When you think of board games, the classics that you played when you were a kid, such as Monopoly and Scrabble, typically come to mind. However, after years of playing those games over and over, you may be looking to try something new. We have compiled a list of various types of board games that are suitable for different occasions.
Over the years, board games have evolved. You now have many options and various game categories to choose from. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of board games and list a few examples under each category. By the end of this article, you should be familiar with so many board game options that choosing which one to play next will be a tough decision.
Continue reading to learn more about the different board game categories.
Abstract Strategy
Abstract strategy games are the oldest type of board games and many people still play them today. Abstract games have the following distinguishing characteristics:
- No randomness like card draws and dice rolls
- No information is hidden
- Movements are turn-based
- The themes are not important
There are a few exceptions that lack one or more of these characteristics while still being considered abstract strategy board games.
Examples:
- Chess
- Checkers
- Go
Action Drafting
Action drafting games involve players carrying out actions in each round, preventing other players from doing those same actions. Many games that use this mechanism also fit into other categories of board games.
Examples:
- Rising Sun
- Twilight Imperium
- War of the Ring
Area Control
In area control games, players control a specific area of the game board or map. You control the area’s resources, such as armies and workers.
Examples:
- Risk
- Gaia Project
- Twilight Struggle
Bluffing
Bluffing games require some form of deception on the part of the players. Bluffing is typically not the game’s main focus but rather a secondary tool for outwitting your opponents.
Examples: Some games that incorporate bluffing include:
- Decrypto
- Coup
- Cockroach Poker
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Campaign
Campaign games consist of a series of interconnected scenarios. In this type of board game, your actions and the outcome of one scenario influence the next.
Examples:
- Gloomhaven
- Betrayal Legacy
- Pandemic Legacy
Card Drafting
The mechanism of card drafting board games involves players selecting cards from a deck. All players have an equal chance at the same cards and players do not draw cards randomly or from a pile.
Examples:
- Terraforming Mars
- Sushi Go!
- 7 Wonders
Note: You can implement the card drafting mechanism in both in-depth strategy games and simpler ones.
Children’s Game
Children’s games are made specifically for children. Many of these games aim to educate and entertain children through board gaming.
Examples:
- King Me!
- Hey, That’s My Fish!
- Ghost Fightin’ Treasure Hunters
Note: Most modern children’s board games are also fun for adults, so you can play with the kids and have a good time.
City Building
City-building board games are about players building cities. These board games challenge players to build the most beautiful city, the largest city, the most profitable city or a combination of all three.
Examples:
- Suburbia
- Citadels
- Imperial Settlers
Civilization Building
A civilization-building board game typically involves players developing a civilization over a long period of time. Most of these types of board games start in ancient times with the potential for the civilization you’ve created to develop into a modern world.
Examples:
- Gentes
- Race for the Galaxy
- Through the Ages of a New Story of Civilization
Collectable
A collectable board game often includes several modules which are usually released at a set schedule. Sometimes, you may have to purchase multiple copies of each module. To stay competitive in these games, you have to keep up with the new releases.
Examples:
- X-Wing
- Magic the Gathering
- Marvel Champions
Combat
Combat board games involve some form of a player-vs-player combat. The combat in these games can be swift and frequent or slow and strategic. In some of these games, players must work together to defeat a common foe.
Examples:
- Bang!
- Munchkin
- Gloomhaven
Comfort
Comfort games are board games that people love to play because they’re easy to understand. Although these games are simple to learn, they are difficult to master.
Examples:
- Splendor
- Wingspan
- Azul
Cooperative/Co-Op
A cooperative board game allows players to team up and achieve victory as a team. Players work together to defeat an enemy in the board game. Throughout the game, players share resources and clues that will help them progress.
Examples:
- Pandemic Legacy
- Gloomhaven
- Spirit Island
Click here to find the top co-op games for you and your team.
Deck Building
Deck-building games are characterized by players building a card deck before or during the game. These games primarily feature cards. You start with a limited hand of cards, but as the game goes on, you acquire more cards.
Examples:
- Thunderstone
- Star Realms
- Legendary: Marvel Deck Building Game
Deduction
Deduction games require you to come up with an answer based on the information the game provides. Finding the answer may be the main goal of the game or just a small part of the concept.
Examples:
- Chronicles of Crime
- Clue
- Codenames
Dexterity Game
This is a genre of board games that requires dexterity and improves players’ dexterous skills. Players rely on their manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to play and excel in the dexterity game.
Examples:
- Pitch Car
- Jenga
- Go Cuckoo
Tips: Playing dexterity games like Jenga can help seniors improve their manual dexterity.
Dice
Dice games involve the use of dice as their primary mechanism. For a game to be considered a dice game, you have to roll the dice and use the outcome as an important element in the game.
Examples:
- Farkle
- Istanbul the Dice Game
- Roll for the Galaxy
Drafting
Drafting board games usually involve players passing around packs of cards and choosing the best cards for the deck they are constructing. Drafting and deck-building games are usually strategic, forcing you to make quick decisions.
Examples:
- Treasure Hunter
- Sushi Go!
- 7 Wonders
Dungeon Crawler
Dungeon crawler board games involve exploring some form of a dungeon, fighting monsters and finding treasure.
Examples:
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark
- Imperial Assault
- Legend of Grimrock
Note: Most dungeon crawler games also integrate elements of roleplaying.
Economic
Economic games are all about players generating an income. In an economic board game, your goal is to be the player with the best finances.
Examples:
- Transforming Mars
- Acquire
- Brass
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Educational
Educational board games are designed to teach players something during the course of the game. These games can be pretty fun and are suitable both for adults and kids.
Examples:
- Robot Turtles
- Freedom the Underground Railroad
- Scrabble
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Engine Building
In engine-building board games players accumulate or purchase resources that allow them to gain currency or even more resources.
Examples:
- Wingspan
- Splendor
- Terraforming Mars
Note: Your decisions in the early stages of engine-building games have a snowball effect over the rest of the game.
Eurogame
Eurogames originated in Germany. A Euro Game is characterized by the following features:
- No player gets eliminated
- Low level of interaction
- Low luck influence
- Multiple scoring methods
Examples:
- Concordia
- Power Grid
- Brass: Birmingham
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Exploration
Exploration games come with hidden information. These games involve players making some form of discovery about more aspects of the game as it continues.
Examples:
- Robinson Crusoe: Adventure on the Cursed Island
- Betrayal at House on the Hill
- Forbidden Desert
Farming
In a farming board game, you have to build up some form of a farm and farmland. These games involve players growing crops or making improvements to the farmland.
Examples:
- Takenoko
- Agricola
- Tzolk’in: The Mayan Calendar
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Fighting
Fighting games are games in which players are engaged in close-quarter combat and hand-to-hand combat.
Examples:
- BattleCON series of games
- Krosmaster Arena
- Nightfall
Gamebooks
Gamebooks are often adventure games that tell a story and allow you to take part in the story by making choices that have an effect on the narrative.
Examples:
- Adventure Games The Dungeon
- Fighting Fantasy
- Legacy of Dragonholt
Humourous
Humorous games are designed to be funny. They contain various hilarious elements.
Examples:
- Telestration
- Munchkin
- Taboo
Tip: Humorous games are great for parties as they get everyone laughing and encourage interaction.
Legacy
Legacy games are tabletop games that change over the course of the gameplay. The game’s rules and components change based on the outcome of each game played.
Examples:
- Betrayal Legacy
- Aeon’s End: Legacy
- Pandemic Legacy
Note: In most cases, legacy games can only be played once.
Math Based
Players must achieve a significant level of math proficiency to play math-based games. To win these board games, you must use your math skills and perform calculations.
Examples:
- PowerGrid
- Arkwright
- Robotech Force of Arms
Mature/Adult
Mature or adult games usually explore adult themes and depict adult situations using humor.
Examples:
- Starcrossed
- Time Stories
- Betrayal at House on the Hill
Maze
Maze games feature mazes or maze-like elements. A player moves in a particular direction and in complex and branched passages with the goal of finding an exit or certain targets.
Examples:
- Robo Rally
- Quodd Heroes
- The Magic Labyrinth
Memory
Memory games require you to remember details that the game board reveals early on and use this information to make decisions later on.
Examples:
- Hanabi
- The Magic Labyrinth
- Codenames
Miniature
These board game types are characterized by the presence of miniature figures. Miniature games can be roleplaying or wargames with miniature figures.
Examples:
- Nemesis
- War of the Ring
- Star Wars: Rebellion
Murder Mystery
In murder mystery games, players investigate murders. You often have to uncover more details about the crime that will lead you to the perpetrators.
Examples:
- Chronicles of Crime 1400
- Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
- Taste of Wine and Murder
Negotiation
In negotiation board games, players make deals and form mutually beneficial alliances. Many of these games end with betrayals when one of the players breaks the alliance.
Examples:
- Diplomacy
- Chinatown
- Monopoly
One Vs Many
In “one vs many” games, one player has to compete against the rest of the group.
Examples:
- Star Wars Imperial Assault
- Fury of Dracula
- Not Alone
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Party
A party game is designed to be played by a group of people who prefer something other than tabletop games. The following criteria define party games:
- Easy setup
- Easy to understand
- High player count
- Quick gameplay
Tip: Party games are great both for parties and game nights.
Examples:
- Secret Hitler
- Dixit
- Codenames
Print & Play
In print-and-play games, you can print out the game components yourself or combine printed components with readily available game materials like dice and pawns.
Examples:
- Splendor
- Cards Against Humanity
- Kill Doctor Lucky
Push Your Luck
In “push your luck” games, you must decide whether to settle for existing gains or risk everything for greater rewards. These games usually feature some output randomness, so you never know what to expect when you push your luck.
Examples:
- Cubitos
- Port Royal
- No Thanks
Puzzle Games
Puzzle games challenge players by having them solve puzzles. You may work with other players to solve a general puzzle or compete against them.
Examples:
- Mansions and Madness
- Patchwork
- Exit: The Game – The Haunted Roller Coaster
Racing
In racing games, your goal is to be the first player to reach some sort of an endpoint. The endpoint could be a finish line or a point target. Racing games include, but are not limited to, games about car and horse racing.
Examples:
- Catan
- Roborally
- Camel Up (Camel racing)
Real-Time
Real-time board games give players tasks they must complete within a strict time limit. In such games, you may have to finish your tasks before an opponent or the timer goes off.
Examples:
- Fuse
- Captain Sonar
- Galaxy Trucker
Resource Management
In resource management games, you get a limited amount of resources and you are required to plan where you will spend those resources. In most cases, the winner is the person who maximizes the use of their resources.
Examples:
- Splendor
- Ticket to Ride
- Catan
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Roleplaying/RPG
Roleplaying board games involve players taking on the role of a specific character and making decisions based on that character.
Examples:
- Gloomhaven
- One Deck Dungeon
- Mage Knight
Note: Roleplaying games are among the most popular and commercially successful board games ever made.
Roll And Move
“Roll and move” board games are games where you have to roll dice or spin spinners and move your pieces based on the outcome of your roll. Luck usually plays a significant part in the outcome of these games.
Examples:
- Camel Up
- Merchant of Venus
- Monza
Roll And Write
In roll and write games, players have to carry out an action, such as roll a die and write the results of their actions on the game board or sheet.
Examples:
- Yahtzee
- Qwixx
- Welcome To…
Sandbox
Sandbox games provide players with numerous options and ways to play. There are multiple ways to win in these games.
Examples:
- Fallout
- A Feast for Odin
- Western Legends
Social Deduction
Social deduction games require players to uncover each other’s hidden roles. In most cases, players are divided into two groups, with one team considered “good” and the other “bad”.
Examples:
- One Night Ultimate Werewolf
- Love Letter
- Murder in Hong Kong
Storytelling
Storytelling games are closely related to roleplaying games. In these types of board games, the storyline is the main part of the game.
Examples:
- Fog of Love
- T.I.M.E Stories
- Once Upon a Time
Take That
“Take that” games allow you to take actions that hinder your opponent’s progress in some way.
Examples:
- Munchkin
- Unfair
- Star Wars: Rebellion
Territory Building
In territory-building games, your aim is to take over a particular area of the board or map. In some cases, you need to take over as much of the map as possible to win.
Examples:
- The Castles of Burgundy
- El Grande
- Go
Tile Placement
In tile placement board games, players place pieces or tiles in specific locations, which then trigger actions. The placement of the tiles is typically a secondary mechanic rather than the primary goal of the game.
Examples:
- A Feast for Odin
- Azul
- The Castles of Burgundy
Trading Card Game (TCG)
Trading card games, also known as collectible card games, are based on collecting cards and making decks out of them. Your goal as a player is to construct a deck that will outlast the decks of other players.
Examples:
- Pokemon Trading Card Game
- Keyforge
- Yu-Gi-Oh!
Travel
In travel games, players move on a map or a grid by traveling to different locations. Many board games in the travel genre offer you some sort of reward for visiting several destinations.
Examples:
- Orleans
- The Lost Cities
- Trade and Intrigue Expansion
Trick Taking
Trick-taking games also involve the use of cards. These board games focus on a series of rounds called “tricks”. The winner is determined at the end of each round.
Examples:
- The Fox in the Forest
- Diamond
- The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
Note: In trick-taking games, your objective is to win the most rounds or tricks.
Trivia
Trivia games are designed to test your knowledge about a particular subject or range of subjects. These games often involve players reading questions out loud for another player to answer.
Examples:
- Trivial Pursuit
- Chronology
- Wits & Wagers
Check out our reviews of the best trivia board games.
Wargame
Wargames involve military action. Most of these types of board games deal with wars in historical or fictional situations.
Examples:
- Twilight Struggle
- Inis
- Root
Without Dice
These games do not involve the use of dice. To win, players often have to rely more on strategy than luck.
Examples:
- Diplomacy
- Blood Rage
- Mysterium
Worker Placement
Worker placement games are characterized by placing “workers” in specific areas where they need to carry out certain tasks. In a worker placement board game, you get resources when your workers complete their tasks.
Examples:
- Everdell
- Lords of Waterdeep
- Viticulture
If you are looking for the games you can play by yourself, see our reviews of the best solo board games and pick the best one.
What Is The Difference Between A Board Game Type, A Board Game Mechanic And A Board Game Theme?
The difference between a board game type, a board game mechanic and a board game theme is that board game types and mechanics refer to a specific element of gameplay. On the other hand, a board game theme refers to the subject matter the game is based on.
Game mechanics could be specifics like roleplaying or the game involving the use of dice. If you are a board game enthusiast, the theme can help you find other games with a similar subject matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The 7 Types Of Board Games?
The 7 types of board games are worker placement, co-op, deck building, area control, legacy, mystery and combat. Although there are several other games with different mechanics, these seven are the most popular. Familiarizing yourself with different types of games can help you find games with similar mechanics that you enjoy the most.
What Are Different Kinds Of Board Games?
The different kinds of board games are card games, city-building games, negotiation games and puzzle games. Card games involve the use and exchange of cards among players. In city-building games, players build beautiful cities. Negotiation games entail players making deals and puzzle games are games in which players must solve a puzzle.
What Are Three Types Of Board Games?
Three types of board games are abstract strategy, cooperative and role-playing board games. Abstract strategy games are games without themes or storylines. Cooperative games involve players working together toward a common goal. In role-playing games, you and other players have to assume the roles of specific characters and make decisions based on those characters.
How Many Categories Of Board Games Are There?
There are dozens of categories of board games. Initially, there used to be just four categories of classic board games: race games, space games, chase games and displacement games. However, board games have evolved over the years and more categories have emerged. Some modern board game categories include territory building, fighting and educational games.
What Is The Most Common Board Game?
The most common board game is Monopoly. There have been over 200,000 searches about Monopoly since the start of 2020. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, over 500 million people have played Monopoly as of 1999. Other popular board games include Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Backgammon and Cluedo.
Conclusion
We hope we have given you some insight into the different types of board games available today. As you can see, there are dozens of different types of board games, each with its own set of mechanics. Furthermore, new genres emerge every year. If you’re new to board gaming, you’ll find something to your liking in the categories we explored.
