Top 6 Board Games for 2023

There are currently more than 140,000 different board games on the market.

Whether you’re playing with family or friends, board games can bring endless hours of fun. One of the only problems is that these days there are so many options. There are classics that have been around for years, as well as new entries that have quickly become incredibly popular.

If you’re looking for a new game to play, you might feel a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, this guide is here to tell you about 6 of the best board games on the market in 2023. Keep reading to find out all about them.

1. Wingspan

Wingspan comes from Stonemaier Games, the company that has put out other excellent games such as Scythe and Viticulture. It’s a card-based game that allows you to upgrade as you play.

Each card represents a bird that has one of three types of power, or none at all. When you play a card, it activates the power, and you can use these strategically to beat your opponents. The board features several habitats that represent different actions such as laying eggs or taking food.

This game is a good balance so it’s not too simple but also not too heavy. It’s also incredibly well-designed – it even has a linen-finished rulebook. If you’re after something fresh that everyone can enjoy, this is the perfect choice.

2. Catan Starfarers: 2nd Edition (Stand Alone)

Every serious board game player knows about Catan. It’s one of the most famous board games out there with plenty of variations, and many claim that this is one of the best.

When playing, you start in one of four sectors on the hexagon map. Each player has 3 planets along with a fleet and resources. You need to explore the unknown regions of space and gather resources if you want to win.

As a stand-alone game, no previous version of Catan is required. This is perfect if you’re a fan of Catan and want to experience a fresh take on the game.

3. Far Away

Far Away is a co-op game that requires two people to work together with limited communication. Several missions will take you exploring through space where you’ll be tasked with repairing your ship, building structures, and escaping from dangerous worlds.

You and your partner need to complete various tasks, but you can only communicate when you’re in the same location. All the while, you’ll need to fend off creatures in order to survive.

This game is limited to two players, so not the best choice for a group game night. When you’re with just one other person, however, this can provide hours of fun with a unique gaming experience.

4. Risk: Game of Thrones

Risk is well known as one of the most popular board games of all time. If you really want to immerse yourself in a strategy-based game, Risk: Game of Thrones is one of the best options available.

There are plenty of variations, and anyone who enjoyed Game of Thrones will have a great time with this one. You can take control of six powerful houses from the series; Stark, Martell, Baratheon, Lannister, Tyrell, and Targaryen. There’s also a seventh faction in the Ghiscari, a collection of cities from the continent of Essos.

Immerse yourself in George R.R. Martin’s world as you battle for control of Westeros. This was one of the biggest trending board games when the show was on, but it hasn’t lost any of its charm or magic. Just bear in mind that this is a very involved game, so may not be the best choice if you want something more casual.

5. Cartographers

Cartographers is a roll-and-write board game that was published in 2019 and received a very positive reception. After a Kickstarter campaign, the expansion set Cartographers: Heroes was released adding even more to the already exceptional game.

This is one of the latest board games on this list, but despite not having a strong legacy, it still stands up with the best of them. The overall goal is to find a suitable location to establish a seat of power for the monarch Queen Gimnax.

Each player has a double-sided map, and will all use the same side for the duration of the game. The actions players take are based on cards that are drawn throughout the game. Players accumulate points, and the player with the most points in the end is the winner.

One of the most notable characteristics of this game is the number of players. It comes with 100 score sheets, and you can have as many players as you want, so it’s perfect for different-sized groups.

6. Telestrations: Upside Drawn

When it comes to fun board games, many people want something quick and easy that they can play with a group of any size. Telestrations: Upside Drawn is just that. It comes with well-designed whiteboards and over 1,000 words and phrases as clues.

You can play with up to four teams, each with a clue giver. The clue givers agree on a clue, and your team needs to guess it before the others. The twist here is that the clue giver only serves as a guide, and someone else has to be the artist.

All the guide can do is move the whiteboard around and tell the artist to lift up and put down their pen, adding a new challenging element to a well-established format. This is a true test of teamwork and coordination that’s great for parties and game nights.

Finding the Perfect Board Games

One of the challenges with board games is that they vary so much. Someone might love one type of game, and hate others. As such, it’s essential to look into the options available to find something that’s perfect for you as well as your family/friends.

Black Powder Game Store is a leading board game retailer with an incredibly wide selection. Whether you want something simple and fast-paced, far more involved and strategic or magical like Gleason V from Pokemon, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our collection today to see what we have available.