How Many Types of Board Games Are There? 20 Types, Explained

The hobby of board gaming can sometimes be intimidating. In fact, sometimes it feels like it has its own language.

If you mention a board game, most people think of classic board games like Monopoly or Sorry. But as you may know by now, there are so many board games out there.

Board games, as well as video games and apps for that matter, fall into types or categories that can help you identify which ones you like (or don’t like).

How many types of board games are there?

Several. I was able to count about 20 types, although it’s important to note there is often a lot of overlap. It’s rare that a board game will neatly fit in just one category.

In fact, some of the best board games have more than one classification. For example, you may have a cooperative party game or a strategy racing game.

In my opinion, trying to neatly fit each game into a category shouldn’t be on the top of your priority list. Still, it’s helpful to be familiar with board game types.

Not sure where to start? Here is a brief overview of 20 common types of board games:

1. Abstract games

There is some disagreement in the board game community on the exact definition of an abstract game.

However, abstract games are typically in the same category as strategy games, except they do not have a theme, or at least have a minimal theme.

Abstract games usually display all the cards out on the table, quite literally. This means information about current game play is out in the open. Finally, abstract games do not involve a lot of luck or chance.

An example of an abstract game is Sequence.

2. Campaign games

I like to think of a “campaign” as a series. If a regular board game is a movie, a campaign is like a whole season of a TV show.

A campaign is most often referred to as a story in role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

In this type of game, a dungeon master will lead the players through sessions that can be played out over months, where each session will pick up where it left off.

However, other games may utilize this campaign style. Gloomhaven is a good example of a campaign game.

3. Card games

Perhaps one of the broadest categories on the list, a card game can be any game that deals with playing cards, often instead of game pieces. Sometimes, a card game may not even have a board at all.

A card game can refer to a standard deck of cards, but it also extends into specialized decks that have all kinds of art and special rules.

Sometimes a card game will involve collecting cards, which may be considered a trading card game.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and Sushi Go are examples of card games.

4. Cooperative games

A co-op game simply means that everyone (or mostly everyone) is playing on the same team. Essentially, everyone wins or loses together.

Occasionally, a game may be partially co-op. Most players may be on the same team while one player works as a “traitor” against them.

In many cooperative games, there will be a numbered chart in the rulebook that will tell you how well or how poorly your team played. In these games, you are playing to beat your previous high score.

So Clover and Just One are examples of cooperative games.

Read Also: So Clover board game: An honest review, how to play

5. Deck building games

I do love a good deck building game. With a deck building game, the construction of your deck is part of the game itself.

Usually, players will begin with a “starter deck” and purchase or draft cards that will be re-shuffled into the existing deck, which will eventually increase in abilities and power.

A player’s deck will help them gain victory points over the course of the game, depending on the win condition.

Dominion is an example of a deck-building game.

6. Dexterity games

A dexterity game is what it sounds like in that it relies on a player’s physical reflexes, coordination, aim and sometimes speed.

Dexterity games usually have fun pieces that will require you to balance or move them in challenging ways.

Jenga is a dexterity game.

7. Dice rolling games

As you may have guessed, dice-rolling games often largely rely on dice. What you roll often will dictate what you can do in the game or on your turn.

Of course, this type of game typically involves a large element of luck. Some games may simply have a dice-rolling component, like Betrayal at House on the Hill, where six dice are rolled on almost every turn.

Other examples of dice rollers include Yathzee or King of Tokyo.

8. Engine builder games

This definition is also intuitive, at least in a metaphorical sense.

In an engine building game, you gain resources that mostly enable you to acquire more resources, which you can think of like building a machine that reaps its own rewards.

Essentially, things you build in the game work together to gain more resources or victory points to win.

These game elements often have cascading effects that can build on one another.

My husband is notoriously good at engine building games. Whenever we play together, his turns take twice as long as everyone else’s because he is so good at building an “engine” that fires a lot of actions and rewards.

Terraforming Mars is an example of an engine-building game.

9. Euro games

A Euro game is short for a “European game” and typically involves minimal player interaction. Euro games often overlap with strategy, engine builder games or abstract games.

You could usually play a Euro-style game single-player or with a group. I have some gamer friends who dislike this type of game, but some of my favorite board games are Euro games.

Wingspan would be considered a Euro game.

10. Legacy board games

Legacy games are similar to campaign games in that gameplay evolves over a “series”.

Usually, the term “legacy” will be added onto an already popular game that has come out with a version of itself that is designed to be played over multiple sessions, preferably with the same group of people.

For example, the popular game Pandemic came out with Pandemic Legacy, which is meant to be played as a series. It comes with stickers and game-modifying pieces that will affect future play over the course of time.

When the series has ended, you are usually left with a personalized version of the game that can be played as normal.

11. Party games

Perhaps one of the most popular categories of games, a party game typically plays a large number of people and is easy to learn.

These games have simple rules and mass appeal. Sometimes veterans in the game community snub them, but they offer the best chance of getting your non-board game friends to come over for a game night.

Cards Against Humanity or Trivial Pursuit are popular party games.

12. Resource management games

Another game that is what it sounds like. Resource management games require players to manage their assets that they gained while playing.

For example, think of Settlers of Catan. How well you manage your sheep, wood, etc, will determine how many roads you can build and ultimately, how well you do in the game.

13. Push your luck

A push your luck game refers to a game where players decide to risk their current status or rewards for more, or alternatively play it safe and keep what they have.

Some games may have a push your luck element. For example, Mariposas offers better rewards for traveling further on the board, but it’s harder to get back if you venture too far.

Incan Gold is another good example of a push your luck game.

14. Puzzle games

Puzzle games are exactly what they sound like and usually involve some type of problem solving.

This type of game sometimes has beautiful, tactile game pieces, even though they may not appear as a traditional puzzle.

Hanabi is a good example of a puzzle game.

15. Racing games

Racing games sometimes overlap with strategy games. While there are often additional elements involved, a race game will usually have a race feature around the board with a finish line.

Racing games are generally good for players of all ages. Jamaica is an example of a racing game.

16. Secret identity games

Also known as social deduction games, these games involve (you guessed it), secret roles.

Players usually draft hidden roles that are kept secret from other players. Then, everyone bluffs their way to a win (or a loss) and usually tries to fool the other players.

Secret Hitler is a classic example of a secret identity game.

Read Also: How to play Secret Hitler, a quick and easy guide with strategies

17. Strategy games

There’s a lot of overlap in this category since most games involve some sort of strategy.

Still, a strategy game will lean into decision-making abilities. These games rarely involve much of a luck element. Examples of strategy games include Citadels or Twilight Imperium.

18. Tabletop games

This simply refers to games that are usually played on a table.

I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t that all games? Pretty much, except for, perhaps, a handful of party games and card games.

19. War games

War games often overlap with strategy games. These games involve two or more opposing forces who battle each other for the win.

These games often involve game pieces or figures. Risk and Street Fighter are examples of war games.

20. Worker placement games

In worker placement games, players control a set of “worker” game pieces that usually trigger their own actions or collect resources.

Worker placement games often have a lot of small pieces and can overlap with drafting games or strategy games.

Everdell is an example of a worker placement game.

No matter what type of game you prefer, games are a fun way to spend quality time together with family or friends. Which type do you prefer on your game nights? Let me know in the comments below.