I love organising a game night with my friends. And enjoy looking for something a little more engaging and stimulating. So I’ve put together a list of my popular board games for adults that offer a unique blend of strategy and conversation, making them perfect for couples or friends who want to connect on a deeper level and a side benefit of stress reduction.
Forget the predictable movie nights and dinners. With these popular board games for adults, you can unleash your competitive spirit, explore new ideas, and laugh until your sides hurt, all while enjoying each other’s company. Looking for tips on hosting a successful game next? Read this article here.
- 14+
- 30-45 mins
- 2-4 players
- Cooperative, Tile Placement
What is Forbidden Island?
Forbidden Island is a cooperative board game where players work as a team of adventurers racing to collect four sacred treasures before the island sinks beneath the waves.
Your team of fearless explorers will dive into the adventure of Forbidden Island, where danger rises with every move. Work together to recover four sacred treasures from a crumbling island that sinks with every step. Strategy, quick decisions, and teamwork are your only hope — can you grab the treasures and escape before the island disappears beneath the waves?
What is the purpose of Forbidden Island?
Players take turns moving around the island, collecting treasures, and avoiding the rising water level. The game ends when all four treasures are collected or when the island is completely submerged.
Why Adults Enjoy it
Forbidden Island offers a thrilling cooperative experience where you and your partner must work together to overcome challenges. The pressure of the sinking island adds a sense of urgency, and the teamwork required to succeed creates a unique bond.
FAQ’s
Q. Is Forbidden Island a good game?
A. This is very popular amongst gamers who like lighter games and cooperative play.
Q. What age is Forbidden Island for?
A. Aged for 10 years plus. Some say they play with children as young as 7 years.
Q. Is Forbidden Island easy to learn?
A. Yes, this game caters to beginners and light gamers because it is easy to learn.
- 14+
- 15-20 mins
- 4-8 players (at least 2 per team)
- Word Association, Deduction
What is Codenames About?
Codenames is a team-based word guessing game where players try to identify their agents using clever, one-word clues—while avoiding the deadly assassin.
Overview of Codenames
Players take turns being the “spymaster,” giving one-word clues related to the agent words on the board. Their partner must then deduce which agents are being referred to.
Why It’s Perfect for Board Game for Adults: Codenames: Duet is a fantastic game for couples who love to test their communication skills and mental agility. The game requires you to think creatively and strategically while also relying on your partner’s intuition and understanding.
How to play Codenames
The Goal: Identify all your agents (codenames) on the board before the opposing team (the assassins) are found.
The Board: The game board features a grid of 25 cards, each with a word representing a secret agent. There are also cards representing the assassins and the innocent bystanders.
The Spymaster: One player takes on the role of the spymaster. They receive a set of clue cards, each with a word and a number.
The Clues: The spymaster gives one-word clues to their partner, trying to connect the clue to multiple agent cards on the board. The number on the clue card indicates how many agent cards the clue applies to.
The Guesser: The other player, the guesser, tries to identify the agent cards based on the spymaster’s clues. They can guess as many cards as they like, but they must be careful not to guess an assassin card.
The Win: The players win if they successfully identify all their agents before finding any assassins.
Codenames Duet is a game of teamwork, communication, and word association. It’s a fun board game for couples, friends, and anyone who enjoys a cooperative game that’s both fun and challenging.
FAQ’s
Q. Is Codenames a good game for kids?
A. It is rated for 10 years and up, purely because of the word association aspect of the game.
Q. Is there a kids version of Codenames?
A. There is a Disney Codenames, Family Edition, which is rated for children from 8 years and above.
Q. Is there an adult version of Codenames?
A. Yes, there is Codenames: Deep Undercover for ages 18+, and for 4-6 players.
- 12+
- 20-30 mins
- 3-8 players
What is the Chameleon About?
A Hillarious social deduction party game where one player is secretly faking it and everyone else is trying to catch them out. The catch is the person who is faking it doesn’t know the secret word so they are trying to blend in and not get caught.
Overview of The Chameleon
One player is secretly assigned the role of the Chameleon. All of the other players are given a secret word. The Chameleon tries to guess that word by asking questions and observing the other players’ reactions.
Meanwhile, the other players try to identify the Chameleon by listening to their answers and observing their behavior.
Trying to find the right mix is all part of this hilarious board game. Too vague and people think you’re the Chameleon, or make it too obvious and you give the word away.
Why It’s Perfect Board Games for Adults
The Chameleon is a hilarious and engaging board game for adults that’s perfect for couples who love a good mystery and a little bit of playful deception. The social deduction element adds a layer of intrigue, while the playful nature of the game makes it a great way to break the ice and have some laughs.
- 14+
- 15-20 mins
- 2-6 players
What is Coup About
Coup is a quick bluffing game where players use hidden roles to gain power and eliminate opponents. You can lie about your role to take powerful actions—but if someone calls your bluff and you’re wrong, you lose. Fast, tense, and perfect for 2–6 players who like deception and bold plays
How to Play Coup
Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, everyone takes turns going clockwise around the table. On your turn, choose one action from the list below. Each action involves a bit of strategy — and sometimes a little bluffing.
Actions You Can Take in Coup
Income – Take 1 coin from the bank.
Safe move — no one can block or challenge this.
Foreign Aid – Take 2 coins from the bank.
This can’t be challenged, but another player can block it if they claim to be the Duke.
Coup – Spend 7 coins to force a player to lose one Influence card.
This move can’t be blocked or challenged. If you start your turn with 10 or more coins, you must take this action.
Tax (as the Duke) – Claim the Duke and take 3 coins from the bank.
Other players can challenge this.
Assassinate (as the Assassin) – Spend 3 coins to make another player give up an Influence card.
Can be challenged. Can also be blocked if the player claims to be the Contessa.
Steal (as the Captain) – Take 2 coins from another player.
Can be challenged. Can also be blocked by a Captain or Ambassador.
Swap Influence (as the Ambassador) – Take 2 cards from the deck, look at them, and swap with your current cards if you want. Then, return any two cards to the deck and shuffle it.
Can be challenged. This action can’t be blocked.
Blocking Actions
Some actions can be blocked by players who claim to have a certain character. If blocked:
The action doesn’t happen.
The player who tried it doesn’t get another turn.
The acting player can choose to challenge the block.
Challenging
If a player claims they can take an action (or block one), any other player can say:
“I don’t believe you!”
That’s a Challenge.
The challenged player must prove they have the right character by showing the card.
If they do:
They show the card, then shuffle it back into the deck and draw a new one.
The challenger loses and must flip over one of their own Influence cards.
If they don’t have the right card:
They lose the Challenge and flip over one of their own cards.
Losing a Challenge or Influence
If you lose a Challenge, turn one of your Influence cards face-up for everyone to see.
If you lose an Influence (from a Coup or Assassination), you choose which card to reveal.
If both of your Influence cards are revealed, you’re out of the game.
Why its a popular board game for Adults
Coup is a fun board game of deception and strategy that’s perfect for couples who enjoy a little bit of psychological warfare. The game requires you to read your opponent’s body language and actions while also trying to keep your own intentions hidden.
- 7+
- 15-20 mins
- 2-5 players
What is Sushi Go About?
Sushi Go! is a fast-paced, short card-drafting game for 2-5 players where you try to score points by collecting sets of sushi cards. The game is played over three rounds, with players drafting cards from a shared deck and then scoring at the end of each round. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Overview
Players take turns drafting cards from a shared pool of 108 cards, creating their own sets of sushi dishes.
This is a no-turn-taking game where you complete three rounds to create the best dishes. Each turn, players choose 1 card from their hand that they would like to keep. This card is placed face down in front of them until all players have selected their chosen card.
After each player has placed their card face down, everyone turns their card over and passes the rest of their hand to the person to the left.
You pick up this hand and begin chose another card. At the end of the round, you score these cards.
Points are awarded for completing sets and for having the most of certain types of sushi.
Why It’s Perfect for Adults
Sushi Go is a quick and easy-to-learn card game that’s perfect for couples who want a lighthearted and fun experience. The card game is full of adorable sushi illustrations and offers a surprising amount of strategic depth, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
Looking for a different version? Check out Sushi Go Party!
- 10+
- 30-45 mins
- 1-4 players
What is Harmonies About?
In Harmonies, each player develops their own landscape by placing hexagonal tiles representing natural elements like trees, mountains, and water on their personal board. The goal is to create habitats that attract animals. These cards specify the terrain combinations required to settle animals, and players earn points by fulfilling these requirements.
Points are awarded based on the number of animals settled and the completion of specific terrain patterns.
The game boasts a stunning visual appeal, featuring 120 wooden tokens and 42 beautifully illustrated animal cards.
Gameplay Mechanics
Harmonies combines elements of open drafting, pattern building, and tile placement. On a players turn you must take tokens off the central board and place them on your board (on any place).
However, you are aiming to complete patterns that fulfill animal card requirements (the bottom of the animal card outlines which pattern to make for that animal). Animal cards are taken on your turn, and you can only take one at a time.
Once you have completed that pattern, you may place a cube on top of that wooden tile on your personal board, giving you points.
The game also includes a solo mode and an expert mode, introducing “spirits of nature” that add complexity and strategic depth.
Objective of Harmonies
The primary objective is to earn the most victory points by strategically creating landscapes that support diverse animal habitats.
Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a casual gamer, Harmonies offers a peaceful yet engaging experience that challenges your planning and spatial reasoning skills.
If you want that great relief of endorphins, how about some fabulous laugh-out-loud board games? Laughter brings serotonin relief. And in return can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. One of my favorite laugh-out-loud party games with friends is Cranium, or read our article on party games for adults here.
An award-winning card game recently released that is becoming super popular is a Russian Roulette-type game with a hit-or-stay motion- Flip 7.
Head over to our Adults Page for loads more options.
