When it's time to step away from the screen and reduce your digital consumption, board games are the perfect way to satisfy your craving for immersive gameplay and escapism. Fortunately, there's a wealth of board game adaptations inspired by some of the most beloved video games out there. We've handpicked some of our top choices for you. Whether you're in the mood for an extended campaign or a quick party game, these board games will keep you engaged in these iconic 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
### 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 buzz around Amazon's Fallout series, there's no better time to dive into the Wasteland right at your kitchen table. Choose from various scenarios to set up your map, just like in Bethesda's open-world RPGs. You'll explore, develop skills, battle irradiated foes, interact with factions, and complete quests, all while vying for dominance in the Wasteland. This game is perfect for long, immersive sessions.
Slay the Spire
### Slay the Spire: The Board Game
See it at Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 45 minutes
Arguably the most fitting video game to transition to a board game, Slay the Spire lets players choose a hero and embark on a Roguelike deck-building adventure up the Spire. Navigate through different rooms with unique effects, from battling regular enemies to facing elites, events, campfires, treasure, and merchants, culminating in a showdown with the boss. With its Roguelike nature, you'll get endless hours of replayability as you experiment with various 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
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 60-90 minutes
As a Hunter in Bloodborne: The Board Game, you'll battle to eradicate the evil plaguing Yharnam. This campaign-style game offers endless replay value with its modular map tiles, ensuring no two sessions are alike. With hundreds of cards, tokens, and meticulously crafted game pieces, this dark adventure challenges your skills and decisions as you uncover the secrets of the plague and strive to end it. The highly detailed miniatures enhance the immersion, making you feel truly part of the world.
Resident Evil 2
### 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 to further games covering Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Yet, Resident Evil 2 remains the standout entry, staying true to the source material. Players work cooperatively, controlling either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, as they fight through zombies to escape in various scenarios. Gather weapons, healing items, and keys, navigate the environment, dodge the undead, and solve puzzles, all while using the iconic ink ribbons and typewriters to impact your sessions.
PAC-MAN
### Pac-Man: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age Range: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes
Brought to you by Buffalo Games, this tabletop version of the arcade classic can be played cooperatively or competitively. As Pac-Man, navigate the maze, gobble up pellets, and collect fruit while the ghost players try to catch you. 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 classic "waka waka" sound!
Tetris
### Tetris Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Also from Buffalo Games, this competitive version of Tetris has players maneuvering, rotating, and dropping tetriminos to score the highest. Just like the video game, the next piece is displayed on a card, allowing for strategic planning. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols, 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
### Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
Originally part of the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter campaign, Tomb of Giants is a standalone adventure perfect for new players. Named after the notorious location from the video games, you'll choose a class and gear before navigating the catacombs, battling skeleton archers, and resting at bonfires. With limited actions, every decision counts. The game stays true to its source with punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. It also introduces new characters and over a hundred new cards compatible with existing Dark Souls board game products.
Cuphead: Fast-Rolling Dice Game
### 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 experience where players use dice mechanics to defeat bosses. The boss deck structure remains constant for easy setup. Choose from Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle and navigate through rounds consisting of five phases, carefully planning your attacks. Timed rounds add urgency to your dice rolls. With high replay value, you can strive to beat your score and upgrade abilities for future runs. See our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more info.
The Oregon Trail
### The Oregon Trail Card Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Who knew dying of dysentery could be so entertaining? In this quick-to-set-up card game, players collaborate to reach Oregon without meeting an untimely end. The game is fast-paced, with Calamity cards ready to end your journey abruptly. It's challenging and heavily reliant on luck; you win by playing fifty trail cards. A downside is that if a player dies early, they're out for the session. Nonetheless, it captures the essence of the original game and is sure to bring some laughs.
