The current board game landscape can feel overwhelming. We’ve moved beyond Risk and Monopoly (although they still have their place) and now have thousands of new titles releasing each year across countless genres and styles. Whether you’re a veteran tabletop enthusiast or just starting your collection, choosing games that resonate with your preferences and play style is becoming increasingly important. To help you decide on your next board game purchase, we’ve gathered advice from several board game enthusiasts to guide your decision.
Think About What You’re Missing by Steven Gibney
When considering new additions to my collection, I prefer to take a “big picture” approach. Rather than focusing solely on what’s catching my eye at the moment, I review my existing collection and ask myself: “What type of game am I missing?”
This approach helps me build a diverse library of games. For instance, my collection features many card-drafting games—from the quick-playing charm of Sushi Go to the chaos of Unstable Unicorns and the competitive mechanics of Abandon All Artichokes. These games get regular table time with my group because they’re easy to learn and family-friendly. This means any new card-drafting game needs to offer something truly unique to earn a spot in my collection.
In contrast, I’ve noticed a gap when it comes to strategic combat-focused games. This makes me more inclined to consider titles in these categories when they cross my path. Of course, there will always be exceptions—sometimes a game is too tempting to resist, regardless of how it fits into my broader collection.
Should You Go Deluxe? By Sophie Jones
It didn’t take me long to realise that not every board game comes in a standard format. From deluxe and special editions to anniversary releases, there’s often more than one version to consider. It’s not just about what to buy, but which edition to go for once you’ve made your choice.
Personally, I only splash out on deluxe editions if the upgraded components genuinely improve gameplay. Acrylic tokens might look nice, but they don’t always change the experience. However, in a commerce-heavy game like Kutná Hora: City of Silver, getting the deluxe edition with metal coins is a must. When money is the heart of the game, metal coins add real weight and immersion. If they’re on offer, I’m usually in. Some deluxe editions, like Honey Buzz, come with lovely acrylic pieces that are well made and look great, but don’t add much beyond aesthetics and a bigger price tag.
Anniversary editions are a little different. If you missed out on the original and don’t already own the game, they’re often worth grabbing. The box art is usually a step up and the components more refined. I’m still eyeing up trading my copies of Sushi Go and Patchwork for their anniversary versions just because they look that good.
In the end, special editions are mostly about looks, but they can add £100 or more. My advice? Play the game first at a café or with friends. If you love it and know it’ll hit the table often, go deluxe. And remember, many games now offer deluxe components separately, so you can upgrade bit by bit without breaking the bank.
Space Saving Games by Dan Street-Phillips
As a proud new owner of a flat, saving space has become the number focus of my life! Moving from a rented property with lots of shelf space where my collection grew and grew, I have been spending my time recently thinking a lot about those smaller box games that still have a lot of game to give. One that jumps out is Ahoy from Leder Games. It is a pirate themed game of exploring the open seas, recruiting crew and blowing your opponents out of the water. But what makes it really sing is that every faction you can choose, play very differently. You could be the Blue Fin Squadron, a ship of sharks trying to own as much territory as possible or you could be a smuggler, moving goods from one island to another. And with the new expansions adding in four new factions, this small box offers a real barrel full of gameplay! It would also be impossible not to mention the shrunken version of Gloomhaven, Buttons and Bugs. It takes perhaps the biggest box in board gaming and shrinks it all down into a box you fit into the palm of your hand. The basic gameplay that made its parent version successful is still at the heart of the game. You choose cards on your turn, deciding whether you want to use their top action or their bottom action in order to explore a series of fantastical locations and kill the monsters that come after you. A small game it may be but a small game it certainly is not.
Questions to ask yourself by Ben Ying
Friends often have different tastes in games. If you are like me and enjoy spending time with many different people, then your collection does need to be balanced with a wide variety of games to please all. The questions I tend to ask myself when I think about how I can round out my collection are:
1. What level of complexity am I looking to add to my collection? – Am I looking at a simple trick taking game that can be explained to friends in 5 minutes, versus the kind of game where you send an explainer video to your friends to prepare prior to a marathon session on a Saturday?
There are a huge variety across the spectrum available where I will zoom out and look at what I have before investing in the next game. This also depends on the tastes of friends who come around more often (playing Catan every week can get a little stale).
2. How long does it take to play? – Some love sitting together for 12 hours diplomatically scheming for supremacy over a galaxy, others enjoy the quick 15 minutes round. Often when I look to buy a game, I will have a quick count of how many games I have sub 20 minutes, 1-2 hours and then beyond to aid my decision. I personally like to go for a larger number of shorter games such that if people don’t quite enjoy one game, you can very quickly transition to something else.
3. Does this game fit with a genre of games/themes that I am lacking? – I am someone who enjoys playing games with a variety of friends with different appetites for games. Often selecting games that fall into a theme too specific or niche don’t see a lot of gameplay to the general populace.
Think about your audience by Favouritefoe
Like kids in a toyshop……literally. Buying your next game can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. Particularly when you are a “hobby” gamer who has seen that sweet space beyond Monopoly! Myriad themes, mechanisms, and experiences await. But where should you start when adding your first or your next game to your collection? How will you ensure it hits (or slaps as the kids these days are wont to say!)?
Well, aside from death and taxes, there are no absolutes in life. But knowing who you are buying your next game for definitely helps stack the odds of a winner in your favour. Who is this game going to be played by? Solo Sally won’t do so well with a sprawling multiplayer battle. Family Fred with his two young kiddos won’t be too impressed with a terrifying Cthulhu inspired chill-fest. And time starved Timmy will fall at the first hurdle if presented with an 8 hour space opera.
But fear not. There is a game out there for everyone. And some games, the best ones, are versatile and adapt to different group dynamics. Without doubt, games with automa modes that allow Sally to indulge her desire to challenge herself whilst still allowing her to play together with others when it suits are golden. Stonemaier hits like Wingspan are a great example. Likewise, games that can be adjusted for age and experience are also great when you can find them. Kosmos have plenty of options on this front. But more often than not, you’ll take your cues from those folks you want to play with. Parting with hard earned cash to furnish your cardboard collection should be a considered and thought out activity. Because if its not, you’ll regret the day you challenged granny to Throw Throw Burrito!
Work your way up by and fill the gaps by Liam J
After years of being a casual board gamer, I recently decided that it was time to really start building a proper board games collection, so I’ve been asking myself the question “What do I buy next?” a lot recently!
I started with some of the old family favourites, but in nice, shiny editions that would look awesome on the shelves, rather than the old, tattered, boxes I grew up with. That meant the Signature Collection editions of Monopoly and Cluedo and a black edition of Rummikub in a metal tin.
My next games were some slightly more modern classics I’d missed out on. I picked out a couple of editions of Ticket to Ride, going for the Europe one, and then as I needed something quicker to play on a school night, London and Paris. As I’m a big horror fan, I had to get Betrayal at House on the Hill. I was starting to play games with friends and family around pub tables, so something compact and easily transported was needed. Love Letters, in its little velvet pouch, fitted the bill perfectly, as did Fluxx (the Cthulhu version). I played some Blood on the Clocktower and I loved it, but I didn’t have the space or number of people for it, so instead I looked for similar social deduction games and got One Night Ultimate Werewolf to scratch that itch, and Avalon for something a little deeper.
My next games will probably be more of those classic games to fill some big gaps. I’m thinking Catan or Carcassonne as I’m missing any kind of tile placement game and these are games I’ve heard so much about but not had a chance to play.
A three pronged approach By Phil Follett Laing
Choosing a game can be daunting, but I’ve found a three-pronged approach that helps me make informed decisions.
Highly Rated Games: If I’m curious about a game like Wingspan, I head to YouTube and watch a few videos. There are plenty of review channels and playthrough videos that let ou see the game in action. You can also visit Zatu or other sites that rank games and compare them. Zatu has a great feature at the end of each review that summarises the replayability and pros of the game.
Popular Games: You’ll notice on Zatu that there’s a constant rotation of popular games on the site. These are well-known titles (and well-rated) like Heat or Carcassonne, alongside some of the hottest releases. If you’re stuck knowing what to choose, why not pick one game you don’t have yet? The great thing about this is you might discover a game that’s still excellent but not as highly ranked as some heavy euros or the like. These games will always be good because a lot of people have them – something only gets popular with the crowds’ opinion, right?
New Games: Every week, a new game is released – in fact, many, many games are created and sold. You might pick up a hidden gem at the latest board game conference or spot the advertisement on the top of the Zatu page. Getting a recent release is not only exciting but also a great way of supporting new designers or publishers along the way. If you have a favourite designer, you could even make sure you follow their social media to discover what they’re working on right now!
