Refresh your game nights with the best board games available in 2024. These often-overlooked games aren’t necessarily bestsellers like Monopoly, but they bring major game night heat your whole crew will enjoy. And they’re mostly cool gifts under $50.
These options cater to diverse tastes, player counts, and skill levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Need more ideas? Check our guides to the best gifts under $30 and this list of fun gifts under $10.
1. Terraforming Mars
- Best For: Strategy lovers and space enthusiasts.
- Players: 1 to 5
- Age: 12+
- Play Time: ~2 hours
- Why It’s Great: Players work to make Mars habitable, competing or collaborating to build cities and develop infrastructure. The strategic depth and scientific theme stand out for serious board gamers. The level of strategy makes it one of our favorite Gemini gifts, too.
2. Wingspan
- Best For: Nature lovers and those new to board games.
- Players: 1 to 5
- Age: 10+
- Play Time: 40–70 minutes
- Why It’s Great: This beautifully designed game has players collecting birds to build ecosystems. With stunning artwork and educational value, it balances relaxation and strategy and is loads of fun for family game night and homes with tweens and teens.
3. Pandemic
- Best For: Cooperative play and teamwork.
- Players: 2 to 4
- Age: 8+
- Play Time: 45 minutes
- Why It’s Great: Teams work together to prevent global outbreaks in this timeless game. Its approachable mechanics and emphasis on collaboration keep it engaging for new and seasoned players alike. This one feels a little too close to home for many though, and we understand that. It’s almost as if we’ve played this one before, eh?
4. Azul
- Best For: Families and casual gamers.
- Players: 2 to 4
- Age: 8+
- Play Time: 30–45 minutes
- Why It’s Great: This tile-placement game combines strategic thinking with simple rules. The vibrant tiles and tactile gameplay appeal to all ages, making it a family favorite for kids, tweens, teens and fully-grown adults looking for some laughable fun. Break out the popcorn and snacks!
5. The Quacks of Quedlinburg
- Best For: Families and those who enjoy lighthearted and somewhat chaotic fun.
- Players: 2 to 4
- Age: 10+
- Play Time: 45 minutes
- Why It’s Great: A push-your-luck game where players brew potions by drawing ingredients from a bag. Its unpredictable nature keeps everyone engaged, while clever design prevents bad luck from spoiling the experience. We love that it takes under an hour to make it through a full round, perfect for after-dinner playing and easily one of the best board games for families.
6. Scythe
- Best For: Advanced gamers and alternate history fans.
- Players: 1 to 7
- Age: 14+
- Play Time: 90–115 minutes
- Why It’s Great: A blend of strategy, resource management, and combat, set in a beautifully illustrated alternate 1920s Europe. The detailed miniatures and innovative mechanics make it a hit for dedicated board gamers. You’ll need the entire afternoon or an evening to make it through this one, making it a brilliant option for snow days and other inclement weather patterns.
7. Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Best For: Narrative enthusiasts and cooperative adventurers.
- Players: 1 to 4
- Age: 14+
- Play Time: 30–120 minutes
- Why It’s Great: A more accessible version of Gloomhaven, offering a rich dungeon-crawling experience. Cooperative gameplay and character progression keep players hooked on the story. It’s a twisty, turny adventure that offers just the right dose of fantasy playing.
8. The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
- Best For: Fans of cooperative and card-based games.
- Players: 2 to 5
- Age: 14+
- Play Time: 10–20 minutes per mission
- Why It’s Great: A trick-taking game with a cooperative twist, where players tackle diverse objectives while navigating hidden information. Quick and challenging, it’s perfect for shorter sessions. If the teens and adults in your life have short attention spans or limited time to play, this is easily one of the best board games to buy now.
9. Arcs
- Best For: Strategic thinkers and sci-fi fans.
- Players: 2 to 4
- Age: 14+
- Play Time: 1–2 hours
- Why It’s Great: Combining space strategy with trick-taking mechanics, this game offers deep, replayable gameplay. Its compact design and dynamic card system create intense, memorable experiences. Get ready for loud noises coming from the living room! And Mom, bring snacks.
10. 7 Wonders Duel
- Best For: Couples and two-player sessions.
- Players: 2
- Age: 10+
- Play Time: 30 minutes
- Why It’s Great: A streamlined version of the popular 7 Wonders, this game allows players to compete in building civilizations. Its variety of winning strategies keeps it fresh with every playthrough. We love this one as stocking stuffers for kids and stocking stuffer ideas for men. It’s a clever, affordable game that’s ideal for siblings, couples and impromptu fun.
These board games cater to all kinds of preferences and skill levels, from cooperative storytelling adventures to lighthearted family-friendly games. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just dipping your toes into tabletop gaming, these titles offer something unique and enjoyable for every style and most age groups. We found that it’s best for ages 10 and up or from around a fourth grade reasoning level, whichever comes first.
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