Best Board Games for Adults 2023

Codenames is a great social word game. Two teams duke it out while rival spymasters try to give clues to their teams to discover words on a communal table. But be careful! You don’t want to accidentally have your team uncover the other team’s words, or worse yet uncover the hidden assassin. Out of all board games on the list, this one should be on your must buy list. 

Exploding kittens is a hilarious strategic card game. CNN described it saying,“It’s like UNO, except there are goats, magical enchiladas and kittens that can kill you.” Each card is sure to make you laugh making this a great gift idea that your friend is sure to thank you for. But be warned, you might be playing it all night! 

Azul has won many awards since being released in 2017. The game features beautiful colored tiles that are placed in the center of game play. Players take turns drawing out tiles that fill in their board’s needs. This game features different strategies for winning and is fast paced with a more advanced version on the back of each player’s card. Be sure to try this game out!

This game is hilarious for groups. Game play requires one judge each round to pick a meme picture out of a pile. It is up to everyone else to put in the best caption. Each game will have you laughing and discovering what humor each judge has as they pick the winner.

While the other games on this list are great, this is a personal favorite. Each game will have different board resulting in an infinite number of exciting new layouts. With a new board set up each round, you are going to need a different strategy to win. Trading resources will help you advance in the game and develop your diplomacy skills at the same time. While this base version is great, there are more add-ons you can get to update and change the game play. 

All players are working towards treating infections around the world and trying to find the right resources to create a cure before it’s too late. While each player has their own specialty, you must work cooperatively to find a the cure! One reviewer described the cooperation required, noting “This is one of the best board games I’ve ever played that features a team dynamic.”

Everyone wins or everyone loses in this cooperative party game. The team is tasked with investigating a horrible crime. Your team of psychics will be communicated to via visions from the ghost in the mansion. It’s up to you to uncover the mysterious murder before its too late.

This game’s simple premise means it’s easy for the whole family to understand. Yet provides intrigue because each team must work together to form a sequence on the board in order to win.

Work strategically together to infect the world as a deadly pathogen. Start by infecting one country and evolve the symptoms to infect the world. One reviewer wrote in saying, “This game is really fun! It involves a lot of strategy but is not needlessly complicated”

This family friendly game is easy to learn. Players are trying to connect cities across North America with their personal railway. But be warned, you are competing against other railway companies and could be cut off! So be quick so you don’t have to detour.

Based on the German politics of the 1930’s, players are secretly divided into two teams. Each round the elected government tries to install a law. If the law is fascist, it is up to the players to determine if they were duped or simply unlucky. If you have played mafia, this game is similar but with a faster pace and not as much arbitrary picking.

Based in a steampunk 1920’s Europa, players and their faction are competing for territory and their hidden objectives. This game is a little complex the first time you play, but will have you wanting to play more as you start to understand the objective and different strategies for different factions you play as. 

This fast paced word game has teams alternating telling clues for their word with the disc. Don’t be the team with the disc when the timer goes off! First to 7 wins. This game is a great party game that can essentially be played with as many players as you have. 

This is one of our favorite group party games. As a personally bad drawer this game is one of my favorites. You pass around drawings and describe what you see for the next person to draw. This is hilarious as the adult game and equally fun with the non-adult version.

All board game enthusiasts will tell you that chess is a tried and true classic. The game of strategy pits two players against each other alternating taking turns. Each game is dynamic with players moving against each other. This board in particular is a perfect travel size that doesn’t have miniature pieces. Whether you’re setting it up at home or bringing it to the park or bar, it will bring endless entertainment.

This strategy game is as timeless as chess. Players place stones on the board in order to capture a territory. If you enjoy other strategy games, be sure to give this one a go! Pun totally intended. This board was picked because it is easily transportable.