The 15 Best Board Games You've Never Played

Forget the 'Golden Age of Television,' why isn't anyone talking about all the amazing board games we've seen in the last 10 years? For those of us who grew up on Monopoly, Clue, and Risk there are dozens of new and exciting games coming out every year. If you haven't played these 15 games yet, I highly recommend you do.

1. The Settlers of Catan

Via amazon.com

2-4 Players with the base set (up to 6 with expansions), Settlers is a classic German-style board game. It initially looks a little overwhelming (a theme of MANY games on this list), but Settlers is an amazing city-building game.

Settlers is probably the most well-known game on this list, but it's also a big reason for the current renaissance in board games we're experiencing. I'd highly recommend this for friends and families alike.

We built this city on sheep and ore!

2. Dominion

Via boardgamegeek.com

Dominion is designed to be played by 2-4 players (though players have adjusted the rules to allow for more), and is the first card game on our list. Each player seeks to build up their treasure (money) via various action cards in order to acquire the most victory points (think of them as large pieces of land).

I know a few people who were initially overwhelmed by Dominion, but later came to love it. The tug and pull between when to switch from buying treasure and action cards to trying to acquire victory points is intense. And since your deck isn't always in view of your opponent, who's winning is mostly a mystery till the end.

Village into Village into Village into Village...

3. Risk Legacy

Via boardgamegeek.com

A space-age update to classic Risk, but with only 2 to 5 players. This game takes regular Risk and gives it a face-lift for the 21st century. The twist is that you play with the same group of players every time, and actions from every game will change the board forever.

This is an EXCELLENT game for a group of regulars, because you'll quickly form alliances and grudges that will last for the remainder of your time. Trust me: when your capitol gets nuked, you'll hold a grudge.

4. Smallworld

Via boardgamegeek.com

Smallworld is designed to be played with 2-5 players (no more, unfortunately) each trying to build the reigning civilization of the land. It's unique from many other games on this list in that the 'catch-up' feature is intrinsic to the game itself.

The board-state of Smallworld is a little more complicated to track that many other games, so I'd say it's more of an intermediate-level game.

There's something really awesome about saying "I'm going into decline," and then winning the next turn.

5. A Game of Thrones: The Board Game

Via boardgamegeek.com

It's got the six major houses (though you can play with as few as three) pitting against each other for control of Westeros, what more could you want?!?!? In actuality, The Game of Game of Thrones is a fun, slightly more complicated version of Risk.

This and Arkham Horror probably take the longest to set up (which always hurts a game's standing), but it's probably the best pop-culture game I've played. Thankfully, there's just as much backstabbing as in the books & show.

Dee doo, dee dee dee do!

6. Arkham Horror

Via en.wikipedia.org

Up to eight players compete/collaborate in this Lovecraftian adventure game. You're each investigators trying to discover the cause of (and solution to) an increasingly weird set of supernatural occurrences.

One of the best elements is that the game's end-boss can change every time to a different Lovecraft monster. This game is difficult (to put it lightly), so I wouldn't commit to it unless you've got over three hours to see it through.

Oh geeze, I'm lost in space and time again.

7. Zombies!!!

Via blastr.com

Zombies!!! (in addition to the most delightful name), is a wonderful build-your-own-board game. Up to six players work together (and occasionally against each other) in an effort to get to the helicopter and escape the zombie menace.

The fact that each Zombies!!! game plays out so differently is a huge plus for me. The expansions add new ways to escape the nightmare, and more terrifying foes for you to fight.

Nothing like that beautiful moment where you steal your friend's last bullet and then use 'The Keys are Still in it' to get to the chopper first.

8. Pandemic

Via boardgamegeek.com

A CDC board game might be too much for some people, but hopefully not for you and up to three other people. As a team, you globe-hop in an effort to corral and eradicate up to five diseases simultaneously.

This game gives Arkham Horror a run for it's money in terms of hardest game to win. After playing (and winning) our first game, my friend-group quickly discovered we'd actually been cheating the whole time and the real game was MUCH more difficult.

I'll air-drop you into Rio!

9. The Resistance

Via boardgamegeek.com

By far the largest player-pool we've seen yet, The Resistance can by played by up to 10 players. It's a game of wits and deception as two to three players are spies trying to sabotage five missions, while the remaining players (The Resistance) try to root out the spies.

This is a fantastic game to play with close friends and strangers alike. Nothing stings more than discovering your significant other is a spy, and the careful balance of when the spies make their move keeps everyone on the edge of their seat.

I can't believe I trusted you, you dirty spy!

10. Munchkin

Via amazon.com

Munchkin is a farcical adventure game for 3-8 players. You build your hero (or undermine your opponents) with a variety of whimsical weapons, armor, and enemies.

The art and this game are both hilarious and fun. It's a slightly more open adventure game than something like Dungeons and Dragons, and the random encounters make it easy for any player to catch back up at a moment's notice.

11. Agricola

Via amazon.com

A one to five player game (Yes, there is a single player version), Agricola is similar in tone to Settlers of Catan, but focuses on building a smaller homestead. Players compete over the same limited resources and can even steal from each other.

This is the only game on the list I haven't gotten to play yet, but it came highly recommended to me by a close friend, and after reading about it I'm already hooked. Anything that's both adorable and cutthroat is right up my alley.

And just look at that art!

12. Tsuro

Via amazon.com

Tsuro is a delightfully simple game for two to eight players. Each player starts with their token on the board and collectively builds a maze, one tile at a time, while attemping to knock the other players off. As the tiles start to connect, your token will move further and further along it's path, and the winner is the last person still on the board.

Tsuro is easy to set up and play, and is good for players of all ages.

There's something very cathartic about unraveling a tangled piece of string.

13. 221 B Baker Street

Via toysrus.com

For 2 to 6 players to live out their dream of being a detective. Each player prowls the streets of London looking for clues to help solve a Holmes-ian crime. It's a more complicated version of Clue.

I first played this game when I was young and just getting into the Sherlock Holmes lore, and I quickly found myself in over my head. The mystery was fascinating, but I was nowhere close to solving it. I'd suggest it for Holmes fans and dedicated gamers.

14. Smash Up

Via boardgamegeek.com

An excellent card-game for 2-4 SciFi enthusiasts. You take two different groups (ninjas, aliens, dinosaurs, et cetera) and build a master-army out of them to battle against your foes.

The learning curve on Smash Up is a little steep, but it's addictive fun. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who likes card-based strategy games like Dominion.

15. Lords of Waterdeep

Via boardgamegeek.com

2 to 5 players vie for control of a city, using their cunning, guile, and a healthy dose of luck to take over key points. You recruit adventurers to go on quests to build your renown, and occasionally use secretive ways to manipulate the outcomes of other player's actions.

This game spins off from the Dungeons and Dragons world, so it's a very detailed and complex game. It's certainly a lot to learn the first time through so I highly recommend playing with at least one experienced player to guide you through.