When you need a break from screens, board games offer a fantastic way to continue the escapism and excitement of your favorite video games. Fortunately, there are countless board game adaptations of popular video games, and we've gathered some of the best here. Whether you're looking for an epic campaign or a quick party game, these options will let you stay immersed in these worlds without the technology.
TL;DR – 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
Explore the Wasteland from the comfort of your own kitchen table! Choose from various scenarios affecting map setup. Like Bethesda's RPGs, you'll uncover the map, develop skills, battle irradiated enemies, interact with factions, and complete quests, all while vying for control of the Wasteland. This immersive, detail-oriented game is perfect for extended play 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 you play as one of several heroes, climbing the Spire in a Roguelike deck-building adventure. Choose from various rooms: encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasure, the merchant, and the final boss. The Roguelike nature ensures countless hours of replayability with different 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 and fight the evil plaguing Yharnam. This campaign board game offers endless replayability with its modular map tiles. Hundreds of cards, tokens, and miniatures create an immersive, highly detailed experience testing your skill and decision-making as you uncover secrets and battle the plague.
Resident Evil 2: The Board Game
Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes
A faithful adaptation of the classic game, *Resident Evil 2* has players cooperatively controlling Leon or Claire, fighting zombies and escaping in various scenarios. Collect weapons, items, and keys, evade the undead, and solve puzzles. Even iconic ink ribbons and typewriters are included!
Pac-Man: The Board Game
Players: 2-5 Age Range: 10+ Play Time: 30 minutes
This classic arcade game gets a tabletop revival! Play cooperatively or competitively. Pac-Man navigates the maze, eating pellets and fruit, while ghosts try to catch him. The game uses four metal tiles and features the iconic "waka waka" sound!
Tetris Board Game
Players: 2-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 20-30 minutes
A competitive Tetris experience where players maneuver, rotate, and drop Tetriminos for 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 playtime make this 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 perfect for new players, set in the infamous Tomb of Giants. Choose a class and gear, navigate the catacombs, battle enemies, and rest at bonfires. Actions are limited, requiring 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 other *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 you defeat bosses using dice-rolling mechanics. Setup is simple, and the game features timed rounds and upgradeable abilities, providing high replay value.
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
A surprisingly challenging and luck-based card game where players cooperate to reach Oregon without dying. Quick setup and playtime, but dying early means sitting out the session. A fun, if sometimes frustrating, recreation of the classic game.
