We tested and researched the best board games aimed at adults, considering the strategy, humor, and number of players involved in each pick. Based on our insights, Settlers of Catan is our best overall pick. The strategy game appeals to a wide audience, has easy-to-grasp directions, and a high replay value for hours of adventurous fun. Here, the best board games for adults that you’ll want to add to your game shelf. This adventure-based board game requires players to battle it out to collect resources and build the biggest settlements on the island of Catan. In addition to numerous other accolades and being translated into over 30 languages, Catan won The Game of the Century Award at Gamescom in 2015. The board is made up of 19 hexagonal tiles that are arranged randomly at the beginning of each game—making sure that no two games are ever the same. Each tile represents a different terrain that corresponds with a different valuable resource for your civilization. Each player gets color-coded settlement, road, and city pieces, and earns “victory points” as they build various structures. Setup takes about five minutes, according to our tester, which begins with each player placing two settlements and two roads on the island. Points can be racked up a variety of ways: building houses and cities, owning the longest road or the biggest army and holding point-bearing “development” cards, making this a competitive game up until the last second. Catan is an absorbing and engaging game for teens and adults alike. Plus, players unknowingly learn lessons about the importance and consequences of access to resources, odds, the snowballing effect of luck (or lack thereof) on human success, migration, bartering, and other economic issues, says our tester. Players of all ages also hone their critical thinking and strategic skills with every game. The only downside is that the world-building game may take a bit of time to fully understand. Once you’ve mastered the rules, it is sure to take over your next game night. Price at time of publish: $48 It’s a game of strategy, deduction, and good ol’ deception. Each round takes less than thirty minutes. Game plays up to ten, and this one is definitely a “the more the merrier” game to keep tensions high. The game is simple, but the real game is not the game itself, it’s up to the players to be strategic to develop their own secret identity and attempt to suss out the fellow spies through social deduction. Price at time of publish: $20 Players spin the wheel and read a corresponding question card. The remaining players then all write down their best answer, challenging the lead of that round to match the answers to each player. This a great pick for parties, bachelorette parties, or any social setting when you want to get to know each other better. Price at time of publish: $18 Despite the game’s challenging premise, it’s easy for players to get engaged as each player has a special ability to help cure the pandemic. Part of the fun of this game is developing a strategy as a team and deliberating among each other to figure out what the best approach is and how to best utilize their special abilities making it also great for team building. For instance, should you tackle one strain of disease before moving on to the next or do you attempt to contain an outbreak first? Price at time of publish: $34 Even those who spend most of their time IRL can enjoy the game, as they don’t have to be meme-historians to follow along. And in fact, it may be better that way, since they won’t notice how some of the included memes can feel old to those who’ve been online for years. Price at time of publish: $30 This is a good icebreaker because it’s a game that’s more of a puzzle, or color-themed crossword, than a head-to-head challenge. The relaxing nature of the game offers players the opportunity to focus on an activity while also engaging in conversation. It’s less about being competitive and more about pattern making. The design of the game is also visually pleasing which makes it a great gift for friends and family. Price at time of publish: $35 The rules are simple and each round takes about 15 to 30 minutes with each round typically being close in competition. It’s not an overly competitive game, so it’s nice for couples and anyone who doesn’t want to get their heart rate up playing a board game. It’s also a visually appealing board game, which makes it nice to have out on display or keep out at a large party as an activity for small groups to do. Price at time of publish: $30 The game ends when a player bankrupts their opponents (or Vecna wins). Fans of the show and Monopoly buffs alike will enjoy the subtle twists that the theming brings to the game. Price at time of publish: $27 Anyone who likes movies or pop culture, or both, will likely find this set right up their alley. The only catch is that players with outside-the-rental-box tastes may find themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to certain trivia. Price at time of publish: $29 Players work together to solve over 50 possible scary scenarios, except for one player, who becomes a traitor along the way. Adults will love the unique game board design and delightfully haunted themes, but be warned, the content may be a bit too dark for some players. Price at time of publish: $36 The objective of this trivia game is for players to progress around the board by answering trivia questions correctly and earning wedges. The Master Edition includes over 3,000 challenging questions on new topics like entertainment, pop culture, and modern technology. Price at time of publish: $25 Each game of Scabble is completely different based on the letters you receive and must try to make words with. Also, everyone has their own strategy, making for a unique experience each time. Get the whole family involved to foster spelling and reading in younger players, or play with all adults for a competitive game that will definitely build your vocabulary. Price at time of publish $20 Price at time of publish: $20 Once your team thinks you have a good theory, you then answer critical questions about the case. Your score based on how many questions you answer correctly, and points are deducted based on how many more trips you took than Holmes and how your theory compares to his. The only downside is that the game only contains ten potential cases to solve (and cases can only be solved once). While it’s nearly impossible to solve the case before Holmes, it’s still very fun to try! Price at time of publish: $47 The strategy-based game has clear instructions that are easy-to-follow. Each villain has their own guide to inspire strategies and craft different modes of gameplay for a unique experience each time. Also, there are compatible games in the Villainous universe that can be played together for even more devious ways to pass the time. Price at time of publish: $35
Number of Players
Games that can accommodate both two players and many players are ideal. While family-friendly games may be designed for more players so all the kids can get involved, many board games for adults are meant to be fun and competitive with as few as two players. Of course, there are party-style games that are great for a crowd, but if it’s just you and a friend playing, choose one of the options built to challenge groups of two.
Humor
Who doesn’t love to laugh and let loose? Thankfully, many adult board games include an aspect of humor and wit. Unlike games for kids that may play on silly humor or outrageous outcomes, the humor of a board game for adults is usually developed with a more mature audience in mind—one that can appreciate irony or agonize over embarrassment. Look for a game that’s aligned with your humor, and you’ll be much more likely to play often.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written and researched by Meredith Hurd, who focuses on digital marketing and copywriting for wellness brands and tech start-ups. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker.
