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The Best Beginner Board Games for Adults

Updated Dec 10, 2022
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Once the entertainment of last resort on rainy days and during power outages, board games have evolved to be varied works of interactive art with options for many styles of play. To find some of the best, we spent 70 hours researching 128 games, played 17 top contenders with 26 people, and interviewed board game experts, including a Columbia University ludology professor, the owner of board game café The Brooklyn Strategist, and the team behind The Rules Girl video series.

Cascadia, an ecosystem on your table

Cascadia

An ecosystem on your table
This relaxing game seems simple on its face, but quickly reveals itself to be a tricky, interesting puzzle that’s entertaining to play with gamers of all experience levels.
We recommend
Splendor, a game about rocks that rocks

Splendor

A game about rocks that rocks
This gem-collecting game is easy to learn but requires enough strategy that it keeps players enthralled over multiple rounds.
We recommend
Carcassonne, a city-building game for when you’re not ready to settle

Carcassonne

A city-building game for when you’re not ready to settle
This strategic game of medieval-city-, road-, and countryside-building has easier rules and a shorter play time than Catan.
We recommend
Ticket to Ride, a game to keep your strategy on track

Ticket to Ride

A game to keep your strategy on track
This simple-to-learn game challenges players to build the best train routes across North America, and it’s fun to play again and again.
We recommend
Catan, the most exciting game you’ll find about sheep trading

Catan

The most exciting game you’ll find about sheep trading
A settlement-building strategy game that inspired a board game revolution, Catan provides fun and competitive (if at times frustrating) play.
We recommend
Catan 5-6 Player Extension, to add more players (and fun)

Catan 5-6 Player Extension

To add more players (and fun)
We prefer to play Catan with more people, which you can do with this expansion pack.
Another good choice
7 Wonders, build a civilization without ruining your friendships

7 Wonders

Build a civilization without ruining your friendships
This game challenges players to use multiple, advanced strategies to build an ancient civilization over three fast-paced rounds.
We recommend
Dixit, a beautiful game for all

Dixit

A beautiful game for all
Dixit is a simple storytelling card game with stunning art that people of all ages can learn and enjoy.
We recommend
Codenames, an undercover take on wordplay games

Codenames

An undercover take on wordplay games
This thrilling wordplay game scales for small and large groups.
We recommend
Coup, a social game that travels well

Coup

A social game that travels well
A card game of deception and intrigue, Coup plays quickly, packs up small enough to easily fit in most bags, and encourages you to betray your friends.
We recommend
Pandemic, a cooperative game you won’t get sick of

Pandemic

A cooperative game you won’t get sick of
Pandemic challenges players to work together—and keep their cool—as they attempt to save the world from disease.
We recommend
Patchwork, a great two-player game

Patchwork

A great two-player game
With a quaint quilting theme, Patchwork challenges your puzzle-piecing skills.
We recommend

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