Picking games to match the crowd

When the holidays roll around, many of us romanticize the idea of a cozy game night—only to remember the part where someone has to read the rules, explain them, and keep the vibes going while everyone tries not to flip a table. If you’ve ever sighed at the sight of a board game box (or struggled through a four-hour strategy game you didn’t sign up for), this episode is for you.

James Austin, Wirecutter’s staff writer covering games and hobbies, shares how to host a game night that actually stays fun, how to pick games that match your group’s vibe, and which games work best for kids, adults, mixed-age families, multilingual gatherings, or friends who are already a few drinks in.

If you crosswords and other NYT games, check out Puzzle Mania! from The New York Times Games editor Joel Fagliano.

James’s favorite resources to learn new games: 

• If you don’t want to read the rules, Watch It Played and Good Time Society have videos explaining how to play many board games
• BoardGameGeek can tell you how to play a game your interested in
• Board Game Arena is a great resource for playing digital versions of board games
• Pagat.com explains the rules to every card game

Games for kids

• Rhino Hero (age 5+) and Rhino Hero: Super Battle (age 5+)
• First Orchard (age 2+)
   

Games for mixed-age groups or families

• A Fake Artist Goes to New York - especially good for avoiding awkward conversations
• The Gang - cooperative but silent play
• The Crew - no talking!
• Sushi Go! - adorable and easy to play
• Monikers - great for big groups
• Anomia - a great starter game
• Dixit - a visual game without reading, good for kids and non-english speakers
• Carcassonne - interactive and easy to understand
• Coup - quick to play

Party Games for adults (including boozy groups)

• Codenames - match words by meaning
• Wavelength - opinion-based fun
• Anomia - lots of shouting!

Strategy games

• Catan - the original “Euro” style game
• Bohnanza - if you like the interactive trading of Catan
• Brass: Birmingham - if you want a complex strategy game with a lot going on

Games you can play with just a deck of cards

• Oh Hell! - James’ family-favorite, trick-taking game

Two-player favorites

• Splendor - can be played with more than two as well
• Star Realms - build decks of cards that become more powerful as you play 
   

Games for solo play

• Final Girl - a horror-movie themed game
• Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - solve challenging mysteries just like a famous detective

James loves: 

• The Stormlight Ring by Thorum (his wedding ring)

Additional reading:

• 18 Best Board Games of 2025
• Board Games We Love for Kids and Families
• The 8 Best Two-Player Board Games of 2025
• The 4 Best Solo Board Games of 2025
• The 5 Best Party Games of 2025
• The 6 Best Card Games of 2025

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