Types of Board Games: An Encyclopedia

Looking for the best types of board games to play? From cooperative to strategy and party games, this guide covers various categories to help you find the perfect game for any occasion.

Below we have an (expanding) list of board game types in alphabetical order, for you to reference and explore, with links to the full round up articles as well as some individual reviews.

Different Types of Board Games

Abstract Strategy Games

If you relish a battle of wits, abstract strategy games are an ideal choice. These games focus on skill and strategy, with minimal luck involved, making them a true test of a player’s strategic thinking. The rules are often simple, but mastering the game can be a challenging and deeply rewarding experience. Some popular abstract strategy games include:

• Chess

• Go

• Checkers

• Othello

• Connect Four

Give these games a try and see if you have what it takes to outsmart your opponents!

Classic examples of abstract games include Chess and Go, both of which have been played for centuries and are known for their deep strategic possibilities. Modern abstract games like Azul and Santorini have brought a fresh twist to the genre, offering beautiful components and engaging gameplay that can captivate both new and experienced players.

Area Control Games

Strategic dominance is the main focus of area control games. In these games, players compete to control different regions on the game board by placing or moving pieces, with the goal of having more power than their opponents in various parts of the map. This mechanic often leads to intense competition and tactical maneuvering.

Some popular area control games include:

• Risk: Players vie for global domination through strategic troop movements and battles.

• Blood Rage: Combines area control with Norse mythology, offering a unique and immersive experience.

• Small World: Adds its own twist to the area control mechanic, providing endless strategic possibilities.

• El Grande: Another popular title that adds its own twist to the area control mechanic, providing endless strategic possibilities.

These games offer a variety of strategic options and are sure to provide hours of fun.

Campaign and Legacy Games

Introducing interconnected scenarios and evolving gameplay, campaign and legacy games elevate board gaming to a new level. In campaign games, players embark on a series of connected stages or missions, often with a continuous storyline that evolves as they progress. Legacy games, on the other hand, feature permanent changes based on player decisions, making each playthrough unique.

Gloomhaven is a standout example of a campaign game, offering a rich narrative and deep tactical gameplay. Pandemic Legacy and Risk Legacy are notable legacy games where the board and rules evolve based on the outcomes of each session. These games provide a long-term gaming experience, where players can see their actions have lasting impacts, creating a truly immersive and engaging experience.

Children’s Games

With fun themes that capture young players’ imaginations, children’s games are designed to be simple and engaging. These games often teach valuable skills such as patience, problem-solving, and social interaction. They are perfect for family game nights and can help foster a love for board gaming in young children.

Some classic children’s games that provide hours of entertainment and can be enjoyed by the whole family are:

• Mouse Trap: a game where players build a complex contraption to catch a mouse

• Animal Upon Animal: a fun stacking game that helps children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination

• My First Castle Panic: a cooperative game where players work together to defend their castle from monsters, teaching teamwork and strategic thinking

  Full review of My First Castle Panic here

These print and play games are a great way to have fun and bond with your family on your favorite game system.

Check out our Comprehensive guide to kids board games by age.

Cooperative Board Games

Teamwork is the central theme of cooperative board games. Unlike traditional competitive games, where players vie against each other, cooperative games require players to join forces to achieve a common goal. In these games, players either win or lose as a team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment.

Some popular cooperative games include:

• Pandemic, where players work together to stop global disease outbreaks

• Forbidden Island, where players must collect treasures and escape from a sinking island

  Full review of Forbidden Island here

• Nemesis, which offers a thrilling experience of surviving against alien threats

These board game options, among many board games, provide a refreshing twist on traditional board gaming, making them a great choice for family game nights or gatherings with friends when playing board games. Explore various board game categories, including card game and dice game options, as well as engaging dice games, to find the perfect fit for your next event. Don’t forget to check out hobby board games for even more entertainment options.

Deck Building Games

The unique blend of strategy, adaptability, and board game mechanics is what sets deck building games apart. In these games, players start with a basic set of cards and improve their deck by acquiring new cards and removing others throughout the game. This mechanic allows for a dynamic and evolving gameplay experience, where each turn can significantly impact your strategy.

A defining feature of deck building games is that the deck is built during the game rather than before. Players draw cards from their deck each turn and use them to perform actions, buy more cards from a central market, and refine their deck to increase the chances of drawing powerful cards. This constant evolution keeps the game exciting and requires players to think strategically about their choices.

Popular examples of deck building games include:

• Dominion, the game that pioneered the genre

• Star Realms, a space-themed game that combines deck building with direct combat

• Aeon’s End

• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle

  Full review of Harry Potter a Deck Building Game here

These games are perfect for those who enjoy crafting their strategies and adapting to changing circumstances.

Check out our post on the Best Deck Building Games

Dexterity Games

Dexterity games aim to test your physical skills and enhance your hand-eye coordination. These games are great for developing nimbleness and precision. Unlike traditional strategy games, these games require players to perform physical tasks, adding an element of fun and unpredictability. They are great for players of all ages and can bring a lively energy to any game night.

Classic examples of dexterity games include Operation, where players must carefully remove body parts without touching the sides, and Jenga, where players take turns removing blocks from a tower and stacking them on top without causing it to collapse. Modern dexterity games like Flick ‘em Up! and Catacombs offer new and exciting challenges, combining physical skill with strategic planning. These games provide a refreshing break from traditional board games and are sure to keep everyone engaged.

Check out our post on the best Cooperative Games for Kids

Economic Board Games

Resource management and decision-making are the primary aspects of economic board games. Players must carefully plan their investments, trade, and use resources efficiently to outmaneuver their opponents and achieve their objectives. These games often require forward-thinking and strategic planning, making them a favorite among players who enjoy complex decision-making.

Some examples of economic games include:

• Power Grid: Players bid on power plants and resources to supply cities

• Catan: Involves trading and building to gain victory points

  Full review of Catan here

• Monopoly: The classic game of property trading and development

  Full review of Monopoly here

These games provide a rich and rewarding experience for those who enjoy the intricacies of economic strategy.

Educational Games

Designed to educate while keeping players entertained, educational games impart new ideas, concepts, and skills. These games strike a balance between fun and learning, making them an excellent choice for both children and adults who wish to expand their knowledge through gameplay.

Some popular educational games include:

• The Magic Labyrinth

• Brain Quest

• Prime Club

• Math Fluxx

• Spell Trek

• Fossil Sweep

These games challenge players’ memory, trivia knowledge, and mathematical skills, while also introducing spelling and basic scientific concepts. They make learning enjoyable and can be a valuable addition to any educational toolkit.

Horror Board Games

For those who enjoy a spine-chilling experience, horror board games deliver thrills and scares right at your tabletop. These games often involve eerie themes, dark storytelling, and intense gameplay, perfect for setting the mood on a dark and stormy night.

Some popular horror board games include:

• Betrayal at House on the Hill: Players explore a haunted mansion, encountering spooky events and uncovering the house’s dark secrets. The game takes a twist when one player becomes the traitor, turning against the others.

• Arkham Horror: Set in the Lovecraftian universe, players work together to stop ancient evils from awakening. The game features rich narrative elements and challenging cooperative gameplay.

• Mansions of Madness: A fully cooperative, app-driven game where players investigate mysteries in a haunted mansion, facing monsters and solving puzzles along the way.

• Nemesis: Combining horror and science fiction, players must survive on a spaceship infested with deadly aliens. Trust and paranoia run high as players work together, but hidden objectives may lead to betrayal.

These games provide a perfect blend of suspense, strategy, and storytelling, making them ideal for horror enthusiasts and those looking for a thrilling game night. Whether you’re battling eldritch horrors or navigating a haunted house, horror board games offer a unique and immersive experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Check out our post on the Best Horror Board games.

Mystery Games

Deduction and mystery games allow you to experience the thrill of detective work on a game board. These games involve:

• Solving problems using clues and logical reasoning

• Piecing together information to uncover the truth

• Providing a mental challenge

• Offering tense and engaging gameplay

These games are a great choice for those who enjoy a mental challenge.

Clue is perhaps the most iconic murder mystery game, where players must determine who committed a murder, with what weapon, and in which room. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong adds a unique twist by incorporating hidden roles and social deduction elements. Mysterium and Letters from Whitechapel are other popular titles that offer immersive storytelling and challenging puzzles. These games are perfect for those who love to play detective and solve mysteries.

Check out our list of the best Mystery Games here

Party Games

Aimed at large groups, party games are created to be engaging and enjoyable. They emphasize social interaction, quick thinking, and often humor, making them perfect for gatherings and celebrations. These games typically have simple rules and short play times, ensuring that everyone can join in on the fun.

Some popular party games include:

• Codenames: a game where players give one-word clues to help their team guess the correct words on the board

  Full review of Codenames here

• Telestrations: a game that combines drawing and guessing in a hilarious game of telephone

• Time’s Up: a game where players have to guess famous people or characters in a limited amount of time

• Snake Oil: a game where players have to pitch and sell wacky products to each other

Whether you’re at a party or just looking for a lighthearted game night, these games are sure to bring joy and laughter.

Check out our post on the Best Party Games

Puzzle Games

Focusing on problem-solving and logical thinking, puzzle games challenge players to think both creatively and strategically. These games often involve spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and lateral thinking, making them both fun and intellectually stimulating.

Some popular puzzle games in the quilting genre include:

• Calico, where players create beautiful quilts by placing tiles to match patterns and colors

• Patchwork, a two-player game where players compete to build the most aesthetically pleasing quilt from various fabric pieces

  Full review of Patchwork here

• Azul, a game where players draft tiles and place them on their board to score points based on specific patterns

  Full review of Azul here

These games are perfect for those who love a good mental challenge and enjoy the satisfaction of solving complex puzzles.

Racing Games

Challenging players to be the first to reach the finish line, racing games blend speed and strategy. These games often involve a mix of luck and skill, requiring players to make strategic decisions about their moves. The thrill of the race makes these games exciting and competitive.

Some classic racing games that offer fast-paced action and strategic depth include:

• Formula D: Players race cars around a track, managing their speed and taking risks to gain an advantage.

• Downforce: Combines betting with racing, as players bid on cars and try to maneuver them to victory.

• Heat: Pedal to the Metal: Adds a modern twist to the racing genre.

These games are a hit with competitive players.

Social Deduction Games

Involving hidden roles, social deduction games present the challenge of identifying players’ characters. These games often require players to bluff, deceive, and use their deduction skills to uncover each other’s identities. The tension and intrigue make these games a hit at parties and social gatherings.

Some popular social deduction games include:

• Werewolf: Players must identify the werewolves among them before being eliminated.

• Secret Hitler: Hidden roles and political intrigue, with players trying to prevent the rise of fascism.

• The Resistance: Players work together to overthrow a corrupt government, but there are spies among them.

• Spyfall: Players try to figure out who among them is the spy, while the spy tries to blend in and figure out the location.

These games provide a thrilling experience as players try to outwit each other and uncover the truth.

Storytelling Games

Narrative and player creativity are the main elements emphasized in storytelling games. These games require players to use their imagination and improvisation skills to drive the story forward. They are perfect for those who enjoy crafting tales and exploring new worlds through collaborative storytelling.

Some notable storytelling games include:

• Tales of the Arabian Nights

• The King’s Dilemma

• Aftermath

• Agemonia

These games provide a unique and memorable experience, allowing players to become part of the story.

Real-Time Games

Requiring players to complete objectives within a set time limit, real-time games imbue a sense of urgency and excitement. These games often use timers to create a fast-paced and dynamic gameplay experience. Quick decision-making and rapid thinking are essential, making these games both challenging and thrilling.

Some real-time games that provide a heart-pounding experience are:

• Space Alert: a cooperative game where players must work together to defend their spaceship from threats

• Captain Sonar: a game where two teams operate submarines in real-time, adding a layer of strategy to the fast-paced action

• 5-Minute Dungeon: a frantic game where players must defeat monsters and obstacles within a short time frame

These games are perfect for those who thrive under pressure.

RPG Board Games

Role-playing game (RPG) board games combine storytelling, strategy, and character development to create immersive experiences. These games allow players to step into the shoes of unique characters, embark on epic adventures, and make decisions that shape the narrative.

RPG board games typically involve:

• Character creation and progression

• Narrative-driven gameplay

• Tactical combat and exploration

• Cooperative and competitive elements

Some popular RPG board games include:

• Gloomhaven: A sprawling campaign game with deep tactical combat and a rich narrative.

• Descent: Journeys in the Dark: Players take on the roles of heroes or the overlord in a fantasy dungeon-crawling adventure.

• Mage Knight: Combines deck-building and RPG elements in a quest for power and glory.

• Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon: A story-driven game set in a dark Arthurian world, blending exploration and character development.

These games offer a unique blend of storytelling and strategy, making them perfect for players who enjoy deep, narrative experiences. Whether you’re delving into dungeons, exploring mystical lands, or battling epic foes, RPG board games provide endless adventures and memorable moments.

Check out our post on the Best RPG Board Games

Trivia Board Games

For those who love testing their knowledge and learning new facts, trivia board games are an excellent choice. These games challenge players to answer questions across various categories, making them both fun and educational. Trivia games can be a great way to bring people together, spark friendly competition, and discover who the true trivia master is among your friends and family.

Some popular trivia board games include:

• Trivial Pursuit: The classic trivia game where players answer questions in six categories to collect wedges and complete their game piece.

• Wits & Wagers: Combines trivia with betting, allowing players to wager on the answers they think are correct.

• Smart Ass: A fast-paced game where players race to answer questions and move around the board.

• Bezzerwizzer: Adds a strategic twist to trivia by allowing players to steal questions from their opponents and swap categories.

These games are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or any occasion where you want to challenge your brain and have fun at the same time. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just enjoy learning new things, trivia board games offer endless hours of entertainment and knowledge.

Check out our post on the Best Trivia Board Games

War Board Games

War games provide a thrilling experience for those who enjoy the challenge of strategic and tactical combat. These games simulate historical or fictional battles, often involving detailed strategy and tactical movement. Players must make critical decisions about troop movements, resource management, and battle tactics.

Risk is a classic war game where players aim to conquer the world by deploying and maneuvering their armies. Axis & Allies, another staple in this genre, simulates World War II battles, requiring players to manage resources and coordinate military strategies. Modern titles like Eagles in the Sky, which focuses on World War One aerial combat, and Inferno: Guelphs and Ghibellines, which involves medieval logistics, add new layers of complexity and realism to war gaming.

Other noteworthy games include Storm over Jerusalem, which simulates the Roman siege of Jerusalem, and Werwolf: Insurgency in Occupied Germany, set in post-WWII Germany with multiple factions vying for power. These games provide a deep and immersive experience, allowing players to test their strategic prowess in various historical and fictional settings.

Check out our post on the Best War Board Games

Word Games

If you love language and enjoy a challenge, word games are ideal for you. These games involve:

• spelling

• unscrambling

• defining

• finding links between words

They test players’ vocabulary, creative thinking, and quick wit. Word games can be both entertaining and educational, making them a great choice for game nights and educational activities alike.

Some popular word games include the following word game options:

• Scrabble: Players use letter tiles to create words on a game board, earning points based on the letters’ values.

• Boggle: Players find as many words as possible in a grid of letters within a set time limit.

• Bananagrams: Players race to build word grids using letter tiles.

These games provide endless fun while helping players improve their language skills.

Worker Placement Games

For strategy enthusiasts, worker placement games are a must-try. These games revolve around assigning workers to specific actions, such as gathering resources or completing tasks. The challenge lies in the fact that players have a limited number of workers and must make strategic decisions about which actions to prioritize each turn.

Some notable worker placement games include:

• Agricola: a classic game where players manage a farm and strive to keep their family fed while improving their land.

• Lords of Waterdeep: integrates the Dungeons & Dragons universe into a worker placement game, adding a thematic layer to the strategic gameplay.

• Stone Age: a game set in prehistoric times where players gather resources, build structures, and develop their tribe.

• Everdell: a visually stunning game where players build a woodland city and attract critter and construction cards to score points.

These games offer a rich and rewarding experience for those who enjoy planning and optimizing their moves.

Summary

Exploring the diverse world of board games can open up a world of fun, strategy, and creativity. From cooperative games that foster teamwork to word games that challenge your vocabulary, there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to engage in deep strategic battles, solve intricate puzzles, or simply have a good time with friends and family, the variety of board games available today ensures that you’ll never run out of options.

Board games have evolved to offer experiences that are both entertaining and educational, catering to players of all ages and interests. By trying out different types of games, you can discover new favorite pastimes and create lasting memories with your loved ones. So gather your friends and family, pick a game that piques your interest, and dive into the exciting world of board gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions