Best Gateway Board Games
The modern classics that brought millions into the hobby (1995–2015) — easy to learn, deep enough to stay.
Ranked by BoardGameGeek rating, current as of June 2026. We list only games in our verified catalogue.
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1
War of the Ring: Second Edition 2011
#8 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #8 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
2–4 players · ~150 min · Ages 13+
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2
Twilight Struggle 2005
#14 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #14 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2 players · ~120 min · Ages 13+
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3
The Castles of Burgundy 2011
#17 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #17 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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4
Brass: Lancashire 2007
#22 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #22 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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5
Concordia 2013
#29 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #29 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~100 min · Ages 13+
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6
Orléans 2014
#35 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #35 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~90 min · Ages 12+
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7
Terra Mystica 2012
#36 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #36 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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8
Mage Knight Board Game 2011
#40 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #40 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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9
Puerto Rico 2002
#57 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #57 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–5 players · ~90 min · Ages 12+
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10
Caverna: The Cave Farmers 2013
#62 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #62 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–7 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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11
Agricola 2007
#64 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #64 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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12
Power Grid 2004
#74 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #74 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–6 players · ~120 min · Ages 12+
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13
Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 2012
#75 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #75 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~90 min · Ages 13+
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14
Le Havre 2008
#82 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #82 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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15
Star Wars: Imperial Assault 2014
#87 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #87 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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16
Race for the Galaxy 2007
#94 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #94 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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17
El Grande 1995
#102 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #102 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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18
Fields of Arle 2014
#103 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #103 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–2 players · ~60 min · Ages 13+
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19
Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy 2011
#105 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #105 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–6 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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20
Lords of Waterdeep 2012
#106 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #106 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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21
Ra 1999
#114 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #114 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 12+
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22
7 Wonders 2010
#118 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #118 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–7 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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23
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization 2006
#119 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #119 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~120 min · Ages 12+
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24
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island 2012
#120 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #120 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
1–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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25
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game 2008
#126 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #126 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
3–6 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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26
Tigris & Euphrates 1997
#131 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #131 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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27
Keyflower 2012
#135 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #135 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–6 players · ~90 min · Ages 12+
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28
Eldritch Horror 2013
#138 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #138 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
1–8 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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29
Age of Steam 2002
#139 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #139 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–6 players · ~120 min · Ages 13+
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30
Caylus 2005
#140 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #140 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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31
Dominion 2008
#146 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #146 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 13+
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32
Hansa Teutonica 2009
#147 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #147 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 12+
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33
Patchwork 2014
#148 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #148 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played abstract title.
2 players · ~15 min · Ages 8+
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34
Trajan 2011
#149 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #149 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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35
Twilight Imperium: Third Edition 2005
#151 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #151 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–6 players · ~180 min · Ages 14+
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36
Russian Railroads 2013
#152 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #152 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~120 min · Ages 13+
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37
Pandemic 2008
#173 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #173 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~45 min · Ages 8+
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38
Roll for the Galaxy 2014
#174 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #174 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 13+
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39
Star Realms 2014
#176 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #176 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2 players · ~20 min · Ages 12+
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40
Ticket to Ride: Europe 2005
#179 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #179 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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41
Stone Age 2008
#189 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #189 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 10+
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42
Kemet 2012
#202 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #202 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~90 min · Ages 13+
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43
Jaipur 2009
#203 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #203 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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44
Chaos in the Old World 2009
#218 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #218 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 13+
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45
Memoir '44 2004
#223 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #223 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played wargames title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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46
Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition) 2012
#229 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #229 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
1–5 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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47
Cosmic Encounter 2008
#230 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #230 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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48
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition) 2011
#237 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #237 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–6 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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49
The Resistance: Avalon 2012
#238 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #238 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
5–10 players · ~30 min · Ages 13+
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50
Carcassonne 2000
#239 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #239 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 7+
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51
Splendor 2014
#243 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #243 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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52
Ora et Labora 2011
#245 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #245 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 13+
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53
Ticket to Ride 2004
#262 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #262 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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54
Cyclades 2009
#272 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #272 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 13+
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55
Combat Commander: Europe 2006
#279 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #279 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played wargames title.
2 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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56
Galaxy Trucker 2007
#317 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #317 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 10+
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57
Lewis & Clark: The Expedition 2013
#332 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #332 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–5 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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58
Hive 2001
#333 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #333 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played abstract title.
2 players · ~20 min · Ages 9+
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59
Steam 2009
#343 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #343 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–6 players · ~90 min · Ages 10+
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60
Lost Cities 1999
#344 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #344 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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61
Telestrations 2009
#352 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #352 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
4–8 players · ~30 min · Ages 12+
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62
For Sale 1997
#357 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #357 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–6 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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63
Love Letter 2012
#370 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #370 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~20 min · Ages 10+
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64
Glass Road 2013
#391 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #391 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
1–4 players · ~20 min · Ages 13+
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65
Small World 2009
#408 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #408 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~40 min · Ages 8+
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66
Dixit 2008
#430 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #430 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
3–6 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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67
The Resistance 2009
#464 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #464 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
5–10 players · ~30 min · Ages 13+
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68
The Pillars of the Earth 2006
#469 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #469 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~90 min · Ages 12+
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69
Saint Petersburg 2004
#488 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #488 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~45 min · Ages 10+
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70
Skull 2011
#496 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #496 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
3–6 players · ~15 min · Ages 10+
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71
King of Tokyo 2011
#497 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #497 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–6 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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72
San Juan (Second Edition) 2014
#523 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #523 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
2–4 players · ~45 min · Ages 10+
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73
Bohnanza 1997
#544 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #544 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–7 players · ~45 min · Ages 12+
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74
Here I Stand 2006
#545 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #545 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played wargames title.
2–6 players · ~180 min · Ages 14+
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75
No Thanks! 2004
#554 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #554 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–7 players · ~20 min · Ages 8+
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76
Hanabi 2010
#601 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #601 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~25 min · Ages 8+
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77
Amun-Re 2003
#605 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #605 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–5 players · ~90 min · Ages 12+
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78
Forbidden Desert 2013
#608 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #608 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 10+
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79
Thurn and Taxis 2006
#610 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #610 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 10+
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80
Alhambra 2003
#614 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #614 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–6 players · ~45 min · Ages 8+
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81
Sheriff of Nottingham 2014
#616 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #616 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–5 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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82
Pandemic: The Cure 2014
#619 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #619 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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83
Catan 1995
#621 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #621 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–4 players · ~60 min · Ages 10+
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84
Ingenious 2004
#639 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #639 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played abstract title.
1–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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85
Camel Up 2014
#646 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #646 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–8 players · ~20 min · Ages 8+
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86
Jamaica 2007
#647 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #647 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–6 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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87
1846: The Race for the Midwest 2005
#659 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #659 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played strategy title.
3–5 players · ~120 min · Ages 14+
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88
Sushi Go! 2013
#664 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #664 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~15 min · Ages 8+
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89
Coup 2012
#718 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #718 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
2–6 players · ~15 min · Ages 13+
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90
Coloretto 2003
#733 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #733 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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91
Zombicide 2012
#764 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #764 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
1–6 players · ~60 min · Ages 14+
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92
Betrayal at House on the Hill 2004
#776 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #776 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played thematic title.
3–6 players · ~60 min · Ages 12+
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93
Tokaido 2012
#854 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #854 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
1–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 8+
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94
Wits & Wagers 2005
#866 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #866 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
3–7 players · ~25 min · Ages 10+
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95
Diamant 2005
#903 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #903 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–8 players · ~20 min · Ages 8+
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96
Blokus 2000
#906 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #906 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played abstract title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 7+
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97
Morels 2012
#1018 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #1018 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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98
Forbidden Island 2010
#1031 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #1031 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–4 players · ~30 min · Ages 10+
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99
Zooloretto 2007
#1132 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #1132 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
2–5 players · ~45 min · Ages 8+
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100
Saboteur 2004
#1553 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #1553 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–10 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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101
BANG! 2002
#1803 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #1803 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
4–7 players · ~20 min · Ages 8+
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102
Niagara 2004
#2143 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #2143 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played family title.
3–5 players · ~30 min · Ages 8+
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103
Apples to Apples 1999
#8225 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #8225 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
4–10 players · ~20 min · Ages 12+
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104
Cards Against Humanity 2009
#16155 BGGA notable hobby board game, currently ranked #16155 on BoardGameGeek and a widely played party title.
4–30 players · ~30 min · Ages 17+
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105
Catan: Seafarers 1997
UnrankedA notable hobby board game, rated 7.16/10 by the BoardGameGeek community and a widely played family title.
3–4 players · ~90 min · Ages 10+
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