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Highly awarded
Patchwork
Best for: Couples, two-player fans, puzzle lovers
Golden GeekDice Tower
230mLight
Check price →Dice Tower
Dice TowerUnited States · founded 2007 · judged by A panel of reviewers and content creators
The Dice Tower Awards are selected by a panel of reviewers associated with The Dice Tower, a long-running board game review show and media network. The panel plays extensively throughout the year and votes across categories including game of the year, best strategy game, and best family game. Because the panel consists of people who review games professionally, the results tend to favor games with staying power over novelty.
What this award means for you
Dice Tower picks come from people who play an enormous volume of games each year and are unusually good at spotting which ones remain interesting after ten plays rather than two.
Winners in our catalog
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Exceptional consensus · 7 wins
SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Best for: Strategy hobbyists, solo gamers, science enthusiasts
Dice TowerGolden GeekIGA
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2025 · Game of the Year
Galactic Cruise
Highly awarded
Galactic Cruise
Best for: Heavy strategy fans, worker-placement lovers, space fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–4150mHeavy
Check price →2025 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
The White Castle
Best for: Euro game fans, tight optimization lovers
ATTADice Tower
1–480mHeavy
Check price →2024 · Best Strategy
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Exceptional consensus · 6 wins
Sky Team
Best for: Couples, two-player co-op fans, date night
Golden GeekDice TowerIGA
220mMedium
Check price →2023 · Best 2-Player
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Highly awarded
Earth
Best for: Nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–560mMedium
Check price →2023 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Best for: Racing fans, families, mixed-experience groups
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–660mMedium
Check price →2022 · Game of the Year
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Award winner
Hues and Cues
Best for: Party, Large Group, Friends
Dice Tower
3–1030mLight
Check price →2021 · Best Party Game
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Exceptional consensus · 4 wins
Cascadia
Best for: Families, solo gamers, nature lovers, puzzle enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice TowerATTA
1–445mLight
Check price →2021 · Best Family
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Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Ark Nova
Best for: Strategy hobbyists, zoo/nature fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice TowerIGA
1–4150mHeavy
Check price →2021 · Game of the Year
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Exceptional consensus · 4 wins
The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine
Best for: Trick-taking fans, cooperative gamers, travel gaming
Golden GeekATTADice Tower
2–520mMedium
Check price →2020 · Best Cooperative
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Award winner
My City
Best for: Families, legacy game fans, casual campaigners
Dice Tower
2–430mLight
Check price →2020 · Best Family
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Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Lost Ruins of Arnak
Best for: Strategy gamers, adventure fans, deck-building lovers
Golden GeekDice TowerIGA
1–4120mMedium
Check price →2020 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Wingspan
Best for: Families, nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–570mMedium
Check price →2019 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Everdell
Best for: Family, Strategy, Couple
Dice TowerGolden Geek
1–480mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Artwork
Highly awarded
Wingspan
Best for: Families, nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–570mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Strategy
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Highly awarded
Wavelength
Best for: Party groups, debate lovers, social gatherings
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–1245mLight
Check price →2019 · Best Party
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Award winner
Point Salad
Best for: Beginners, families, filler games, non-gamers
Dice Tower
2–620mLight
Check price →2019 · Best Family
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Award winner
Maracaibo
Best for: Heavy strategy fans, campaign gamers, Alexander Pfister fans
Dice Tower
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2019 · Best Strategy
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Highly awarded
Just One
Best for: Party groups, families, holiday gatherings, non-gamers
Dice TowerSpiel des Jahres
3–720mLight
Check price →2018 · Best Party
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Highly awarded
Root
Best for: Strategy groups, asymmetric game fans, wargame-curious players
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–490mHeavy
Check price →2018 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Gloomhaven
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, RPG fans, campaign lovers, solo tacticians
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Best Cooperative
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Highly awarded
Fog of Love
Best for: Couples, narrative fans, role-play enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice Tower
2120mMedium
Check price →2017 · Most Innovative
Highly awarded
Gloomhaven
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, RPG fans, campaign lovers, solo tacticians
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Sushi Go Party!
Best for: Kids, Family, Large Group
Dice TowerGolden Geek
2–820mLight
Check price →2017 · Best Family Game
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Highly awarded
Spirit Island
Best for: Hobby Gamers, Cooperative, Solo
Dice TowerGolden Geek
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Best Cooperative Game
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Exceptional consensus · 5 wins
Azul
Best for: Families, gateway gamers, mixed experience groups, couples
Golden GeekDice TowerMensa Select
2–445mLight
Check price →2017 · Best Family
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Highly awarded
Terraforming Mars
Best for: Science enthusiasts, engine-building fans, strategy hobbyists
Dice TowerIGA
1–5120mHeavy
Check price →2016 · Best Strategy
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Highly awarded
Captain Sonar
Best for: Large groups, team-building, party gaming
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–860mMedium
Check price →2016 · Most Innovative
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Highly awarded
Scythe
Best for: Strategy gamers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–5115mHeavy
Check price →2016 · Game of the Year
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Highly awarded
Star Wars: Rebellion
Best for: Star Wars fans, epic game lovers, two-player
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–4240mHeavy
Check price →2016 · Best 2-Player
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Highly awarded
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, cooperative fans, narrative lovers
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–460mMedium
Check price →2015 · Best Cooperative
Highly awarded
Pandemic Legacy: Season 1
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, cooperative fans, narrative lovers
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–460mMedium
Check price →2015 · Game of the Year
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Award winner
Blood Rage
Best for: Miniature fans, area-control, Viking enthusiasts
Dice Tower
2–490mMedium
Check price →2015 · Best Strategy
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Highly awarded
7 Wonders Duel
Best for: Couples, two-player strategists, civilization fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
230mMedium
Check price →2015 · Best 2-Player
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Highly awarded
Dead of Winter
Best for: Thematic game fans, social deduction lovers, horror enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–5120mMedium
Check price →2014 · Game of the Year
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Award winner
Spyfall
Best for: Party groups, social deduction fans, icebreakers
Dice Tower
3–815mLight
Check price →2014 · Best Party
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Highly awarded
Five Tribes
Best for: Puzzle lovers, analytical thinkers, strategy gamers
Dice TowerGolden Geek
2–480mMedium
Check price →2014 · Best Strategy
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Highly awarded
Splendor
Best for: Gateway gamers, families, casual groups, couples
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–430mLight
Check price →2014 · Best Family
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Highly awarded
Forbidden Desert
Best for: Families, cooperative game beginners, kids 8+
Mensa SelectDice Tower
2–545mLight
Check price →2013 · Best Family
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Award winner
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
Best for: Party groups, social deduction fans, large gatherings
Dice Tower
3–1010mLight
Check price →2013 · Best Party
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Highly awarded
Love Letter
Best for: Travel, filler games, casual groups, beginners
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–420mLight
Check price →2012 · Best Party
Highly awarded
Love Letter
Best for: Travel, filler games, casual groups, beginners
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–420mLight
Check price →2012 · Best Family
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Highly awarded
King of Tokyo
Best for: Families, kids 8+, casual groups, monster fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–630mLight
Check price →2011 · Best Family
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Highly awarded
Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy
Best for: 4X fans, space civilization lovers, epic-game players
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–6180mHeavy
Check price →2011 · Game of the Year
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Also nominated
Recognized by Dice Tower but not a winner. Nominations aren't counted in award totals.
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