Wingspan vs Ark Nova
A side-by-side comparison of two of the most-asked-about board games — using only verified specs from our catalogue. No invented rules, no fluff.
Specs and BoardGameGeek rankings current as of June 2026. Gaps in our data show as a dash (—).
| Wingspan | Ark Nova | |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 2019 | 2021 |
| Players | 1–5 | 1–4 |
| Playtime | ~40 min | ~90 min |
| Recommended age | 10+ | 14+ |
| Complexity (BGG weight) | 2.5 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| BGG rank | #38 | #2 |
| Designers | Elizabeth Hargrave, David J. Studley | Mathias Wigge |
| Key mechanics | Action Queue, Dice Rolling, End Game Bonuses, Hand Management | Contracts, End Game Bonuses, Events, Grid Coverage |
Both games share these mechanics: End Game Bonuses, Hand Management, Open Drafting, Set Collection, Solo / Solitaire Game.
Which should you get?
Based only on the specs above — not on opinion:
- Wingspan is the lighter, easier-to-teach game (2.5 vs 3.8 of 5), while Ark Nova offers more decision depth for experienced players.
- If table time matters, Wingspan is the shorter game (~40 min vs ~90 min).
- For bigger groups, Wingspan stretches further (1–5 players).
- With younger players, Wingspan has the lower recommended age (10+).
- On raw BoardGameGeek ranking, Ark Nova currently sits higher (#2 vs #38).
Both are well-loved games; the "right" one depends on your group. Read the full entries for Wingspan and Ark Nova.
Where to buy
Wingspan
Find Wingspan on Amazon →Ark Nova
Find Ark Nova on Amazon →Amazon links are affiliate search links. As an Amazon Associate, EveryGameMade earns from qualifying purchases.
Common questions
Is Wingspan or Ark Nova harder to learn?
Wingspan is the easier of the two to learn — 2.5 of 5 on BoardGameGeek versus 3.8 of 5 for Ark Nova.
Which is faster to play, Wingspan or Ark Nova?
Wingspan is the quicker game at about 40 minutes, versus roughly 90 minutes for Ark Nova.
How many players do Wingspan and Ark Nova support?
Wingspan plays with 1–5 players; Ark Nova plays with 1–4 players.