Whether you're on holiday, at a barbecue or after work, these games are guaranteed to keep you entertained. © Canva
Are you looking for a new board game for the next game night? Here you will find the best games according to "The Game of the Year". In addition, classics such as "Settlers of Catan" and "The Game of Life" are on offer.
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Whether alone, in pairs or in a group, whether it's a game of luck or strategy or with children: Playing is simply fun! These are the best games from 2023 and 2022 that received the "Game of the Year" award.
Game of the Year 2023
Nominees for Game of the Year 2023 are:
- Village romance for €32.89 on Amazon
- Fun Facts for €21.99 on eBay
- Next Station London for about 18,24 € at Amazon
Children's Game of the Year 2023
The nominees for the Children's Game of the Year 2023 are:
- Carla Caramel for €27.99 at Thalia
- Gigamon for €19.99 on Amazon
- Mysterium Kids for €24.99 at Thalia
What is the "Game of the Year"?
In 1977, leading game critics from Germany, Austria and Switzerland joined forces to form a working group, from which the "Spiel des Jahres" association emerged. The goal was then and still is to set new accents for the idea of play in family and society.
All German-language games of the current year and the year before are taken into account for the prize. Since 2001 there has also been the "Children's Game of the Year" award and since 2011 the "Connoisseur's Game of the Year". The winners receive prize money and are allowed to advertise with the jury's signet. There are fees for this, with which the association pays its expenses.
Game of the Year 2022
Last year's first place went to the laying game "Cascadia". The illustrations are inspired by the Cascadia region of the same name. It is the border area between the northwest of the USA and Canada with a particularly varied variety of animals and plants.
In the game, players must try to lay the cards cleverly in order to create as large an area as possible. At the same time, you need to assign the animal maps to the correct areas.
You can play Cascadia alone or in groups of four. It is recommended from the age of ten, the level of difficulty is medium.
Cascadia by Randy Flynn © Amazon/Canva (photomontage)
I think this game is extremely well-rounded, I haven't had that for a long time. I can't criticize anything, I think it's terrific. It's fun every game.
Julia Zerlik, Jury
Cascadia for €26.99 on Amazon
Also nominated for Game of the Year 2022 were:
- Scout for €19.39 at Thalia
- Top Ten for €17.29 at Thalia
Children's Game of the Year 2022
For the prize of the best children's game, the cooperative board game Magic Mountain has prevailed. It is designed for one to four players, the difficulty level is low. Magic Mountain is recommended for children from the age of five.
With the help of colorful balls, the will-o'-the-wisps, the players have to move their pieces across the marble run, which serves as a playing field, towards the goal. Their common goal is to arrive before the witches, who could also move with each rolling will-o'-the-wisp.
Magic Mountain by Jens-Peter Schliemann and Bernhard Weber © Amazon/Canva (photomontage)
From the brisk structure to detailed rules, everything has been well thought out in this fascinating cooperative game, so that children want to be enchanted by the magic mountain again and again.
Statement by the Jury
Magic Mountain for €22.66 on Amazon
Also nominated for Children's Game of the Year 2022 were:
- Also clever for 10,10 € at Amazon
- With Quacks & Co. for €21.90 on Amazon
Classics, recommendations & offers
"Don't get angry", "The Game of Life" and "Monopoly" – who doesn't know them, the classics among board games.
There are card and dice games on offer on Amazon, as well as other recommendations:
- 20% off: Game of Life at €27.35 instead of €33.99
- 20% off: Settlers of Catan at €23.99 instead of €29.99
- 36 & cheaper: The Crazy Labyrinth at €22.99 instead of €35.99
- Codenames: Strategy & Communication for €17.99 on Amazon
- Dixit: creative association game for €24.99 on Amazon
- Magnetic chessboard for €19.99 on Amazon
- 6 % cheaper: Poker set in aluminum case at €35.90 instead of €37.99
- 9 % cheaper: Monopoly Classic at €34.54 instead of €37.99
- 4 % cheaper: Cluedo at €32.73 instead of €33.99
- 25% off: Game collection with over 100 games for €20.99 instead of €27.99
- 6% off: 4 wins for €9.99 instead of €10.59