When the screen time needs a break, board games offer a fantastic alternative for satisfying that craving for escapism and continued gameplay. Fortunately, numerous board games draw inspiration from popular video games, and we've gathered some of our favorites. Whether you're seeking an extensive campaign or a quick party game, these board games allow you to remain immersed in these worlds, providing a welcome respite from technology.
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: The Board Game
Players: 1-4 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 2-3 hours
Following the success of Amazon's Fallout series, explore the Wasteland from your kitchen table. Choose from various scenarios impacting map setup. Like Bethesda's RPGs, uncover the map, develop skills, fight enemies, interact with factions, and complete quests, vying for Wasteland control. Highly immersive and detailed, ideal for lengthy sessions.
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 45 minutes
A highly faithful adaptation, Slay the Spire lets players choose heroes and embark on a roguelike deck-building ascent. Navigate various rooms: encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasures, merchants, and the final boss. Its roguelike nature ensures hours of replayability with diverse characters, builds, and items.
Read our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review for more details.
Bloodborne: The Board Game
Players: 2-4 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 60-90 minutes
Become a Hunter battling Yharnam's evil. As a campaign game, Bloodborne offers high replay value with modular map tiles. Hundreds of cards, tokens, and miniatures create an immersive experience testing skill and decision-making. Highly detailed miniatures enhance the feeling of being in the game.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes
A successful adaptation, Resident Evil 2 has players cooperate as Leon or Claire, escaping hordes of zombies across multiple scenarios. Collect weapons, items, and keys, evade the undead, and solve puzzles, even using ink ribbons and typewriters.
Pac-Man: The Board Game
Players: 2-5 Age Range: 10+ Play Time: 30 minutes
Playable cooperatively or competitively, Pac-Man navigates the maze, eating pellets and fruit, while ghost players try to catch him. Uses four metal tiles, requiring initial setup, but subsequent games are quick. The Pac-Man figure even makes its iconic sound!
Tetris Board Game
Players: 2-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 20-30 minutes
A competitive game where players maneuver tetrominos to achieve the highest score. The next piece is displayed, allowing strategic planning. Points are earned by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols, and achieving specific goals. Quick setup and play time make it great for parties and younger players.
Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
Players: 1-3 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes
A standalone adventure, ideal for new players. Choose a class and gear, navigate catacombs, fight enemies, and rest at bonfires. Limited actions require careful choices. Faithful to the source material with punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. Features new characters and cards compatible with existing Dark Souls board games.
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
Players: 1-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes
A fast-paced cooperative game where players defeat bosses using dice mechanics. Simple setup with a fixed boss deck. Choose from four characters and play through timed rounds, carefully selecting dice rolls. High replay value with score-beating and ability upgrades.
See our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more info.
The Oregon Trail Card Game
Players: 2-6 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Players cooperate to reach Oregon without dying. Quick setup and play, with challenging and luck-based gameplay. Win by playing fifty trail cards. If a player dies on the first turn, they sit out that session.
