When it's time to unplug, turn off the TV, and reduce screen time, board games are the perfect way to satisfy that lingering escapist itch and drive to continue playing. Fortunately, there's a wide array of board game adaptations inspired by some of the most beloved video games. We've curated a list of our top picks to help you immerse yourself in these iconic worlds away from your screens. Whether you're in the mood for a lengthy campaign or a quick party game, these board games provide an engaging way to enjoy your favorite video game universes.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Video Game Board Games
Fallout
Slay the Spire
Bloodborne
Resident Evil 2
Pac-Man
Tetris
Dark Souls the Board Game: Tomb of Giants
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
The Oregon Trail
Fallout
Fallout: The Board Game
$69.99 save 36%
$44.49 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 2-3 hours
With the release of Amazon's Fallout series, now is the perfect opportunity to dive into the Wasteland from the comfort of your own kitchen table. Begin by selecting from various scenarios that dictate the map setup. Much like Bethesda's renowned open-world RPGs, this tabletop version lets you explore and uncover the map, develop numerous skills, battle irradiated enemies, engage with different factions, and complete quests, all while vying for control over the Wasteland. This game is incredibly immersive and detailed, making it ideal for long-term gaming sessions.
Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
See it at Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 45 minutes
Arguably the video game on this list most worthy of a board game adaptation, Slay the Spire captures the essence of its digital counterpart by having players assume the role of one of the available heroes and embark on a Roguelike deck-building journey up the Spire. Similar to the video game, players navigate through various rooms, each with unique characteristics that impact gameplay: encounters with regular enemies, battles against elites, events, campfires, treasure, visits to the merchant, and ultimately, confrontations with bosses. The nature of Roguelikes ensures that Slay the Spire offers hours of enjoyment as players experiment with different characters, builds, and items in each playthrough.
You can read our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review for more about this game.
Bloodborne
Bloodborne: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 60-90 minutes
In the Bloodborne board game, players take on the role of Hunters fighting to eradicate the evil lurking within Yharnam. As a campaign-style board game, Bloodborne offers endless replay value, with no two sessions being quite the same thanks to its modular map tiles. With hundreds of cards, tokens, and game pieces, this dark adventure challenges players' skills and decision-making as they uncover the mystery behind the relentless plague and strive to stop it. Immersion is key here, and the game's highly detailed miniatures help players truly feel like they're in the shoes of their characters.
Resident Evil 2
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
The success of the Resident Evil 2 tabletop adaptation led Steamforged Games to create similar experiences based on the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis stories. However, much like the video games, Resident Evil 2 stands out as its best entry. Faithful to the source material, the game has players work cooperatively, taking control of either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield as they battle through hordes of zombies to escape in multiple scenarios. Gather weapons, healing items, and keys as you navigate the environment, evade the undead, and solve puzzles. You can even use the iconic ink ribbons and typewriters to influence your sessions!
PAC-MAN
Pac-Man: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age Range: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes
Brought to you by Buffalo Games, the arcade classic makes a triumphant return to the tabletop. Enjoyable in both cooperative and competitive modes, the player controlling Pac-Man aims to navigate the maze, gobble up pellets, and collect fruit, while those playing the ghosts try their best to avoid or catch Pac-Man. Played on four metal tiles that form the game board, it requires some initial setup, but subsequent games are quick to start. The electronic Pac-Man figure even makes its iconic "waka waka" sound!
Tetris
Tetris Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Also from Buffalo Games, Tetris is a competitive head-to-head game where players maneuver, rotate, and drop their tetriminos to achieve the highest score. Just like the video game, the next piece to play is displayed on a card, allowing players to strategize. Points are earned by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols on their tower, and achieving specific goals. With its quick setup and short play time, this game is perfect for parties and younger players.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants
Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
Originally planned as content for the original Dark Souls board game Kickstarter campaign, the Tomb of Giants core set is a standalone adventure ideal for newer players. Named after the notorious location familiar to fans of the video games, players start by choosing a class and gear, then navigate the catacombs, facing skeleton archers and resting at bonfires. With limited actions, strategic choices are crucial. This game stays true to its source material, featuring challenging combat and RPG elements enhanced by a level-up system. Tomb of Giants introduces new playable characters and over a hundred new cards, all compatible with existing Dark Souls board game products.
Cuphead: Fast-Rolling Dice Game
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
$59.99 save 22%
$46.88 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Similar to its digital counterpart, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game is a fast-paced cooperative game where players aim to defeat all the bosses using dice-based mechanics to deal damage. The setup is straightforward, as the boss deck structure remains constant. Players begin by selecting one of four characters: Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle, and proceed through multiple rounds consisting of five phases, setting up attacks and facing the boss. Rounds are timed, so choose your dice rolls wisely! Cuphead offers high replay value, allowing players to improve their scores and upgrade abilities for future runs. See our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more information.
The Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail Card Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Dying of dysentery has never been more entertaining. In this quick-to-setup and play card game, players work together to reach Oregon without succumbing to death. Games are fast-paced, as you can die quickly from the various Calamity cards that await. Challenging and luck-based, you win by playing fifty trail cards to reach the end of the Trail. A potential downside is that if a player dies on the first turn (which happens more often than you might expect), they must sit out that session until the party either wins or all perish. Nonetheless, it's a fun and faithful recreation of the source material that's sure to elicit a few laughs.
