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 digital worlds, board games offer a fantastic alternative. They provide that same satisfying escapism and competitive drive, but with a tangible, tactile experience. Fortunately, countless board games now capture the essence of popular video games, offering a wide range of experiences, from sprawling campaigns to quick-play party games. Whether you crave a deep, immersive experience or a lighthearted, social encounter, these board game adaptations will transport you to your favorite digital realms – without the screen time.

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

Price: $44.49 at Amazon (36% off $69.99)
Players: 1-4
Age: 14+
Playtime: 2-3 hours
Following the success of Amazon's Fallout series, explore the Wasteland from your kitchen table. Choose from various scenarios impacting map setup. Like Bethesda's RPGs, you'll uncover the map, develop skills, battle enemies, interact with factions, and complete quests, all while vying for Wasteland control. Immersive and detailed, perfect for extended gameplay sessions.

Slay the Spire: The Board Game

See it at Contention Games
Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
Playtime: 45 minutes
A superb board game adaptation, Slay the Spire mirrors its digital counterpart. Players choose a hero and embark on a roguelike deck-building adventure through the Spire. Navigate various rooms—encounters, elites, events, campfires, treasure, merchants—and ultimately, the boss. The roguelike nature ensures endless replayability, with diverse characters, builds, and items. (Read our review for more details!)

Bloodborne: The Board Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age: 14+
Playtime: 60-90 minutes
Become a Hunter and battle the evils plaguing Yharnam. Bloodborne's modular map tiles provide endless replayability. Hundreds of cards, tokens, and miniatures create an immersive experience, testing your skills and decision-making as you uncover secrets and fight the plague. The highly detailed miniatures enhance the atmosphere, making you feel truly immersed.

Resident Evil 2: The Board Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 1-4
Age: 12+
Playtime: 90-120 minutes
A successful adaptation, Resident Evil 2 is arguably Steamforged Games' best. Cooperatively play as Leon or Claire, battling zombies and escaping in multiple scenarios. Collect weapons, items, and keys, navigate the environment, solve puzzles, and even use ink ribbons and typewriters!

Pac-Man: The Board Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age: 10+
Playtime: 30 minutes
Buffalo Games brings the arcade classic to the tabletop. Play cooperatively or competitively. Pac-Man navigates the maze, gobbling pellets and fruit, while ghosts try to catch him. The four metal tiles require initial setup, but subsequent games are quick. The electronic Pac-Man figure even makes the iconic "waka waka" sound!

Tetris Board Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age: 8+
Playtime: 20-30 minutes
Another Buffalo Games creation, Tetris is a competitive game where players maneuver and drop Tetriminos for the highest score. The next piece is displayed, allowing strategic planning. Earn points by completing lines, matching pieces, and achieving specific goals. Quick setup and playtime make it ideal for parties and younger players.

Dark Souls: The Board Game - Tomb of Giants

See it at Amazon
Players: 1-3
Age: 14+
Playtime: 90-120 minutes
A standalone adventure perfect for newcomers, based on the infamous location. Choose a class and gear, navigate the catacombs, battle enemies, and rest at the bonfire. Limited actions require careful choices. Faithful to the source material with punishing combat and RPG elements, including a level-up system. Features new characters and over a hundred cards, compatible with existing Dark Souls board games.

Cuphead: Fast Rolling Dice Game

Price: $46.88 at Amazon (22% off $59.99)
Players: 1-4
Age: 8+
Playtime: 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 upgradeable abilities. (See our review for more info!)

The Oregon Trail Card Game

See it at Amazon
Players: 2-6
Age: 12+
Playtime: 30-45 minutes
Reach Oregon without dying! Quick setup and play. Die quickly from Calamity cards. Win by playing fifty Trail cards. A humorous recreation of the source material, though players dying on the first turn must sit out.