/pic8933083.jpg)
Highly awarded
Hot Streak
Best for: Party groups, families, casual game nights
Golden GeekATTA
2–620mLight
Check price →Golden Geek
Golden GeekUnited States · founded 2006 · judged by BoardGameGeek community vote
The Golden Geek Awards are voted on by members of BoardGameGeek, a community of millions of tabletop gamers. Unlike jury awards, these reflect the aggregated preference of dedicated hobbyists rather than a panel of critics. Awards are given across many categories — best family game, best strategy game, best cooperative game, best solo game, and more — which means a single game can win several in one year.
What this award means for you
Golden Geek results reflect what committed hobbyists actually enjoy playing, which can differ meaningfully from what a jury selects. Because one game can sweep multiple categories from this single organization, we count Golden Geek as one voice when calculating cross-organizational consensus.
Winners in our catalog
Highly awarded
Hot Streak
Best for: Party groups, families, casual game nights
Golden GeekATTA
2–620mLight
Check price →2025 · Light GOTY
/pic7885565.jpg)
Highly awarded
LotR: Fate of the Fellowship
Best for: Tolkien fans, cooperative gamers, campaign players
Golden GeekATTA
1–590mMedium
Check price →2025 · Medium GOTY
Highly awarded
LotR: Fate of the Fellowship
Best for: Tolkien fans, cooperative gamers, campaign players
Golden GeekATTA
1–590mMedium
Check price →2025 · Best Thematic
Highly awarded
LotR: Fate of the Fellowship
Best for: Tolkien fans, cooperative gamers, campaign players
Golden GeekATTA
1–590mMedium
Check price →2025 · Best Cooperative
/pic6996584.jpg)
Highly awarded
Endeavor: Deep Sea
Best for: Strategy gamers, ocean/nature enthusiasts, Kennerspiel fans
Golden GeekKennerspiel des Jahres
1–490mMedium
Check price →2024 · Best Strategy
/pic8250341.png)
Award winner
Castle Combo
Best for: Casual gamers, couples, gateway gaming
Golden Geek
2–430mLight
Check price →2024 · Light GOTY
/pic8393055.png)
Highly awarded
Trio
Best for: Family, Kids, Travel
Golden GeekUK Games Expo
3–615mLight
Check price →2024 · Best Party Game
/pic7246317.png)
/pic8879881.png)
Award winner
Arcs
Best for: Root fans, trick-taking enthusiasts, campaign gamers
Golden Geek
2–4120mHeavy
Check price →2024 · Best Expansion
Award winner
Arcs
Best for: Root fans, trick-taking enthusiasts, campaign gamers
Golden Geek
2–4120mHeavy
Check price →2024 · Best Wargame
Award winner
Arcs
Best for: Root fans, trick-taking enthusiasts, campaign gamers
Golden Geek
2–4120mHeavy
Check price →2024 · Most Innovative
Harmonies
Highly awarded
Harmonies
Best for: Puzzle fans, solo gamers, nature lovers, spatial thinkers
Golden GeekSwiss Gamers Award
1–430mMedium
Check price →2024 · Medium GOTY
/pic8303080.png)
Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Bomb Busters
Best for: Families, cooperative fans, deduction lovers, mixed ages
Golden GeekDice TowerSpiel des Jahres
2–530mLight
Check price →2024 · Best Cooperative
/pic9345519.jpg)
Highly awarded
Hegemony
Best for: Political science fans, negotiation lovers, dedicated groups
Golden GeekIGA
2–4180mHeavy
Check price →2023 · Heavy GOTY
/pic7061825.jpg)
Highly awarded
Thunder Road: Vendetta
Best for: Action game fans, families, retro gaming enthusiasts
Golden GeekATTA
2–460mMedium
Check price →2023 · Light GOTY
/pic6886176.jpg)
Award winner
Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game
Best for: Star Wars fans, deckbuilding lovers, two-player seekers
Golden Geek
230mMedium
Check price →2023 · Best 2-Player
/pic7398904.jpg)
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
Exceptional consensus · 6 wins
Sky Team
Best for: Couples, two-player co-op fans, date night
Golden GeekDice TowerIGA
220mMedium
Check price →2023 · Best Cooperative
/pic6699821.jpg)
Highly awarded
Earth
Best for: Nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–560mMedium
Check price →2023 · Medium GOTY
/pic7227691.jpg)
Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Dorfromantik: The Board Game
Best for: Family, Cooperative, Relaxing
IGAGolden GeekSpiel des Jahres
1–645mLight
Check price →2023 · Best Family Game
/pic6374014.jpg)
Award winner
Mindbug: First Contact
Best for: Two-player fans, Richard Garfield fans, quick duelers
Golden Geek
225mLight
Check price →2022 · Best 2-Player
/pic6940449.png)
Highly awarded
Heat: Pedal to the Metal
Best for: Racing fans, families, mixed-experience groups
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–660mMedium
Check price →2022 · Medium GOTY
/pic6929347.jpg)
Award winner
Splendor Duel
Best for: Couples, two-player fans, Splendor fans
Golden Geek
230mLight
Check price →2022 · Best 2-Player
/pic6731829.jpg)
Award winner
Cat in the Box: Deluxe Edition
Best for: Trick-taking fans, puzzle lovers, unique mechanism seekers
Golden Geek
2–530mLight
Check price →2022 · Light GOTY
/pic6356649.jpg)
Award winner
Ready Set Bet
Best for: Party groups, large gatherings, event gaming
Golden Geek
2–945mLight
Check price →2022 · Best Party
/pic5710736.jpg)
Award winner
Carnegie
Best for: Heavy Euro enthusiasts, history fans, combo builders
Golden Geek
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2022 · Heavy GOTY
/pic5988903.jpg)
Exceptional consensus · 4 wins
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
Best for: Trick-taking fans, cooperative gamers, couples, travel
Golden GeekATTAKennerspiel des Jahres
2–520mMedium
Check price →2021 · Best Cooperative
/pic5100691.jpg)
Exceptional consensus · 4 wins
Cascadia
Best for: Families, solo gamers, nature lovers, puzzle enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice TowerATTA
1–445mLight
Check price →2021 · Light GOTY
/pic6293412.jpg)
Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Ark Nova
Best for: Strategy hobbyists, zoo/nature fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice TowerIGA
1–4150mHeavy
Check price →2021 · Heavy GOTY
/pic5674958.jpg)
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 · Medium GOTY
/pic7632081.jpg)
Highly awarded
MicroMacro: Crime City
Best for: Detective fans, casual groups, families with older kids
Golden GeekSpiel des Jahres
1–420mLight
Check price →2020 · Light GOTY
/pic5666597.jpg)
Award winner
Dune: Imperium
Best for: Dune fans, deck-building lovers, strategy gamers
Golden Geek
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2020 · Best Card Game
/pic5055631.jpg)
Award winner
Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
Best for: Gloomhaven-curious players, cooperative fans, campaign seekers
Golden Geek
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2020 · Heavy GOTY
/pic.jpg)
Award winner
Unmatched: Cobble & Fog
Best for: Miniature fans, asymmetric combat lovers, literature nerds
Golden Geek
2–440mMedium
Check price →2020 · Best 2-Player
/pic5263363.jpg)
Award winner
Watergate
Best for: History buffs, two-player strategists
Golden Geek
245mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best 2-Player
/pic4458123.jpg)
Highly awarded
Wingspan
Best for: Families, nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–570mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Family
Highly awarded
Wingspan
Best for: Families, nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–570mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Solo
Highly awarded
Wingspan
Best for: Families, nature lovers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–570mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Card Game
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
/pic5687013.jpg)
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 →2019 · Best Cooperative
/pic4552862.png)
Highly awarded
Wavelength
Best for: Party groups, debate lovers, social gatherings
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–1245mLight
Check price →2019 · Best Party
/pic3918905.png)
Highly awarded
Everdell
Best for: Family, Strategy, Couple
Dice TowerGolden Geek
1–480mMedium
Check price →2019 · Best Family Game
/pic4254509.jpg)
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
/pic3979766.png)
Award winner
The Mind
Best for: Experiential game fans, groups open to unusual games
Golden Geek
2–420mLight
Check price →2018 · Best Card
Award winner
The Mind
Best for: Experiential game fans, groups open to unusual games
Golden Geek
2–420mLight
Check price →2018 · Best Party
Award winner
The Mind
Best for: Experiential game fans, groups open to unusual games
Golden Geek
2–420mLight
Check price →2018 · Best Cooperative
/pic3759421.jpg)
Award winner
Decrypto
Best for: Party gamers, word game fans, Codenames graduates
Golden Geek
3–830mLight
Check price →2018 · Best Party
/pic3496085.jpg)
Award winner
The Fox in the Forest
Best for: Couples, trick-taking fans, two-player seekers
Golden Geek
220mLight
Check price →2017 · Best 2-Player
/pic8443569.png)
Exceptional consensus · 3 wins
Kingdomino
Best for: Kids, Family, Quick
Golden GeekMensa SelectSpiel des Jahres
2–420mLight
Check price →2017 · Best Family Game
/pic5885689.jpg)
Highly awarded
Sushi Go Party!
Best for: Kids, Family, Large Group
Dice TowerGolden Geek
2–820mLight
Check price →2017 · Best Family Game
/pic7013651.jpg)
Highly awarded
Spirit Island
Best for: Hobby Gamers, Cooperative, Solo
Dice TowerGolden Geek
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Best Cooperative Game
/pic2437871.jpg)
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
Highly awarded
Gloomhaven
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, RPG fans, campaign lovers, solo tacticians
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Best Strategy
Highly awarded
Gloomhaven
Best for: Dedicated gaming groups, RPG fans, campaign lovers, solo tacticians
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–4120mHeavy
Check price →2017 · Best Cooperative
/pic6973671.png)
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
Exceptional consensus · 5 wins
Azul
Best for: Families, gateway gamers, mixed experience groups, couples
Golden GeekDice TowerMensa Select
2–445mLight
Check price →2017 · Best Abstract
/pic6353234.jpg)
Highly awarded
Fog of Love
Best for: Couples, narrative fans, role-play enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice Tower
2120mMedium
Check price →2017 · Best 2-Player
/pic4325841.jpg)
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
/pic3163924.jpg)
Highly awarded
Scythe
Best for: Strategy gamers, engine-building fans, solo gamers
Golden GeekDice Tower
1–5115mHeavy
Check price →2016 · Game of the Year
/pic7069368.jpg)
Highly awarded
Captain Sonar
Best for: Large groups, team-building, party gaming
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–860mMedium
Check price →2016 · Most Innovative
/pic4887376.jpg)
Award winner
Great Western Trail
Best for: Heavy strategy devotees, Euro game fans
Golden Geek
2–4150mHeavy
Check price →2016 · Best Strategy
/pic2356374.jpg)
Highly awarded
Outfoxed!
Best for: Kids, Cooperative, Family
Golden GeekATTA
2–420mLight
Check price →2015 · Best Children's Game
/pic2452831.png)
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
/pic8907965.jpg)
/pic2576399.jpg)
Highly awarded
7 Wonders Duel
Best for: Couples, two-player strategists, civilization fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
230mMedium
Check price →2015 · Best Card Game
Highly awarded
7 Wonders Duel
Best for: Couples, two-player strategists, civilization fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
230mMedium
Check price →2015 · Best 2-Player
/pic3016500.jpg)
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
/pic2055255.jpg)
Highly awarded
Five Tribes
Best for: Puzzle lovers, analytical thinkers, strategy gamers
Dice TowerGolden Geek
2–480mMedium
Check price →2014 · Best Strategy
/pic9273518.jpg)
Highly awarded
Patchwork
Best for: Couples, two-player fans, puzzle lovers
Golden GeekDice Tower
230mLight
Check price →2014 · Best Abstract
/pic8234167.png)
Highly awarded
Splendor
Best for: Gateway gamers, families, casual groups, couples
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–430mLight
Check price →2014 · Game of the Year
Highly awarded
Dead of Winter
Best for: Thematic game fans, social deduction lovers, horror enthusiasts
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–5120mMedium
Check price →2014 · Best Thematic
/pic1401448.jpg)
Highly awarded
Love Letter
Best for: Travel, filler games, casual groups, beginners
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–420mLight
Check price →2013 · Best Card
Highly awarded
Love Letter
Best for: Travel, filler games, casual groups, beginners
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–420mLight
Check price →2013 · Best Family
/pic5375624.jpg)
Highly awarded
Terra Mystica
Best for: Heavy strategy devotees, Euro game purists
Golden GeekIGA
2–5150mHeavy
Check price →2013 · Game of the Year
/pic1974056.jpg)
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 →2012 · Game of the Year
/pic3043734.jpg)
Highly awarded
King of Tokyo
Best for: Families, kids 8+, casual groups, monster fans
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–630mLight
Check price →2012 · Best Family
/pic8621446.jpg)
Award winner
Carcassonne
Best for: Gateway gamers, families, couples, non-gamers
Golden Geek
2–535mLight
Check price →2011 · Best Family (classic)
/pic9156909.png)
Award winner
Catan
Best for: Gateway gamers, families, social groups, new gamers
Golden Geek
3–490mMedium
Check price →2011 · Best Family (classic)
/pic7149798.jpg)
Highly awarded
7 Wonders
Best for: Mixed groups, gateway strategy, large gatherings
Golden GeekDice Tower
2–730mMedium
Check price →2011 · Best Family
/pic8937637.jpg)
Award winner
Ticket to Ride
Best for: Gateway gamers, families, travel fans, non-gamers
Golden Geek
2–560mLight
Check price →2011 · Best Family (classic)
/pic9580918.jpg)
/pic5100947.jpg)
Also nominated
Recognized by Golden Geek but not a winner. Nominations aren't counted in award totals.
/pic8157856.png)
Award nominee
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
Best for: Slay the Spire fans, roguelike lovers, solo gamers
Golden Geek
1–490mHeavy
Check price →Nominated 2024 · Best Solo
/pic7899229.jpg)
Award nominee
Flip 7
Best for: Filler games, icebreakers, large groups, non-gamers
Golden Geek
2–815mLight
Check price →Nominated 2024 · Best Party
Civolution
Award nominee
Civolution
Best for: Civilization fans, heavy strategy devotees, solo gamers
Golden Geek
1–4150mHeavy
Check price →Nominated 2024 · Best Strategy
/pic7009391.jpg)
Award nominee
Blood on the Clocktower
Best for: Large groups, social deduction devotees, event gaming
Golden Geek
5–2090mMedium
Check price →Nominated 2024 · Best Party
Behind
Award nominee
Behind
Best for: Deduction fans, puzzle lovers, narrative gamers
Golden Geek
1–460mMedium
Check price →Nominated 2024 · Best Solo
/pic7464921.png)
Award winner
Kutná Hora: City of Silver
Best for: Heavy Euro enthusiasts, economic game fans, history buffs
Golden GeekAs d'Or
2–4120mHeavy
Check price →Nominated 2023 · Best Strategy
/pic7664424.jpg)
Award nominee
Dune: Imperium Uprising
Best for: Dune fans, deck-building lovers, expansion seekers
Golden Geek
1–6120mHeavy
Check price →Nominated 2023 · Best Expansion
/pic6883492.png)
Award winner
Turing Machine
Best for: Logic puzzle fans, deduction lovers, math enthusiasts
ATTAGolden Geek
1–420mMedium
Check price →Nominated 2022 · Best Solo
/pic6572733.jpg)
Award nominee
MicroMacro: Full House
Best for: Detective fans, MicroMacro fans, couples
Golden Geek
1–430mLight
Check price →Nominated 2021 · Best Cooperative
/pic7416525.jpg)
Award winner
7 Wonders: Architects
Best for: Gateway gamers, 7 Wonders fans, large groups, families
Golden GeekAs d'Or
2–725mLight
Check price →Nominated 2021 · Best Family
/pic4946885.jpg)
Award winner
Pictures
Best for: Non-gamers, families, creative people, multilingual groups
Golden GeekSpiel des Jahres
3–530mLight
Check price →Nominated 2020 · Best Party
/pic.jpg)
Award winner
Oriflamme
Best for: Bluffing fans, quick-game seekers, strategy lite
Golden GeekAs d'Or
3–520mLight
Check price →Nominated 2020 · Best Card
/pic4781085.jpg)
Award nominee
The Isle of Cats
Best for: Cat lovers, puzzle fans, families (family mode), drafting fans
Golden Geek
1–490mMedium
Check price →Nominated 2019 · Best Family
/pic4334067.jpg)
Award nominee
Zombie Kidz Evolution
Best for: Kids 7+, family co-op, legacy game introduction
Golden Geek
2–415mLight
Check price →Nominated 2019 · Best Kids
/pic3283110.png)
Award nominee
Santorini
Best for: Families, abstract fans, couples, gateway gaming
Golden Geek
2–420mLight
Check price →Nominated 2016 · Best Abstract
/pic7414566.png)
Award nominee
Klask
Best for: Couples, dexterity fans, office gaming, non-gamers
Golden Geek
210mLight
Check price →Nominated 2016 · Best Party
/pic3116341.jpg)
Award nominee
Ticket to Ride: First Journey
Best for: Young children 6-8, Ticket to Ride families
Golden Geek
2–430mLight
Check price →Nominated 2016 · Best Kids
/pic7070194.jpg)
Award nominee
Onitama
Best for: Abstract fans, couples, chess lovers, quick-game seekers
Golden Geek
220mLight
Check price →Nominated 2015 · Best 2-Player
/pic2869710.jpg)
Award winner
Colt Express
Best for: Families, party groups, casual game nights
Golden GeekSpiel des Jahres
2–640mLight
Check price →Nominated 2015 · Best Family
/pic8625343.jpg)
Award winner
Mysterium
Best for: Creative groups, Dixit fans, cooperative gamers, families
Golden GeekAs d'Or
2–745mLight
Check price →Nominated 2015 · Best Cooperative
/pic1918028.jpg)
Award winner
Camel Up
Best for: Large families, gateway gaming, party groups
Golden GeekSpiel des Jahres
2–830mLight
Check price →Nominated 2014 · Best Family
/pic2007286.jpg)
Award winner
Hanabi
Best for: Cooperative fans, puzzle lovers, travel gaming
Golden GeekSpiel des Jahres
2–525mLight
Check price →Nominated 2013 · Best Card
/pic3958793.jpg)
Award nominee
Targi
Best for: Dedicated two-player strategists, Euro game fans, couples
Golden Geek
260mMedium
Check price →Nominated 2012 · Best 2-Player
/pic309353.jpg)
/pic6738336.jpg)
Visit the official Golden Geek site →