Best 14 Economic Board Games Reviewed in 2025
Explore the best economic board games with us. From Monopoly to Terraforming Mars, we discover the thrill of strategy.
Get ready to roll the dice and stack those coins as we explore the 14 best economic board games for your game night! We’re all about games that teach strategy while keeping everyone’s attention, whether you’re an old hand or fresh to the scene. Our selections blend creativity with finance, creating delightful tension that keeps everyone on their toes. We focused on replayability, strategic depth, and the ability to tickle the funny bone with a mix of cleverness and sheer chance. Economic themes make these games engaging and unpredictable. Trust us, you’ll never look at paper money the same way again!
On this list:
14 Power Grid
Power Grid is a classic when it comes to economic board games. The thrill of connecting cities and managing resources kept our group on edge. It’s like being a utility tycoon without all the paperwork and angry customers. We had a blast trying to outbid each other for power plants. The game’s strategy and need for careful economic planning make it a fantastic choice. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about powering up your city grid while bankrupting your friends in the process.
13 Brass: Birmingham
Brass: Birmingham takes us back to the industrial revolution with an economic twist. The industrial-themed gameplay offers a rich experience of building and networking. Our group found the theme immersive and the artwork stunning. We enjoyed trying to outsmart each other, balancing between expanding industries and managing resources. It requires a knack for planning and adapting strategies, making it fit for those who love challenging economic scenarios.
12 Terraforming Mars
In Terraforming Mars, players compete to transform the Red Planet into a habitable one. The economic aspect comes from managing resources to build cities and green spaces. We loved the variety of strategies and corporation-driven economy. It’s complex yet rewarding, capturing our imaginations as we played planet architects. Our favorite part was seeing who could turn Mars into a new home while making a buck or two.
11 The Castles of Burgundy
The Castles of Burgundy is a game of trade and economy in medieval France. We enjoyed the tile-placement and dice-rolling mechanics, giving the game an extra layer of unpredictability. The economic strategy kept us engaged, as we tried mastering the market to construct the most impressive estate. The mix of tactical decisions and luck made for some hilarious moments filled with both triumphs and disasters.
10 Viticulture
Viticulture has you running your very own vineyard, and let’s just say it’s the only time we’ve been able to run a successful wine business. From planting grapes to fulfilling wine orders, the game is a grape-picking good time. The economic aspect comes through balancing labor and resources, making it essential to plan and strategize. The romantic vineyard setting is a bonus that pairs well with a glass of real vino while playing!
9 Concordia
Concordia, set in the Roman Empire, is a gem for lovers of trading and resource management. The strategic choices we faced weren’t just about buying and selling; it was also about optimizing routes and expanding influence across the empire. Our group enjoyed the simplicity of the rules, paired with complex economic decision-making. Its depth and replayability kept us coming back, each time trying new strategies to achieve dominance.
8 Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, we became colonists aiming to build the most prosperous city. The game shines with its role-selection and resource management. The economic theme drives the gameplay, as players cultivate crops, construct buildings, and ship goods. We had a great time strategizing the most efficient way to outcompete each other. It’s like being a 16th-century entrepreneur, minus the hard labor, and folks, let me tell you, corn has never been so profitable!
7 Food Chain Magnate
Food Chain Magnate is not just a game; it’s a fast-food empire-building challenge that tests your economic acumen. We found the retro artwork delightful and the strategy engaging. Competing for customers by developing marketing, managing staff, and expanding restaurants was a thrilling experience. The game demands smart, economic decisions and critical thinking. Just be prepared for some friendly rivalries and intense business competition – who knew selling burgers could get so personal?
6 Caylus
Caylus is one of those games where economic strategy meets castle building. The focus is on resource gathering and utilizing workers. Our group enjoyed the blend of construction and economic planning. It’s a game of outwitting opponents, knowing when to spend resources, and when to hold back. The castle building aspect adds a fun twist to the typical economic board game, providing endless tactical possibilities and player interaction.
5 Power Grid
Power Grid is a staple in the economic board game world. The rush of managing resources and expanding your power network kept our sessions electrifying. Competing to supply cities with power, while juggling resources and costs, made us giggle and groan in equal measure. It’s a game where you can channel your inner mogul without actually charging family members for WiFi. The auction phase is where friendships are truly tested!
4 Keyflower
Keyflower combines tile placement and worker placement in a way that makes economic strategy exciting. Bidding for resources and tiles adds a creative twist to the usual strategy games. Our group loved the seasonal aspect and the auction mechanics. It’s a game of adaptation and smart plays, making sure you have enough resources to build the best village. We could never get enough of trying to outbid and outbuild each other!
3 Great Western Trail
Great Western Trail is a unique journey through cattle country with an economic twist. The path is a great mix of hand management and strategic building. As we drove herds to Kansas City, the tension of optimizing routes and managing our hands kept us hooked. It’s like a cowboy adventure with a spreadsheet! The game’s complex strategy thrilled us, making it a top pick for those who seek economic challenge and thematic depth.
2 Le Havre
Le Havre is a harbor management game rich with economic undertones. We all became shipping tycoons, trying to balance resources and build properties. The depth of strategy is amazing, but it never feels overwhelming. It’s all about managing your investments and timing decisions perfectly. The game’s focus on economic progression and resource management kept us riveted for many sessions – it’s like Monopoly’s serious cousin.
1 Monopoly
Monopoly, a classic we’ve all played, tops our list not only for nostalgia but for its straightforward economic strategy. Trading properties, building houses, and collecting rent until someone begs for mercy is where Monopoly shines. Yess, it can ruin friendships, but it teaches lessons in business and investment like no other. Our sessions are filled with tales of triumph and defeat, usually with a coffee spillage somewhere in between. It’s the best in our books for its simplicity, accessibility, and endless family feuds. Long live Monopoly!
