Mensa Select

Mensa Select

United States · founded 1990 · judged by Mensa members at an annual competitive testing weekend

Each year, Mensa hosts the Mensa Mind Games competition, where members play dozens of new games over a weekend and vote for five Mensa Select winners. Games are judged on originality, depth, clarity of rules, and quality of components. Because judging happens through concentrated actual play by puzzle-oriented people, winners tend to reward strategic thinking rather than luck.

Winners in our catalog

Fromage

Best for: Strategy hobbyists, Euro game fans

1–4players45 minHeavy

2026 · Mensa Select

Wandering Towers

Best for: Families, kids 8+, casual groups

2–6players30 minLight

2024 · Mensa Select

In the Footsteps of Darwin

Best for: Families, science enthusiasts, gateway gamers

2–5players30 minLight

2024 · Mensa Select

Akropolis

Best for: Families, gateway gamers, puzzle fans

1–4players30 minLight

2023 · Mensa Select

boop.

Best for: Couples, abstract fans, cat lovers

2players20 minLight

2023 · Mensa Select

Planet

Best for: Families, nature enthusiasts, component admirers

2–4players30 minLight

2019 · Mensa Select

Gizmos

Best for: Engine-building fans, combo lovers, gateway strategy

2–4players50 minMedium

2019 · Mensa Select

Architects of the West Kingdom

Best for: Worker-placement fans, medieval lovers, solo

1–5players80 minMedium

2019 · Mensa Select

Photosynthesis

Best for: Nature lovers, visual appeal fans, families

2–4players60 minMedium

2018 · Mensa Select

Azul

Best for: Families, gateway gamers, mixed experience groups, couples

2–4players45 minLight

2018 · Mensa Select

Raiders of the North Sea

Best for: Worker-placement fans, Viking enthusiasts

2–4players80 minMedium

2018 · Mensa Select

Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle

Best for: Harry Potter fans, families, cooperative gamers, deck-building beginners

2–4players60 minMedium

2017 · Mensa Select

Clank!

Best for: Deck-building fans, adventure enthusiasts, families

2–4players60 minMedium

2017 · Mensa Select

Castles of Mad King Ludwig

Best for: Puzzle lovers, creative builders, mid-weight strategists

1–4players90 minMedium

2015 · Mensa Select

Lanterns: The Harvest Festival

Best for: Families, gateway gamers, calm game sessions

2–4players30 minLight

2015 · Mensa Select

Trekking the National Parks

Best for: Families, travel lovers, national park fans, gateway gaming

2–5players45 minLight

2015 · Mensa Select

Qwixx

Best for: Travel, filler games, families, non-gamers

2–5players15 minLight

2014 · Mensa Select

Forbidden Desert

Best for: Families, cooperative game beginners, kids 8+

2–5players45 minLight

2013 · Mensa Select

Snake Oil

Best for: Party groups, icebreakers, creative groups, non-gamers

3–10players30 minLight

2012 · Mensa Select

Forbidden Island

Best for: Families, cooperative beginners, kids 8+

2–4players30 minLight

2010 · Mensa Select

Qwirkle

Best for: Cross-generational play, families, non-gamers, abstract fans

2–4players45 minLight

2007 · Mensa Select

Hive

Best for: Abstract strategy fans, couples, travel gaming, chess lovers

2players20 minLight

2006 · Mensa Select

Visit the official Mensa Select site →

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