When it's time to unplug, turn off the TV, and reduce screen time, board games are the perfect way to satisfy your need for escapism and continue the fun. Fortunately, there are numerous board game adaptations of popular video games, and we've gathered some of the best here. Whether you're in the mood for a long-term campaign or a quick party game, these board games will keep you immersed in your favorite video game worlds, even when you're taking a break 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
$69.99 save 36% $44.49 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 2-3 hours
With the recent success of Amazon's Fallout series, now is the perfect time to dive into 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, develop your skills, fight irradiated enemies, interact with different factions, and complete quests as you vie for control over the Wasteland. This game offers a highly immersive and detailed experience, ideal for long-term sessions.
Slay the Spire: The Board Game
See it at Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 45 minutes
Arguably the most deserving video game to be adapted into a board game, Slay the Spire lets players choose a hero and navigate a Roguelike deck-building journey up the Spire. Just like the digital version, you'll encounter various rooms with unique challenges, from fighting regular and elite enemies to events, campfires, treasure, merchants, and bosses. The nature of Roguelikes ensures endless replayability as players experiment with different characters, builds, and items. Check out our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review for more details.
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 assume the role of Hunters fighting to eradicate the evil lurking in Yharnam. This campaign-style game offers endless replay value thanks to its modular map tiles, ensuring no two sessions are the same. With hundreds of cards, tokens, and game pieces, this macabre adventure challenges players' skills and decision-making as they unravel the mystery of the plague and strive to stop it. The highly detailed miniatures enhance immersion, making you feel like you're truly in the game.
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 for the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Yet, Resident Evil 2 remains the standout entry. Players cooperate, taking control of either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, as they battle through hordes of zombies to escape in various scenarios. Collect weapons, healing items, and keys, navigate the environment, evade the undead, and solve puzzles. You can even use the iconic ink ribbons and typewriters to impact your gameplay!
Pac-Man: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age Range: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes
From Buffalo Games, the arcade classic makes a triumphant return to the tabletop. Play in cooperative or competitive modes, with one player as Pac-Man navigating the maze, eating pellets, and collecting fruit, while others control the ghosts trying to catch or avoid Pac-Man. The game board consists of four metal tiles requiring initial assembly, but subsequent games are quick to set up. The electronic Pac-Man figure even makes its iconic "waka waka" sound!
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 game where players maneuver, rotate, and drop tetriminos to score the highest. Just like the video game, the next piece is displayed on a card, allowing players to plan their strategy. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols on your tower, and achieving specific goals. Its quick setup and playtime make it ideal for parties and younger players.
Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
Originally intended as part of the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter, the Tomb of Giants core set 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, fighting skeleton archers, or resting at bonfires. With limited actions, every choice matters. The game stays true to its source material, featuring punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. It also includes new playable characters and over a hundred new cards compatible with other Dark Souls board game products.
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
$59.99 save 22% $46.88 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Mirroring its digital counterpart, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game is a fast-paced cooperative game where players aim to defeat bosses using dice mechanics. The boss deck's structure remains constant, making setup quick. Choose from Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle, and engage in rounds consisting of five phases, setting up attacks and confronting the boss. Timed rounds add pressure to your dice rolls. The game offers high replay value, allowing you to improve your score and upgrade abilities for future runs. For more information, see our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review.
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 so entertaining. This quick-to-set-up card game challenges players to work together to reach Oregon without succumbing to various Calamity cards. The game is challenging and luck-based, with victory achieved by playing fifty trail cards. A significant downside is that if a player dies on the first turn, they must sit out the entire session until the party either wins or all perish. Nevertheless, it's a fun and faithful recreation of the source material, guaranteed to provide laughs.
