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The top 50

Two-player board games

Fifty researched picks for the two-player board games, selected for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

How we choseHead-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
#1

7 Wonders Duel

7 Wonders Duel by Antoine Bauza and Bruno Cathala is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#2

Patchwork

Patchwork by Uwe Rosenberg is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#3

Lost Cities

Lost Cities by Reiner Knizia is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#4

Jaipur

Jaipur by Sébastien Pauchon is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#5

Hive

Hive by John Yianni is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#6

Sky Team

Sky Team by Scorpion Masque is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#7

Splendor Duel

Splendor Duel by Space Cowboys is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#8

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth by Repos Production is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#9

Targi

Targi by Kosmos is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#10

Watergate

Watergate by Capstone Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#11

Twilight Struggle

Twilight Struggle by GMT Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#12

War of the Ring: Second Edition

War of the Ring: Second Edition by Ares Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#13

Star Wars: Rebellion

Star Wars: Rebellion by Fantasy Flight Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#14

Summoner Wars: Second Edition

Summoner Wars: Second Edition by Plaid Hat Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#15

Unmatched: Battle of Legends

Unmatched: Battle of Legends by Restoration Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#16

Radlands

Radlands by Roxley is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#17

Air, Land & Sea

Air, Land & Sea by Arcane Wonders is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#18

Battle Line

Battle Line by GMT Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#19

Schotten Totten

Schotten Totten by IELLO is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#20

Hanamikoji

Hanamikoji by Deep Water Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#21

The Fox in the Forest

The Fox in the Forest by Renegade Game Studios is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#22

Onitama

Onitama by Arcane Wonders is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#23

Santorini

Santorini by Roxley is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#24

Quoridor

Quoridor by Gigamic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#25

Pylos

Pylos by Gigamic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#26

YINSH

YINSH by Huch! is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#27

Chess

Chess by Classic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#28

Go

Go by Classic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#29

Backgammon

Backgammon by Classic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#30

Cribbage

Cribbage by Classic is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#31

Stratego

Stratego by Jumbo is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#32

Othello

Othello by Mattel is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#33

Tak

Tak by Greater Than Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#34

Shobu

Shobu by Smirk & Laughter Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#35

Boop

Boop by Smirk & Laughter Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#36

Beer & Bread

Beer & Bread by Deep Print Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#37

Sobek: 2 Players

Sobek: 2 Players by Pandasaurus Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#38

Caper: Europe

Caper: Europe by Keymaster Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#39

Raptor

Raptor by Matagot is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#40

Mr. Jack

Mr. Jack by Hurrican is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#41

Fog of Love

Fog of Love by Hush Hush Projects is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#42

District Noir

District Noir by Pandasaurus Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#43

Jekyll vs. Hyde

Jekyll vs. Hyde by Mandoo Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#44

Mindbug

Mindbug by Nerdlab Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#45

Riftforce

Riftforce by Capstone Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#46

Undaunted: Normandy

Undaunted: Normandy by Osprey Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#47

Memoir '44

Memoir '44 by Days of Wonder is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#48

Commands & Colors: Ancients

Commands & Colors: Ancients by GMT Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#49

Pagan: Fate of Roanoke

Pagan: Fate of Roanoke by Capstone Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →
#50

Netrunner System Gateway

Netrunner System Gateway by Null Signal Games is a durable board game choice, recognized for head-to-head depth, balance, replayability and setup time.

Why it belongs →

Research starting points

Paired: two-player board game rankings ↗BoardGameGeek rankings ↗BoardGameGeek Rankings ↗