Top Video Game-Themed Board Games Worth Playing

When it's time to step away from screens and digital distractions, board games offer a perfect escape, allowing you to continue indulging in your favorite video game worlds. There's a wide variety of board game adaptations that bring the essence of popular video games to your tabletop. From immersive long-term campaigns to quick-to-setup party games, these selections will keep you engaged in your beloved gaming universes, even when you're taking a break from technology.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Video Game Board Games

Fallout
Slay the Spire
Bloodborne
Resident Evil 2
Pac-Man
Tetris
Dark Souls the Board Game: Tomb of Giants
Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game
The Oregon Trail
Fallout

Fallout: The Board Game

1
$69.99 save 36%
$44.49 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 2-3 hours
With the recent buzz around Amazon's Fallout series, there's no better time to dive into the Wasteland from the comfort of your own home. Begin by selecting from various scenarios, each dictating the map setup. Much like Bethesda's open-world RPGs, you'll explore the map, enhance your skills, battle mutated foes, interact with diverse factions, and undertake quests as you vie for control over the Wasteland. This game is ideal for those seeking a deep, detailed experience that can span multiple sessions.

Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

9
See it at Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 45 minutes
Arguably the most fitting video game to be adapted into a board game, Slay the Spire lets you embody one of its heroes as you ascend the Spire in a Roguelike deck-building adventure. Mirroring its digital counterpart, players will navigate through various rooms, each offering unique challenges: from regular enemy encounters to elite battles, event-driven scenarios, campfires, treasure hunts, merchant interactions, and boss confrontations. With the inherent replayability of Roguelikes, Slay the Spire promises endless hours of strategic fun as you experiment with different characters, builds, and items.

You can read our Slay the Spire: The Board Game review for more insights on this engaging game.

Bloodborne

Bloodborne: The Board Game

1
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 60-90 minutes
In Bloodborne: The Board Game, you step into the shoes of a Hunter, tasked with eradicating the evil plaguing Yharnam. As a campaign game, it offers endless replay value with its modular map tiles ensuring each session is unique. With an extensive array of cards, tokens, and detailed miniatures, this game challenges your skill and decision-making as you unravel the mystery of the relentless plague and strive to end it. The highly detailed miniatures enhance the immersive experience, making you feel truly part of the dark adventure.

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

1
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
The success of the Resident Evil 2 board game adaptation opened the door for similar experiences based on the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. However, Resident Evil 2 remains a standout. True to the source material, players cooperate as either Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, fighting through zombie hordes to escape in various scenarios. Gather weapons, healing items, and keys as you navigate the environment, dodge undead threats, and solve puzzles. Enhance your experience with the iconic ink ribbons and typewriters, which can significantly impact your gameplay.

PAC-MAN

Pac-Man: The Board Game

0
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age Range: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes
From Buffalo Games, the classic arcade game makes a triumphant return to the tabletop. Playable in both cooperative and competitive modes, the player controlling Pac-Man aims to navigate the maze, eat pellets, and collect fruit, while those playing as ghosts try to catch or avoid Pac-Man. The game board consists of four metal tiles that require initial setup, but subsequent games are quick to start. The electronic Pac-Man figure even adds to the nostalgia with its iconic "waka waka" sound!

Tetris

Tetris Board Game

1
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes
Also from Buffalo Games, the Tetris board game pits players against each other in a competitive match where you maneuver, rotate, and drop tetriminos to score the highest points. Just like the video game, the next piece is visible, represented by a card, allowing for strategic planning. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces to symbols on your tower, and achieving specific goals. Its quick setup and playtime make it an excellent choice for parties and younger players.

Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants

Dark Souls The Board Game: Tomb of Giants

1
See it at Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age Range: 14+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes
Originally planned as an expansion for the Dark Souls board game Kickstarter, the Tomb of Giants core set is a standalone adventure perfect for newcomers. Named after the notorious location from the video games, players choose a class and gear before navigating the catacombs, facing skeleton archers, and resting at bonfires. With limited actions, strategic choices are crucial. This game stays true to its source with its challenging combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. It also introduces new characters and over a hundred new cards, all compatible with existing Dark Souls board game products.

Cuphead: Fast-Rolling Dice Game

Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game

3
$59.99 save 22%
$46.88 at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age Range: 8+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Mirroring its digital counterpart, Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game is a fast-paced cooperative experience where players aim to defeat bosses using dice mechanics. The setup is straightforward, with the boss deck structure remaining constant. Choose from four characters: Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle, and engage in multiple rounds across five phases, setting up attacks and confronting the boss. With timed rounds, careful dice selection is key. The game offers high replay value, allowing you to improve your score and upgrade abilities for future runs. Check out our Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game review for more details.

The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail Card Game

0
See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age Range: 12+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
Dying of dysentery has never been more entertaining. In this quick-to-setup card game, players collaborate to reach Oregon without succumbing to various calamities. The game is fast-paced and luck-driven, with victory achieved by playing fifty trail cards. However, if a player dies on the first turn—a frequent occurrence—they must sit out until the party either wins or all perish. Despite this, it's a fun and faithful recreation of the source material, sure to elicit plenty of laughs.