Best Intellectual Property Board Games of 2024: Top 14
Gathering around a table, diving into worlds we’ve watched on screens or read in books, is a unique joy. When we set out to pick the best board games based on ‘intellectual property’, we weren’t just looking for a name drop. We wanted games that pulled us into the universes of our favorite characters and stories, that made us feel part of something epic. Whether you’re battling alongside the Avengers, exploring Middle-Earth, or surviving the wastelands of Fallout, each game on our list offers more than just a name. They bring stories to life, create memorable moments, and yes, sometimes they start debates on who’s the best captain in Star Trek. So, let’s see which games made our top 14, and get ready to live out your fandom fantasies.
On this list:
- Game of Thrones: The Board Game
- Star Wars: Imperial Assault
- Marvel Champions: The Card Game
- Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
- Batman: Gotham City Chronicles
- The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
- Star Trek: Ascendancy
- Jurassic Park: Danger! Adventure Strategy Game
- Alien: Legendary Encounter
- Firefly: The Game
- Transformers: Deck-Building Game
- Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood of Venice
- Fallout: The Board Game
- Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu
14 Game of Thrones: The Board Game
Kicking off with a bang, or should we say, a sword clash! Game of Thrones: The Board Game nails the intrigue and strategy straight from the hit TV series. Gathering around this game, my friends and I felt like we were truly battling for the Iron Throne. The depth of strategy involved here is no joke. You get to scheme, form shaky alliances, and then betray your friends when they least expect it. Just like the show, nobody’s safe until the very end.
13 Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Nothing beats the feeling of stepping into the boots of a Rebel fighter or commanding the endless ranks of the Galactic Empire. Star Wars: Imperial Assault does just that, merging role-playing elements with strategic combat. My pals and I spent countless nights deciding the fate of the galaxy. The game’s attention to the Star Wars lore and its dynamic campaign had us hooked. It’s the perfect blend of story and strategy for any fan of the iconic series.
12 Marvel Champions: The Card Game
Ever dreamed of saving the world as your favorite superhero? Marvel Champions lets you do just that. This cooperative card game sets you and your friends against some of the most notorious villains in the Marvel universe. Each session, we picked our heroes and embarked on epic battles. The game is incredible for its adaptability and replay value. Plus, the thrill of unlocking new heroes and villains keeps every game fresh and exciting.
11 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle
This cooperative deck-building game brought us into the magical world of Harry Potter. As fans of the series, we loved progressing through each year at Hogwarts, facing challenges and enhancing our abilities along the way. The game grows with you, introducing more complex strategies and villains as you advance. Playing as Harry, Hermione, Ron, or Neville, we battled against the forces of evil together, and it never got old. It’s a heartwarming blend of nostalgia and fun.
10 Batman: Gotham City Chronicles
Diving into Gotham’s murky depths, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles gave us the chance to either save the city as Batman and his allies or command the villains to destroy it. The asymmetrical gameplay created thrilling matches. Each session was a new adventure, with scenarios that felt ripped from the pages of the comics. For any Batman fan, this game is an absolute gem. It captures the essence of the Dark Knight and his never-ending battle against crime.
9 The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-Earth
Exploring Middle-Earth with your friends? Yes, please! This game flawlessly combines app-assisted gameplay with traditional board game mechanics, making each campaign a unique experience. We loved the rich storytelling and the way the game captures the spirit of Tolkien’s world. Whether you’re fighting orcs or navigating the politics of Middle-Earth, there’s never a dull moment. It’s a must-play for any Lord of the Rings fan looking to create their own legends.
8 Star Trek: Ascendancy
Boldly going where no game has gone before, Star Trek: Ascendancy lets players take the helm of major factions from the Star Trek universe. The game stands out for its exploration and diplomacy gameplay, mirroring the series’ ethos. We were constantly faced with moral dilemmas and strategic decisions that shaped the galaxy. The game is vast, with each play offering new worlds to discover and new alliances to forge or break. It’s a deep dive into the Star Trek universe, offering countless hours of fun.
7 Jurassic Park: Danger! Adventure Strategy Game
This game had us on the edge of our seats, just like the movies. One player controls the dinosaurs, hunting down the other players who work together as the human characters trying to escape the island. The thrill of the chase and the strategic depth to both playing as and against the dinosaurs brought the Jurassic Park thrill to life. It’s an exciting cat-and-mouse game that beautifully captures the essence of the beloved franchise.
6 Alien: Legendary Encounter
For us horror and sci-fi fans, Alien: Legendary Encounter was a no-brainer. This cooperative deck-building game puts you right in the middle of the Alien universe, fighting for survival. The tension and terror of the movies are perfectly captured in the gameplay, making each turn a suspense-filled event. We loved the way the game forces players to work together, while the constant threat of the alien menace keeps you on your toes. It’s a thrilling experience that fans of the franchise will absolutely adore.
5 Firefly: The Game
As fans of the short-lived but much-loved Firefly series, this game felt like a love letter to us. It’s all about space exploration, completing missions, and dealing with the Alliance and Reavers. The game truly shines in its ability to capture the spirit of freedom and adventure that defined the show. Gathering a crew and navigating the ‘Verse with friends brought back memories and created new ones. It’s a game that doesn’t just rely on its intellectual property but builds upon it to offer something genuinely engaging.
4 Transformers: Deck-Building Game
Autobots, roll out! This deck-building game brought us into the iconic battle between Autobots and Decepticons. The gameplay is fluid, switching between vehicle and robot modes to optimize our actions. We absolutely loved the ability to play cooperatively or competitively. The game captures the essence of Transformers, combining strategy, transformation, and that nostalgic joy from our childhoods. Plus, the artwork is stellar, making each card a mini trip down memory lane.
3 Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood of Venice
Sneaking through the shadows of Venice has never been more thrilling. This game transports players into the world of Assassin’s Creed, focusing on tactical movement and cooperative strategy. What stood out to us was the game’s narrative depth, enriching the experience with stories that felt like they were straight out of the games. The miniatures and components are top-notch, immersing us further into the Assassin’s Creed universe. It’s a perfect blend of strategy, story, and suspense.
2 Fallout: The Board Game
Exploring the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Fallout with friends was as immersive as it gets. This game captures the essence of the video game series, from its open-world exploration to its survival mechanics. The narrative-driven missions and moral choices added layers of depth to our gameplay experience. Every decision felt impactful, shaping the wasteland around us. The game’s ability to balance individual and group objectives kept us engaged and coming back for more. It’s a testament to how well a game can translate a video game’s atmosphere into a tabletop experience.
1 Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu
Pandemic: Reign of Cthulhu is our top pick for combining an iconic intellectual property with an already beloved game mechanism. In this chilling adaptation, we’re not just fighting diseases – we’re battling the spreading insanity and awakening of ancient gods. The addition of Lovecraft’s universe brings a dark, intriguing twist to the familiar cooperative gameplay of Pandemic. It’s intense, it’s strategic, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. The relentless advance of the cultists and the looming threat of awakening the Great Old Ones made every decision critical. It’s this combination of theme, mechanics, and sheer nail-biting moments that makes it stand out as the best intellectual property themed board game.
