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Whether you're just into board games or are a long-time board game fan looking for a big, crisp match to fill your day with, there's no doubt there's a game out there that perfectly suits your needs. Over the years, we've seen that there are simply no limits to the types of games designers come up with. This, along with the ongoing trend of combining popular board game franchises with the likes of Lord of the Rings and Marvel, ensures that there's always something new to try. The 2025 releases are no exception, spanning a wide range of aesthetics, styles and themes, from The Elder Scrolls to the queer scene of eighteenth-century London.
When compiling my list of the 10 best new board games of 2025, I looked at aesthetics, mechanics, and most importantly, how fun they are to play. It's worth noting that while this year also saw some impressive board game expansions (looking at you, Thunder's Edge and SETI: Space Agencies), exciting TTRPGs (Stormlight fans tune out), and TCGs like Riftbound and Gundam, the lineup only features the base board games themselves. Let's take a look at some of the best cardboards that may be on offer in 2025.
