Every year, the UKGE judges go full-on gaming mode-testing, debating, and shortlisting the top titles in tabletop. The 2025 shortlist is packed with games worth getting excited about. From abstract thinkers to dice chuckers and RPG adventurers, here’s the full breakdown of nominees in each category:
Best Abstract Game
- CUBED: Next Level Dominoes – Friendly Rabbit Inc
- Harmonies – Libellud
- Orapa Mine – Playte
Best Accessory
- Duncan Rhodes Hobby Case – Ultimate Edition – TableTop Tech (The Mechi People)
- Eren’s Arcane Compendium of Characters – Eren’s ArtVenturing Guild
- The Map Library – Roll & Play Press
Best Boardgame (American-Style)
- Deep Regrets – Tettix Games
- Potions of Azerland – Lucky Duck Games
- The King of Antiques – FC Studio
Best Boardgame (Euro-Style)
- Calimala – Alley Cat Games
- Galactic Cruise – Dranda Games Ltd
- SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence – CGE (Czech Games Edition)
Best Boardgame (Strategic)
- Barbarian Kingdoms – Jester Games
- Cyclades: Legendary Edition – Studio H
- Perch – Inside Up Games
Best Card Game (General)
- Cabanga! – Amigo
- Romi Rami – Randolph
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Trick-Taking Game – Office Dog
Best Card Game (Strategic)
- Castle Combo – Catch Up Games
- Star Trek Star Realms – Core Set – UniVersus
- Star Wars Unlimited TCG: Twilight of the Republic (2-Player Starter) – Fantasy Flight Games
Best Children’s Game
- Little Alchemists – CGE (Czech Games Edition)
- MicroMacro Kids – Edition Spielwiese
- Star Realms Academy – Wacky Wizard Games (Wise Wizard Games)
Best Dice Game
- Australis – Kosmos
- Deep Sea Adventure: Boost – Oink
- Pina Coladice – IELLO
Best Family Game
- Critter Kitchen – Lucky Duck Games
- Explorers of Navoria – Dranda Games Ltd
- Gloomies – Ravensburger
Best Gaming Novelty
- Art by Nohr – Avgrund AB / Stockholm Kartell
- Deep Space Pest Control – Mantic Games
- Lucky Leaf Teas – Coven’s Comfort (100g) – Lucky Leaf Teas
Best Miniatures Range
- Armoured Clash – Enlightened Faction Battlegroup – Starter Set – Warcradle Studios
- Frostgrave Cultists II – North Star Military Figures / Osprey Games
- Infinity N5 Operation Sandtrap – Corvus Belli
Best Miniatures Rules
- Armoured Clash – Warcradle Studios
- Pacific Command – Osprey Games
- Torch and Shield – Grimskald
Best Party Game
- Caution Signs – Wacky Wizard Games (Wise Wizard Games)
- Landmarks – Floodgate Games
- The Same Game – Edition Spielwiese
Best Role-playing Game
- Doomsong – Caesar Ink
- The Magnus Archives Roleplaying Game – Monte Cook Games LLC
- Through the Hedgerow: A Roleplaying Game of Rustic Fantasy – Osprey Games
Best Role-playing Game Adventure
- Doomsong: Lord Have Mercy Upon Us – Caesar Ink
- Fallout: The RPG – Astoundingly Awesome Tales 1-4 & Bonus – Modiphius Entertainment
- Pendragon: The Grey Knight – Chaosium Inc.
Best Role-playing Game Expansion
- Cthulhu by Gaslight Investigators Guide – Chaosium Inc.
- The One Ring™ – Moria™ – Through the Doors of Durin – Free League Publishing
- Twilight: 2000 Hostile Waters – Free League Publishing
Best Variant
- The Last of Us: Escape the Dark – Themeborne Ltd
- The Quacks of Quedlinburg: The Duel – Schmidt Spiele
- Wyrmspan – Stonemaier Games
Best Expansion
- Arena Battles One – RAYBOX Games
- Explorers of Navoria: Forgotten Lands – Dranda Games Ltd
- Mini Express: Map Pack Expansion 1+2 Box Set – Moaideas Game Design
Winners will be announced Monday, 12th May on the UKGE social channels. So keep your eyes peeled-and your wishlists ready!
Zatu will be at UKGE this year, Find us at Stands 2-560 and 2-660!
