The best board games of 2025
The top 3 according to 448 votes from people: The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era · Bomb Busters · Ada's Dream. (Updated Mar 16, 2026.)
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).
Top 12
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1
The Elder Scrolls: Betrayal of the Second Era
Chip Theory Games' campaign game, Board Game Quest's game of the year.
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2
Bomb Busters
Co-op wire-cutting deduction; winner of the 2025 Spiel des Jahres.
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3
Ada's Dream
A heavy Euro about building the first computer with Ada Lovelace.
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4
The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship
Matt Leacock brings the Pandemic system to Middle-earth.
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5
Iliad
A Reiner Knizia card game that recalls his best work.
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6
Galactic Cruise
A big Euro that reviewers compare to Vital Lacerda's best.
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7
Duel for Cardia
Simultaneous card play in a race for five signet rings.
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8
The Old King's Crown
Pablo Clark's asymmetric factions in an ageing kingdom.
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9
Eternal Decks
A tight cooperative deck-builder with stunning art.
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10
Vantage
An open-world game on an alien planet: go wherever you want.
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11
Magical Athlete
A chaotic race where every runner breaks the rules.
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12
Critter Kitchen
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.
Is something missing?
Comments (8)
Fate of the Fellowship is Pandemic done right, Leacock really nailed the theme.
Ada's Dream is gorgeous but it's a brain burner, not for a casual night.
Agreed, it took us a full evening just to learn it 😅
Surprised Arcs isn't here.
Arcs came out in 2024, this list is 2025 releases.
Elder Scrolls as game of the year? It's great but the price is wild.
Iliad is classic Knizia, simple rules and agonizing choices.
Bomb Busters is our new family favourite, even my non-gamer parents ask for it.