Game of the Year (GotY) is a title awarded annually by various magazines, websites, and game critics to deserving tabletop games, including board games and card games. Many publications award a single "Game of the Year" award to a single title published in the previous year that they feel represents the pinnacle of gaming achievement that year.
Organizations Organizations and publications that award Game of the Year awards for board games include: Two truths and a trash Årets spel (Sweden) As d'Or / Golden Ace BoardGameGeek Deutscher Spiele Preis Dicebreaker Games (magazine) Gry-Planszowe.pl / Gra Roku (Poland) Le Diamant d'Or Origins Award Premio JdA (Spain) Premio Ludopedia (Brazil) Spiel des Jahres Kennerspiel des Jahres Kinderspiel des Jahres Spiel Portugal (Portugal)
Awards
American Tabletop Awards These are winners of the American Tabletop Awards, a US-based board game award selected by a committee of board game media creators for games released in the previous calendar year.
Early Gamers These are winners in the Early Gamers category, a category for games targeted at people new to board games.
Year Winner Designer(s) Publisher2025Captain FlipRemo Conzadori, Paolo MoriPlayPunk2024Blob PartyPam WallsWizKids2023boop.Scott BradySmirk & Laughter Games2022Happy CityToshiki Sato, Airu SatoGamewright2021Abandon All ArtichokesEmma LarkinsGamewright2020DraftosaurusAntoine Bauza, Corentin Lebrat, Ludovic Maublanc, Théo RivièreAnkama2019Catch the MoonFabien Riffaud & Juan RodriguezStudio Bombyx
Casual Games These are winners in the Casual Games category, a category intended for gamers of all experience levels.
Year Winner Designer(s) Publisher2025The GangJohn Cooper, Kory HeathThames & Kosmos2024Sea Salt & PaperBruno Cathala, Théo RivièreBombyx, Pandasaurus Games2023Turing MachineFabien Gridel, Yoann LevetLe Scorpion Masqué2022CubitosJohn D. ClairAlderac Entertainment Group2021The Crew: The Quest for Planet NineThomas SingKOSMOS2020ShipShapeRob DaviauCalliope Games2019The Quacks of QuedlinburgWolfgang WarschNorth Star Games
Strategy Games These are winners in the Strategy Games category, a category for games that have additional "complexity, planning requirements, and duration" compared to Casual Games.
Year Winner Designer(s) Publisher2025Let’s Go! To JapanJosh WoodAlderac Entertainment Group2024Thunder Road: VendettaDave Chalker, Brett Myers, Noah Cohen, Rob Daviau, Justin D. Jacobson, Jim Keifer, Brian NeffRestoration Games2023Planet UnknownRyan Lambert, Adam RehbergAdam’s Apple Games, LLC2022CascadiaRandy FlynnFlatout Games, Alderac Entertainment Group2021CalicoKevin RussFlatout Games2020WingspanElizabeth HargraveStonemaier Games2019Chronicles of CrimeDavid CicurelLucky Duck Games
Complex Games These are winners in the Complex Games category, a category intended for "longer-form games that typically appeal to more experienced players".
Year Winner Designer(s) Publisher2025FromageMatthew O’Malley, Ben RossetRoad To Infamy Games2024The White CastleIsra C., Shei S.Devir2023CarnegieXavier GeorgesPegasus Spiele2022Lost Ruins of ArnakElwen, MínCzech Games Edition2021Dominations: Road to CivilizationÉric Dubus, Olivier MelisonHoly Grail Games2020The Taverns of TiefenthalWolfgang WarschNorth Star Games2019RootCole WehrleLeder Games
As d'Or / Golden Ace
These are winners of the As d'Or Award, which is awarded to the best board game of the year submitted at the Cannes International Game Festival.
Year Category Winner Designer(s) Publisher2023As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeAkropolisJules MessaudGigamic2022As d'Or Jeu de l'année7 Wonders: ArchitectsAntoine BauzaRepos Production2021As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeMicroMacro: Crime CityJohannes SichEdition Spielwiese2020As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeOriflammeAdrien Hesling, Axel HeslingStudio H2019As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeThe MindWolfgang WarschOya2018As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeAzulMichael KieslingPlan B Games2017As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeUnlock!Cyril Demaegd et Thomas Cauët et Alice CarrollSpace Cowboys2016As d'Or Jeu de l'annéeMysteriumOleg Sidorenko et Oleksandr NevskiyLibellud 2015 As d'Or Jeu de l'année Colt Express Christophe Raimbault Ludonaute 2015 As d'Or Jeu de l'année Grand Prix Five Tribes Bruno Cathala Days of Wonder 2015 As d'Or Jeu de l'année Enfant La Chasse aux Gigamons Karim Aouidad, Johann Roussel Elemon Games 2015 As d'Or Jeu de l'année Prix du Jury Loony Quest Laurent Escoffier, David Franck Libellud
Board Game Quest Awards These are winners of the Board Game Quest Game of the Year Award. This award is presented by the Board Game Quest editorial team, a United States-based board game media outlet, to the best board game of the year.
Year Winner Designer Publisher2023Thunder Road: VendettaBrett Myers, Dave ChalkerRestoration Games2022Foundations of RomeEmerson MatsuuchiArcane Wonders2021Oath: Chronicles of Empire and ExileCole WehrleLeder games 2020 Lost Ruins of Arnak Elwen and Mín Czech Games Edition 2019 Wingspan Elizabeth Hargrave Stonemaier Games 2018 Root Cole Wehrle Leder Games 2017 Clans of Caledonia Juma Al-JouJou Karma Games 2016 Terraforming Mars Jacob Fryxelius Stronghold Games 2015 Pandemic Legacy Rob Daviau, Matt Leacock Z-Man Games 2014 Five Tribes Bruno Cathala Days of Wonder 2013 Nations Rustan Håkansson, Nina Håkansson, Einar Rosén, Robert Rosén Lautapelit.fi
Deutscher Spiele Preis Source:
The Deutscher Spiele Preis (German for "German Game Prize") is a prestigious award for board games started in 1990 by the German magazine Die Pöppel-Revue, which collects votes from the industry's stores, magazines, professionals and game clubs. The results are announced every October at the Spiel game fair in Essen, Germany. The Essen Feather is awarded at the same ceremony.
Year Winner Designer(s) Publisher2024Forest ShuffleKoschLookout Games2023Planet UnknownRyan Lambert, Adam RehbergStrohmann Games2022Ark NovaMathias WiggeFeuerland Spiele [de], Campstone Games2021Lost Ruins Of ArnakMín & ElwenCzech Games Edition2020The CrewThomas SingKosmos2019WingspanElizabeth HargraveStonemaier Games2018AzulMichael KieslingPlan B Games2017Terraforming MarsJacob FryxeliusStronghold Games2016MombasaAlexander Pfister 2015 The Voyages of Marco Polo Simone Luciani, Daniele Tascini Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2014 Russian Railroads Helmut Ohley, Leonhard "Lonny" Orgler Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2013 Terra Mystica Jens Drögemüller, Helge Ostertag Feuerland Spiele 2012 Village Inka Brand, Markus Brand Pegasus Spiele 2011 7 Wonders Antoine Bauza Repos Production 2010 Fresco Marcel Süßelbeck, Marco Ruskowski, Wolfgang Panning Queen Games 2009 Dominion Donald X. Vaccarino Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2008 Agricola Uwe Rosenberg Lookout Games 2007 The Pillars of the Earth Michael Rieneck, Stefan Stadler Kosmos 2006 Caylus William Attia Ystari Games 2005 Louis XIV Rüdiger Dorn Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH 2004 Saint Petersburg Bernd Brunnhofer Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2003 Amun-Re Reiner Knizia Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2002 Puerto Rico Andreas Seyfarth Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH 2001 Carcassonne Klaus-Jürgen Wrede Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 2000 Taj Mahal Reiner Knizia alea 1999 Tikal Michael Kiesling, Wolfgang Kramer Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH 1998 Tigris and Euphrates Reiner Knizia Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 1997 Löwenherz Klaus Teuber Goldsieber Spiele 1996 El Grande Richard Ulrich, Wolfgang Kramer Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 1995 The Settlers of Catan Klaus Teuber Franckh 1994 6 nimmt! Wolfgang Kramer AMIGO Spiel + Freizeit GmbH 1993 Modern Art Reiner Knizia Hans im Glück Verlags-GmbH 1992 Flying Dutchman Klaus Teuber Parker Brothers 1991 Master Labyrinth Max J. Kobbert Ravensburger Spieleverlag GmbH 1990 Hoity Toity Klaus Teuber F.X. Schmid
Diamond Climber Awards These are winners of the Diamond Climber Awards, awarded to the best board games of the year by Meeple Mountain, a United States-based board game media outlet. Even though the nominees of 2021 were revealed they haven't announced the winner. No 2022 nominees were given
Year Category Winner Designer(s) Publisher2020Game of the YearCalicoKevin RussFlatout Games2020Best Heavy Strategy / Euro GameOn MarsVital LacerdaEagle-Gryphon Games2020Best Two Player GameThe Shores of TripoliKevin BertramFort Circle Games2020Best Solo GameUnder Falling SkiesTomáš UhlířCzech Games Edition2020Best Co-op GameGloomhaven: Jaws of the LionIsaac ChildresCephalofair Games2020Best Family GameCalicoKevin RussFlatout Games2020Best Light GameVillage GreenPeer SylvesterOsprey Games2020Best ArtworkOn MarsVital LacerdaEagle-Gryphon Games2019Game of the YearWingspanElizabeth HargraveStonemaier Games2019Best Gateway GameTiny TownsPeter McPhersonAlderac Entertainment Group2019Best Family GameTiny TownsPeter McPhersonAlderac Entertainment Group2019Best ArtworkWingspanElizabeth HargraveStonemaier Games2019Best Two Player GameSHŌBUJamie Sajdak, Manolis VranasSmirk & Laughter Games2019Best Thematic GameHorrifiedProspero HallRavensburger Spieleverlag GmbH2019Best RPGStar CrossedAlex RobertsBully Pulpit Games2019Best Light GamePoint SaladMolly Johnson, Robert Melvin, Shawn StankewichAlderac Entertainment Group2019Best Euro GamePaladins of the West KingdomShem PhillipsRenegade Game Studios2019Best Co-op GameHorrifiedProspero HallRavensburger Spieleverlag GmbH2018Game of the YearRootCole WehrleLeder Games2018Best Gateway GameReefEmerson MatsuuchiNext Move Games2018Best Thematic GameWho Goes There?Anthony Coffey, Jesse LabbeCertifiable Studios2018Best Euro GameCoimbraFlaminia Brasini, Virginio Giglieggertspiele2018Best RPGKids on BikesJonathan Gilmour, Doug LevandowskiRenegade Game Studios2018Best Filler GameThe MindWolfgang WarschNürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag2018Best Family GameDrop ItBernhard Lach, Uwe RappKOSMOS2018Best Co-op GameChronicles of CrimeDavid CicurelLucky Duck Games2018Best ArtworkRootCole WehrleLeder Games
Dice Tower Annual Awards The Dice Tower (a website, podcast and video network founded by Tom Vasel) has been announcing awards since 2007.
ENnie Awards
The annual ENnie Awards (previously known as the Gen Con EN World RPG Awards) are annual, fan-based awards for role-playing game products and publishers hosted at Gen Con in Indianapolis, Indiana. The name of the award is derived from the EN World website that hosted the awards from their inception in 2001 until 2018, and retains the name, although is no longer part of EN World. The ENnies were created by Russ Morrissey and Eric Noah and were run and owned by Morrissey until 2018.
Jogo do Ano These are winners of the Jogo do Ano, awarded to the best board games of the year submitted to Spiel Portugal. YearWinnerDesigner(s)Publisher2023CarnegieXavier GeorgesQuined Games2022Imperial SteamAlexander HuemerCapstone Games2021Imperial Struggle Ananda Gupta, Jason MatthewsGMT Game2020BarrageTommaso Battista, Simone LucianiCranio Creations2019RootCole WehrleLeder Games2018LisboaVital LacerdaEagle-Gryphon Games2017Great Western TrailAlexander PfisterStronghold Games2016MombasaAlexander Pfistereggertspiele & Pegasus Spiele2015La GranjaMichael Keller and Andreas OdendahlSpielworxx2014NationsRustan Håkansson, Nina Håkansson, Einar Rosén and Robert RosénLautapelit.fi2012KeyflowerSebastian Bleasdale and Richard BreeseR&D Games2011Ora et LaboraUwe RosenbergLookout Games2010TroyesSébastien Dujardin, Xavier Georges and Alain OrbanZ-Man Games2009MariaRichard SivélHistogame2008AgricolaUwe RosenbergLookout Games2007BrassMartin WallaceEagle-Gryphon Games2006ImperialMac Gerdtseggertspiele
Games magazine
The winners of Games magazine's Game of the Year award are chosen by Games editors.