These eight board games for adults cover trivia, word magnets, social deduction, a murder mystery and other table games. The listings give ages 14 and up for five picks, 17 years and up for Ransom Notes, 18 years and up for Fk. The Game, and 18 to 20 years for Cards Against Humanity. Our best board games guide covers the all ages list.
Best board game for adults overall: Scythe
Best board game for adults overall: Scythe, because you build mechs, work the land and explore a mysterious factory in an alternate history 1920s Europe, for one to five players.
The listing sets a time of unrest in 1920s Europa, where The Factory has closed its doors and you lead a faction while protecting its territory. The listing credits Jakub Różalski's artwork. Its specification table gives 14 years and up and 115 minutes. It holds 4.8 stars from more than 5,200 ratings, the highest score on this page; the count may pool editions.
It suits fans of the setting and solo players, since the listing counts one. The honest catch: the listed play time is 115 minutes, so allow for that when choosing a game night.
Best trivia game for adults: I Should Have Known That
Best trivia game for adults: I Should Have Known That by Hygge Games, because it packs over 400 questions about things you should know into one box for two or more players.
The listing calls it an addictively entertaining trivia game, for ages 14 and up, in a package of about 15 by 15 by 5 cm. It holds 4.5 stars from more than 33,600 ratings, the biggest count here, though it may pool colour versions of the same game.
It suits a couple or a group, since two can play. The honest catch: its 4.5 rating is the lowest on this page, and the listing does not say how long a game takes.
Best party game for adults: Ransom Notes
Best party game for adults: Ransom Notes, because three to six players build hilariously terrible sentences from word magnets, with 250 prompt cards and a new pool of words every game.
The listing describes a creative party game ending at a predetermined number of rounds, with the most points winning. Its specification table gives 17 years and up and a playing time of 30 minutes. It holds 4.6 stars from more than 8,800 ratings, which may pool versions.
It suits friends who like word games. The honest catch: it needs at least three players, so it is not a game for two, and its listed age leaves younger teenagers out.
Best murder mystery game night: Crime Scene by Hidden Games
Best murder mystery game night: Crime Scene by Hidden Games, because its case file includes photos, chat logs, suspect interviews and voicemails, with real phone calls and secret websites in the story.
The bullets describe more than 30 pieces of physical and digital evidence, solo or group play for one to four or more players, and approximately 1.5 to 3 hours with pauses allowed. The specification table says one to six players, 150 minutes and 14 years and up. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 10,300 ratings pooled across Hidden Games cases.
It suits couples and groups who enjoy solving a case. The honest catch: the title names The Barridale Case while the bullets describe The New Haven Case, so check which case you are choosing.
Best social deduction game: The Chameleon
Best social deduction game: The Chameleon by Big Potato, because the listing calls it easy to learn and quick to play, with 56 cards, two dice and a giant dry wipe topic card for three to eight players.
The listing describes a social deduction board game, with a marker also included. Its title gives ages 14 and up and its specification table lists 15 minutes. It holds 4.7 stars from more than 2,900 ratings, which may pool editions.
It suits a group looking for a game described as easy to learn. The honest catch: it needs at least three players, so choose another pick for a couple.
Best for big groups: Wavelength
Best for big groups: Wavelength by CMYK, because the listing gives two to twelve players and describes simple rules that are easy to play.
The title names a strategy board game for ages 14 and up; the bullets describe strategy and skill, and the specification table lists 30 minutes. It holds 4.6 stars from nearly 5,000 ratings, which may pool editions.
It suits a group whose numbers change between game nights. The honest catch: the listing gives twelve as its upper player count, so count your group before choosing.
Best value party game: Fk. The Game
Best value party game: Fk. The Game, because this Australian designed deck uses the Stroop effect in a loud group game with four rules for two to eight players.
The listing describes an active, chaotic game. Its rules say: black text, say the background colour; coloured text, say the colour of the text; swear word, say it aloud; on the F card, never say the word and apply the colour rules. There are 60 cards across seven colours. Its specification table gives two to eight players, 18 years and up and 15 minutes. It holds 4.6 stars from nearly 4,000 ratings.
It suits pub nights, camping trips and holiday houses, settings the listing names. The honest catch: it is built on swearing; the listing says any card that feels too strong can be pulled out before play.
Best for a rude night in: Cards Against Humanity Australian Edition
Best for a rude night in: Cards Against Humanity Australian Edition, because it is the main 550 card game in an Australian Edition, and the listing says to buy this first.
The listing describes 460 white and 90 black cards, adapted from the original American edition. The specification table lists 18 to 20 years and a player count of 20. It holds 4.7 stars from only 225 ratings on this edition, the thinnest count here.
It suits someone who wants the Australian edition of the main game. The honest catch: only 225 ratings sit on this edition, and the listed age is 18 to 20 years. The Chameleon and I Should Have Known That list ages 14 and up.
How to choose a board game for adults
Count your players first
Use each listing's player count. Scythe says one to five, trivia two or more, Wavelength two to twelve, The Chameleon three to eight, Fk. The Game two to eight and Ransom Notes three to six. Crime Scene's bullets say one to four or more; its table says one to six. Cards Against Humanity's table lists 20. Our 2 player board games guide compares more choices for couples.
Check the listed age
Scythe, I Should Have Known That, Crime Scene, The Chameleon and Wavelength list ages 14 and up. Ransom Notes says 17 years and up, Fk. The Game 18 years and up, and Cards Against Humanity 18 to 20 years. Keep those different recommendations in mind for a table with teenagers.
Setting, strategy, trivia, party or mystery
Scythe gives you a faction to lead in an alternate history setting. Wavelength is listed as a strategy game. I Should Have Known That offers trivia, Ransom Notes word magnets, The Chameleon social deduction and Crime Scene a case to solve. Fk. The Game and Cards Against Humanity are card decks; our card games guide compares more.
How long you want to play
The specification tables give 115 minutes for Scythe, 30 minutes for Ransom Notes and Wavelength, and 15 minutes for The Chameleon and Fk. The Game. Crime Scene's bullets give approximately 1.5 to 3 hours and allow pauses; its table gives 150 minutes. Fk.'s two minute rule explanation is separate from its playing time.
The picks side by side
Times below come from each listing's specification table unless the cell says otherwise. Where the listing gives different player counts, both are shown.
| Game | Players | Age as listed | Play time | Listing features | Rating |
|---|
| Scythe | 1 to 5, bullets | 14 years and up | 115 minutes | Mechs, factions, factory | 4.8 from 5,245 |
| I Should Have Known That | 2 or more | 14 and up | The listing does not say | Over 400 questions | 4.5 from 33,605 |
| Ransom Notes | 3 to 6 | 17 years and up | 30 minutes; bullets say set rounds | 250 prompt cards, word pool | 4.6 from 8,811 |
| Crime Scene | 1 to 4 or more, bullets; 1 to 6, table | 14 years and up | 150 minutes; bullets say approximately 1.5 to 3 hours | 30 plus pieces of evidence | 4.7 from 10,332 |
| The Chameleon | 3 to 8 | 14 and up | 15 minutes | 56 cards, 2 dice, topic card, marker | 4.7 from 2,942 |
| Wavelength | 2 to 12 | 14 and up | 30 minutes | Strategy and skill | 4.6 from 4,997 |
| Fk. The Game | 2 to 8 | 18 years and up | 15 minutes | 60 cards, 7 colours | 4.6 from 3,978 |
| Cards Against Humanity | 20, specification table | 18 to 20 years | The listing does not say | 550 cards, 460 white, 90 black | 4.7 from 225 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular board games for adults in Australia?
By Amazon Australia rating counts, I Should Have Known That is the most popular adult game here with more than 33,600 ratings, then Crime Scene with more than 10,300 and Ransom Notes with more than 8,800. Scythe has fewer ratings but the highest score, 4.8 stars from more than 5,200.
What is the number one board game for adults?
There is no single number one, because different groups want different games. On this page the top rated adult game is Scythe at 4.8 stars, a board game for one to five players, and the most rated by far is I Should Have Known That, with over 400 trivia questions.
What are the best board games for adults with 2 players, or for couples?
Five picks here play with two. Scythe plays one to five, I Should Have Known That two or more, Wavelength two to twelve and Fk. The Game two to eight. Crime Scene plays solo or as a group, and its listing names couples and date nights. Our 2 player guide compares more options.
What are good board games for teenagers and adults to play together?
Scythe, I Should Have Known That, Crime Scene, The Chameleon and Wavelength list ages 14 and up. The Chameleon listing calls it easy to learn and quick to play. Ransom Notes lists 17 years and up; Fk. The Game lists 18 years and up; Cards Against Humanity lists 18 to 20 years.
What is the best board game to give an adult as a gift?
Crime Scene suits a mystery fan: its listing names couples and date nights, with real phone calls and websites in the story. Ransom Notes suits a friend who hosts three to six players, and Scythe suits a fan of its alternate history setting. Cards Against Humanity is an option for someone who wants the Australian edition.
Which board games work for a big group of adults?
Wavelength lists two to twelve players. The Chameleon and Fk. The Game both go to eight, and Ransom Notes to six. I Should Have Known That says two or more. For a crowd that wants a loud game, Fk. The Game has four rules; Wavelength lists strategy and skill with simple rules.
Are Cards Against Humanity and Fk. The Game suitable for a family game night?
No. Both are adults only by their listings, Fk. The Game at 18 years and up and Cards Against Humanity at 18 to 20 years, and Fk. The Game is built on swearing. For a family table with older teenagers, The Chameleon and I Should Have Known That are listed for ages 14 and up.
How long does a board game for adults take to play?
The specification tables list Scythe at 115 minutes, Ransom Notes and Wavelength at 30 minutes, and The Chameleon and Fk. The Game at 15 minutes. Crime Scene's bullets give approximately 1.5 to 3 hours and let you pause and continue later; its specification table gives 150 minutes.
Which board games for adults are the top rated?
Scythe leads at 4.8 stars from more than 5,200 ratings. Crime Scene, The Chameleon and Cards Against Humanity all sit at 4.7, though the Cards Against Humanity count is only 225. Ransom Notes, Wavelength and Fk. The Game hold 4.6, and I Should Have Known That 4.5 from the biggest count here.
