7 Best Simultaneous Action Board Games for Top Fun

Unveiling Top 7 Simultaneous Action Selection Games: strategic depths, dynamic themes for all ages; the best blend excitement with engagement.
Disclaimer: Clicking our links may result in us earning enough for a new pair of dice, but not enough to quit our day jobs as amateur board game hustlers.
7 Wonders coverRace for the Galaxy coverRoboRally cover

Hey fellow board gamers, when we dive into the world of Simultaneous Action Selection board games, we’re looking for that thrilling moment of uncertainty and excitement as everyone reveals their choices at once. What we cherish the most is not just the mechanic itself but how it enhances the game’s theme, encourages player interaction, and requires strategic skills that keep us on the edge of our seats. Today’s roundup highlights a mix of classics and fresh faces that excel in this arena. From quick card games to deeply strategic experiences, we’re confident every game on this list provides a memorable play experience that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed with friends.

Games on this list:

7 7 Wonders

7 Wonders cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 3-7
  • Play Time: 30-60 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

One of the early adopters that brought Simultaneous Action Selection to the forefront of board gaming, 7 Wonders is a personal group favorite for strategic depth and quick gameplay that keeps everyone engaged. Each of us selects a card that will influence our civilization’s development, leading to a tense reveal phase where we discover our opponents’ choices. From constructing wonders to advancing science or bolstering armies, the decisions run deep, making it a hit every time it hits the table.

6 Race for the Galaxy

Race for the Galaxy cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-60 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

When we dive into Race for the Galaxy, our interstellar strategies come to life as we select actions that carry us through the cosmos in quest of building the most powerful space empire. Why we suggest this for your list is because it offers nuanced gameplay with each card selection. Conquering worlds or developing new technologies occur in tandem, nudging players to constantly predict opponents’ plans for simultaneous action selection to stay ahead.

5 RoboRally

RoboRally cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 30-120 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

RoboRally presents the wacky but strategic side of Simultaneous Action Selection, with players programming their robots’ moves on a hazardous factory floor. It’s a whirl of chaos and tactics where our best-laid plans often collide, literally! The elements of line-of-sight and the unpredictability of other robots make it a gleeful matchmaking on the game night roster for its unique blend of planning and chaos.

4 Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 15 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

For a lighter approach to Simultaneous Action Selection heroes bring out Sushi Go!, where card drafting embodies the food-frenzy theme. We love the convenience and ease of teaching this game to new players along with its adorable sushi-themed aesthetics. The ever-changing hands keep us on our toes as we attempt to collect the tastiest combinations, making it an appetizing selection for any list.

3 Magic Maze

Magic Maze cover

  • Age Range: 8+
  • Players: 1-8
  • Play Time: 15 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Stepping into cooperative territory, we’ve discovered Magic Maze is an exhilarating experience where silent coordination tests our collective decision-making. It’s particularly novel as the Simultaneous Action Selection feeds into a shared goal, and not talking amps up the excitement. Each session is a nail-biter as we non-verbally nudge heroes through a maze in real-time, a twist in the genre you should consider for your list.

2 Diplomacy

Diplomacy cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-7
  • Play Time: 360 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Diplomacy throws us back to the intrigue and subterfuge of early 20th century Europe. The game presents Simultaneous Action Selection with a severe gravity as alliances form and crumble with each round’s plotted moves. It’s the intensity of negotiations paired with the trepidation of revealing orders that earns its stripes, carving out an unmissable spot for avid strategists in search of a deep, player-driven narrative.

1 Spirit Island

Spirit Island cover

  • Age Range: 13+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 90-120 Minutes

Get your copy on Amazon ↗

Sitting atop our selection is Spirit Island, where the seamless marriage of thematic depth with complex strategic gameplay defines the apex of Simultaneous Action Selection. Players embody different spirits, working cohesively to repousse invaders from their island. What sets it apart is the coherence of cooperative strategy and synergy of unique spirit powers, demanding we rethink our standard notions of ‘eurogame’. With expansive potential for replayability and strategic exploration, Spirit Island rightfully claims evoking a compelling and socially engaging narrative as the best in its class.

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.