In 2017 board games took us from the Vikings, to Mars, and even to penguin school. The top games of the year were recognised at the Spiel des Jahres 2017 awards, where a jury of German game critics selected those with the best family friendly design and gameplay.
Alongside the 2017 Spiel des Jahres winner, the winners of the Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) and Kennerspiel des Jahres (Connoisseur’s Game of the Year) awards were announced. The nominees of each category were also recognised and celebrated for their innovation in board game design.
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Spiel des Jahres 2017
Buy the Kingdomino Board Game
Winner
Kingdomino
Taking home the grand prize in 2017 was Kingdomino, a fast-paced kingdom building family game. As the name suggests, the tiles in Kingdomino are like dominos with a different terrain on each end. The goal is to expand your kingdom faster than everyone else building a 5×5 grid. Points are counted by the number of tiles connected and valuable crown symbols.
Average Playtime: 15-25 minutes
Recommended Age: 8+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.23/5
Nominees
Magic Maze
Magic Maze is a real-time heist game where a mage, warrior, elf, and dwarf team up to rob a shopping mall for their next adventure gear. Players share control of the heroes, each with a unique move, but communication is mostly off-limits. You’ve got just minutes to map the mall, grab the loot, and escape before security catches you. Work together, move fast, and don’t get caught or it’s game over.
Average Playtime: 15 minutes
Recommended Age: 8+
Number of Players: 1-8
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.75/5
Buy the Magic Maze Board Game
The Quest for El Dorado
In this game players take the roles of expedition leaders who have embarked on a search for the legendary land of gold in the jungles of South America. Each player assembles their own team, hiring various helpers from the scout to the scientist. You have one goal in mind, reaching the golden border first and winning all the riches for yourself.
Average Playtime: 30-60 minutes
Recommended Age: 10+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.94/5
Kinderspiel des Jahres 2017
This award was given out at the 2017 Spiel des Jahres Awards and celebrates the year’s best board game made for children as well as the nominees in this category. In this year’s Kinderspiel des Jahres you will see penguins, pirates and adventure.
Winner
ICECOOL
ICECOOL is a flicking game in which penguins race for fish on their lunch break while avoiding the Hall Monitor. Each round, one player plays the role of the Hall Monitor, trying to catch the rascals for extra fish, while the others try to run through doors to get points. Penguins can be straight flicked, curved, or even jumped over walls! The round ends when all runners are caught or when a runner collects fish from three doors. Everybody has a turn at being a Hall Monitor, and whoever has the most fish at the end wins.
Average Playtime: 30 minutes
Recommended Age: 6+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.06/5
Captain Silver
Captain Silver has a challenge for you. This game relies on your sense of touch as you feel and grab the right object out of your pirate bag. Grab the right object and treasure awaits! Get gold coins and sail your ship to treasure island. Only the quickest and most skilful pirate will win Captain Silver’s treasure.
Average Playtime: 2-4 minutes
Recommended Age: 6+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.33/5
The Mysterious Forest
Inspired by Daniel Lieske’s graphic novel, The Wormworld Saga, Mysterious Forest is a cooperative memory game where players work together to take Jonas through a magical world, facing the Queen of the Draconias. First, move into the woods and remember what equipment is needed. After that, fill up Jonas’ backpack by rolling dice to pick equipment. The last step is to go on an adventure into the woods, using the equipment to overcome challenges. Reach the final card with the right equipment to win the adventure.
Average Playtime: 10-25 minutes
Recommended Age: 6+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 1.18/5
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2017
Also awarded at the 2017 Spiel des Jahres Awards is the award that celebrates a more complex game targeted towards experienced gamers, the Kennerspiel des Jahres. Give these games a go if you’re ready to dive into hours of brain-teasing fun.
Winner
Exit: The Game – The Secret Lab
As the subjects of a medical study, players are checked into a lab, but soon they realize something may be wrong as no one else is there. Steam fills the room, and they pass out only to wake up to a locked room with a notepad and enigmatic spinning dial. Can you figure out how to escape?
Average Playtime: 45-150 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 1-6
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.53/5
Nominees
Raiders of the North Sea
Raiders of the North Sea is a Viking strategy game where players raid settlements to impress the Chieftain and earn victory points. Assemble a crew, gather provisions, and plunder gold, iron, and livestock to gain favour. On your turn, place a worker to take an action and pick up another to trigger a second action. It continues until key conditions are fulfilled at which point, the player having the most points wins.
Average Playtime: 60-80 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 2-4
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 2.56/5
Buy the Terraforming Mars Board Game
Terraforming Mars
It’s the year 2400, and mankind has left earth to conquer Mars. In this board game players take the role of rival corporations seeking to terraform Mars, making it habitable for humanity. Raise the temperature and oxygen level, achieve ocean coverage, and raise your points for terraforming, building, and raising milestones. Play cards, lay tiles, manage resources, and outscore your opponents. Once the three global parameters of temperature, oxygen, and ocean have reached the required level Mars is terraformed. Count your victory points to see who won.
Average Playtime: 120 minutes
Recommended Age: 12+
Number of Players: 1-5
Difficulty (BGG Weight): 3.26/5
Shop the Best Games from the Spiel des Jahres 2017 Awards Today!
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