The Best Holiday Gifts for Board Gamers (2020)
Is there a special board gamer in your life who you need a gift for?
If so, this guide will help you determine the appropriate game genre and what we consider the ‘best’ game of each category in 2020.
Wondering where to buy? We always advise you to support your friendly local game store before shopping online, but this year is a little...different. So we won't blame you.
Best Gateway Game: Azul
If your giftee has only recently discovered the wonderful world of board games, Azul is a great starting place. Players take turns drafting colorful tiles onto their player boards in order to build the most beautiful (and highest scoring) mosaics. Azul features a gorgeous presentation, a wonderfully tactile presence, and has all the hallmarks of a classic. It’s simple to learn, interactive, puzzley, and just plain ol’ fun!
- Age: 8+
- Duration: 30-45 mins
- Players: 2-4
Best Two Player Game:
Spirits of the Wild
For gamers who have a consistent partner in crime, Spirits of the Wild is sure to please. Players attempt to collect sets of colorful Spirit Stones for various spirit animals while using the nefarious Coyote to interrupt their opponent’s best laid plans. With just enough strategy to keep you on your toes, a quick play-time, and an awesome animal centric theme, Spirit of the wilds is sure to get some quality play time for those head-to-head gamers.
- Age: 10+
- Duration: 30 mins
- Players: 2
Best Family Game: Calico
Calico is a cute, puzzle-y, tile laying game where players attempt to attract the cuddliest cats to come lay on their quilts. Featuring an included ‘family-mode’ variant allows a game that is surprisingly deep to transform into an experience that’s perfect for kids as well. By combining a jigsaw puzzle-like sense of completion, an aww-inducing aesthetic, and a family-friendly play option, Calico is purrrfect for gaming families!
- Age: 13+
- Duration: 30-45 mins
- Players: 1-4
Best Strategy Game: Root
For those who perk up at the thought of resource management, growing a vast empire and outwitting their opponents at every step, Root stands out. Don’t be fooled by its cast of cute woodland creatures, this game is out to prove that warfare, political manipulation and resource exploitation doesn’t always need to be a dreary affair. With it’s various highly asymmetric factions, Root provides a perfect sandbox for the strategy gamer in your life.
- Age: 10+
- Duration: 60-90 mins
- Players: 2-4
Best Cooperative Game:
Marvel Champions: The Card Game
Win or lose as a team, Marvel Champions is great for players who want to work together and take down the super-villains of the Marvel universe. Team up with your friends as your favorite Marvel heroes - both in and out of costume - in this highly tactical card game (not limited to being fun just for comic book enthusiasts).
- Age: 14+
- Duration: 45-90 mins
- Players: 1-4
Best Dungeon Crawler:
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Do the words ‘loot’, ‘leveling up’, or ‘xp’ ring a bell? For gamers who love dungeon delving, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is sure to scratch that high-fantasy itch. A follow up to one of the highest ranked board games of all time, Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion is tailor-made for introducing new players to the highly acclaimed co-op rpg. You really can’t go wrong with this one!
- Age: 14+
- Duration: 30-120 mins
- Players: 1-4
Best Tabletop Roleplaying Game Supplement: Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
Out of the 80’s and into the mainstream, games like Dungeons & Dragons have made an amazing comeback recently. Tasha's Cauldron of Everything is the newest D&D supplement that role players and Dungeon Masters will be fawning at this holiday season. It’s packed to the brim with expanded subclasses and character options sure to keep those tabletop role-playing enthusiasts busy building new characters for time to come.
Best Casual Game: Truffle Shuffle
For gamers who don’t like excessive conflict, complicated rules, or long play times, Truffle shuffle is sure to please. Players compete to create the best boxes of chocolate in this set-collecting card game. Truffle Shuffle features quick turns, a classic card game feel, and mouth-watering theme that begs to be played again and again.
- Age: 14+
- Duration: 15-30 mins
- Players: 2-4
Best Party Game: Wavelength
Are you used to hearing raucous laughter rather than the silence of studying strategies? Then your giftee will love Wavelength - a game that makes you believe in mind-reading. In this team-based game, one player is secretly given a target on a scale of opposites (hot - cold, good smelling - bad smelling, etc.) and gives a single clue for their teammates to try to read their mind. It's easy to learn and it’s always leads to a night lively discussion!
- Age: 14+
- Duration: 30-45 mins
- Players: 2-12