Ever wondered how many types of board games are available to explore? Well, the variety is vast; there are more than 20 board game types widely played across the globe!
With technological advancements, board games have evolved and are no longer the same. Whether you’re an experienced gamer or just a newbie looking to explore a whole world of different experiences, to discover. If you’re tired of playing the same game over and over and looking to try something new, you’re at the right place! In this blog, we’ll explore the various forms so you can kill your boredom.
Let’s get started and open up a whole new world of board games!
Here is a list of different board game types you should know and try in 2025!
Worker placement board games are strategy games where players place workers (tokens) in specific spots on the board. By doing so, players earn coins and resources or complete assigned tasks. Each location has a unique benefit like collecting materials or completing the goal. A unique point of this board type is that each spot can only be used by one worker per turn, so players must compete for the best options.
As the game progresses, the workers move to new locations, and available spots become limited, which requires brainstorming from players. These games require watching the opponents’ moves.
Examples: Agricola, Lords of Waterdeep
Set collection is another type of board game where players collect a single or a set of cards, tokens, or tiles to score points. Each set has some sort of rules or pattern, such as acquiring a certain number of similar items or various items. The only challenge that players might come across is in the collection of the right pieces while competing against other players for the same resources. The more valuable a set is, the more points players get for obtaining it.
Examples: Sushi Go!, Ticket to Ride
This board game type involves players getting items and resources by placing bids. The players in the game use limited resources, such as money or tokens, to bid on specific items. The player who has the highest bid wins the item, but the value of the bid fluctuates. This requires players to carefully judge how much they are willing to spend. The game typically revolves around increasing value and watching the moves of the other players.
Examples: Power Grid, Ra
Bluffing board games are those where players attempt to fool other players while guessing their actions. These games focus on misdirection, where players hide their information, make false claims, or mislead others. Bluffing games require a mix of strategy, psychology, and social interaction. The goal is usually to outwit opponents by either convincing them of anything untrue or by deducing their true intentions.
Examples: Coup, Liar’s Dice
As the name suggests, these board games involve players in constructing a city, which includes building infrastructure, resources, and population. Players are required to maintain a balance between economic growth, resources, and citizen needs. Mainly, the goal is to expand and optimize the city to earn victory points. These games usually feature a mix of strategy, planning, and sometimes competition for limited resources.
Examples: Suburbia and Cities, Skylines: The Board Game
Cooperative board games require players to work as a team with a common aim. The aim is often to defeat the game itself. Players here don’t compete with each other, Instead, they share knowledge and strategies to solve puzzles. The success or failure is determined by the collective actions of the team and not by the individual’s performance.
Examples: Pandemic, Forbidden Island
Investigation is a unique board game category where players solve mysteries or unveil secrets. Players act as detectives searching for clues, interviewing suspects, and compiling information to detect culprits or solve complex problems. Games of this type are often based on narratives. Players can either work solo or collaborate with other players. However, the focus is on critical thinking.
Examples: Clue (Cluedo), Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
Legacy and campaign board games provide a long yet evolving gameplay. Here, players participate in a series of connected games, with each session affecting the next season in some way like altering the game board, unlocking new components, or changing rules permanently. These games are also based on narratives, the storylines that open as the players progress. Legacy games are mainly played over multiple sessions, and the game evolves based on player choices.
Examples: Pandemic: Legacy, Gloomhaven
War games simulate military conflict, where players control armies or units to achieve specific objectives. The objectives usually require strategy, tactics, and resource management. They range from abstract and strategic games to historically detailed simulations, with mechanics like movement, combat, and taking control over territory. There are some war games that feature big-scale battles, and some war board games feature small tactical scenarios.
Examples: Risk, Twilight Struggle
Economic board games are board games involving financial strategy and focusing on trading. Herein, players make decisions to manage money, invest, and expand their assets so they can generate profits. These games involve market fluctuations, investments, and competition for limited resources. Success in this genre depends on how players make strategies for growth while balancing risks. On the whole, economic board games help improve thinking and planning.
Examples: Monopoly, Power Grid
Deck-building games are different types of board games where players construct a deck of cards to improve their power and effectiveness. The game starts with a basic deck. Players start collecting new cards that offer abilities, resources, or points to strengthen their deck. These games demand strategic decisions from players about which card to get.
Examples: Dominion, Clank!
Dexterity board games are a unique form of board game that focuses on physical skill, where players use hand-eye coordination, timing, or precision to accomplish tasks or challenges. These games usually involve actions like tossing objects, flicking, and balancing. Such games can be light or competitive, depending on the player’s dexterity (skills) rather than depending on strategic thinking alone.
Examples: Jenga, Crokinole
In drafting board games, players select cards or items from a shared pool, usually in turns. The goal is to build a strong hand or collection by picking cards that complement one another while denying other valuable options. Drafting requires guessing what opponents will pick as well as taking into consideration what is available. These games have limited time for making decisions and encourage creative strategies.
Examples: 7 Wonders, Sushi Go!
Dungeon Crawler is a popular board game category that revolves around exploring dungeons, battling enemies, and collecting loot. All such activities are done through tactical combat and character progression in the game. Players usually control heroes with unique abilities, working cooperatively or competitively to tackle monsters, traps, and other obstacles that might appear in their journey. These games feature an evolving narrative and campaign-style play with missions that get revealed over time.
Examples: Gloomhaven, Descent: Journeys in the Dark
The last type of board game on the list is Eurogame. These games primarily focus on making efficient systems to increase points through actions such as trading, building, or optimizing resources. They have simple rules but deep strategic decisions, which make them accessible yet challenging. Herein, players don’t directly conflict but compete for limited resources or actions.
Examples: Catan, Carcassonne
These games are very easy to understand and are great for beginners or family game nights. In such games, the players have to roll a dice or spin a spinner to get a number. This number is used to move their piece on the board. Usually, the goal is to reach a certain point or to complete the journey before the other player. Here, luck plays a big role in these games.
Examples: Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, Monopoly
Secret identity games are all about mystery and bluffing. Each player is secretly given a role, and often, some players are trying to trick others while some are trying to find out the truth. This type of board game involves a lot of talking, guessing, and trying to figure out who is hiding their real identity. They are great for parties and groups.
Examples: Werewolf, The Resistance, Secret Hitler
Examples: Risk, Small World, Blood Rage
Combat games focus mainly on fighting battles between characters, armies, or monsters. Players move their fighters around the board and use strategy to attack, defend, and defeat their opponents. Some combat games are simple, while others are very detailed and require planning every move carefully. These games are perfect for players who like to enjoy action and adventure.
Examples: Warhammer 40K, Kemet, Unmatched
In area control games, players try to take control of different areas (parts). The more areas you control, the more points or advantages you get. Players usually have to plan their moves carefully and sometimes fight for space. These games are about smart strategy and timing rather than just luck.
Party games are nothing but meant to be enjoyed with big groups. Its purpose is to enjoy the gatherings. They usually have simple rules and focus on making people laugh or think quickly. You don’t need to be serious or strategic. Your main aim is to have a good time with your friends and family, and enjoy the time. These games are perfect for social gatherings and casual gaming nights.
Examples: Codenames, Pictionary, Taboo
Today, board games have become advanced. They are more creative with new themes, detailed artwork, and better storytelling. Now, we are seeing a steep rise in cooperative games, legacy games that change over time, and games that mix tech with traditional play. In the future, we can expect board games with even more personalized gaming experiences that focus on diversity and inclusion.
Board game developers are focusing more on integrating social gaming features that make board games more interactive and connected.
From worker placement board games like Agricola to wargame board games like Risk to Eurogame board games like Catan, the category of different types of board games is extensive. If you haven’t tried any of them, try these games today to improve your board game skills.
In case you feel like becoming a gaming entrepreneur by developing online board games presented above in the list, contact a popular board game development agency to start your entrepreneurial journey.
Ans. It usually takes around two months to create a basic board game app. However, the exact time depends on the complexity, features, and design of the board game you want to develop.
Ans. The cost to develop a board game online typically ranges between $8,000 and $15,000. Factors like the number of features, design quality, platform (Android/iOS), and developer expertise can affect the final price.
Ans. Chess holds the title of being the most popular board game across the globe. It has been played for centuries and remains a top choice among different types of board games.
Ans. Some of the most popular board game types are worker placement, deck-building, cooperative games, legacy games, set-collection, combat games, and area control games. These categories are loved for their unique strategies and exciting gameplay.
Ans. A successful board game combines creative graphics, engaging sound effects, and a strong, interesting storyline. A good balance between strategy, luck, and replay value also makes a board game popular.
Ans. The Legacy board games change permanently during play, while traditional board games reset after each session. In legacy games, players might write on the board, place stickers, or even destroy cards, creating a unique, evolving experience over time.
Ans. In area control games, players compete to dominate specific regions on the board. In combat games, players focus mainly on battling each other’s forces, using tactics to defeat opponents.
Ans. The main types of board games are worker placement, set collection, auction, bluffing, city building, cooperative, legacy, war, economic, deck-building, dexterity, drafting, dice-based, dungeon crawler, roll and move, secret identity, area control, combat, and party games.
Ans. Roll and move games, party games, and set collection games are best for beginners because they are easy to learn and quick to play.
