Best Board Games to Buy Right Now
If you are hunting for board games that will actually get played and bring joy year after year, you’re in the right place. The board-gaming world is constantly evolving, and many of the hottest titles right now are newer releases, innovative spins, or trending hits. Below is a curated list of standout board games worth your budget and shelf space - each backed by player buzz and modern design trends.
1. Wyrmspan
Type of game: Tableau-building strategy with dragon theme
Players: 1 to 5
Playtime: About 60 to 90 minutes
What makes it worth buying:
Wyrmspan swaps birds for dragons, challenging players to excavate caves and attract fantastical creatures with clever card combos and resource management. It earned strong reviews on release and saw record-breaking first-day sales for its publisher, proving just how much anticipation and enthusiasm surrounded it.
Estimated price: around €60 to €75, roughly $65 to $80 USD.
Buy if: You want a modern strategy game with great production and a fantasy twist; something genuinely current in the hobby.
2. Arcs
Type of game: Competitive space-opera strategy
Players: 2 to 4
Playtime: About 60 to 120 minutes
What makes it worth buying:
Arcs mixes a space-opera setting with card-driven actions, trick-taking combat, and asymmetric powers. Early praise highlighted its dynamic objectives and replayable scenarios; with expansion content available, it can even become a legacy-style campaign.
Estimated price: around €65 to €80, or about $70 to $85 USD.
Buy if: You’re looking for a strategic sci-fi game that feels fresh and different from older genre staples.
3. Slay the Spire: The Board Game
Type of game: Cooperative deck-building campaign
Players: 1 to 4
Playtime: 60 to 120+ minutes
What makes it worth buying:
Adapted from the hit video game, this board-game version has quickly gained high ratings and strong buzz among solo- and group-gamers alike. Its cooperative play, evolving characters, and roguelike progression hooked many players, making it one of the highest-ranked new games on BGG lists and solo-gaming rankings.
Estimated price: around €90 to €110, or about $95 to $120 USD.
Buy if: You enjoy campaign-style progression, or you want a game that works as well solo as it does with a group.
4. Fromage
Type of game: Worker placement and resource management
Players: 1 to 4
Playtime: 30 to 45 minutes
What makes it worth buying:
This thematic cheesemaking-era strategy game revolves around timing actions across rotating board quadrants. Its innovative mechanic (aging resources to gain more value) adds unique tactical decisions and keeps every session feeling different.
Estimated price: around €35 to €45, which is about $38 to $48 USD.
Buy if: You want something strategic yet approachable with a distinctive thematic hook.
5. Joyride: Survival of the Fastest
Type of game: Post-apocalyptic racing strategy
Players: 2+ (varies by edition)
Playtime: About 45 to 90 minutes
What makes it worth buying:
One of the newer rising stars in the BGG Hotness chart, Joyride stands out with a blend of racing and survival gameplay. Its fast-paced mechanics and striking visuals have propelled it to the top of trend lists, earning attention for its fresh mix of strategy and thrills.
Estimated price: around €55 to €65, roughly $58 to $70 USD.
Buy if: You want a dynamic, thematic game that feels like a blockbuster movie night on the table.
How to Decide if a Game Is Worth Buying
Choosing what to buy can feel overwhelming. Here are three key questions to guide your gaming decisions:
Who are you playing with? Some games shine with families or casual groups, while others reward dedicated strategy players.
How long do you want each session to last? Quick games vs. epic campaign-style storytelling are totally different experiences.
Do you prefer deep thinking or casual fun? Understanding this preference immediately narrows the field.
For instance, a cooperative board game list may be better suited if you prefer working together with the people you play with.
FAQs
What makes a board game worth buying?
A game is worth buying if it consistently hits the table, remains engaging after many plays, and offers a satisfying experience relative to its cost - especially with mechanics or variety that keep it from feeling repetitive.
Are more expensive board games always better?
Not necessarily. Price often reflects components or production, but elegant design and replayability matter far more for long-term enjoyment.
How can I tell if I’ll replay a game?
Look for games with varied setups, multiple strategies, or evolving campaign content - these factors keep them fresh over time.
What’s a good first board game for beginners?
Of these picks, Fromage offers the most accessible entry-level experience due to its simpler mechanics and shorter playtime.
Final Thoughts
Board games continue to evolve, and many of the most exciting picks today are innovative recent releases. The titles above represent some of the most interesting and widely discussed games right now in the hobby. If you’re buying board games at the moment, they offer a mix of modern design, strong replayability, and real staying power on your shelf. It’s important to also have a look at the best board games ever made, not just the hot ones right now, as you may be missing out on excellent older games.
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