The Top Board Games to Play (or Gift) This Holiday Season

From cozy family classics to table-devouring epics, here’s what belongs under the tree – and what’s coming next year to keep on your radar. Below are some of my favorites, I have many more so it was hard to narrow down a list.

The board-gaming world has been on a tear lately. 2025 is stacked, your shelves are crying for mercy, and publishers really want you to “accidentally” buy three games instead of one (which I do, need all the expansions). So here’s a curated list: the absolute standouts to play with your friends, your family, or that one cousin who thinks they’re “undefeated” at board games (but only plays Uno).

Let’s get into it.

STRATEGY & ENGINE-BUILDERS

Ark Nova + Marine Worlds (Capstone Games)

Price: ~$75–$100
A top-5 BGG Euro where you build a modern zoo with conservation, animals, and tight engine-building.

For: Strategy gamers, long planners, solo players.
Not for: Casual players wanting a quick warm-up.
Holiday Fit: The “big winter game” for serious strategists.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Brass: Birmingham (Roxley Games)

Price: ~$60
Ranked #1 on BGG – an elite economic strategy experience.

For: Veteran gamers who want heavy, competitive depth.
Not for: New gamers or players who dislike deep strategy.
Holiday Fit: A strong, late-night “game night with the crew” pick.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Earth (Inside Up Games)

Price: ~$45
Top 50 tableau builder with quick turns and combo-filled engines.

For: Fans of quick-but-deep engine builds.
Not for: Narrative-first groups.
Holiday Fit: Perfect after dinner, not mentally draining.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Lost Ruins of Arnak (CGE)

Price: ~$55
Deck-building meets worker placement in one of the most balanced mid-weight games today.

For: Adventure-loving strategists.
Not for: Fans of heavy aggression.
Holiday Fit: Accessible yet thoughtful – great for mixed groups.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Everdell (Starling Games)

Price: ~$70–$100
A cozy critter-filled city-builder beloved for its charm and replayability.

For: Families, casual gamers, art lovers.
Not for: Players wanting heavy crunch.
Holiday Fit: A warm, atmospheric game perfect for holiday evenings.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Check out the review here.

Wyrmspan (Stonemaier Games)

Price: ~$55–$65
A dragon-themed evolution of Wingspan with deeper combos and satisfying engine building.

For: Fans of Wingspan, light/medium strategy players.
Not for: People wanting head-to-head conflict.
Holiday Fit: Beautiful, thematic, and universally approachable.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Check out the review here.

SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Czech Games Edition)

Price: ~$60–$70
A thoughtful, science-driven strategy game where you manage telescopes, analyze data, and search the cosmos for intelligent life. Deep planning, clever timing, and real-world scientific flavor set it apart from typical sci-fi titles.

For: Mid-heavy Euro players, sci-fi fans who prefer realism, groups wanting a fresh 2025 release.
Not for: Players wanting high action, lots of conflict, or cinematic storytelling.
Holiday Fit: A perfect “stargazing and strategy” pick for quieter holiday evenings – deep, thematic, and incredibly satisfying.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

ADVENTURE & CAMPAIGN GAMES

ISS Vanguard (Awaken Realms)

Price: ~$150–$190
Sci-fi exploration epic with crew management and branching narrative paths.

For: Campaign lovers and Mass Effect fans.
Not for: Groups with limited table space or time.
Holiday Fit: Great for “holiday break binge campaigns.”

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Tainted Grail: Kings of Ruin (Awaken Realms)

Price: ~$120–$140
A dark Arthurian tale with branching stories and meaningful choices.

For: Story-first groups and dark fantasy enthusiasts.
Not for: Players wanting short, tactical-only sessions.
Holiday Fit: Best for immersive, quiet holiday nights.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Sleeping Gods (Red Raven Games)

Price: ~$110
A narrative open-world game with dozens of interconnected maps and stories.

For: Story lovers, exploration fans, fans of “play a book” experiences.
Not for: Mechanically-focused groups.
Holiday Fit: Ideal for families or groups who want a novel-length game experience.

Buy: Amazon – MiniatureMarket – Publisher

Nemesis (Awaken Realms)

Price: ~$150–$200
A cinematic sci-fi survival horror full of tension, betrayal, and emergent storytelling.