When it's time to step away from screens, board games are the perfect way to satisfy your need for immersive gameplay and escapism. Fortunately, there are numerous board game adaptations of popular video games that can keep you engaged in those beloved worlds. We've handpicked some of the best ones, suitable for both long-term campaigns and quick party games, to help you enjoy these universes even when 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 recent buzz around Amazon's Fallout series, there's no better time to delve into the Wasteland from the comfort of your home. Begin by selecting from various scenarios, which set the stage for your map. Much like Bethesda's renowned open-world RPGs, this tabletop version lets you uncover new areas, develop skills, battle mutated creatures, engage with factions, and undertake quests, all while vying for control of the Wasteland. It's a highly immersive and detailed experience, perfect for extended gaming 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 be adapted into a board game, Slay the Spire brings the Roguelike deck-building experience to the tabletop. Players choose a hero and embark on a climb through the Spire, navigating through rooms that offer encounters with enemies, elite battles, events, campfires, treasure, merchant interactions, and boss fights. The Roguelike nature ensures endless replayability as you experiment with different characters, builds, and items. For more insights, check out our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review.
Bloodborne
### 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 a Hunter tasked with eradicating the evil plaguing Yharnam. As a campaign-style game, it offers high replay value with its modular map tiles, ensuring no two games are the same. With hundreds of cards, tokens, and detailed miniatures, this game challenges players' skills and decision-making as they unravel the mystery behind the plague and fight to stop it. The focus on immersion, combined with the game's detailed components, ensures a deeply engaging experience.
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 board game led to further adaptations by Steamforged Games, but Resident Evil 2 remains the standout. True to the source material, players cooperate to control Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield as they navigate zombie-infested areas, collect weapons and items, and solve puzzles to escape. The game retains iconic elements like ink ribbons and typewriters, adding depth to your sessions.
PAC-MAN
### Pac-Man: The Board Game
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age Range: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes
From Buffalo Games, this tabletop version of the arcade classic offers both cooperative and competitive play. As Pac-Man, your goal is to navigate the maze, eat pellets, and collect fruit, while ghost players aim to catch you. The game board consists of four metal tiles, requiring some initial setup but ensuring quick subsequent games. The electronic Pac-Man figure even makes the familiar “waka waka” sound, adding to the nostalgic charm.
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 Tetris board game challenges players to maneuver, rotate, and drop tetriminos to score the highest. Like the video game, you can plan your moves based on the next piece, represented by a card. Score 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
### 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, the Tomb of Giants core set is a standalone adventure ideal for newcomers. Named after a notorious location in the video games, players choose a class and gear before navigating catacombs, facing skeleton archers, and resting at bonfires. With limited actions, strategic decisions are crucial. This game remains faithful to its source, featuring punishing combat and RPG elements like a level-up system. It includes new characters and over a hundred new cards, compatible with other 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 challenge where players must defeat bosses using dice mechanics. Setup is straightforward with a fixed boss deck structure. Choose from four characters—Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle—and engage in rounds with five phases to strategize and attack. 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. For more details, see our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review.
The Oregon Trail
### 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 more entertaining. In this quick-to-set-up card game, players cooperate to reach Oregon without succumbing to various Calamity cards. Sessions are fast-paced and challenging, with victory achieved by playing fifty trail cards. However, if a player dies early, they must sit out until the group either succeeds or all perish. Despite this, it captures the essence of the original game and is sure to evoke plenty of laughter.
