Where do you start building your board game collection to dive into this incredibly engaging hobby? Or which exciting board game should you add to an existing collection?
Gallu the Rooster presents a Top 10 list of the most iconic board games, proven not just by player and critic ratings but also by the test of time.
The order here reflects our personal opinion, and it’s up to you to decide which of these games is the coolest and deserves the most attention. We’ve simply selected board games that have truly become legendary.
1. Ticket to Ride: Europe
A hugely popular board game that suits absolutely everyone. Designed by Alan R. Moon back in 2005, it captivates adults and kids alike, appealing to fans of complex strategies and newcomers to the board gaming world.
The "Ticket to Ride" series now includes numerous additional maps, expansions, and standalone games with this mechanic. Even as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the series remains in the Top 100 family board games on "Board Game Geek" and boasts an impressive array of awards and nominations.
The gameplay of "Ticket to Ride: Europe" is straightforward and doesn’t require lengthy rule explanations. Each player has route cards visible only to them, listing two cities they must connect with railway tracks to earn victory points. This is where the battle of wits, tactics, and psychology begins… How do you build your route while thwarting your rivals? Which city connections should you claim first? That said, you can also play peacefully, helping rather than hindering others—a great option for playing with kids, who’ll be thrilled by the colorful train cars.
2. Carcassonne
A family tile-placement board game, first introduced in 2000 by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede. Over the years, it’s become a classic in the board gaming world, earning numerous nominations and awards.
For 2 to 5 players, you take on the role of medieval feudal lords, building up the landscape with roads, cities, monasteries, and fields around the famous Carcassonne castle in France. Place your travelers, knights, monks, and farmers wisely to claim victory!
With simple, logical rules explained in just 5 minutes, it’s easy to introduce to kids or adults new to board games. The game shines differently depending on player count: a tense intellectual duel with 2 players, or a light family gateway with 3 to 5, blending strategy, logic, and a touch of luck.
"Carcassonne" is recommended for both beginners and seasoned players. Trust us—even the most experienced board gamer who hasn’t tried it will fall head over heels for this game.
3. Munchkin
A humorous card game parodying dungeon-crawling RPGs, complete with character leveling, races, and classes. Created in 2001 by renowned designer Steve Jackson and illustrator John Kovalic, it’s become legendary, selling over 100 million copies worldwide and translated into 16 languages.
Descend into the dungeon, kick down doors, and slay anything that moves (or run for your life). Betray your friends, steal their gear, grab treasures, and bolt!
"Munchkin" lets you dive into the RPG world without tedious rules or long texts—just humor and fun! Don your Latex Armor, wield a Gentleman’s Cane, sip a Beneficial Brew, and take on the Legless Pony or the Bullrog. But watch out—your friends are waiting to sabotage you with extra monsters, curses, or last-second buffs to your foes just when victory’s in sight. Isn’t that a blast?
4. Citadels
A strategic kingdom-building game with hidden roles and bluffing, first released in 2000 by famed designer Bruno Faidutti. It’s since become a legendary and globally beloved classic.
From 2 to 8 architects compete to build the grandest medieval city. Gold is key to construction, and you’ll enlist "influential figures" like assassins, emperors, or witches to help gather coins and erect buildings. Each round, you hire a new character, keeping their identity secret as others guess your moves...
Galu Shop offers the latest updated edition of "Citadels," which includes:
- The "Citadels: The Dark City" expansion.
- Nine new characters (27 total!) and thirty unique building districts.
- Plastic coins and a 3D crown, with a more cartoonish, approachable card design.
- Six new character and district combinations in the rules for fresh gameplay modes (or mix your own).
- Rebalanced characters and districts from the classic version for improved play.
5. Saboteur (Anniversary Edition)
A fast-paced card game for groups with hidden roles and tile placement, created in 2004 by Fréderic Moyersoen. It skyrocketed to popularity, even inspiring world championships where players receive exclusive cards annually.
Gnomes love gold and toil tirelessly. Armed with pickaxes and lanterns, they dig endless mine tunnels until they strike a nugget. Then they hide it and keep digging. But among them lurk saboteurs—gnomes in disguise who aim to steal the loot with minimal effort.
Galu Shop stocks the 20th-anniversary edition, which includes the base game, the "Saboteur 2" expansion, three mini-expansions, eight special championship cards from 2016–2023, and two new mini-expansions: "New Goals" and "Treasure Chests." The box design mimics a royal blue treasure-book with gold embossing, staying compact despite housing 210 cards and tons of tokens.
6. Small World
A family strategy game with area control and simple rules, where you vie for space in a fantasy world of quirky races. Designed by Philippe Keyaerts in 2009, it ranks in the Top 100 family games on "Board Game Geek" and is his most successful title.
A bestseller since launch, it’s spawned about 18 expansions with new races, maps, and stories. Critics and players adore it, with awards like "Gra Roku 2013 Game of the Year," "2010 Games Magazine Game of the Year," and "2009 Meeples’ Choice Award."
A classic that shifts with player count: a deep economic strategy for two, or a chaotic, fun free-for-all with more.
7. 7 Wonders (2nd Edition)
A strategic card game, first released in 2010 by Antoine Bauza. With over a million copies sold and 30 international awards, it ranks 16th among family games on "Board Game Geek."
The 2020 second edition features a color palette optimized for colorblind players, enhanced design, and updated illustrations.
Three to seven players lead ancient cities through three eras, developing them with trade, science, military campaigns, and wondrous monuments.
For a simple, balanced game for family nights or big groups, this is a must-have. For two players, check out the dueling masterpiece "7 Wonders: Duel".
8. Dixit
Arguably the best association game for groups, created in 2008 by Jean-Louis Roubira with stunning art by Marie Cardouat. It ranks in the Top 50 party games on "Board Game Geek," with countless awards and over 10 million copies sold worldwide.
The latest edition includes a scoring board, refreshed design, and support for up to eight players.
Enjoy association fun with 3 to 8 players—open the box and spend quality time with family or friends, sparked by vibrant, imaginative cards. Perfect for unforgettable evenings with grandparents and grandkids.
9. Brass: Birmingham
A deep Eurogame with resource management, crafted by Martin Wallace. The original "Brass" debuted in 2007, but the 2017 "Brass: Lancashire" revamp soared to the top of "Board Game Geek" (20th as of 2024). Then, in 2018, "Brass: Birmingham" claimed the #1 spot among all board games.
Set in Britain’s Industrial Revolution (1770–1870) in West Midlands, you’ll build an industrial empire in Birmingham, managing logistics, production, sales, loans, and exploration.
The rules seem simple at first but are packed with mechanics and nuances. Expect 2–3-hour sessions across two eras: canals and railways, with 8–10 rounds each.
10. Wingspan
A family strategy game with engine-building and gorgeous components from Stonemaier Games. Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave in 2019, with 170 bird cards illustrated by Beth Sobel, Natalia Rojas, and Ana María Martínez, it soared to the top of "Board Game Geek" and won "Spiel des Jahres" Expert Game of the Year, among other honors.
For 1 to 5 players over four rounds, attract and breed birds in your reserve, leveraging their abilities to create an engine across habitats—forests, fields, or wetlands—for points.
A mossy birdhouse, wooden eggs, vibrant boards, unique dice, and bird cards with descriptions captivate everyone. Solo mode adds another feather in its cap.
All these legendary games are available in Ukrainian at Gallu.com.ua. Pick your favorite, and we’ll ship it to you across Ukraine or abroad.
