# The best board games of 2025

From Bomb Busters to The Elder Scrolls: the best new tabletop games of 2025 according to reviewers (Board Game Quest, GameSpot, The A.V. Club, Player Elimination).

- 448 votes · 12 items
- Mar 16, 2026 · leedsretrogamer
- https://even.best/en/l/1940/the-best-board-games-of-2025

## Top 12

1. **The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era** (46 · ▲53 ▼7) — Chip Theory Games' campaign game, Board Game Quest's game of the year.
2. **Bomb Busters** (40 · ▲43 ▼3) — Co-op wire-cutting deduction; winner of the 2025 Spiel des Jahres.
3. **Ada's Dream** (39 · ▲40 ▼1) — A heavy Euro about building the first computer with Ada Lovelace.
4. **The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship** (33 · ▲37 ▼4) — Matt Leacock brings the Pandemic system to Middle-earth.
5. **Iliad** (31 · ▲36 ▼5) — A Reiner Knizia card game that recalls his best work.
6. **Galactic Cruise** (25 · ▲32 ▼7) — A big Euro that reviewers compare to Vital Lacerda's best.
7. **Duel for Cardia** (23 · ▲32 ▼9) — Simultaneous card play in a race for five signet rings.
8. **The Old King's Crown** (20 · ▲25 ▼5) — Pablo Clark's asymmetric factions in an ageing kingdom.
9. **Eternal Decks** (14 · ▲21 ▼7) — A tight cooperative deck-builder with stunning art.
10. **Vantage** (13 · ▲21 ▼8) — An open-world game on an alien planet: go wherever you want.
11. **Magical Athlete** (11 · ▲18 ▼7) — A chaotic race where every runner breaks the rules.
12. **Critter Kitchen** (5 · ▲16 ▼11) — One of GameSpot's ten best new games of the year.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.