Best 13 Economic Board Games of 2025 Reviewed
Discover top economic board games for strategy fun. From Power Grid to Puerto Rico, these games promise endless excitement.
Finding the perfect economic board game can be as tricky as keeping a five-year-old from eating paste in art class. We’ve rolled our dice, shuffled our decks, and, yes, argued furiously over the rules, all in pursuit of finding the top economic-themed games. Our focus is on strategic depth, replayability, and, of course, fun! Each game we selected balances competition and resource management with elements that add excitement to your game nights. Whether you’re a tactical titan or a trading tycoon, there’s something for everyone on our list. Ready to cash in on some entertainment?
On this list:
13 Power Grid
Power Grid lets us all play the tycoon we’ve always dreamed of being. The challenge is simple but engaging: supply the most cities with power, while competing in a tense auction and resource management race. It’s not just about the cash flow; smart planning is key. We remember that one time Joe forgot to buy coal, and his whole grid shut down. Hilarious! It’s a classic for any economic theme fan.
12 Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a game where we learned not all goods are created equal. With each turn, players produce goods and then ship them for points. The twist? Only one captain can ship at a time! We once had a bean shortage that nearly made our game serious – until someone cracked a joke about bean counters. It’s a strategic and economic delight.
11 Brass: Birmingham
In Brass: Birmingham, we got to experience the grit and glamour of the Industrial Revolution. Managing industries, building railways, and handling loans make it a deep economic experience. During one game, we learned the hard way that running out of beer tokens can leave you dry—pun intended. It’s a brain-burner, but worth every moment.
10 Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars took us to another planet—literally. Here, we are tasked with turning the Red Planet into a habitable space. Economic strategy is necessary as we invest in projects that raise oxygen levels and build cities. The time when we turned Mars into a greenhouse by mistake is still a running joke. Talk about a hot game!
9 Concordia
Concordia is where peace and trade come to life. No wars, just pure economics and strategy. We were amazed at how resource management became a chess game of trading and expanding. Once, we convinced Sarah to trade us all her bricks for wine—she’s still complaining about it. It’s simplicity with a strategic twist.
8 Food Chain Magnate
If you’ve ever wanted to run a fast-food empire, Food Chain Magnate is the game for you. We enjoyed strategizing how to lure customers with catchy advertising and clever pricing. That one time Tim tried the ‘100% discount’ strategy, and it hilariously backfired. It’s challenging but oh-so-satisfying when your chain outsmarts the competition.
7 Le Havre
Le Havre is all about running a port town, and boy, did we learn the ropes of managing resources! From building ships to feeding workers, it’s a thorough economic simulation. We still laugh about the time someone tried to survive entirely on fish—spoiler, it didn’t end well. It’s rich in detail and rewarding to master.
6 The Estates
In The Estates, we became real estate moguls, bidding our way to the top. The unpredictability makes every game thrilling. We racked up debts like Monopoly, but twice the drama! Watching a skyscraper’s value plummet due to sneaky deals was a highlight. It’s a quick but intense economic game.
5 The Great Zimbabwe
The Great Zimbabwe is a unique blend of economy and mythology. Players build monuments while managing resources and workers. The time we underestimated the power of a well-placed shrine was a turning point. It’s a game of economic prowess and strategic foresight, and it’s as intriguing as it sounds.
4 Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization
Through the Ages lets us relive history with an economic twist. Balancing culture, technology, and military makes every decision crucial. We once built a civilization based on libraries but forgot food—rookie mistake! It’s long and complex, but perfect for economic game lovers.
3 Keyflower
Keyflower brings a unique blend of economic strategy and bidding. Building our own village, trading, and hiring workers kept us on our toes. Someone bid all their keys on one tile—it was a risky move but hilarious to watch! It’s a charming yet challenging game.
2 Imperial 2030
With Imperial 2030, we became investors, each vying for control over world powers. The blend of economic influence and military might made for tense moments. We accidentally feared the wrath of a world power ourselves once—whoops! Every game is epic, with global stakes and strategic depth.
1 Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle stands out as our top pick for its deep economic and political strategy. It simulates the Cold War, with players representing superpowers. We once launched a surprise space race, leaving our friends speechless. Every event card brings new dilemmas. Challenging, intense, and packed with historical drama, it’s the ultimate economic game.
