Board and card games

Board and card games for children, families and dedicated hobbyists, from party and quiz games to strategy, cooperative and card-based titles. Our range holds over 3000 products from publishers such as Pegasus, Kosmos, Ravensburger and FFG, so you can compare light family classics with long, rules-heavy games.

How to choose a board game

Player count. Check the minimum and maximum number of players on the box before anything else. Some games only work well with a full table, while others are designed for two, or play solo with a variant. If you usually play as a couple, look for titles built for two rather than games that merely allow it.

Age and complexity. The age on the box is a guide to reading level and rules, not to how much fun adults will have. Children's games and many party games can be explained in a minute. Strategy games from publishers such as FFG often come with a thick rulebook and suit groups who enjoy learning a system over a few sessions.

Playing time. Quick card games and quiz games usually run for 15 to 30 minutes, which makes them easy to fit into an evening or take on a trip. Heavier strategy and campaign-style games can take two hours or much longer. Decide how long your group will realistically sit down for.

Language. Many publishers in our range are German, so titles may have German rules or text. Quiz and word games depend on language heavily, while many strategy games use mostly symbols. Check the language of the rules and cards before you buy, especially for gifts.

Play style. In competitive games players race or outscore each other, while in cooperative games everyone wins or loses together. Cooperative games suit mixed ages and groups who dislike direct confrontation. Escape-room style card games are a good example, as they are played once through and solved as a team.

Brands we carry

• Pegasus: a German publisher that releases German editions of international hobby games alongside its own titles, including Port Royal.
• Kosmos: publisher of the Exit escape-room games and the German edition of Catan, and also known for two-player card games.
• Ravensburger: known for jigsaw puzzles and a long line of family and children's games, including Labyrinth.
• FFG: short for Fantasy Flight Games, known for large-scale themed games such as Arkham Horror and Eldritch Horror.
• Schmidt Spiele: a German publisher of family games, card games and puzzles, and the publisher of the card-and-board game Dog.
• Piatnik: an Austrian company with a long history in playing cards and traditional card games.
• Winning Moves: known for licensed and classic editions of well-known games such as Monopoly.

Also in our range: Dice4Friends, Moses Verlag, Abacusspiele, Denkriesen and System Matters.

Board and card games: frequently asked questions

Which board games are good for beginners?

Games with short rules, a playing time under 45 minutes and simple turns are the easiest to start with. Family titles from Ravensburger or Schmidt Spiele, party games and light card games are typical examples. If a game needs more than ten minutes of rule explanation, it is probably better for a second purchase.

What is the difference between cooperative and competitive games?

In a cooperative game all players work against the game itself and share the result. In a competitive game each player, or team, tries to beat the others. Cooperative games usually cause fewer arguments and suit mixed ages, while competitive games reward planning and bluffing.

How long does a typical board game take?

It varies widely by type. Small card games and quiz games often take 15 to 30 minutes, family games commonly take 30 to 60 minutes, and strategy games can run for two hours or more. The playing time printed on the box is a good guide, though first games usually take longer while everyone learns the rules.

Which games work well for two players?

Look for games that list two players as the recommended number, not just the minimum. Many compact card games and some strategy games are balanced specifically for two. Cooperative and escape-room style games also work well as a pair, since they do not need a larger group to stay interesting.