Board games

Do you mostly play with two? Then head straight to the board games for 2 players. Are there children at the table? Then the age on the box is your first filter; our children's board games list ten games in order of age.

Would you rather play together against the game than against each other? You will find that among the cooperative games. And if you are simply looking for something good to start with, the board game top 10 is the shortest answer we have.

Know what you want, but not what it is called? In types of board games we explain what a deck-builder is, what worker placement means and where all that other jargon comes from.

Two other starting points that often come in handy: new arrivals shows what has just come in, and the sale shows what is reduced right now.

What we look for before something goes into the shop

Three things, and none of the three is spectacular.

The explanation has to be manageable. A game that needs half an hour of reading out rules ends up on the table twice in practice, and then never again.

Everyone has to stay in the game. Games where you are knocked out halfway and have to watch while the rest play on rarely make it into our shop.

And there has to be something to choose. Luck is fine, dice are fine, but you decide what to do with the outcome. We explain that difference in our top 10 strategy board games.

Big board games

That phrase means two things, so we cover both.

If you are looking for a big box with lots of components, you are in the heavy segment: games of over an hour with a thick rulebook and a table covered in pieces. You will find those among the strategy board games, and one step lighter among the board games for adults.

If you mean a game for a big group, that is a different question. From around eight people the choice suddenly thins out, and you almost always end up with party games. A few good options are in our fun board games.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good board game for beginners? Something you can explain in ten minutes, that lasts about an hour and where nobody is knocked out halfway. Our top 10 starts with exactly that kind of game.

How do I know if a game suits my group? Look at three numbers on the box: the number of players, the age and the playing time. Together those three say more than any description. If one of them does not fit, it is usually not going to be a fun evening.

Do you also sell classic games from the old days? Some of them. Which ones we do and do not stock, we explain honestly in our piece on old board games.

Can I ask for advice before I buy something? Yes. Feel free to send us a message saying who will be playing, how old they are and how much time you have. We will be happy to help you choose.