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It has returned. My Inaccurate, Incomplete best of... guide. If you are searching for the definitive best of 2025 boardgame guide, look further. This isn’t it. This is my list of the best and most notable games that I personally played in 2025. It is most assuredly incomplete, possibly inaccurate, but I am incorrigible. I hope it can provide you with some insights on a few great gaming experiences.
When someone puts together a best of guide, they save the big award for last. Nope, not doing that here. Let's get right to my 2025 Game of the year.
2025 Game of the Year:
“Normally” my game of the year is something relatively heavy (Inis, Dune Imperium, Western Legends, Cosmic Frog) Hot Streak isn't heavy but that is about the only thing it isn't.
Here are actual conversations I've had where Hot Streak was the answer.
“I want a great game that supports 7+ players...” Hot Streak
“I need something light that the family will enjoy...” Hot Streak
“I want a game that keeps everyone involved...” Hot Streak
“I want a party game that goes beyond being dirty mad libs...” Hot Streak
“I would like a gambling game where one character has a slightly different base that, somehow, everyone will notice and comment on.” Oddly specific but...Hot Streak.
My full review on Hot Streak can be found here. It was, by far, the most enjoyable gaming experience of my year and my most recommended game to friends and board game fans. Hurley, relish (hotdog humor) this award. It's probably the only time you actually win anything.
Game of The Year circa 2003/2025
You may be thinking “But Wade, you rated Magical Athlete higher than you rated Hot Steak! Why isn't it the game of the year?” First off, thank you for noticing. Second off, shut up.
Magical Athlete doesn't truly qualify as a new game because it is a reworking of the original 2003 release. And before you say that this has never bothered me before when doing my “best of” lists, let me retort with, again, shut up. Don't make me send Mouth over to your house.
The 2025 personified Award: A.K.A. The This is Fine Meme Award
My wife, Jessica, has commented that Moon Colony Bloodbath always ends badly and that makes her kind of sad. I like to tell her that, maybe, if she didn't keep playing the bloody Bunker that adds a freaking robot to the deck we might survive until the end of the game.
I may have forgotten to mention, in my review, that if you do make it to last card in the deck that, I quote “The game also ends if the players reach the Instruction Manual event. The moon colonies are a success, all early hardships overcome.” If that doesn't encapsulate my hopes during 2025, nothing does.
I'm sorry, but this game cracks me up every.single.time. I play it. I'm always smiling when things go horribly awry. Don't mind the mass graves, all early hardships have been overcome.
Game of the Year 2022 A.K.A. The best “new to me” game of 2025 Award.
** Checks notes ** Well, it doesn't appear I ever gave out a Game of the Year award in 2022. Well, no time like the present. My game of the year 2022 goes to Wonderland's War.
Sometimes, it just feels like a game was built specifically for you and Wonderland's War feels like that to me. After every game, I always think “Oh, I want to explore using this character more...but I also want to get back to that character.” I'm literally sitting here typing this up hoping that my daughter and her boyfriend wake up so I can see if they want to play a three player game. Update: They woke up and we played Wonderland's War and it was glorious. I lost horribly and still enjoyed every second.
The Best Fast Furious Filler Award for 2025
I'm always a sucker for a good dudes on the map game. Wroth is a stellar version of that and it has the added bonus of being able to be played in less than a hour. I love that I can pull this out while we wait for the inevitable last person to arrive for game night and knock out a game.
The Best Card Game of 2025
This isn't the best card game of 2025 award, this is just a tribute.
Nothing like a nice, pseudo-gambling game that let's you goad your friends into pushing their luck that little bit too far.
There you have it, my best of 2025. Any year that adds a half dozen great games to my collection is a good year for gaming.
