It’s the holiday season, and that makes it a perfect time to dig deeper into the best board games to enjoy with friends and family.
We’ve broken down some of our favorite games into bite-sized pieces, so you can easily browse for the next hit board game to bring home. Whether you want something classic and timeless or new and exciting, we have options on the list for you!
Take it With You – Teach Your Friends
It’s the season of traveling, whether that be across the country to visit relatives, or down the block to spend time with friends. Here’s a collection of games that should absolutely be in your repertoire, or in the trunk of your car, ready for action with your gamer and non-gamer friends, alike.
Sagrada — A Puzzle You’ll Want to Solve Again and Again
Sagrada is the perfect combination of tactile beauty and clever decision making wrapped up in a perfectly understandable draft format. Use colorful dice to build stained-glass windows in this soothing, zen-like, game, but know that it hides clever details that reward planning, pattern recognition, and your ability to adapt to changing circumstances. It gives off a beautiful table presence that will entrance even the most novice gamer, and it a perfect way to warm up a winter night.
Ticket to Ride — The Gateway Game That Never Gets Old
The rules are simple; collect the cards, claim the routes, and that simple set of rules means players of any experience level can jump right in. Ticket to Ride then adds a layer of tension, as players compete to complete their route cards on limited track space, giving options to block out your opponents while pursuing your hidden goals. TTR is the essential gateway game for bringing your friends into our awesome hobby.
Skull — Bluffing Perfection in a Small Package
Do you need something easy to transport in your suitcase, or keep in your glove compartment? That game is Skull, the only proof you’ll ever need that a huge box and piles of miniatures are not a requirement to enjoy game night. In this bluffing game you’ll test your psychological wits, your ability to trick your foes with your words, and the absolutely beautiful tension of pressing your luck. Highly replayable and super portable, this is a longtime favorite for laugher, tension, and the occasional flip of a deadly skull.
Spirit Island — Cooperative Strategy at Its Absolute Best
If you’re looking for a truly cooperative board gaming experience to bring your friends or family to the table, look no further than Spirit Island, the favorite co-op game of the Total Escape Games staff. Working together with your teammates you’ll learn how to use the asymmetric powers of your spirits to defend your island from colonial invaders in this rich, beautifully-layered, game.
The Bestsellers of 2025
It’s been a pretty nifty year for board games, with some great titles that have pushed boundaries with bold concepts, easy to understand mechanics, and unforgettable moments with friends at the table. If you’re craving something fresh, for yourself or as a gift, we recommend these titles this year.
Tacta — Elegance and Tension in Every Move
There is absolutely no way I could have predicted that Tacta would be the breakout darling of the gaming year. The combination of crisp, easy to understand rules, and a deep decision space makes every game of Tacta feel like a new opportunity. You’re going to love how quickly it will teach you the rules, and how endlessly it rewards clever play. If you are a lover of abstract strategy, Tacta is the standout of the year.
Compile — A Brain-Bending, Build-Your-Engine Masterpiece
The engine-building genre goes through highs and lows, good years and bad, but Compile takes the genre and makes it into something futuristic and highly accessible. Compile isn’t just a game of optimizing combos, but instead makes you the architect of a dynamic system that is evolving every round. Your joy increases the more you play as you discover synergies, execute satisfying cascades, and watch your initial plan become something totally different, and totally awesome.
Person Do Thing — Chaotic Creativity at Its Finest
Do you have a big family? Do you celebrate a massive Friendsmas? Person Do Thing is the absurdist party game that no one could have predicted would rapidly become a hit in the few months since launch. The premise is simple: draw a card featuring an absurd prompt and then improvise short, silly, actions to earn points from the group. The magic in this game is how it immediately breaks tension, sparks creativity, and generates memorable moments. This low-pressure game is perfect for mixed groups and casual gatherings, but should also be in the brief case of every theatre director.
Outrun the Bear — Fast, Funny, and Fiercely Competitive
We’ve all heard the old joke, right? I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you. Well, Outrun the Bear brings the joke to life, as players sprint through the ever-shifting forest, sabotaging each other while striving to stay one step ahead of the fully doom running behind them. There’s laugher, light strategy, and cinematic fun as every play ends in a story. If you need something new that is easy to teach, instantly engaging, and guaranteed get shouts of delight and despair, this is your 2025 must buy game.
Hidden Gems You Shouldn’t Miss
More than 3,000 games are released every year, and early reports have the 2025 number over 4,000. That means some great games don’t get the attention they deserve, and some titles fly under the radar that become favorites of the staff. Here are some of our under-the-radar favorites that you should definitely check out.
Tea Witches — Cozy Theme, Clever Competition
Do you like whimsical charm with tight, tactical play? Tea Witches takes you into a gentle theme where you’ll mix potions and brew magical blends, while you outmaneuver your rivals with enchanting abilities that reward careful timing. This is one of those rare games that scratches the strategy itch while feeling cozy and comfortable, making it perfect for groups that want thematic play without heavy rules.
Stack o’ Cats — Lighthearted Fun for Any Table
Stacks of Cats is a quick puzzle game that packs on the laughter amid its adorable challenge, to make mischievous cats into a balanced stack. You can teach Stack of Cats to anyone nearly instantly, and they’ll fall in love with it that quickly as well. It’s a perfect filler between big games, or a go-to title for families and newcomers.
Shallow Sea — A Relaxed Dive into Coastal Strategy
Do you enjoy serene, seaside, visuals, paired with gentle, interactive gameplay? In Shallow Sea you’ll manage resources, guide marine life, and navigate shifting tides as you build the most harmonious coastal ecosystems. This satisfying mix of light strategy and soothing atmosphere is ideal for players who want something thoughtful that never feels overwhelming.
Solar Gardens — A Bright, Beautiful Engine-Builder
The pace is downright meditative. The art is luminous. Solar Gardens invites players to cultivate the most radiant botanical display in a future that is powered by sunlight. The engine-building is smooth and intuitive, and the choices are interesting as you chain actions together to optimize the energy flow of your garden. This game is a lovely addition to the collection of anyone who enjoys calm strategy with a strong visual appeal. This title is the 2025 favorite of John, who has taught it to a couple dozen people.
A Place for All My Books — Organizing Has Never Been This Charming
For some people, organizing is a thing you have to do, but in A Place for All My Books, organizing becomes fun! Arrange your books by genre, optimize your shelves, and outmaneuver your opponents in a game that blends theme with spatial strategy beautifully. This game is charming, thoughtful, and perfect for players who enjoy a game with satisfying decisions and an adorable personality.