When it's time to unplug and step away from the screens, board games are the perfect escape for those looking to indulge their gaming passion offline. Fortunately, there's a rich selection of board games inspired by some of the most iconic video games out there. We've handpicked some of the best ones to help you dive into these beloved worlds without the need for technology. Whether you're in the mood for an extended campaign or a quick party game, these board game adaptations will keep you entertained and engaged.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Video Game Board Games
Fallout, Slay the Spire, Bloodborne, Resident Evil 2, Pac-Man, Tetris, Dark Souls the Board Game: Tomb of Giants, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game, The Oregon Trail, Fallout
Fallout: The Board Game
1$69.99 save 36%$44.49 at Amazon Players: 1-4 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 2-3 hours With the buzz around Amazon's Fallout series, it's the perfect time to delve into the Wasteland from the comfort of your own home. Choose from various scenarios to set up your map and embark on an adventure akin to Bethesda's renowned open-world RPGs. Uncover the map, enhance your skills, battle mutated foes, engage with factions, and undertake quests as you vie for dominance in the Wasteland. This game is a fantastic choice for immersive, long-term play sessions.
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
9See it at Contention Games Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 45 minutes Arguably the video game most deserving of a board game adaptation, Slay the Spire brings its Roguelike deck-building adventure to your tabletop. Choose your hero and ascend the Spire, navigating through rooms filled with encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasures, merchants, and bosses. Each playthrough offers a unique challenge, encouraging players to experiment with different characters, builds, and items for hours of engaging gameplay. For more insights, check out our detailed review of Slay the Spire: The Board Game.
Bloodborne
Bloodborne: The Board Game
1See it at Amazon Players: 2-4 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 60-90 minutes Step into the shoes of a Hunter in the Bloodborne board game and combat the darkness plaguing Yharnam. Designed as a campaign game, Bloodborne offers endless replayability with its modular map tiles. With an extensive array of cards, tokens, and detailed miniatures, players will face challenging decisions and battles as they unravel the mysteries of the plague. This game excels in immersion, making you feel like you're truly part of the Bloodborne world.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
1See it at Amazon Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes The success of the Resident Evil 2 board game adaptation has led to further explorations of the Resident Evil universe in tabletop form. Players can team up as Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, fighting through zombie-infested Raccoon City in various scenarios. Collect weapons, healing items, and keys as you navigate the environment, solve puzzles, and escape the undead. The game even incorporates the iconic ink ribbons and typewriters to enhance your experience.
PAC-MAN
Pac-Man: The Board Game
0See it at Amazon Players: 2-5 Age Range: 10+ Play Time: 30 minutes Buffalo Games brings the classic arcade experience to your tabletop with Pac-Man: The Board Game. Play cooperatively or competitively, guiding Pac-Man through the maze to eat pellets and fruit while evading or chasing ghosts. The game board, assembled from four metal tiles, requires some setup but offers quick and easy repeat plays. Complete with the iconic "waka waka" sound from the electronic Pac-Man figure, it's a nostalgic delight.
Tetris
Tetris Board Game
1See it at Amazon Players: 2-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 20-30 minutes Buffalo Games also delivers a competitive twist on Tetris, where players vie to score the highest by maneuvering, rotating, and dropping tetriminos. Plan your strategy with the next piece clearly displayed on a card. Score points by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols, and achieving specific goals. Its quick setup and playtime make it an excellent choice for parties and younger players.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants
Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
1See it at Amazon Players: 1-3 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes Originally part of the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter campaign, the Tomb of Giants core set is a standalone adventure perfect for newcomers. Choose your class and gear, navigate the catacombs, battle skeleton archers, and rest at the bonfire, all while managing limited actions. This game stays true to its source with its challenging combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. It introduces new playable characters and over a hundred new cards, compatible with other Dark Souls board game products.
Cuphead: Fast-Rolling Dice Game
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
3$59.99 save 22%$46.88 at Amazon Players: 1-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game captures the frenetic energy of its digital counterpart. A cooperative game where players use dice to defeat bosses, it's quick to set up with an unchanging boss deck structure. Choose from Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle, and navigate through timed rounds to deal damage. The game's high replay value comes from beating your score and upgrading abilities for future runs. For more details, see our review of Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game.
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail Card Game
0See it at Amazon Players: 2-6 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes Experience the trials and tribulations of The Oregon Trail in card game form. Work together to reach Oregon while dodging calamities that can lead to an untimely demise. Quick to set up and play, this game is challenging and luck-based, requiring you to play fifty trail cards to win. Be warned: early deaths can sideline players for an entire session, but the game's humor and connection to the original make it a fun choice for group play.