the complexity inside. Our group still argues about the best burger strategy, and honestly, nobody really wins when the fridge is empty after game night.
9 Acquire
Acquire is the OG of economic board games—think hotels, stocks, and mergers. It’s been around since before most of us were born and still hits hard. We chose it for the way it teaches economic basics like investing and risk-taking without making your head hurt. We love that it keeps everyone guessing who’s secretly sitting on a fortune in stocks. Simple to learn, but the drama ramps up quick. Great for new players and fans of economic chaos alike.
8 1846: The Race for the Midwest
If you crave a meaty economic board game about trains, stocks, and maybe minor back-stabbing, 1846 checks all those boxes. We kept coming back for the stock market antics, the route building, and the endless train jokes. It’s a classic 18xx experience, but approachable for folks new to economic games. You’ll learn all about timing, investment, and why everyone keeps calling you the Robber Baron. Our first game took an entire afternoon but we never looked at railroads the same again.
7 The Estates
We call The Estates the ‘ruiner of friendships’ economic board game. It’s short, sharp, and hilariously evil. Auctions, bribery, and questionable ethics are the heart of this one. Our games usually end with someone flipping the table (not literally, we like our tables). Every decision can make someone rich or completely ruin their plans. We love how quick and unpredictable it feels—no two games are the same. If you want to test your group’s trust, this economic game is pure gold.
6 Container
Container lets you live the wild world of shipping goods and setting your own prices. We had more laughs than expected as we tried price-gouging each other into bankruptcy. The economic engine of buying and selling is simple, but the meta-game of bluffing and bidding is wild. It’s full of big swings and moments where you question every business move you’ve ever made. We picked it for the unique approach to economic play and the giant, chunky containers. It’s a table hog with heart.
5 Rococo
Rococo isn’t just about fancy dresses—it’s about running a business while making those dresses. We keep coming back to this one for the blend of economic strategy and hand management. Every turn feels like you’re both sewing and running a pop-up shop at the same time. You’ll juggle money, workers, and clients, trying not to trip over your own silk ribbons. It’s not too heavy, but deep enough for multiple plays. The theme is unique and makes economic play feel fresh.
4 Chinatown
Chinatown is all about negotiation and haggling. We love it because it turns economic play into a bazaar of deals and backstabbing. It’s simple to learn but gets wild as everyone fights for the best properties. The real game is at the table—every round is filled with laughter, arguments, and deals you regret only minutes later. If you enjoy talking your way to victory, this is the economic board game to test your friendships and your bargaining skills.
3 Stockpile
Stockpile is the economic board game for people who like stocks but want more excitement than staring at spreadsheet. We picked it because it’s all about insider trading—legally! Every round, you’ll make and break fortunes with hidden info and smart bets. It’s tense, fast, and has just enough luck to keep every game unpredictable. Our group loves the bluffing and cheering when a stock tanks (or rockets). Great fun, easy to teach, and feels fresh every time.
2 Smartphone Inc.
Smartphone Inc. puts you in the CEO chair of your own tech giant. We chose it for its slick, modern take on economic competition. The puzzle of setting prices, investing, and expanding your empire is clever and fast-paced. It feels like running a real business—complete with last-minute panic as the market shifts. The mechanics are smooth, and the theme is perfect for new players who want an economic game without drowning in rules. Our crowd had a blast outsmarting each other.
1 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars stands out as the king of economic board games for us because it packs deep strategy, tense resource management, and endless replay value into one neat box. We’ve played it dozens of times and each time felt different—one game we cornered the titanium market, the next we went full eco-warrior. The economic decisions are layered but the goal is always clear: make Mars a better place (and yourself the richest). It nails the feel of building a business from nothing while racing your friends to greatness. Easy enough for new players, rich enough for old timers. This is THE economic board game we keep coming back to.
