2024 was jam-packed with new board games making all the buzz. We also saw several older titles prove their staying power. Did anything in your collection or wishlist show up on the Best Selling Board Games of 2024 list? Let’s dive in and find out!

As a note, the data used to create this list is sourced exclusively from GameNerdz.com. It focuses on the number of board games sold rather than the revenue generated. Nerdz Day and Deal of the Day sales have been excluded for the purposes of this list.    

20. Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game - Clone Wars Edition

Following the massive success of the first Star Wars Deckbuilding Game, Fantasy Flight doubled down, saying, "Let’s do it again!" This time, the Clone Wars Edition builds on the experience as a standalone game while offering the option to combine it with the original for the ultimate Star Wars showdown. With its iconic IP and accessible open-drafting mechanics, this top-tier deckbuilding game continues to impress—and we’re excited to see what’s next!

19. Knarr

Setting sail on the high seas is no easy feat, so you’ll need a capable crew to back you up! Knarr is a fast-paced, open-drafting game that places you in command of your own Viking ship. Your mission? Recruit a strong crew, explore new territories, and expand your influence faster than your rivals. Winner of the 2024 Geek Media Awards Game of the Year for Beginners, Knarr is making waves and securing Pandasaurus their first (spoiler) spot on the 2024 Best Selling Board Games list.

18. Sky Team

Sky Team, winner of the 2024 Spiel des Jahres, has solidified its status as a "must-play" game for years to come. This fast-paced, 2-player flight simulator challenges you and your partner to work in perfect harmony without speaking. You'll manage speed, deploy flaps, operate landing gear, and even sip a cup of coffee to stay sharp—all while executing expertly coordinated actions. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Spoiler: it’s just as challenging as it sounds. Safe travels!

17. Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs

How in the world did Cephalofair Games fit all of this game in a box that fits in the palm of your hand? Wait, don’t answer that. It won’t change the fact that Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs brings everything you love about the franchise into a digestible solo experience. With multiple characters to choose from, a “choices matter” campaign, and the world's cutest minis, it’s no wonder Buttons & Bugs pushed into the top 20.

16. Foundations of Metropolis

Build! Build I say! Foundations of Metropolis adopts many of the same mechanics that were established in Foundations of Rome, but stands alone in its own right. If you enjoy polyomino pieces and building prestigious cities while managing your resources, then you’re the reason why we find this Arcane Wonders masterpiece at 16th place!

15. Witchcraft!

It’s fittingly ironic that a solitary solo game made it to this year’s Best Sellers list, yet playing Witchcraft! is anything but lonely. In the game, you build a coven of witches to fight by your side, and by the end, it feels like you’ve found a new family. Released at the height of the spooky season, Witchcraft! perfectly captured the holiday spirit, enticing countless gamers to join in the festivities.

14. Sea Salt & Paper

Sea Salt & Paper is one of those games that's just so simple that it has no real right to be as good as it is. Oh, but it is. Initially released in late 2023, the bulk of its momentum can be credited to its unique design, creative origami artwork, and Pandasaurus featuring it as the highlight of their convention campaign. If you enjoy open drafting, hand management and elements of push your luck, there’s a really cool video willing to teach you how to get started.

13. Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game

If you’re a fan of fantasy books or TV, chances are you’ve heard the name Brandon Sanderson. While I won’t claim he’s this generation’s Tolkien, Sanderson has undeniably captured the hearts and imaginations of millions with his richly crafted worlds. Mistborn stands out on this list as a latecomer, debuting in mid-November yet still managed to outshine many strong contenders to secure its spot among the year’s bestselling board games. Missed your chance to grab a copy? Don’t worry—Brotherwise Games has announced a new print run will arrive in retail by mid-January 2025!

12. Faraway

Faraway hit the scene in the first quarter of 2024 and maintained its grip on public attention throughout the entire year. Convention appraisals and an extremely helpful how to play video were only a supplement to the success of this simple yet strategic game. Pandasaurus has once again shown their knack for delivering big gameplay in small packages, and Faraway stays true to that winning formula.

11. Undaunted: 2200 Callisto

The Undaunted series is best known for its historical battle settings, like Normandy and the Battle of Britain. However, 2200 Callisto shatters expectations, transporting players to a distant moon where the struggles of humanity persist. Osprey Games has crafted an immersive world that captured the imagination of so many players in 2024. Let’s just hope this isn’t a conflict we’ll need to face for real 175 years from now.

10. Civolution

Imagine creating your own world, filled with whatever kind of people you can dream up. Want them to have wings? Go for it! Need them to invent the wheel before your neighboring civilization? Better get moving! These are just a few of the captivating possibilities that have players hooked on Civolution, earning it the number 10 spot on the list. As a medium/heavy Euro-style game, Civolution delivers endless strategic choices, ensuring its replayability remains sky-high.

9. Windmill Valley

Running through a valley of tulips is so much more rewarding when you’re the one who grew them. Trust me, I would know. In this game, you and up to three players will nurture your fields, seek out buyers at the market, and outpace your opponents in growth. Who knew that interactive windmills and clever engine-building mechanics could get so many people interested in manual labor!

8. Harmonies

With mechanics reminiscent of Azul's straightforward placement system and Cascadia's habitat management, it's no surprise that Harmonies earned a spot in the top 10. This game blends drafting and tile placement to reward players who create the most thriving habitats, all while requiring minimal table space. Designed for 1-4 players, Harmonies is an excellent choice for a casual game night, whether you're hosting seasoned players or newcomers.

7. Unmatched: Slings & Arrows

If William Shakespeare had known his works would one day inspire a skirmish game, he might have added a few more monsters to his plays. Thankfully, the brilliant team at Restoration Games has published one such game, bringing some of Shakespeare’s iconic characters to life in Unmatched: Slings & Arrows. Armed with unique abilities, these characters are ready to take on up to three of your friends in epic battles. With straightforward card play and reveal mechanics, it’s no surprise that Unmatched continues to secure a spot on our Best Selling Board Games list year after year.

6. Arcs: The Blighted Reach Expansion

It’s rare for an expansion box to dwarf the core game, but The Blighted Reach breaks the mold. This massive addition introduces a campaign mode for Arcs, letting players craft their own episodic trilogy. As the story unfolds, your choices will shape the narrative, bringing rewards or consequences down the line. The massive box also boasts plenty of room to house the Arcs core game and the Leaders & Lores expansion, which is a good thing, because you’re probably running out of room on your shelf anyway.

5. Heat: Heavy Rain Expansion

Heat: Pedal to the Metal raced onto the scene in 2022, claiming third place of our Best Sellers list that year. Unsurprisingly, players' need for speed kept growing, leading them to two exciting new tracks—Mexico and Japan—with Heat: Heavy Rain. This expansion adds thrilling new mechanics like flooded roads and boosts the player count to 7, putting gamers back in the driver’s seat for high-octane action—and plenty of Ricky Bobby moments.

4. Arcs: Leaders & Lores Expansion Pack

With the buzz that Arcs generated leading up to its release, hopeful fans went all in and pushed not one, but two expansions into the top 10! The Leaders & Lores expansion introduces 8 new leaders to helm your space fleet and adds 14 immersive lore cards filled with challenging scenarios to navigate. Now, I wonder if the core game will make it onto the list…

3. Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

Experience the timeless struggle of good versus evil in Duel for Middle-earth, a Tolkien-inspired twist on 7 Wonders Duel. In this two-player battle, one player shoulders the burden of the One Ring, while the other hunts them down with the relentless determination of the Nazgûl. Combining card drafting with deep strategic gameplay, this fast-paced game from Repos Games challenges you to achieve one of three victory conditions to secure ultimate control of Middle-earth!

2. Wyrmspan

Building on the phenomenal success of Wingspan, Wyrmspan transports players to a realm of mythical wonders. Draft majestic dragons, nurture hatchlings, and delve into intricate cave systems to craft the most legendary breeds at the table. With stunning deluxe components so tempting you’ll need to resist the urge to snack on them, Wyrmspan continues Stonemaier Games' tradition of high-quality design. Supporting 1-5 players with a play time of around 90 minutes, Wyrmspan invites you to explore a world where strategy meets fantasy.

1. Arcs

Surprise, the number one best selling board game of 2024 is Arcs! Arcs is a sci-fi strategy game for 2–4 players, set in a universe that's equal-parts dark and whimsical. Created by Cole Wehrle, the designer of Root, Arcs delivers a familiar vibe while transporting you to an entirely new and otherworldly adventure. As officials of a distant, crumbling Empire, you now have the freedom to compete for supremacy—whether through intense battles, resource collection, or cunning diplomacy. Brace yourself for unexpected twists and epic moments in this intergalactic showdown!