Table of Contents
The realm of Best Board Games witnesses a staggering influx of fresh releases annually, far surpassing what our individual guides can encompass. However, we’ve compiled a roster of cherished board games that hold a special place in the hearts of the Wirecutter team. This curated selection appeals to a diverse spectrum of preferences, catering to enthusiasts in search of profound strategic gameplay, collaborative narrative adventures, or visually captivating and artistic designs.
They have become essential components of our gaming nights and are a source of never-ending pleasure. If the name of your favorite video game isn’t on the list, please feel free to leave a comment below so that you may assist us in finding even more amazing games to add to our collections.
Best Board Games Comparison Table
Product | Features | Download Link |
---|---|---|
Small World | Fantasy world conquest, variable powers, modular board, easy-to-learn mechanics | Download Now |
Wavelength | Social deduction, unique communication mechanic, party game atmosphere | Download Now |
Betrayal at House on the Hill | Cooperative exploration, haunting scenarios, modular tile system | Download Now |
Disney Villainous | Play as iconic Disney villains, unique villain objectives, Disney theme and artwork | Download Now |
Cosmic Encounter | Intergalactic conquest, cosmic powers and abilities, negotiation and diplomacy | Download Now |
Gloomhaven | Epic campaign adventure, tactical combat system, character progression | Download Now |
Small World

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Fantasy World Conquest | Engage in a whimsical world conquest game with various fantasy races |
Variable Powers | Each race possesses unique abilities and powers for strategic gameplay |
Modular Board | Discover a different game board setup with each playthrough |
Easy-to-Learn Mechanics | Suitable for both casual and experienced gamers with straightforward rules |
Replayability | Multiple race and power combinations ensure high replay value |
Imagine a game of Risk that took less time to play than it would to watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies again. In Small World, an area-control game with elves, dwarves, and halflings, that’s pretty much how it goes. The game has several boards and a lot of small pieces, so it took about 40 minutes to set up the first time.
But once the game starts, the idea behind Small World is easy to grasp, and the different combinations of fantasy races and skills make every game a little different. Small World can be played with two or five people because there are different game boards. There are now also a few versions with slightly different art and tone, like Small World: Underground (which is a bit darker) and Small World of Warcraft (if you’d rather go to Azeroth than the Shire).
The Good
- Engaging and lighthearted fantasy theme
- Diverse and strategic gameplay options
- Modular board adds replayability
The Bad
- Can be overwhelming for new players due to the variety of races and powers
- Some races may have imbalanced abilities
Wavelength

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Social Deduction | Work together to decipher hidden clues and guess the correct wavelength |
Unique Communication Mechanic | Use a slider to indicate the proximity of your guess to the correct answer |
Party Game Atmosphere | Suitable for large groups and encourages lively discussions |
Varied Difficulty Levels | Adjust the game’s difficulty to accommodate different skill levels |
Creative and Unique Gameplay | Offers a fresh take on word association and deduction games |
I think a good party game is one where, by the end, no one knows what the score is and everyone just wants to keep playing. This is a big effect of wave length. The box is bright and catches your eye, the big dial is chunky and fun to turn, and the way the game is set up leads to interesting or at least very funny talks about how your friends see the world.
Wavelength works the same way as Dixit and Codenames, but instead of communicating ideas through associations, players in Wavelength share their views. Where is spaghetti on the range from wet to dry? Is going to a scary movie a bad idea for a date or a good one? How noble was the order of the Jedi? These are just a few of the many conversations (and fights) that Wavelength can start.
The Good
- Promotes communication and teamwork
- Unique gameplay mechanics
- Adjustable difficulty levels
The Bad
- Requires a larger group of players for optimal enjoyment
- Limited replayability due to a fixed set of clues
Betrayal at House on the Hill

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Cooperative Exploration | Explore a haunted house and uncover its secrets together |
Haunting Scenarios | Encounter different story scenarios and face a traitor among the players |
Modular Tile System | Build a unique house layout during gameplay |
Thematic Horror Atmosphere | Immersive horror-themed experience with suspenseful elements |
Multiple Endings | Offers a high number of possible story outcomes |
Have you ever thought about how long you’d last in a scary movie? You can find out in Betrayal at House on the Hill. Players are put in a mansion that is literally out to get them. The game is full of drama and is so great that you never know what will happen next. That’s because this game isn’t set up like most adult board games.
Your character is here for unexplained reasons (maybe they got a strange invitation or are looking for a friend who went missing), and the house is slowly revealed as you try to solve the mystery. But because each room is picked at random when you go in, you can’t know what’s behind those doors. The only thing you know for sure is that based on what you find, one of 50 missions will start, which will turn your friends or the mansion itself against you.
The Good
- Exciting and immersive horror theme
- Dynamic and suspenseful gameplay
- High replayability with multiple story scenarios
The Bad
- Rulebook can be complex and may require time to understand
- Some scenarios may be imbalanced or confusing
Disney Villainous

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Play as Iconic Disney Villains | Step into the shoes of beloved Disney villains and pursue their goals |
Unique Villain Objectives | Each villain has a distinct goal and gameplay mechanics |
Disney Theme and Artwork | Features beautiful artwork and captures the essence of Disney villains |
Player Interaction | Interact with other players through villainous actions and disruptions |
Family-Friendly Gameplay | Suitable for players of different ages and Disney fans |
Villainous is the only game that fits its name better than any other. It likes to let you be as mean as possible, and you’re encouraged to stop an enemy’s plans if you want a happy finish for your character. You can see that this isn’t just a way to make money off of kids; it’s cruel, clever, and wonderfully evil. To be more specific, that beautiful art hides a lot of depth.
It’s surprisingly deep because each character has their own goal and way to play. (As our review says, “there’s so much to get your teeth into.”) Here, too, you get recognized for real skill. Winning isn’t just a matter of luck, and you’ll need to be able to adapt to different bad guys. Even more so when you add in Disney Villainous additions. These add-ons make you try out new methods, and if you think you’ve mastered the game, they’re a good way to keep it interesting.
The Good
- Immersive Disney villain theme
- Varied gameplay with unique objectives for each character
- Appeals to both Disney enthusiasts and board game enthusiasts
The Bad
- Limited player interaction in certain scenarios
- May require familiarity with Disney characters for full enjoyment
Cosmic Encounter

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Intergalactic Conquest | Engage in battles and alliances with alien races in outer space |
Cosmic Powers and Abilities | Each player possesses a unique alien race with special abilities |
Negotiation and Diplomacy | Form alliances, negotiate deals, and engage in strategic diplomacy |
Dynamic and Interactive | Encourages player interaction and unpredictability in gameplay |
Expansions and Variety | Numerous expansions add new alien races and gameplay elements |
The formation of shaky alliances and the deepening of old grudges are common elements in a variety of games whose primary focus is the conquest of territory. These elements are modeled after the diplomatic process that occurs in the real world. In the year 1977, the creators of Cosmic Encounter had an epiphany: “Why don’t we just skip over all the territory and get right to the action?”
As a result, this funny game of changing alliances has emerged, in which each player possesses a potentially game-ending extraterrestrial power that they can use in the competition to establish colonies on five of their opponent’s planets. It’s possible that Cosmic Encounter is the only negotiation game you’ll ever need because to how packed it is with diversity, strategic options, and more dramatic reversals than a prime-time soap opera.
The Good
- Highly interactive and dynamic gameplay
- Strategic negotiation and alliance-building elements
- Expansions offer a wide range of alien races and gameplay options
The Bad
- Initial learning curve due to various alien race abilities
- Can be time-consuming with longer game sessions
Gloomhaven

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Epic Campaign Adventure | Embark on a cooperative campaign with a rich and immersive storyline |
Tactical Combat System | Engage in strategic battles using a card-based combat system |
Character Progression | Develop and customize characters as they level up and gain new abilities |
Dynamic Decision-Making | Choices made during the campaign have consequences and impact the story |
Extensive Content | Offers a vast amount of content and scenarios for countless hours of play |
The current king of board games got to where he is by mixing different types of games in a clever way. The 95-scenario campaign of magical adventure has you covered if you like old-school dungeon crawls with a strong story. If you love strategy battles, you’ll love this game’s clever, card-based battles against a wide range of enemies.
But if you want a lot of strategy, building a deck and collecting resources over the course of a campaign and the fact that you can run out of energy in a scenario give you a lot of meat. Gloomhaven is a game that really has something for everyone, even fans of the best solo board games. Its high level of praise is well-deserved. And if the price is too high, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion has a smaller game that costs a lot less. And not for nothing, we also put both of these versions on our list of the best board games for adults.
The Good
- Deep and engaging campaign with a captivating storyline
- Strategic combat system with tactical card play
- Abundance of content and replayability
The Bad
- Requires significant time commitment for campaign completion
- Setup and organization can be complex and time-consuming
Questions and Answers
It depends on the board game on how many people can play. Some games are made for just two people, while others can have anywhere from four to eight or even more players.
There are many benefits to playing board games, such as social interaction, cognitive growth, problem-solving skills, teamwork, strategic thinking, and relieving stress. Board games are another way that people and groups can have fun and be entertained.
You can buy board games from many places, such as local game stores, toy stores, department stores, and online stores like Amazon and websites that sell only board games. Some board games may also be available to borrow from libraries or through services that rent out board games.