There’s never a bad time to get into a new board game, but Prime Day might be the best time. A new board game can be an expensive investment, and some markdowns can help take the sting out of it. Here are some recommendations if you’re looking to get some good fun at a steep discount. These deals are only available during Prime Day, which runs from July 16-17, 2024.
Settlers of Catan
- 3-4 Players
- Normally: $59.99
- Prime Day: $37.49
If Settlers of Catan is not on your Board Game shelf (or cupboard or drawer or spot on the floor, I’m not judging), then it’s past due to add it. Catan has practically been the gold standard for modern board games for the past few decades and was followed by many pretenders to the throne. However, its mix of strategy and player interaction means that it can never completely be replaced.
Trogdor!! the Board Game
- 2-6 Players
- Normally: $60.00
- Prime Day: $45.90
Homestar Runner may not be the household name it was in the ‘00s, but the Brother Chaps still trot out their dumb animal characters from time to time, including for this board game. After a successful Kickstarter, Trogdor the Burninator was brought to life and stuffed in a box for Trogdor!! The Board Game. This multiplayer solitaire game is all about burninating the countryside, as well as the peasants. It’s fast to set up, fun to play, and has all the consummate Vs you could ask for.
Fallout Board Game
- 1-4 Players
- Normally: $69.99
- Prime Day: $49.99
War, war never changes, and now you can experience the unchangingness of war in Fallout: The Board Game. Based on the hit video game (and later hit TV show), Fallout: The Board Game has you trying to survive the radioactive, post-war wasteland. Complete quests, balance the factions, and just try to survive.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- 1-4 Players
- Normally: $139.99
- Prime Day: $84.99
Speaking of video games turned board games (as well as another currently developed by Bethesda), the mega-popular entry in the Elder Scrolls series got an adaptation. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim does its best to replicate the open-ended experience of the RPG series by allowing you to create your character and unleash them on the titular province of Tamriel. Complete quests in a larger, replayable campaign, build your character, and put a stop to the machinations that threaten Skyrim.
Scrabble: Deluxe Edition
- 2-4 Players
- Normally: $44.99
- Prime Day: $32.99
Scrabble is another of those games where, if it’s not already in your collection, why the heck not? The classic, challenging word game that lets you flex your mighty vocabulary never gets old and is easy to learn. The Deluxe Edition is currently on sale as part of Prime Day, and it is absolutely the way to go. The Scrabble: Deluxe Edition has recessed slots for each of the tiles. That may sound boring, but once you play on a board where the tiles don’t slide around, you’ll never want to go back.
Twilight Imperium 4th Edition
- 3-6 Players
- Normally: $139.99
- Prime Day $98.99
If you have a thirst for conquest and Risk is too short and simple, it might be time to dig your teeth into Twilight Imperium. Command your fleets, stake your territory, manage your civilization, and trade with factions. With an average campaign time of 4-8 hours, each one completely different from the last, you definitely won’t be reaching for another box before the day is through.
Nemesis
- 1-5 Players
- Normally: $149.99
- Prime Day: $109.99
You’ll have to cooperate with your fellow players if you’re going to survive in Nemesis. You’re stuck on a rickety ship with hostile alien organisms, and you’ll have to patch the ship up if you’re ever going to get back to Earth. With detailed miniatures and tense gameplay, Nemesis is an impressive game to pull from the stack. And now you can own it for cheap, if you act fast.
7 Wonders
- 3-7 Players
- Normally: $59.99
- Prime Day: $42.49
Guide your civilization and complete a terrific wonder while competing against others. 7 Wonders is a settlement game not too far removed from Catan. With only an average 30-minute playtime and relatively simple rules, it’s a great one to have on hand for when you’re playing outside of your normal board game social circle.
Frosthaven
- 1-4 Players
- Normally: $250.00
- Prime Day: $197.17
Gloomhaven is the current undisputed king of adventure-in-a-box style board games, but that doesn’t seem to be discounted for Prime Day (possibly out of stock). However, its chillier brother, Frosthaven, is. It’s a very expensive board game, even at its discounted price, but you’ll get your money’s worth. It features a long-term, persistent campaign with tactical combat and choices that affect the flow of the story. If you’re looking for an adventure but don’t want to dedicate yourself to Dungeons & Dragons, then Frosthaven is worth the investment.
Ark Nova
- 1-4 Players
- Normally: $74.95
- Prime Day: $55.00
Changing gears completely from conquest and combat, Ark Nova is a game about building a zoo. You get to build, conserve, and find sponsors to keep your zoo running. While this is a settlement game not totally out of league with Catan, the subject matter and terrific flow of gameplay keep things unique and interesting.
