When it's time to step away from the screen, board games offer a fantastic escape and a way to continue indulging in your favorite video game worlds. Whether you're in the mood for an epic campaign or a quick party game, these board game adaptations of popular video games provide a perfect blend of strategy and fun, allowing you to dive deeper into these immersive universes without the need for technology.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Video Game Board Games
FalloutSlay the SpireBloodborneResident Evil 2Pac-ManTetrisDark Souls the Board Game: Tomb of GiantsCuphead: Fast Rolling Dice GameThe Oregon TrailFallout
### Fallout: The Board Game
1$69.99 save 36%$44.49 at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 14+Play Time: 2-3 hoursWith the recent success of Amazon's Fallout series, there's no better time to explore the Wasteland from the comfort of your kitchen table. Choose from various scenarios to set up your map, and embark on an adventure reminiscent of Bethesda's beloved open-world RPGs. Uncover the map, enhance your skills, battle irradiated enemies, interact with factions, and complete quests as you vie for control over the Wasteland. This game offers a deeply immersive and detailed experience, perfect for extended gaming sessions.
Slay the Spire
### Slay the Spire: The Board Game
9See it at Contention GamesPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 12+Play Time: 45 minutesArguably the video game most suited for a board game adaptation, Slay the Spire captures the essence of its digital counterpart with a Roguelike deck-building climb through the Spire. Choose from a variety of rooms, each with unique challenges: fight regular enemies in encounters, face tougher foes in elite battles, participate in events, rest at campfires, find treasure, visit the merchant, and ultimately confront the boss. With its Roguelike nature, Slay the Spire offers endless replayability as players experiment with different characters, builds, and items.
You can read our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review for more about this game.
Bloodborne
### Bloodborne: The Board Game
1See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-4Age Range: 14+Play Time: 60-90 minutesStep into the shoes of a Hunter in the Bloodborne board game and fight to eradicate the evil lurking in Yharnam. As a campaign game, Bloodborne provides endless replay value with its modular map tiles ensuring no two sessions are the same. With hundreds of cards, tokens, and game pieces, this game challenges players' skills and decision-making as they uncover the secrets of the plague and strive to stop it. The detailed miniatures enhance immersion, making you feel truly part of the macabre adventure.
Resident Evil 2
### Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
1See it at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 12+Play Time: 90-120 minutesThe success of Resident Evil 2's tabletop adaptation led to further entries covering the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. However, Resident Evil 2 remains the standout adaptation. Faithfully recreating the video game, players cooperate as Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield to battle through zombies and escape in various scenarios. Collect weapons, healing items, and keys as you navigate the environment, evade the undead, and solve puzzles. The iconic ink ribbons and typewriters even play a role in shaping your game sessions!
PAC-MAN
### Pac-Man: The Board Game
0See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-5Age Range: 10+Play Time: 30 minutesFrom Buffalo Games, the arcade classic Pac-Man makes a thrilling return to the tabletop. Playable in both cooperative and competitive modes, Pac-Man aims to navigate the maze, eat pellets, and collect fruit while the ghosts try to catch or avoid him. The game board consists of four metal tiles, requiring some initial setup but allowing for quick subsequent games. The electronic Pac-Man figure even emits the iconic "waka waka" sound!
Tetris
### Tetris Board Game
1See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-4Age Range: 8+Play Time: 20-30 minutesAlso from Buffalo Games, Tetris transforms into a competitive game where players strategically maneuver, rotate, and drop tetriminos to achieve the highest score. Just like the video game, the next piece is displayed on a card, aiding in strategy planning. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols on your tower, and achieving specific goals. With quick setup and playtime, this game is ideal for parties and younger players.
Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants
### Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
1See it at AmazonPlayers: 1-3Age Range: 14+Play Time: 90-120 minutesOriginally part of the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter campaign, Tomb of Giants is a standalone adventure perfect for newcomers. Named after the infamous location from the video games, players choose a class and gear before navigating the catacombs, facing skeleton archers, and resting at bonfires. With limited actions, strategic decisions are crucial. Faithful to its source material, this game features punishing combat and RPG elements with a level-up system. Tomb of Giants also 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
3$59.99 save 22%$46.88 at AmazonPlayers: 1-4Age Range: 8+Play Time: 30-45 minutesMirroring its digital counterpart, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game is a fast-paced cooperative experience where players use dice to defeat bosses. The boss deck's structure remains constant, ensuring quick setup. Choose from Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle and play through rounds consisting of five phases, setting up attacks and battling bosses under time pressure. The game's high replay value comes from beating your score and upgrading abilities for future runs. See our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more info.
The Oregon Trail
### The Oregon Trail Card Game
0See it at AmazonPlayers: 2-6Age Range: 12+Play Time: 30-45 minutesEmbrace the classic Oregon Trail experience with this quick-to-set-up card game, where players work together to reach Oregon without succumbing to dysentery. The game's rapid pace and luck-based mechanics make it challenging and entertaining, with victory achieved by playing fifty trail cards. However, an early player death can result in sitting out the session. Despite this, the game humorously recreates the source material, promising plenty of laughs.