Welcome to the website for family rated board games! Great games have increasingly expanded into international markets, especially since Catan (Settlers of Catan) in 1995. But many families and individuals have a hard time knowing where to start. This webpage provides information to fill that gap. Various members of our families have ranked approximately 100 games each, with many 100's of hours more of playtesting.
For younger gamers, the most important factor for choosing a game is how long it takes to play. Age is actually the next most important factor. The first table below provides games that most of our family has played, along with the ability to sort by playing time, age, and other factors. The second table below provides games that fewer family members have played, and is also sortable. These ratings reflect how fun the games are for intermediate gamers. Therefore beginning gamers will have more fun than the table ratings imply, for beginning games.
For intermediate gamers, each of the tables provides games with the highest scores on top, and games with the lowest scores on the bottom. A rating of "n/r" means "no rating". For more advanced gamers, also consider sorting on the "Rating by D" column. Additional information for beginning, intermediate, and advanced gamers follows the last table.
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| Year | Name | Players | Ages | Time (min) | Type | Country | Rating by D (1-to-7) |
Rating by M (1-to-7) |
Rating by O (1-to-7) |
Rating by L (1-to-7) |
Rating by X (1-to-7) |
Composite Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Ticket to Ride: Europe | 2-5 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| 2018 | Just One | 4-7 | 8+ | 20 | Party | France | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 100% |
| 2004 | Ticket to Ride (10th Anniversary) | 2-5 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 100% |
| 2009 | Telestrations | 5-8 | 8+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 100% |
| 2018 | Quacks of Quedlinburg | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Family | Austria | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 98% |
| 2021 | Welcome to the Moon | 1-6 | 10+ | 25 | Family, Theme | France | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 98% |
| 2014 | Splendor | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | France | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 98% |
| 2020 | Nidavellir | 2-5 | 10+ | 45 | Family, Strategy | France | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 98% |
| 2021 | The Crew: Mission Deep Sea | 2-5 | 10+ | 20 | Family, Strategy | Germany | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 96% |
| 2010 | Hanabi | 2-5 | 10+ | 25 | Family | France | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 96% |
| 2014 | Camel Up (with Supercup) | 3-7 | 8+ | 20 | Family | Germany | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 96% |
| 2008 | Lost Cities: The Board Game (Keltis) | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Germany | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 96% |
| 2018 | War Chest | 2-4 | 10+ | 30 | Abstract | Canada/U.S. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 96% |
| 2001 | Hive (&Ladybug) | 2 | 8+ | 20 | Abstract | U.K. | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 96% |
| 1995 | Catan (Settlers of Catan) | 3-4 | 8+ | 60 | Family, Strategy | Germany | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 96% |
| 2010 | Forbidden Island | 1-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 96% |
| 2018 | Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza | 3-8 | 8+ | 10 | Party | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 96% |
| 1975 | 221B Baker Street | 2-5 | 12+ | 90 | Theme, Family | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 96% |
| 2017 | Sagrada | 1-4 | 8+ | 20 | Abstract, Family | Canada | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 94% |
| 2016 | Santorini (&Golden Fleece) | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | Abstract, Family | Canada | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 94% |
| 2020 | Project L | 1-4 | 8+ | 20 | Abstract | Czech Republic | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 94% |
| 2014 | Sheriff of Nottingham | 3-5 | 8+ | 60 | Party, Family | Brazil | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 94% |
| 400 | Hnefatafl (Viking Chess) | 2 | 5+ | 20 | Abstract | Norway, Sweden, Denmark (Scandinavia) | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | n/r | 94% |
| 1982 | Sequence | 2-12 | 6+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 94% |
| 1986 | Dominoes (ChickenFoot) | 1-8 | 8+ | 45 | Abstract | China | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 94% |
| 2011 | KaBam! | 2 | 8+ | 15 | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | n/r | 94% | |
| 2013 | Disruptus | 3+ | Canada | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 93% | |||
| 2007 | Pandemic | 1-4 | 10+ | 45 | Family, Strategy | U.S. | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 92% |
| 2015 | Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King | 2-5 | 8+ | 30 | Family, Strategy | Austria | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 92% |
| 2016 | Kingdomino | 2-4 | 6+ | 15 | Family | France | 6 | n/r | 6 | 6 | n/r | 92% |
| 2017 | Muse | 4-8 | 8+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | 6 | n/r | 6 | 6 | n/r | 92% |
| 2018 | Decrypto | 4-8 | 10+ | 15 | Party | Canada | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 92% |
| 2014 | Deep Sea Adventure | 2-6 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Japan | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 92% |
| 571 (circa) | Backgammon | 2 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract | Iran | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 92% |
| 2013 | Origin | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Family, Strategy | Italy | 6 | 6 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 92% |
| 1850 (circa) | Pitch | 2-4+ | 8+ | 30 | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 92% | |
| 2012 | The Resistance: Avalon | 5-10 | 12+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | 6 | n/r | 7 | 5 | 5 | 92% |
| 2014 | Onitama | 2 | 8+ | 15 | Abstract | Japan | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 91% |
| 2009 | Spot it! | 2-8 | 4+ | 15 | Party | France | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 92% |
| 1989 | Taboo | 4-10 | 10+ | 20 | Party | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 91% |
| 1972 | Spoons | 4-13+ | 6+ | 30 | Party | Unknown | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 92% |
| 2019 | The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine | 2-5 | 10+ | 20 | Family, Strategy | Germany | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 91% |
| 2012 | Lords of Waterdeep (also Scoundrels of Skullport Expansion) | 2-5 | 10+ | 30 | U.S. | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | n/r | 89% | |
| 2004 | Niagara | 3-5 | 8+ | 45 | Family | Germany? | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 89% |
| 1981 | Enchanted Forest | 2-5 | 5+ | 30 | Child | Germany | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 89% |
| 2016 | Evolution: The Beginning | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 6 | n/r | 6 | 5 | n/r | 89% |
| 2006 | Qwirkle | 2-4 | 6+ | 45 | Abstract, Family | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | n/r | 89% |
| 1984 | Rummikub | 2-4 | 6 | 60 | Family | Romania | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 87% |
| 2001 | Perplexus | 1 | 5+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | n/r | 87% |
| 2008 | Dominion (also Intrigue and Prosperity Expansion) | 2-4 | 10+ | 30 | Strategy | U.S. | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | n/r | 87% |
| -312 (circa) | Go (Wei-Ch'i) | 2 | 6+ | 30 | Abstract | China | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | n/r | 87% |
| 1948 | Scrabble | 2-4 | 10+ | 90 | Family | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 5 | 5 | n/r | 87% |
| 2014 | Patchwork | 2 | 8+ | 15 | Abstract, Family | Austria | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | n/r | 97% |
| 2012 | Coup | 3-6 | 10+ | 15 | Party | U.S. | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | n/r | 87% |
| 2014 | Trains: Rising Sun | 2-4 | 10+ | 45 | Strategy | Japan | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | n/r | 87% |
| 2004 | Saboteur | 5-10 | 8+ | 30 | Party, Family | Belgium | 4 | 7 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 87% |
| 1989 | Cafe International | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Family | Germany | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | n/r | 87% |
| 1970 | Masterpiece | 3-6 | 8+ | 60 | Family | U.S. | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | n/r | 87% |
| 2011 | Takenoko | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Family | France | 6 | n/r | 5 | 5 | n/r | 86% |
| 1927 | Drunter und Druber (Trap the Cap) | 3-6 | 4+ | 30 | Child | Germany | 5 | n/r | 6 | 5 | n/r | 86% |
| 1986 | Labyrinth | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | Family | Germany | 4 | 7 | 7 | 4 | n/r | 86% |
| 2015 | 7 Wonders Duel | 2 | 10+ | 30 | Strategy | France | 7 | n/r | 7 | 3 | 7 | 85% |
| 2011 | The Castles of Burgundy (20th Anniversary) | 2-4 | 12+ | 30 | Strategy | Germany | 6 | n/r | 6 | 4 | n/r | 85% |
| 1630 | Cribbage | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract, Family | U.K. | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 85% |
| 700 | Kalah (Mancala) | 2 | 6+ | 10 | Abstract | U.S. | 3 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 85% |
| 2020 | Calico | 1-4 | 10+ | 30 | Custom | U.S. | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 85% |
| 1983 | Scotland Yard | 2-6 | 8 | 45 | Family | Germany? | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 85% |
| 1876 | Crokinole | 2,4 | 6+ | 30 | Family | Canada | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | n/r | 83% |
| 2003 | Alhambra | 2-5 | 8+ | 45 | Family, Strategy | Germany | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 82% |
| 1984 | Mystery Mansion | 3-4 | 6 | 90 | Child, Family | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 82% |
| 1966 | Twister | 2-4 | 6+ | 10 | Party | U.S. | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | n/r | 82% |
| 2012 | Escape: The Curse of the Temple | 1-5 | 8+ | 10 | Family | Norway | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | n/r | 82% |
| 2010 | 7 Wonders | 3-7 | 10+ | 30 | Family, Strategy | France | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 81% |
| 2014 | Bellz! | 1-4 | 3+ | 15 | Child | Canada | 5 | 7 | 5 | 3 | n/r | 81% |
| 1931 | Battleship | 2 | 6+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 80% |
| 1995 | Electronic Sea Battle | 1-2 | 6+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 7 | 7 | 5 | n/r | 80% |
| 2016 | Junk Art | 2-6 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Canada | 5 | n/r | 4 | 5 | 3 | 79% |
| 2011 | Kingdom Builder | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Family, Strategy | U.S. | 4 | n/r | 5 | 5 | n/r | 79% |
| 1979 | Electronic Detective | 1 | 8+ | 45 | U.S. | 2 | n/r | 7 | 7 | n/r | 79% | |
| 1475 (circa) | Chess | 2 | 6+ | 60 | Abstract | Spain | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | n/r | 79% |
| 1975 | Bermuda Triangle | 2-5 | 5 | 30 | Child, Family | U.S. | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 79% |
| 2010 | Timeline: Inventions (&Dsc,Hst) | 2-8 | 10+ | 15 | Family | France | 4 | 6 | 3 | 6 | n/r | 78% |
| 2009 | Richard Scarry's Busytown: Eye found it! Game | 2-4 | 3+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 78% |
| 1984 | Eat Poop You Cat | 5-13 | 8+ | 20 | Party | Unknown | 2 | 7 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 78% |
| 2013 | Sushi Go! | 2-5 | 6+ | 15 | Family | Australia | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4 | n/r | 76% |
| 1150 | Checkers | 2 | 6+ | 30 | Abstract | France | 3 | 6 | 4 | 5 | n/r | 76% |
| 1933 | Monopoly | 3-6 | 8+ | 60 | Family | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 76% |
| 2003 | Yinsh | 2 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract | Belgium | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | n/r | 75% |
| 2008 | Dixit (also Odyssey and Relevations Expansions) | 4-6+ | 8+ | 30 | Party | France | 7 | 7 | 7 | 1 | n/r | 75% |
| 2005 | Sleeping Queens | 2-5 | 5+ | 10 | Child, Family | U.S. | 2 | 7 | 4 | 6 | n/r | 75% |
| 2004 | Make 'n' Break | 1-4+ | 4+ | 30 | Party, Family | U.K. | 4 | 7 | 2 | 6 | n/r | 75% |
| 1995 | Junior Labyrinth | 2-4 | 4+ | 15 | Child | Germany | 3 | 7 | 5 | 3 | n/r | 74% |
| 2015 | Raiders of the North Sea | 2-4 | 10+ | 60 | Strategy | New Zealand | 6 | 5 | 5 | 2 | n/r | 73% |
| 1965 | Operation | 2-5 | 6+ | 10 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | n/r | 73% |
| 1985 | You're Bluffing (Kuhhandel) | 3-5 | 10+ | 45 | Family | Germany | 6 | 1 | 7 | 7 | n/r | 73% |
| 2015 | Dominion: Guilds & Cornucopia | 2-4 | 10+ | 30 | Strategy | U.S. | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | n/r | 71% |
| 2006 | Bananagrams | 2-6 | 10+ | 15 | Family | U.S. | 3 | 7 | 3 | 4 | n/r | 71% |
| 2012 | Love Letter | 3-4 | 8+ | 20 | Family | Japan | 2 | 6 | 5 | 4 | n/r | 70% |
| 2007 | GUBS: A Game of Wit and Luck | 2-6 | 8+ | 20 | Family | U.S. | 3 | n/r | 5 | 4 | n/r | 70% |
| 2014 | One Night Ultimate Werewolf | 4-10 | 10+ | 10 | Party | Russia | 6 | 1 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 69% |
| 2015 | One Night Ultimate Werewolf - Daybreak | 4-7 | 8+ | 10 | Party | Russia | 6 | 1 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 69% |
| 1998 | Aquarius | 2-5 | 5+ | 20 | Family | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | n/r | 69% |
| 1963 | Mouse Trap | 2-4 | 5+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 69% |
| -200 | Chutes and Ladders | 2-6 | 3+ | 30 | Child | India | 1 | 6 | 6 | 6 | n/r | 69% |
| 1949 | Clue | 3-6 | 8+ | 45 | Family | U.K. | 2 | 7 | 3 | 5 | n/r | 69% |
| -3000 (circa) | Marbles | n/a | 4+ | 10 | Pakistan? | 5 | 6 | 6 | 1 | n/r | 67% | |
| 2017 | Azul | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family, Abstract | Germany | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | n/r | 66% |
| 1999 | UNO Attack! | 3-8 | 6+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 | n/r | 64% |
| 2015 | Double Ditto | 4-99 | 10+ | 15 | U.S. | 3 | 7 | 7 | 1 | n/r | 64% | |
| 2012 | Qwixx | 2-5 | 8+ | 15 | Family | Germany | 7 | n/r | 6 | 1 | n/r | 64% |
| 2015 | New York 1901 | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Canada | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | n/r | 64% |
| 2011 | Tenzi (with cards) | 2-4 | 5+ | 5 | Party, Family | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | n/r | 64% |
| 1979 | Guess Who? | 2 | 4+ | 20 | Child | Israel | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | n/r | 64% |
| 1975 | Pay Day | 3-6 | 8 | 30 | Family | U.S. | 2 | n/r | 5 | 4 | n/r | 63% |
| 1984 | Heimlich & Co. (Top Secret Spies) | 3-7 | 6+ | 30 | Family | Germany | 6 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 62% |
| 1983 | Jenga | 2-6 | 5+ | 20 | Party | U.K. | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4 | n/r | 62% |
| 1990 | Guesstures | 5-12 | 8+ | 10 | Party | U.S. | 3 | n/r | 3 | 4 | n/r | 61% |
| 1947 | Stratego | 2 | 8+ | 45 | Abstract, Family | Netherlands | 1 | 7 | 3 | 5 | n/r | 60% |
| 2010 | Chaos | 2-6 | 8 | U.S. | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | n/r | 59% | ||
| 2007 | Camp | 2-6 | 4+ | 20 | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | n/r | 59% | |
| 2016 | Watch Ya' Mouth | 8+ | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | n/r | 59% | |||
| 1956 | Yahtzee | 2-6 | 6+ | 30 | Family | Canada | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | n/r | 58% |
| 1971 | UNO | 2-8 | 5+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 3 | 5 | n/r | 58% |
| 2015 | Exploding Kittens | 3-5 | 8+ | 15 | Party | U.S. | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | n/r | 57% |
| 1991 | Hedbanz for Kids | 3-8 | 6+ | 60 | Party | Sweden | 3 | 7 | 4 | 1 | n/r | 57% |
| 2014 | Helios | 2-4 | 10+ | 60 | Strategy | Germany | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | n/r | 55% |
| 2015 | Mysterium | 3-7 | 8+ | 42 | Family, Theme | Ukraine | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 53% |
| 2005 | Run for your Life, Candyman! | 3-6 | 5+ | 30 | U.S. | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 53% | |
| 1982 | Rubik's Race | 2 | 6 | 5 | Hungary | 3 | n/r | 7 | 1 | n/r | 52% | |
| 2015 | Codenames | 4-8+ | 10+ | 15 | Party | Czech Republic | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | n/r | 51% |
| 2015 | Colt Express | 3-6 | 8+ | 30 | Party | France | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | n/r | 51% |
| 2016 | Exit: The Game – The Abandoned Cabin | 1-6 | 12+ | 45 | Family, Theme | Germany | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1 | n/r | 48% |
| 2019 | Wingspan | 1-4 | 10+ | 40 | Family, Strategy | U.S. | 4 | n/r | 4 | 1 | n/r | 48% |
| 1978 | Word Yahtzee | 1-4 | 8+ | 30 | Canada | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 47% | |
| 2018 | Cryptid | 3-5 | 10+ | 30 | Family, Strategy | U.K. | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 45% |
| 1959 | Perry Mason Game: Case of the Missing Suspect | 2-6 | 8+ | 60 | U.S. | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | n/r | 45% | |
| 2013 | Bugs in the Kitchen | 2-4 | 5+ | 15 | Child | Germany | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | n/r | 43% |
| 1984 | Body Boggle | 4-10 | 10+ | 15 | U.S. | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | n/r | 41% | |
| 2011 | King of Tokyo | 3-6 | 6+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 41% |
| 2007 | Zooloretto | 3-5 | 6+ | 45 | Family | Germany | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | n/r | 41% |
| 2001 | Villa Paletti | 2-4 | 6+ | 30 | Family | Canada | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 41% |
| 2002 | Apples to Apples Junior | 4-10 | 6+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | n/r | 41% |
| 2000 | Blokus | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | Abstract | France | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | n/r | 39% |
| 400 | Pachisi (Parcheesi) | 2-4 | 5+ | 30 | Child, Family | India | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 39% |
| 2015 | Smash Up: Munchkin | 2-4 | 8+ | 45 | Strategy | U.S. | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | n/r | 37% |
| 2014 | Leaps and Ledges | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | n/r | 37% | |
| 1982 | UNO Wild Tiles | 3-4 | 8 | 10 | Abstract | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | n/r | 37% |
| 2014 | The Tootsie Roll Dice Game | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 3 | 1 | n/r | 37% | ||||
| 1965 | Trouble | 2-4 | 5+ | 45 | Child | U.S. | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 36% |
| 2000 | Carcassonne | 2-5 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Germany | 4 | n/r | 2 | 1 | n/r | 36% |
| 2017 | Unlock! The Tonipal's Treasure | 1-4 | 10+ | 60 | Switzerland | 1 | n/r | 5 | 1 | n/r | 28% | |
| 2014 | King of New York | 3-6 | 8+ | 40 | Family | U.S. | 2 | n/r | 2 | 1 | n/r | 24% |
| 2015 | Wonky | 3-6 | 8+ | 15 | U.S. | 1 | n/r | 4 | 1 | n/r | 24% | |
| 2012 | Flowerfall | 2-6 | 6+ | 10 | Party, Family | U.S. | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | n/r | 23% |
| 1977 | Pass the Pigs | 2-8 | 6+ | 30 | Party, Family | U.S. | 1 | n/r | 2 | 1 | n/r | 12% |
| 1750 | Shut the Box | 1-4 | 5+ | 30 | France?, U.K.? | 1 | n/r | 2 | 1 | n/r | 12% | |
| 2013 | Bounce-Off | 2-4 | 8+ | 15 | U.S. | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | n/r | 9% |
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| Year | Name | Players | Ages | Time (min) | Type | Country | Big Pig | Medium Pig | Small Pig1 | Small Pig2 | Other Pig | PIG Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 | 2-4 | 12+ | 60 | Strategy, Theme | U.S. | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Terraforming Mars | 1-4 | 12+ | 120 | Strategy | Sweden | 4 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization | 2-4 | 14+ | 180 | Strategy | Czech Republic | n/r | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Great Western Trail | 2-4 | 12+ | 150 | Strategy | Austria | 7 | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Scythe | 1-5 | 12+ | 90 | Strategy | U.S. | 5 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Arkham Horror: The Card Game | 1-4 | 14+ | 60 | Customizable, Theme | U.S. | n/r | n/r | 4 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Root | 2-4 | 12+ | 60 | War, Strategy | U.S. | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Everdell | 1-4 | 10+ | 80 | Family, Strategy | U.S. | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Viticulture Essential Edition | 1-5 | 12+ | 45 | Strategy | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2002 | Puerto Rico | 2-5 | 12+ | 90 | Strategy | Germany | 7 | n/r | 7 | n/r | 6 | 0% |
| 2021 | Cascadia | 1-4 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract, Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2017 | Pandemic Legacy: Season 2 | 2-4 | 12+ | 60 | Strategy, Theme | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2008 | Le Havre | 1-4 | 12+ | 30 | Strategy | Germany | 7 | n/r | 7 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family, Strategy | U.S. | 4 | 6 | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2014 | Roll for the Galaxy | 2-5 | 12+ | 45 | Strategy | U.S. | 5 | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2019 | Cartographers | 1-9 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Brazil | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 5 | 0% |
| 2019 | Parks | 1-4 | 10+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 6 | 6 | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2019 | Watergate | 2 | 12+ | 30 | Strategy | Germany | 6 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 7 | 0% |
| 2012 | Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures | 2 | 10+ | 30 | Custom, War | U.S. | 3 | n/r | 1 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | That's Pretty Clever | 1-4 | 8+ | 30 | Family | Austria | 6 | 6 | 5 | n/r | 6 | 0% |
| 1993 | Magic: The Gathering | 2+ | 12+ | 20 | Custom | U.S. | n/r | n/r | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2017 | Dinosaur Island | 1-4 | 10+ | 90 | Theme, Strategy | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2021 | So Clover | 3-6 | 10+ | 30 | Party | Belgium? | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Above and Below | 2-4 | 10+ | 90 | Theme | U.S. | 5 | n/r | n/r | 5 | n/r | 0% |
| 2012 | Mage Wars Arena | 2 | 12+ | 90 | Custom | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2021 | Canvas | 1-5 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2005 | Shadows over Camelot | 4-7 | 10+ | 60 | Thematic | France | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2011 | Sentinels of the Multiverse | 1-5 | 10+ | 30 | Thematic | U.S. | 2 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 2 | 0% |
| 2013 | The Duke | 2 | 12+ | 30 | Abstract | U.S. | 6 | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1800 (circa) | Perudo (Liar's Dice) | 3-6 | 8+ | 15 | Party, Family | Chile? | 2 | 7 | 4 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Disney Villainous | 2-6 | 10+ | 45 | Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Dale of Merchants | 2-4 | 10+ | 30 | Family, Strategy | Finland | 6 | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2012 | Morels (Fungi) | 2 | 10+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 4 | n/r | n/r | 6 | n/r | 0% |
| 1925 | Bridge | 4 | 12+ | 60 | Abstract, Strategy | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1991 | Quarto | 2 | 8+ | 20 | Abstract | Switzerland | 4 | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1997 | GIPF | 2 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract | Belgium | 5 | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1810 | Poker | 3-9 | 14+ | 60 | Strategy | U.S. | 5 | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Rise of Tribes | 2-4 | 8+ | 60 | Strategy | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2021 | Botanik | 2 | 8+ | 20 | Abstract, Family | Switzerland | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 5 | 0% |
| 1997 | Quoridor | 2-4 | 8+ | 15 | Abstract | 5 | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 2021 | That Time You Killed Me | 2 | 12+ | 15 | Abstract | Australia | 6 | 4 | 0 | 6 | n/r | 0% |
| 1993 | Beyond Balderdash | 4-6 | 12+ | 45 | Party | Canada | 3 | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1848 | Euchre (Knock Euchre) | 4 | 12+ | 45 | Family | Unknown | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1938 | Spades | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Skyjo | 2-5 | 6+ | 15 | Family | Germany | 2 | n/r | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1850 | Hearts | 4 | 10+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | 7 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1977 | Pente | 2-4 | 8+ | 30 | Abstract | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Deckscape: Heist in Venice | 1-6 | 12+ | 30 | Theme | Italy | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Joking Hazard | 3-7 | 16+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2017 | Trash Pandas | 2-4 | 5+ | 15 | U.S. | 4 | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 1972 | Boggle | 2-8 | 10+ | 10 | Family | U.S.? | 5 | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1997 | Pokemon Trading Card Game | 2 | 8+ | 20 | Custom | Japan | n/r | n/r | 2 | 1 | n/r | 0% |
| 2017 | Unstable Unicorns | 3-6 | 8+ | 45 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1996 | Five Crowns | 3-7 | 8+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2002 | The Game of Things | 5-9 | 10+ | 45 | Party | Canada, U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Cards Against Humanity: Absurd Box | 4-11 | 16+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Cards Against Humanity: Blue Box | 4-11 | 16+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Cards Against Humanity: Green Box | 4-11 | 16+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2016 | Cards Against Humanity: Red Box | 4-11 | 16+ | 30 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1887 | Rummy | 2-6 | 8+ | 60 | Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| -2600 (circa) | Royal Game of Ur | 2 | 6+ | 30 | Abstract | Iraq? | 2 | n/r | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| -1300 | Bao | 2 | 10+ | 40 | Abstract | Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Comoros (Swahili Coast) | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1930 | Contract Rummy (May I?) | 3-8 | 8+ | 120 | U.S. | 4 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 1700 | Tablut | 2 | 10+ | 45 | Abstract | Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia (Sápmi) | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| -3500 (circa) | Senet | 2 | 6+ | 30 | Abstract | Egypt | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2003 | Buzzword | 4-10 | 12+ | 45 | Party | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2015 | Otrio | 2-4 | 6+ | 45 | Abstract | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2018 | Avocado Smash! | 3-7 | 5+ | 10 | Party | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 1981 | Fill or Bust (Farkle+) | 2-10 | 5+ | 30 | Family | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1996 | Farkle (10,000) | 2-6 | 8+ | 30 | Family | France? | 2 | 7 | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2020 | Magic: The Gathering – Unsanctioned | 2 | 13+ | 20 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 2008 | Crosswise | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | Abstract | Germany | n/r | n/r | 5 | 5 | n/r | 0% |
| 2020 | Coraline: Beware the Other Mother | 1-3 | 10+ | 30 | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 2004 | Toss Up! | 2-6 | 8+ | 15 | Family | U.S. | 2 | n/r | n/r | 1 | n/r | 0% |
| 1000 | Alquerque | 2 | 6+ | 10 | Abstract | Iraq? | 6 | n/r | 5 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2005 | Ruckus | 2-4 | 6+ | 20 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 2017 | Hearing Things | 4-8 | 12+ | U.S. | 1 | n/r | n/r | 1 | n/r | 0% | ||
| 1977 | Family Feud | 5-9 | 10+ | 30 | Party, Family | U.S. | n/r | 1 | n/r | 1 | n/r | 0% |
| 1967 | Skip-Bo | 2-6 | 6+ | 20 | Family | U.S. | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1959 | Risk | 3-6 | 8+ | 120 | Family, War | France | 4 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| The Game of MEME | 3-6 | 14+ | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |||
| 1988 | Boggle Junior | 1-2 | 3+ | 10 | Child | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| -1400 (circa) | Nine Men's Morris (Mill Game) | 2 | 6+ | 20 | Abstract | Egypt | 4 | n/r | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2012 | Deer in the Headlights | 4-6 | 6+ | 30 | U.S. | 1 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 1893 | Chinese Checkers | 2,3,4,6 | 6+ | 30 | Abstract | Germany | 2 | 6 | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 1949 | Candy Land | 2-4 | 3+ | 30 | Child | U.S. | 1 | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
| 2003 | Barnyard Bedlam | 2-6 | 4+ | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 1936 | Big Business | 3-4 | 10+ | 45 | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| 1283 | Catch the Hare (Coyote and Chicken) | 2 | 10 | Spain? | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| Five Field Kono | 2 | 6+ | 10 | Korea | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 2015 | Monopoly: Here & Now (Buzzfeed) | 2-4 | 6+ | U.S. | n/r | 6 | 6 | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 1611 | Ombre | 3-4 | 20 | Spain | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | ||
| 1998 | Quizmo Vocabulary | 2-36 | 10+ | 5 | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |
| Rimau | 5+ | 15 | Malaysia | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% | |||
| 2018 | A Wrinkle in Time: A Daring Adventure | 30 | U.S. | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | n/r | 0% |
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Beginning at 3 years old, games teach younger children about taking turns, following rules, and learning important pre-math skills such as connectivity and patterns. For 3 years old, the most enjoyable game for this is "Richard Scarry's Busytown: Eye found it! Game". At 4 years old, great games for finding and breaking patterns are "Spot it!" and "Junior Labyrinth". At 5-to-6 years old, great games not requiring literacy are "Dixit", "Enchanted Forest", and "Qwirkle". It is also notable that auction games such as "Kuhhandel (You're Bluffing)" quickly teach children about the value of money.
Next, we hope to supplement our tables with further review information: in pictures, in writing, and in video. Significant additional sources we use for information on choosing games are: (1) winners of German Game of the Year (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiel_des_Jahres); (2) BoardGameGeek (www.boardgamegeek.com); (3) the energetic reviews of Tom Vasel and his Dice Tower companions on YouTube; and (4) personal recommendations. See also a great review from wirecutter for intermediate gamers: "Our Favorite Board Games for Adults" (https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/board-games-for-adults/).
You can buy many great games at your local game store. Larger brick-and-mortar stores also now have some of the better games in the above tables. Online providers with free shipping include Miniature Market (www.miniaturemarket.com, free shipping over $99), and CoolStuffInc (www.coolstuffinc.com, free shipping on $100+). After including sales tax, ordering from these stores is typically less expensive than ordering through even Amazon Prime.
In addition to playing games with your family and friends, you can also ask for options at your local game store. Local game stores host some game events, and also have information on other gaming events and groups.
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