The Best Board Games Based on Video Games That Are Actually Worth Playing

When the screen's glare becomes too much, and you need a break from the digital world, board games offer a fantastic alternative. They provide that same satisfying escapism and competitive drive, but in a tactile, unplugged experience. Fortunately, numerous board games draw inspiration from beloved video games, offering a unique blend of familiar worlds and tabletop gameplay. Whether you crave an epic campaign or a quick party game, these adaptations let you continue your adventures offline.

TL;DR – Top 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: The Board Game

Price: $44.49 (36% off at Amazon)
Players: 1-4
Age: 14+
Play Time: 2-3 hours

Following the success of Amazon's Fallout series, explore the Wasteland from your kitchen table. Choose from various scenarios impacting map setup. Like Bethesda's RPGs, you'll uncover the map, develop skills, battle enemies, interact with factions, and complete quests, vying for Wasteland control. Highly immersive and detailed, perfect for extended sessions.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

Availability: Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
Play Time: 45 minutes

A truly deserving board game adaptation, Slay the Spire faithfully recreates the digital experience. Players choose a hero and embark on a Roguelike deck-building ascent of the Spire. Navigate various rooms—encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasure, a merchant, and the final boss—each with unique challenges. The Roguelike nature ensures countless hours of replayability with varied characters, builds, and items.

Bloodborne: The Board Game

Availability: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age: 14+
Play Time: 60-90 minutes

Become a Hunter and battle the evil plaguing Yharnam. As a campaign game, Bloodborne offers high replayability thanks to modular map tiles. Hundreds of cards, tokens, and miniatures create an immersive, macabre adventure testing skill and decision-making as you uncover secrets and fight the plague. The detailed miniatures enhance the immersive experience.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

Availability: Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes

A successful adaptation, Resident Evil 2 sets the standard for Steamforged Games' Resident Evil series. Cooperatively play as Leon or Claire, battling zombies and escaping in multiple scenarios. Collect weapons, items, and keys, navigating the environment, evading the undead, and solving puzzles. Even the ink ribbons and typewriters from the game are included!

Pac-Man: The Board Game

Availability: Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age: 10+
Play Time: 30 minutes

Buffalo Games brings the arcade classic to the table. Play cooperatively or competitively. Pac-Man navigates the maze, eating pellets and fruit, while ghost players try to catch him. The game uses four metal tiles, requiring initial setup, but subsequent games are quick to start. The Pac-Man figure even makes the iconic "waka waka" sound!

Tetris Board Game

Availability: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age: 8+
Play Time: 20-30 minutes

Another Buffalo Games creation, Tetris is a head-to-head game where players maneuver and drop Tetriminos for the highest score. The next piece is displayed, allowing strategic planning. Points are earned by completing lines, matching symbols, and achieving specific goals. Quick setup and playtime make it ideal for parties and younger players.

Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants

Availability: Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age: 14+
Play Time: 90-120 minutes

A standalone adventure perfect for newcomers, Tomb of Giants is faithful to the source material. Choose a class and gear, navigate the catacombs, battle enemies, and rest at bonfires. Limited actions require careful choices. Punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system, are key features. New characters and over a hundred cards are included.

Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game

Price: $46.88 (22% off at Amazon)
Players: 1-4
Age: 8+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes

A fast-paced cooperative game mirroring the digital version. Players defeat bosses using dice-based mechanics. Setup is easy, with a fixed boss deck. Choose from Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, or Elder Kettle. Timed rounds require careful dice rolls. High replayability allows score improvement and ability upgrades.

The Oregon Trail Card Game

Availability: Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age: 12+
Play Time: 30-45 minutes

Reach Oregon without dying of dysentery! This quick card game involves players working together. Death comes quickly and often from Calamity cards. The challenge is oddly compelling, and luck plays a significant role. Win by playing fifty Trail cards. A fun recreation of the original, sure to elicit laughs.