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 for that same satisfying escapism. Fortunately, numerous board games draw inspiration from popular video games, providing a captivating tabletop experience. Whether you crave an epic campaign or a quick, fun party game, these adaptations will let you continue exploring your favorite worlds, unplugged and untethered.

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

Fallout: The Board Game

$44.49 at Amazon (36% off $69.99) Players: 1-4 Age Range: 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 affecting 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. Immersive and detailed, perfect for extended sessions.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

See it at Contention Games Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 45 minutes

A truly deserving adaptation, Slay the Spire faithfully recreates the digital experience. Players choose a hero and embark on a roguelike deck-building adventure through the Spire. Navigate various rooms: encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasure, a merchant, and the final boss. The roguelike nature ensures countless hours of replayability with different characters, builds, and items. Read our review for more details.

Bloodborne: The Board Game

See it at Amazon Players: 2-4 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 60-90 minutes

Become a Hunter and vanquish the evil plaguing Yharnam. Bloodborne's modular map tiles offer endless replayability. Hundreds of cards, tokens, and miniatures immerse you in this macabre adventure, testing your skills and decision-making as you uncover secrets and fight the plague. Highly detailed miniatures enhance the experience.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

See it at Amazon Players: 1-4 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes

A successful adaptation, Resident Evil 2 sets the standard for Steamforged Games' other Resident Evil titles. Cooperatively play as Leon or Claire, battling zombies and escaping in various scenarios. Collect weapons, items, and keys, evade the undead, and solve puzzles. Even use ink ribbons and typewriters!

Pac-Man: The Board Game

See it at Amazon Players: 2-5 Age Range: 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 four metal tiles require initial setup, but subsequent games are quick. The Pac-Man figure even makes the iconic sound!

Tetris Board Game

See it at Amazon Players: 2-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 20-30 minutes

Another Buffalo Games creation, Tetris is a head-to-head game where players maneuver and drop tetriminos for high scores. The next piece is displayed, allowing strategic planning. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces, and achieving goals. Quick setup and play make it ideal for parties and younger players.

Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants

See it at Amazon Players: 1-3 Age Range: 14+ Play Time: 90-120 minutes

A standalone adventure, Tomb of Giants is perfect for newcomers. Choose a class and gear, navigate the catacombs, battle enemies, and rest at bonfires. Limited actions require careful choices. Faithful to the source material with punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. Includes new characters and cards.

Cuphead: Fast-Rolling Dice Game

$46.88 at Amazon (22% off $59.99) Players: 1-4 Age Range: 8+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes

A fast-paced cooperative game mirroring the digital version. Defeat bosses using dice-based mechanics. Easy setup with a fixed boss deck. Choose from four characters and play through timed rounds. High replay value with score-beating and ability upgrades. Read our review for more.

The Oregon Trail Card Game

See it at Amazon Players: 2-6 Age Range: 12+ Play Time: 30-45 minutes

Dying of dysentery has never been so fun! Cooperatively reach Oregon without perishing. Quick gameplay, but death comes fast from Calamity cards. Challenging and luck-based, win by playing fifty trail cards. A fun recreation of the source material.