For players who want more to think about, the Kennerspiel des Jahres and the Deutscher Spiele Preis are the prizes to follow. Their winners reward planning and give a different game every time.
These are our picks for a gift to someone who already loves board games, or who is ready for the next step.
Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave
1–740–70′10+Great for a step up from family games
Attract birds to your wildlife preserve and build an engine of food, eggs and cards. It won the Kennerspiel des Jahres.
2019 Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseurs' Game of the Year) winner
Designed by Jacob Fryxelius
1–5120′12+Great for a long, rich game
Corporations make Mars liveable with hundreds of project cards. It won the Deutscher Spiele Preis.
2018 As d'Or Expert Grand Prix winner
Designed by Mathias Wigge
1–490–150′14+Great for an experienced gamer
Design and run a modern zoo with hundreds of cards. It won the Deutscher Spiele Preis.
2023 As d'Or Expert Grand Prix winner
Great for fans of planning
Build estates in medieval France with dice and tiles. A modern classic by Stefan Feld.
2011 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 2nd place
Designed by Michaela Štachová and Michal Štach
1–430–120′12+Great for an adventure lover
Explore an island with deck-building and worker placement. It won the Deutscher Spiele Preis.
2021 Deutscher Spiele Preis winner
Designed by Paul Dennen
1–460–120′14+Great for Dune fans
Send agents across Arrakis and fight for control. It won the As d'Or expert prize.
2022 As d'Or Expert Grand Prix winner
Designed by Alexander Pfister
2–4120′12+Great for a deep, long game
Drive cattle herds to Kansas City. A strategy game for experienced players.
2017 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 2nd place
Designed by Mac Gerdts
2–5100′13+Great for a classic for the collection
Merchants spread across the Roman Empire with cards. An elegant strategy game.
2014 Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseurs' Game of the Year) nominee
Great for a gift that looks stunning on the table
Woodland creatures build a city in a valley. A beautiful worker-placement game.
2021 Deutscher Spiele Preis, 6th place
Great for space and science fans
Scientists search for alien life with probes and telescopes. It won the Deutscher Spiele Preis.
2025 Deutscher Spiele Preis winner
The connoisseurs' game of the year, given since 2011 by the Spiel des Jahres jury to more demanding games.
A German prize voted by players, shops and journalists. It ranks the year's top ten games and tends to favour deeper strategy games.
Wingspan and Lost Ruins of Arnak are deeper than family games but still easy to learn.
