Lists & guides

The board game blog

Ranked lists, buying guides, and straight answers to the questions players actually search. Every pick links to its honest review.

10 games

May 31, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Board Games for 3 Players

The best board games for 3 players, ranked. These hit their sweet spot at exactly three, from quick fillers to brain-burning strategy.

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?Guide

May 17, 2026 · 7 min read

Is Gloomhaven Worth It?

An honest look at whether Gloomhaven is worth your money and time, plus who should buy it and who should start with Jaws of the Lion instead.

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Guide

Apr 19, 2026 · 7 min read

How to Teach a Board Game Without Losing the Table

A repeatable method for teaching board game rules so players stay engaged. Lead with the goal, teach a turn, then learn by playing.

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10 games

Apr 18, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Deck-Building Board Games

The best deck-building board games, ranked. From Dominion to Dune: Imperium and modern engine-building hybrids, here's what's worth your table time.

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12 games

Apr 15, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best 2-Player Board Games

The best 2-player board games, ranked. From quick card duels like Jaipur to deep duels like Twilight Struggle, here's what actually shines at two.

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8 games

Apr 12, 2026 · 7 min read

The Best Abstract Strategy Board Games

The best abstract strategy board games: pure, theme-light battles of wits from Go and Azul to War Chest and Tigris & Euphrates.

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8 games

Apr 11, 2026 · 7 min read

The Best Board Games Like Catan

Loved Catan's trading and building? Here are 8 board games to play next, ranked, from easy gateway picks to meatier engine builders.

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10 games

Apr 7, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Engine-Building Board Games

The best engine-building board games, ranked. Build a machine of cards and actions that snowballs into a points avalanche, from Ark Nova to Splendor.

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10 games

Apr 7, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Area Control Board Games

The best area control board games, ranked. From dudes-on-a-board brawls to subtle euro majority fights, here's what's worth your table time.

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10 games

Apr 6, 2026 · 8 min read

The Best Card-Drafting Board Games

The best card-drafting board games, ranked. From Sushi Go to Ark Nova, here's where pick-a-card-pass-the-rest is done right, with honest picks for every table.

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12 games

Apr 3, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Family Board Games

A no-hype ranked list of the best family board games: approachable, light to light-medium picks that genuinely work across ages.

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Guide

Apr 1, 2026 · 6 min read

Euro vs. Ameritrash: What's the Difference?

Euro vs. Ameritrash explained in plain English: how these two board game design philosophies differ on theme, luck, conflict, with real examples.

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8 games

Mar 18, 2026 · 7 min read

The Best Board Games Like Wingspan

Looking for board games like Wingspan? Here are 8 gorgeous, approachable engine-builders that scratch the same itch, ranked and explained.

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10 games

Mar 11, 2026 · 7 min read

The Best Quick Board Games Under 30 Minutes

The best quick board games under 30 minutes: fast, fill-the-gap picks that still satisfy, from Azul to Splendor Duel, with honest blurbs.

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Guide

Mar 11, 2026 · 7 min read

The Board Game Accessories Actually Worth Owning

An honest guide to board game accessories worth buying: which sleeves, inserts, playmats, and organizers earn their spot, and which ones don't.

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12 games

Mar 9, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Thematic Board Games

The best thematic board games where story leads: 12 immersive, story-soaked picks from epic campaigns to one-night dread, honestly ranked.

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10 games

Mar 2, 2026 · 8 min read

The Best Party Board Games

The best party board games for loud, funny nights with a big group, ranked and reviewed honestly by The Honest Meeple. No hype, just games that work.

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Guide

Feb 25, 2026 · 7 min read

Catan vs. Ticket to Ride: Which Should You Buy First?

Catan or Ticket to Ride first? An honest, no-hype breakdown of which gateway game to buy based on your group, table size, and patience.

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10 games

Feb 15, 2026 · 8 min read

The Best Card Games for Adults

Ten small-box card games for adults that punch way above their size. Deep strategy, real replay value, and small enough to live in your bag.

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Guide

Feb 6, 2026 · 6 min read

What Is a Meeple? Board Game Terms, Explained

A meeple is a small person-shaped game piece. Here's a plain-English glossary of the board game terms you'll actually hear at the table.

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Guide

Jan 24, 2026 · 6 min read

Wingspan vs. Ark Nova: Which Is Right for You?

Wingspan vs. Ark Nova compared by weight, playtime, and goals so you can pick the nature engine-builder that actually fits your table.

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10 games

Jan 19, 2026 · 9 min read

The Best Tile-Laying Board Games

The best tile-laying board games, ranked. From Carcassonne to Cascadia, here are 10 games where you build a world one tile at a time.

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Guide

Jan 16, 2026 · 7 min read

Board Game Expansions Actually Worth Buying

A no-hype guide to the board game expansions that actually improve the base game, from Wingspan: Oceania to Catan's Cities and Knights.

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Guide

Jan 11, 2026 · 6 min read

How Many Players Is Best for a Board Game?

There's no single best player count. The right number depends on the game and your group. Here's how player count changes play and how to choose.

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Guide

Jan 6, 2026 · 6 min read

What Is a Gateway Board Game?

A gateway board game is an easy-to-learn game that pulls newcomers into the hobby. Here's the definition, what to look for, and the best ones to start with.

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10 games

Dec 30, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Dice Board Games

The best dice board games, ranked. Push-your-luck thrills and clever dice manipulation that make every roll worth sweating over.

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Guide

Dec 25, 2025 · 7 min read

How to Host the Perfect Game Night

A practical guide to hosting a great game night: snacks that won't wreck your components, the right group size, smart game order, and how to teach rules fast.

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10 games

Dec 14, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Gateway Board Games for Beginners

The easiest board games for beginners and people who think they hate board games. Ten gateway picks ranked by how fast they win skeptics over.

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12 games

Dec 6, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Board Game Gifts for Any Player

The best board game gifts for any player, ranked from casual party picks to hardcore epics, sorted by who you're actually shopping for.

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Guide

Nov 23, 2025 · 6 min read

What Does 'Board Game Weight' Mean?

Board game weight is a 1-5 complexity score. Here's what each level means and how to pick the right weight for your table.

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Guide

Nov 23, 2025 · 7 min read

How to Get Into the Board Game Hobby

A plain-spoken roadmap for getting into board games: start with gateway titles, climb through mid-weight euros, and reach your first heavy euro.

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Guide

Nov 17, 2025 · 6 min read

Co-op vs. Competitive: Which Is Right for Your Group?

Co-op or competitive board games? Match the game to your table's vibe with this honest guide, plus picks like Pandemic, The Crew, and Ticket to Ride.

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12 games

Nov 7, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Board Games for Adults

The best board games for adults: 12 deeper, more involved picks for grown-up game nights, from Brass: Birmingham to Spirit Island and Gloomhaven.

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Guide

Oct 29, 2025 · 7 min read

Board Game Storage: How to Tame Your Shelf

Practical board game storage tips for a growing collection: shelf orientation, sorting systems, inserts, bags, and small-space fixes that actually work.

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10 games

Oct 22, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Board Games of 2025

An honest, ranked list of the best board games of 2025, from heavy Euros to clever trick-takers, with a pick for every kind of table.

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8 games

Oct 21, 2025 · 7 min read

The Best Board Games of 2026 (So Far)

The best new board games of 2026 so far, ranked. Heavy euros, co-ops, and clever card games worth your table time this year.

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Guide

Oct 21, 2025 · 7 min read

How to Choose a Board Game You'll Actually Play

A simple four-part framework for buying board games you'll actually play: match group, weight, time, and theme before you spend a cent.

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12 games

Oct 18, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Solo Board Games

The best solo board games for a quiet night in, ranked. Real single-player modes worth your table time, from cozy engine-builders to deep tactical campaigns.

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12 games

Oct 14, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Strategy Board Games

The best strategy board games for players who want to think hard: 12 meaty, decision-rich picks ranked, from Brass: Birmingham to Agricola.

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10 games

Oct 9, 2025 · 7 min read

The Best Hidden-Gem Board Games Most People Miss

Ten underrated board games that deserve way more table time, from quick card gems to heavy euros most people walk right past.

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10 games

Oct 4, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Legacy & Campaign Board Games

The best legacy and campaign board games that change permanently and tell a long story, ranked and reviewed without the hype.

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12 games

Sep 30, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Cooperative Board Games

The best cooperative board games, ranked from easy gateway co-ops to brutal campaigns. Honest picks for every group, weight, and table.

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10 games

Sep 22, 2025 · 9 min read

The Best Worker Placement Board Games

The best worker placement board games, ranked. Place workers, claim actions, optimize. Honest picks from gateway euros to heavyweight brain-burners.

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Guide

Sep 21, 2025 · 6 min read

How Long Do Board Games Take to Play?

A plain guide to how long board games take, with typical play times by game type and a simple way to plan a session that actually fits your night.

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Guide

Sep 19, 2025 · 7 min read

Board Games vs. Video Games: Why Tabletop Is Having a Moment

Board games are booming in the screen age. Here's why tabletop is thriving and what it gives you that video games can't.

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10 games

Sep 6, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Board Games for Couples

The best two-player board games for couples, ranked from cozy co-op to full-on cutthroat. Honest picks for date night, no hype.

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Guide

Aug 29, 2025 · 6 min read

Are Board Games Good for Your Brain?

Are board games good for your brain? Yes, in real but modest ways. Here's what the research and plain sense say about the actual benefits.

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8 games

Aug 26, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Board Games Like Pandemic

The best board games like Pandemic: 8 co-ops to graduate to once Pandemic clicks, ranked by weight and style for every type of crew.

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10 games

Aug 10, 2025 · 8 min read

The Best Board Games for Large Groups

The best board games for large groups: 10 picks that shine with 6, 7, 8+ players and never drag. Social deduction, word games, and fast card play.

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8 games

Aug 10, 2025 · 7 min read

The Best Wargames for Beginners

The best wargames for beginners: 8 accessible, easy-to-teach picks that get you into the hobby without a rulebook the size of a phone book.

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