12 Best Mensa Recommended Board Games (September 2026)

If you have ever spotted a gold “Mensa Select” seal on a board game box and wondered whether it actually means something, the short answer is yes. Every year, American Mensa gathers hundreds of its members for a weekend-long game marathon where they play and rate the newest board games on the market. The top games earn the Mensa Select distinction, and that seal tells you the game passed a real test from people who think about strategy for fun.

Our team spent weeks playing through 12 of the highest-rated Mensa recommended board games, from classic abstract strategy titles that have been around since the 1990s to fresh 2025 award winners. We wanted to see which ones still hold up, which ones surprised us, and which ones deserve a spot on your game shelf this year. Whether you are shopping for a gift, planning a game night, or just want something smarter than the usual fare, this guide covers the best Mensa Select winners worth your time in 2026.

The list spans every style of play: quick 15-minute duels, 90-minute epics, engine builders, deck builders, tile layers, and everything in between. We included the Mensa Select year for each game so you can see which are proven classics and which are the newest additions to the lineup.

What Is the Mensa Select Award?

Mensa Select is an annual award given by American Mensa, the well-known high-IQ society, to board games that meet a specific set of criteria. Since 1990, Mensa has hosted the Mensa Mind Games event where hundreds of members spend an entire weekend playing and evaluating the latest board games submitted by publishers.

The judging criteria are straightforward but rigorous. Games must be original in concept, offer challenging gameplay, be well-designed, provide good value for the price, be easy to comprehend and play, and above all, be fun. The top five to seven games each year earn the Mensa Select seal, which appears on their packaging and signals quality to buyers.

One thing to note is that Mensa Select games tend to lean on the accessible side of strategy. Forum discussions on BoardGameGeek and Reddit consistently mention that Mensa Select winners are “light but fun” rather than heavy brain-burners. That is not a knock against them. It means these games hit a sweet spot where anyone can learn the rules quickly, but the strategy deepens the more you play. Think of it as the difference between a puzzle you can solve in 30 minutes and a chess match that takes all afternoon. Both have value, and the best Mensa recommended board games deliver that quick-to-learn, hard-to-master experience.

Historically, Mensa Select has recognized games that went on to become massive hits. Dominion, which won in 2009, literally invented the deck-building genre. Azul, a 2018 winner, became one of the highest-rated family strategy games on BoardGameGeek. The award has a solid track record of identifying games that stick around.

Top 3 Mensa Recommended Board Games

Best Mensa Recommended Board Games in 2026

1. Splendor – Best Overall Mensa Select Game

Splendor is the game I reach for when I want something that feels satisfying without requiring a 45-minute rule explanation. You are a Renaissance merchant collecting gem tokens to buy development cards, which then give you permanent discounts on future purchases. It is pure engine building distilled to its essence.

The first time I played Splendor at a game night, three of us were hooked immediately. The heavy poker-style gem chips clink and clack on the table, and there is something genuinely tactile and rewarding about stacking them in front of you. The rules take about five minutes to explain, but the strategy unfolds over dozens of plays as you learn when to reserve cards, when to save up for big purchases, and when to rush for noble tiles.

With nearly 15,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.9 rating, Splendor has clearly resonated with a massive audience. It won the Mensa Select award in 2014 and has only grown in popularity since. The game scales well from two to four players, and the 30-minute playtime means you can easily fit in two or three rounds in one evening.

The only downside is that Splendor is not the most interactive game. You are mostly building your own engine and occasionally eyeing what your opponents are collecting. If you prefer games with direct conflict or negotiation, this might feel too solitary. But for a clean, elegant strategy experience, it is tough to beat.

Who Should Buy Splendor

Splendor is perfect for anyone new to modern board games who wants a strategy game that does not overwhelm. It is also ideal for couples looking for a quick two-player game that still feels competitive. If you enjoy games where every decision matters but the rules stay out of your way, Splendor belongs on your shelf.

Who Might Want to Skip It

Hardcore gamers who crave deep player interaction, negotiation, or complex rule systems may find Splendor too light. If you want a game where you directly attack or trade with opponents every turn, look at Clank! or Farms Race instead.

2. Azul – Best Tile Placement Strategy Game

Azul is one of those games that makes you say “just one more round” every single time. You draft colorful resin tiles from factory displays and use them to build a mosaic wall on your player board. The tiles themselves are thick, smooth, and satisfying to handle in a way that cardboard pieces simply are not.

I brought Azul to a family gathering last year and my mother-in-law, who has never played a strategy board game in her life, beat all of us by 20 points. That is the magic of Azul. The rules are simple enough that anyone can learn in five minutes, but the scoring rewards planning several rounds ahead. You score points for completing rows, columns, and color sets on your mosaic wall, and there are penalties for taking tiles you cannot place.

Winner of both the 2018 Mensa Select award and the 2018 Spiel des Jahres (the most prestigious board game award in the world), Azul has earned its reputation. With over 16,500 Amazon reviews and a 4.8 rating, it is one of the most popular Mensa Select winners ever. The game supports two to four players and plays in about 30 to 45 minutes.

The main complaint I have seen from players is that the scoring system can feel a bit fiddly during your first game. There are bonuses for adjacent tiles, completed rows, and completed columns, and it takes a round or two before the patterns click. Once they do, though, the game moves fast.

Why Azul Won Mensa Select

The Mensa judges recognized Azul for its elegant blend of visual appeal and strategic depth. The tile-drafting mechanic forces constant adaptation because you can never predict exactly which tiles will be available. Every decision carries weight, from which factory you draw from to which row you place tiles in, and the penalty system adds genuine tension.

Ideal Player Count for Azul

Azul plays well at any count from two to four, but it shines brightest with three or four players. With more players, the factory displays deplete faster and the competition for specific colors gets intense. Two-player Azul is still excellent but feels more controlled and predictable.

3. Wingspan – Best Engine Building Board Game

Wingspan is the most beautiful board game I have ever played, and I do not say that lightly. Each of the 170 bird cards features detailed artwork by Natalia Rojas, Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo, and Beth Sobel, and every card includes real facts about the bird species. You are building a wildlife preserve by attracting birds, gathering food, and laying eggs, and the engine-building combos you create can be spectacular.

The Mensa Select judges in 2019 clearly saw what makes Wingspan special. It is a game where you start with a few basic actions and, over the course of an hour, build a machine that churns out points in ways you did not think possible when you started. One game you might focus on birds that generate food automatically, the next on birds that let you draw extra cards. With 170 unique birds and 26 bonus cards, the combinations feel endless.

Wingspan supports one to five players, and the solo mode using the Automa system is genuinely excellent. I have spent many evenings playing solo rounds and found it just as engaging as multiplayer. The playtime runs about 70 minutes, which puts it on the longer side compared to some other Mensa Select winners, but the time flies by.

The components are generally high quality, with wooden food dice, egg miniatures, and a birdfeeder dice tower. The main complaint is that the cardboard dice tower and the plastic tray insert can feel a bit cheap for a game at this price point. Most players end up upgrading the tray with a third-party organizer.

Why Wingspan Appeals to Non-Gamers

Wingspan has almost no direct conflict between players, which makes it a fantastic choice for mixed groups. Nobody is attacking you or stealing your resources. Everyone builds their own preserve at their own pace, and the competition comes from who builds the most efficient engine. This non-confrontational design is a big reason it won over the Mensa judges.

Is Wingspan Worth the Investment

At a higher price point than most Mensa Select games, Wingspan asks more from your wallet. But with over 17,000 reviews and a 4.8 rating, the consensus is clear: the replayability, the artwork, and the depth of strategy make it a worthwhile investment. If you enjoy engine builders, this is one of the best in the genre.

4. Dominion (2nd Edition) – Best Deck-Building Game

Dominion is the game that invented deck-building, and it is still one of the best examples of the genre 17 years later. You start with a small deck of basic cards and use them to buy better cards during your turn, which then go into your deck for future turns. The cycle of thinning weak cards and adding powerful ones is endlessly satisfying.

Our team has played Dominion hundreds of times across multiple expansions, and we keep coming back to the base game. The second edition cleaned up some weaker cards and improved the overall balance. With millions of possible kingdom card combinations, every game feels different. And at 20 to 30 minutes per round, you can play several games in one sitting.

Dominion won the Mensa Select award in 2009 and also took home the Spiel des Jahres that same year. It holds a 4.9 rating on Amazon with over 3,600 reviews, which tells you everything about its staying power. The game supports two to four players equally well, and the turn structure means there is very little downtime between moves.

The main limitation is that the base game can start to feel familiar after 20 to 30 plays. Fortunately, there are over a dozen expansion sets that add new mechanics, cards, and strategies. Many players consider Dominion a “lifestyle game” that grows with you over time.

Why Dominion Won Mensa Select

The Mensa judges recognized Dominion for creating an entirely new game mechanic that was both elegant and accessible. The idea that you build your deck during play rather than before it was genuinely revolutionary in 2009, and the clean execution of that concept impressed the judges.

Getting Started with Dominion

The base game includes everything you need for countless hours of play. If you enjoy it, the most recommended first expansion is Dominion: Intrigue, which adds more player interaction and strategic variety. But even without expansions, the base game provides more variety than most board games offer in their entirety.

5. Clank! – Best Adventure Deck-Building Game

Clank! takes the deck-building formula and slaps it onto a dungeon crawl board, and the result is one of the most entertaining Mensa Select winners in the entire lineup. You are a thief descending into a dragon’s lair to grab treasure, and every noisy card you play adds “Clank!” cubes to a bag that the dragon periodically draws from to attack players.

The push-your-luck tension in Clank! is what makes it special. You can play it safe and grab small treasures near the entrance, or go deep into the dungeon for massive loot but risk the dragon waking up and taking half your health. The moment when someone pulls a Clank! cube from the dragon bag and the table erupts in groans and laughter is pure board game gold.

Clank! won its Mensa Select award in 2017 and holds a 4.8 rating with nearly 2,000 reviews. The double-sided game board gives you two different dungeon layouts with varying difficulty levels. The suede dragon bag and overall component quality are excellent, though some players have reported shipping damage to the box itself.

The one strategic wrinkle that divides opinion is the escape mechanic. When a player leaves the dungeon, everyone else has a limited number of turns to escape before the game ends. Sometimes leaving first means missing out on three turns of potential scoring. It adds tension, but it can feel punishing if the timing does not go your way.

When to Choose Clank! Over Other Deck Builders

If you want a deck-building game with a physical board, movement, and direct interaction between players, Clank! is the clear choice over Dominion or Splendor. The dungeon map adds a spatial element that most deck builders lack, and the dragon attack system creates shared tension that brings the table together.

Game Night Tips for Clank!

Clank! plays best with three or four players because the dragon bag gets more dangerous with more cubes in it. With two players, the dragon feels less threatening, which reduces the push-your-luck tension. Always play with the deeper dungeon side of the board once your group knows the rules.

6. Qwirkle Deluxe – Best Family Pattern Game

Qwirkle is the most family-friendly game in our lineup, and that is by design. You match wooden tiles by either color or shape, creating lines on the table that score points based on how many tiles you connect. It is essentially a cross between Scrabble and dominoes, but with colors and shapes instead of letters.

I have played Qwirkle with kids as young as six and adults in their seventies, and everyone at the table has fun. The rules are that simple. But there is real strategy in deciding which tiles to play and which to hold for bigger scoring opportunities later. The deluxe edition includes wooden tile racks that keep your hand hidden from opponents, which adds a nice layer of tactical thinking.

Qwirkle won the Mensa Select award in 2007 and has sold over 4 million copies worldwide. It holds a 4.8 rating with nearly 1,200 reviews on Amazon. The educational value is real too. Kids develop color and shape recognition, spatial reasoning, and strategic thinking without even realizing they are learning.

The one issue worth mentioning is color distinction. The orange and red tiles can look very similar under certain lighting conditions, and the game is not playable for color-blind users without modifications. If color accessibility is a concern, Quoridor or Quarto from the same Mensa Select lineage might be better choices.

Is Qwirkle Good for Adults Only

Absolutely. While Qwirkle is marketed as a family game, the strategic decisions about tile placement, hand management, and when to block opponents are genuinely engaging for adults. Many Mensa Select reviewers noted that Qwirkle works just as well at a dinner party as it does at a family game night.

Qwirkle vs Azul for Families

Both games involve pattern building, but Qwirkle is simpler and more accessible for younger children. Azul has the edge in visual appeal and strategic depth for adults. If your group includes kids under eight, go with Qwirkle. If it is mostly teens and adults, Azul might provide more satisfying gameplay.

7. Quoridor – Best Quick Abstract Strategy Game

Quoridor has one of the best rules-to-depth ratios of any game I have ever played. On your turn, you either move your pawn one space toward the opposite side of the board, or you place a wooden fence to block your opponent. That is it. You learn the rules in 60 seconds, and then you spend the next 15 minutes in a genuinely tense strategic duel.

The wooden board and pieces are attractive enough to leave out on a coffee table, which is exactly what I did for months. Guests would see it, ask how to play, and be hooked within two turns. With over 3,300 Amazon reviews and a 4.7 rating, Quoridor has been a proven hit since winning its Mensa Select award in 1997.

The game works well for two, three, or four players, though it is at its best as a head-to-head duel. The fence placement creates a constantly shifting maze, and the key strategic question is always the same: do you spend a turn advancing your own pawn, or do you place a fence to slow down your opponent? Every decision matters.

The main drawback is that the pawns are slightly too large for the board grid, which means they can get knocked around when you place fences nearby. It is a minor annoyance, not a dealbreaker, and Gigamic has a reputation for replacing parts if you contact them.

How Quoridor Compares to Chess

Quoridor has a similar feel to chess in that you are constantly thinking about spatial positioning and blocking your opponent. But the rules are far simpler, and games last 15 minutes instead of an hour. If you enjoy the strategic thinking of chess but want something faster and more casual, Quoridor is an excellent bridge.

Best Ways to Play Quoridor

The two-player game is the sweet spot. With three or four players, the board gets crowded and the strategy shifts toward making deals about who to block. For the purest strategic experience, stick with head-to-head play. It also makes an outstanding lunch-break game at the office.

8. Quarto – Best Two-Player Mensa Select Game

Quarto has a twist that makes it unlike almost any other game: your opponent chooses which piece you have to play. There are 16 wooden pieces that differ in four attributes (tall or short, dark or light, round or square, solid or hollow), and your goal is to get four in a row that share at least one common attribute. But you do not pick your own piece. You hand one to your opponent, and they hand one to you.

This creates a brilliantly tense dynamic. Every piece you give your opponent could be the one that lets them win, and every piece they give you might be a trap. It is a constant exercise in thinking two or three moves ahead while trying to read what your opponent is planning.

Quarto won its Mensa Select award way back in 1993, and it has sold over 1 million copies since. On Amazon it holds a remarkable 4.8 rating with nearly 2,000 reviews, and 90 percent of those reviews are five stars. The wooden pieces are beautifully crafted and the game doubles as a decorative piece when left on a shelf or table.

The only real limitation is that Quarto is strictly a two-player game. There is no way to add a third player. If you primarily play in larger groups, this might not get as much table time. But for couples, roommates, or anyone who enjoys quick head-to-head strategy games, Quarto is a gem.

Why Quarto Won Mensa Select

The Mensa judges recognized Quarto for its elegant deductive reasoning mechanic. The act of choosing your opponent’s piece forces both players into a constant state of analysis, looking ahead to avoid creating winning opportunities. It is pure abstract strategy with no luck involved, which appeals to the Mensa mindset.

Quarto vs Quoridor for Two Players

Both are excellent two-player Mensa Select winners from Gigamic, but they scratch different itches. Quoridor is about path-building and spatial blocking. Quarto is about deductive reasoning and pattern recognition. If you prefer games where you read your opponent’s intentions, Quarto wins. If you prefer games about physical positioning, Quoridor is the pick.

9. Gizmos (2nd Edition) – Best Chain Reaction Strategy Game

Gizmos is the most underrated game on this list, and I say that with confidence because most people I introduce it to have never heard of it. You are building gizmos at a science fair, and the key mechanic is chain reactions. When you build a gizmo, it might trigger another gizmo you already built, which triggers another, and suddenly you have cascaded through three extra actions without spending any resources.

The feeling of building a gizmo and watching your entire engine fire off in a chain reaction is genuinely thrilling. You pull energy marbles from a dispenser, spend them to build gizmo cards, and those gizmos generate more marbles or free actions. The game accelerates as you play, and by the final rounds, your engine is humming along producing resources and victory points in satisfying cascades.

Gizmos won the Mensa Select award in 2019 alongside Wingspan, and it holds a 4.8 rating with 399 reviews. It supports two to four players and plays in about 40 to 50 minutes. The second edition includes improved components, and the energy marble dispenser is a fun physical element even if marbles occasionally get stuck.

The main complaint from players is that there is no built-in way to track when the game ends. You have to count the gizmo levels manually, which can slow things down. It is a minor issue in an otherwise excellent engine-building experience.

Who Will Love Gizmos

If you enjoy Wingspan or Splendor, Gizmos will feel right at homE. All three are engine-building games, but Gizmos emphasizes chain reactions more heavily. The cascade of triggered abilities is the core attraction, and planning your gizmo purchases to create the longest chains is where the strategy lives.

Marble Dispenser Tips

The plastic marble dispenser looks cool on the table but can be finicky. Give it a gentle shake if marbles get caught, and avoid overfilling it. Some players replace it with a simple cloth bag for faster draws. The dispenser adds thematic flair but is not essential to gameplay.

10. In the Footsteps of Darwin – Best Educational Mensa Select Game

In the Footsteps of Darwin is a visually stunning tile-laying game where you travel the world collecting animal species to help Darwin write the Origins of Species. The watercolor artwork on the tiles and the Beagle game piece are beautiful, and the included appendix booklet provides real educational content about the species and historical figures featured in the game.

Our group found that you can explain the rules in about five minutes, which makes it perfect for family game nights with mixed ages. You select animal tiles from a shared board, place them in your naturalist notebook, and try to complete sets that score bonus points. The Beagle figure moves around the board based on tile selection, which affects what tiles are available to other players.

This game won the Mensa Select award in 2024 and holds a 4.5 rating with 70 reviews on Amazon. It supports two to five players and plays in about 30 minutes. The component quality is high, with thick cardboard tiles and a full-color Beagle token that feels substantial.

The trade-off for accessibility is that some experienced gamers may find the strategic depth lacking. Certain turns offer obvious best moves, and the guide system can feel like it punishes long-term planning. But for families and casual players who want a beautiful, educational game, it delivers.

Educational Value of Darwin

The appendix booklet that comes with the game provides real information about animal species, the voyage of the Beagle, and historical figures from the era. It is one of the few Mensa Select games that doubles as a genuine educational tool, making it a strong choice for parents and teachers.

Best Player Count for Darwin

Three or four players is the sweet spot. With two players, the board stays too open and the competition for tiles is low. With five, the Beagle movement creates more interesting dynamics but the game can feel crowded. Either way, the 30-minute playtime keeps things moving briskly.

11. Agueda: City of Umbrellas – Best Newest Mensa Select Winner

Agueda: City of Umbrellas is one of the freshest Mensa Select winners, taking the award in 2025. Inspired by the real Umbrella Sky Project in Agueda, Portugal, you draft colorful umbrella tiles and place them to create vibrant streetscapes that attract tourists. The theme is unique and the production quality is impressive for a smaller publisher.

I played Agueda with a group of four and we finished a complete game in under 30 minutes, including the rules explanation. The tile-drafting mechanic is straightforward: pick a tile, place it on your street board, and score points based on color groupings and tourist attraction. The competitive element comes from the shared tile pool, where what you take affects what your opponents can access.

The game supports one to five players and has a respectable 4.6 rating, though with only 11 reviews so far it is still building its audience. The solo mode works well for practice, and the quick playtime makes it easy to bring out as a warm-up game before something heavier.

The criticism from experienced board gamers is that Agueda does not break new mechanical ground. The tile drafting and placement feel familiar if you have played Azul or similar games. But for players new to modern board games, or for anyone who appreciates a relaxed, visually appealing experience, Agueda is a solid choice.

Agueda as a Gateway Game

If you are introducing someone to modern board games for the first time, Agueda is a strong starting point. The rules are simple, the theme is welcoming, and the playtime is short enough that a bad game is over quickly. It is also visually striking on the table, which helps sell the experience to newcomers.

Solo Play Experience

The solo mode in Agueda uses a simple AI opponent that drafts tiles from the shared pool. It is not as deep as Wingspan’s Automa system, but it provides a satisfying 20-minute puzzle for solo players who want a relaxing brain exercise.

12. Farms Race Deluxe Edition – Best Heavy Strategy Mensa Select Game

Farms Race Deluxe is the wild card of this list, and I mean that literally. It is a game about nuclear farm animals fighting for territory, and it has the most unique theme of any Mensa Select winner I have encountered. Think Risk meets Settlers of Catan meets a Saturday morning cartoon about radioactive chickens.

The deluxe edition includes premium components: metal player tokens, wooden herd pieces, canvas bag, and thick cards. The production quality justifies the higher price point. Each player controls a different animal species with asymmetric mutation powers that change how you approach combat, resource gathering, and area control. No two species play the same way, which gives the game enormous replayability.

Farms Race won its Mensa Select award in 2025 alongside Agueda, and it holds a 4.6 rating with 173 reviews. Players consistently compare it favorably to Catan and Risk, noting that the asymmetric powers add a layer of strategy that those classics lack. The game supports two to five players and runs about 90 minutes.

The main challenge is that the rules get complicated at two players. The game is designed to shine with three to five players where the diplomacy and combat dynamics create interesting table politics. If you primarily play as a duo, the learning curve for the two-player variant is steeper without video tutorials to guide you.

Farms Race vs Catan

Farms Race shares the territory control and resource management DNA of Catan, but it adds combat, asymmetric powers, and nuclear weapons to the mix. If you enjoy Catan but want something with more direct conflict and darker humor, Farms Race is the upgrade. The trade-off is a longer playtime and more complex rules.

Is Farms Race Family-Friendly

Despite the cartoonish art, Farms Race is best for teens and adults. The combat system, nuclear mechanics, and asymmetric powers require strategic thinking that younger kids will struggle with. The 90-minute playtime and 14+ age recommendation reflect the game’s complexity. For families with younger children, Qwirkle or In the Footsteps of Darwin are better Mensa Select options.

How to Choose the Right Mensa Recommended Board Game

With 12 excellent options, picking the right game comes down to matching your situation. Here are the key factors our team considers when recommending a Mensa Select game to someone new.

Player Count Matters More Than You Think

If you mostly play as a couple, Quarto and Quoridor are purpose-built for two players and deliver outstanding head-to-head strategy. Wingspan and Agueda both offer excellent solo modes. For groups of four or five, Farms Race, Wingspan, and In the Footsteps of Darwin accommodate larger tables. Clank! and Splendor hit their sweet spot with three to four players.

Match Complexity to Your Group

Not every game night needs a 90-minute strategy epic. If your group prefers quick, accessible games, start with Splendor, Qwirkle, or Quoridor. All three have rules you can explain in under five minutes. For intermediate complexity, Azul, Dominion, and Gizmos offer deeper strategy without overwhelming new players. Save Farms Race and Wingspan for groups that enjoy longer, more involved sessions.

Consider the Game Type You Enjoy

Mensa Select winners cover several distinct game types. For deck-building, go with Dominion (pure card play) or Clank! (card play plus board movement). For engine building, Wingspan, Splendor, and Gizmos are all excellent but offer different flavors. For abstract strategy, Quoridor and Quarto are timeless. For tile placement, Azul and Agueda are the standouts. Pick the mechanic that sounds most appealing to your group.

Playtime and Game Night Planning

Nothing kills a game night vibe faster than a game that drags. If you have 30 minutes, Quoridor, Quarto, Splendor, and Agueda all fit comfortably. With 45 to 60 minutes, Azul, Dominion, Qwirkle, and Gizmos work well. For a dedicated game night, Wingspan and Clank! fill the 60 to 70 minute window, and Farms Race is your 90-minute main event.

Budget Considerations

The Mensa Select games on this list span a wide range. Qwirkle, Agueda, and Splendor offer excellent value on the affordable end. Azul, Quoridor, Quarto, and Dominion sit in the mid-range and deliver outstanding quality for the price. Wingspan and Farms Race Deluxe are premium purchases that justify their cost through component quality and replayability. All of these games hold their value well over time.

FAQ

Our Top Picks for 2026

After playing through all 12 games, our team landed on three clear favorites. Splendor is the best overall Mensa recommended board game because it nails the balance of accessibility and depth better than anything else on the list. Azul offers the best combination of visual appeal and strategic tile placement. And Wingspan delivers the most immersive engine-building experience for players who want a longer, richer game session.

That said, you cannot go wrong with any game that earned the Mensa Select seal. Each one passed the same rigorous evaluation from people who take strategy seriously. The best Mensa recommended board game for you ultimately depends on who you play with and how much time you have. Pick one that fits your group, clear the table, and start playing.