When it's time to step away from screens and digital devices, board games offer a fantastic escape and continue to fuel your gaming passion. Fortunately, there's a rich selection of board games inspired by some of the most iconic video games, and we've curated a list of our top picks. Whether you're in the mood for an immersive campaign or a light-hearted party game, these board game adaptations will keep you engaged in your favorite video game universes, even when you're taking a break from technology.
### Fallout: The Board Game
$69.99 save 36%$44.49 at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 14+Play Time: 2-3 hoursWith the recent popularity of Amazon's Fallout series, now is the perfect time to delve into the Wasteland from the comfort of your kitchen table. Begin by choosing from various scenarios that set the stage for your adventure. Much like Bethesda's open-world RPGs, you'll uncover the map, develop skills, battle irradiated foes, engage with different factions, and tackle quests, all while striving to gain influence over the Wasteland. This game offers a deeply immersive and detailed experience, ideal for long-term gaming sessions.
### Slay the Spire: The Board Game
See it at Contention GamesPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 12+Play Time: 45 minutesPerhaps the most fitting video game for a board game adaptation, Slay the Spire lets players embody one of several heroes on a Roguelike journey through the Spire. Mirroring the digital game, players navigate through various rooms, each presenting unique challenges such as encounters with regular or elite enemies, events, campfires, treasure, merchants, and bosses. The Roguelike nature ensures endless replayability as players experiment with different characters, builds, and items each time. Dive deeper into this game with our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review.
### Bloodborne: The Board Game
See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-4Age Range: 14+Play Time: 60-90 minutesIn Bloodborne: The Board Game, players assume the role of a Hunter battling to eradicate the evil within Yharnam. As a campaign game, it offers endless replayability with its modular map tiles, ensuring no two sessions are the same. Featuring an array of cards, tokens, and game pieces, this dark adventure challenges players' skills and decision-making as they uncover the secrets of the plague and strive to stop it. The game's highly detailed miniatures enhance immersion, making players feel truly part of the world.
### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
See it at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 12+Play Time: 90-120 minutesThe success of the Resident Evil 2 board game led Steamforged Games to create similar adaptations for the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Yet, much like the video games, Resident Evil 2 stands out as the best. Players cooperate, taking control of either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, to fight through zombie hordes and escape in various scenarios. Collect weapons, healing items, and keys, navigate the environment, dodge the undead, and solve puzzles. You can even use iconic ink ribbons and typewriters to enhance your gameplay experience!
### Pac-Man: The Board Game
See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-5Age Range: 10+Play Time: 30 minutesFrom Buffalo Games, the arcade classic returns to the tabletop. Enjoy it in cooperative or competitive modes, where the player controlling Pac-Man navigates the maze, eats pellets, and collects fruit, while those playing ghosts try to avoid or catch him. Played on four metal tiles that form the game board, it requires some initial setup, but subsequent games are quick to start. The electronic Pac-Man figure even makes its iconic “waka waka” sound!
### Tetris Board Game
See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-4Age Range: 8+Play Time: 20-30 minutesAlso from Buffalo Games, Tetris is a competitive game where players maneuver, rotate, and drop tetriminos to score the highest. Just like the video game, the next piece is displayed via a card, allowing strategic planning. Points are earned by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols on the tower, and achieving specific goals. Its quick setup and short playtime make it perfect for parties and younger players.
### Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
See it at AmazonPlayers: 1-3Age Range: 14+Play Time: 90-120 minutesOriginally planned for the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter, the Tomb of Giants core set is a standalone adventure, ideal for new players. Inspired by the video game's infamous location, players choose a class and gear, then explore catacombs, battle skeleton archers, and rest at bonfires. With limited actions, strategic choices are crucial. This game remains true to its source material with its challenging combat and RPG elements, including a level up system. It introduces new characters and over a hundred new cards, all compatible with existing Dark Souls board game products.
### Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
$59.99 save 22%$46.88 at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 8+Play Time: 30-45 minutesEchoing its digital counterpart, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game is a fast-paced cooperative experience where players use dice to defeat bosses. The setup is simple, with the boss deck structure remaining constant. Players select from four characters: Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle, and play through rounds with five phases, setting up attacks and confronting bosses. Timed rounds add urgency to your dice rolls! With high replay value, you can strive to beat your score and upgrade abilities for future runs. Check out our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more details.
### The Oregon Trail Card Game
See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-6Age Range: 12+Play Time: 30-45 minutesDying of dysentery is now a fun challenge. In this quick-to-setup card game, players cooperate to reach Oregon without succumbing to various calamities. The game is fast-paced and luck-based, requiring players to navigate through fifty trail cards to win. However, if a player dies on the first turn (a common occurrence), they must sit out the session until the group either wins or all perish. Despite this, it's a humorous and engaging recreation of the original game, sure to bring laughs and memorable moments.