Last Updated on January 12, 2023
Boardgaming is an amazingly fun hobby.
However, as anyone who’s tried to organize a game night knows, syncing schedules and getting everyone together for a gaming session can be difficult.
Often times it comes down to Kendra and myself being the only people free.
Do we just not play games? Inconceivable!
A ton of designers have made some great 2-player board games and I’m not just talking about specifically 2-player games. I’m also talking about some big box board games that play just as well (if not better) with 2 players.
Some of the games you’ll see on this list are 2-player specific and others range from 1 to 6 players, but every game on this list will work really well with just you and your gaming partner.
So, grab your buddy and get ready. Today we’re looking at the best 2-player board games suitable for both Adults and Kids, that we can’t get enough of.
Our Top Picks for Best 2-Player Board Games
In a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
Best Quick & Light 2-Player Board Games
Lost Cities: The Card Game
Channel your inner Indiana Jones and go on an archeological expedition.
Lost Cities is a quick and lightweight game that’s perfect for getting your gaming fix in about 15 minutes. It’s a simple card game that’s easy to teach and a breeze for non-gamers to jump into right away.
Players will go on expeditions by playing a color-coordinated card in ascending order or discarding it. The more cards in a stack, the more points it’s going to be worth.
What we liked
It’s exciting, easy, and really fun for a shorter game. Although it’s brief in length, it can easily provide an hour of entertainment with rapid-succession games.
What could be better
The luck component is definitely a “con” in this case. Also, the math component at the end of the game could definitely be streamlined to make it easier to determine the winner.
Morels
Morels is an adorable mushroom-gathering game. Players wander into the forest to collect mushrooms and they can either cook them or trade them to villagers for info on where to find more mushrooms!
Morels is a very pretty card drafting game that offers players a nice challenge without any “Take That!” mechanics, making it a great game for 2 players looking for a friendly game together.
What we liked
Nothing in this game feels superfluous or tacked on. Everything works well together, making for a very cohesive experience. Also, the artwork is lovely and everyone gets to learn about mushrooms!
What could be better
The rulebook is overly-dense for how simple the game is. It could be overwhelming for new players, turning them off of even giving the game a try.
7 Wonders: Duel
7 Wonders: Duel is another 2-player only game that surprisingly feels pretty big for its small package and size.
7 Wonders: Duel takes some of the same concepts from the original 7 Wonders board game and recreates it by having 2 players lead opposing rival cities. It’s completely card-based and sees both players competing for technology, influence, and military might.
There’s actually a lot of strategy and depth hidden within the cards here. Players will need to juggle all aspects of running their city to avoid being left behind in the technological arms race.
What we liked
The tactics, aesthetics, and replay value of this game are incredible. It’s just as good if not better than the original. If you’re looking for a lightweight semi-civ builder with some historical flair, 7 Wonders: Duel provides.
What could be better
Sometimes your opponent can gain an advantage that just snowballs over time, and there’s very little you can do to counter them. I’ve gotten a bit frustrated in this type of scenario.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out our full review here.
The Rivals for Catan
I love Catan, but you need at least 3 players to make the original work properly. There are a ton of house rules and even an official 2 player variant in one of the expansions, but I think it just loses its charm when you have to chop up the rules for 2 players.
Rivals for Catan is a different beast. It takes a lot of the familiar Catan mechanics but rebuilds them specifically for 2 players. It works incredibly well and most importantly, feels like a full Catan game.
What we liked
Simply the best way for just two players to enjoy the Catan universe. It has incredible replayability in just one small, affordable box. If you only have 2 players and need your Catan fix, Rivals for Catan does a great job of scratching the itch.
What could be better
I’m not a fan of the expansion packs for Rivals of Catan. It’s a great 2-player version of Catan, but that’s about it.
Battle Line
Form the battle line and get ready to charge the enemy!
Battle Line is a short card game in which players form up on either end of a battle line by placing 3 cards. The player with the highest value card combination wins that encounter.
Players need to take 5 out of 9 encounters or 3 adjacent encounters on the battle line.
What we liked
Battle Line is a very good two-player tug-of-war game by Reiner Knizia in the same vein as Lost Cities. It’s easy to learn, yet has a huge focus on decision-making and bluffing. It’s a nice quick game that reminds me of the old-school war card game but adds a bit more thematic flair to the mix.
What could be better
Lost Cities is a bit simpler to learn and manage, in my opinion. Also, the tactics cards threw me for a bit of a loop. While the abilities are excellent, they introduce far too much luck into an otherwise excellent strategic dueling game.
Patchwork
A 2-player game designed by Uwe Rosenberg?!
Color me intrigued.
Patchwork is a family-friendly game where players are working to make the best patchwork quilt imaginable.
Okay, that doesn’t sound that exciting but just like with actual quilt making, there’s a lot that goes into this. Players have to select proper materials and invest their time in order to make the most valuable (victory points) quilt.
What we liked
It is such an easy game to learn and a ton of fun to come up with strategies that completely punish your opponent. If you’re looking for something completely different and don’t feel like another dueling game, Patchwork hits the spot.
What could be better
Quiltmaking. Not much of a theme going on here. If that doesn’t bother you, however, Patchwork is lovely.
Santorini
I would put Santorini down as a modern-day classic.
Santorini is a simple abstract game in which players control a builder and try to get their builder to level 3 by… building.
It’s super simple and you basically already know how to play from that one sentence alone, but it’s a lot of fun and requires quite a bit of abstract thinking to accomplish.
What we liked
As a huge fan of abstract games, Santorini is just a fun multi-age-group game that never disappoints. The newer version has added special player abilities through god cards which drastically change up the game.
What could be better
Games can run a bit long and become rather boring if both players aren’t thinking ahead. Also, the addition of the god powers can sometimes feel a tad unbalanced.
Hive
Hive is a very cool insect version of Chess. Okay, that may sound a little off, but if you’re looking for a 2-player game, it’s hard to not mention Hive.
Each insect piece moves in a different pattern depending on the type of insect and the object is to surround the opposing player’s queen. This is easier said than done.
There’s no board, just a handful of tiles that create the playing field as you play. It’s simple to learn, yet will keep you coming back for more the further into the hive you go.
What we liked
Hive is super easy to learn and teach. The games go pretty quickly and the components are excellent. With tons of strategy and replayability, not to mention portability, Hive is an outstanding choice for 2 players.
What could be better
If you’re not into chess-style games, you should definitely steer clear of Hive. Also, make sure you pick the right opponent to play with… both players need to really like abstract games.
Star Realms / Hero Realms
I’m a pretty big fan of Star Realms. It’s not every day you can find a deck-builder that’s simple to set up, fun to play, and fits in your back pocket.
Star Realms is a Sci-Fi deck-building duel game designed for 2 players. There are a ton of expansions for it that can really mix up the gameplay.
What we liked
The deck-building aspects of these games are great. The rules are easy to learn and the gameplay goes quickly once you’ve caught on to the rules. Both Star Realms and Hero Realms are exceptionally well-balanced 2-player games.
What could be better
Personally, I prefer the Star Realms: Frontiers deck to the original. Also, I would not recommend this game to anyone with vision impairment or color blindness. The artwork isn’t amazing and the cards are tricky to read at the best of times.
Are you not into Sci-Fi? What about Fantasy?
Hero Realms uses the same awesome ruleset but gives it a fantasy flair. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either one if you’re looking for a 2 player game, especially if you want one that can be played on the go.
Codenames: Duet
Duet is the newest offering in the Codenames franchise.
Codenames: Duet takes the original premise but scales it down a bit so that 2 players can still enjoy searching for their lost agents.
Players take turns trying to guess the location of their agents from simple 1-word clues. Codenames is definitely a mind game and it’s a great way to get to know someone too.
What we liked
It’s a great rendition of the original that still manages to capture the same feeling and gameplay.
What could be better
There’s not a lot of actual talking in-game but it’s a nice glimpse into how your opponent thinks and problem-solves. Not being able to talk to each other in a 2-player game seems a little counter-intuitive to the hobby.
Fox in the Forest
Fox in the Forest is a trick-taking game similar to Pinochle.
It’s a simple game to pick up and play and perfect for 2 players who are looking for a fun and challenging card game. It’s a great option to avoid playing anything generic like Go-Fish or Phase 10 for the millionth time.
What we liked
The gameplay is simple enough for non-gamers to understand and enjoy, but the real standout is the artwork and cards. I’m absolutely blown away by the artwork in Fox in the Forest. It’s very pretty and is a great game for kids.
What could be better
Fox in the Forest is a simple trick-taking game, so if you’re looking for complexity, you won’t find it here.
Best Moderate 2-Player Board Games
Grand Austria Hotel
Compete to turn your dinky little cafe into the most exclusive hotel in Vienna.
Grand Austria Hotel has some serious table presence. It looks absolutely amazing on the table and it’s a lot of fun.
Players use dice to determine the actions they can take on a turn, all while juggling several different aspects of running their hotel in order to be successful.
Who you let into your hotel and what services you provide just scratch the surface on the road to becoming the Grand Austria Hotel.
What we liked
Grand Austria Hotel is one of those rare games that’s designed for more players, but feels and plays better with just two.
What could be better
There are a lot of luck elements involved in the game, but it does give you plenty of opportunities to work around them.
Seasons
Seasons is a really pretty game.
Players take on the role of wizards in a 3-year wizard showdown. That’s some serious wiz biz.
The winner of the tournament will, of course, become the new Arch-Mage!
At the beginning of the game, players draft a set of cards that they’ll be able to use throughout the game. This is where the strategy is developed.
Players will set their cards in several stacks that won’t be available until later in the game. You’ll have to plan ahead to make sure you get the correct cards available when you need them the most.
What we liked
The artwork and colors of Seasons are some of the prettiest I’ve seen. I’m absolutely in love with the components.
What could be better
A lot of the strategy happens right at the beginning of the game and if you make a wrong move, there is a possibility of seriously damaging your strategy right from the start.
Castles of Burgundy
Castles of Burgundy is a unique entrant on this list. Although it can be played with up to 4 players, it actually seems to work best with 2.
In this Eurogame, players are in charge of a princedom in the Burgundy region of France.
Players attempt to create an efficiently-run region by placing tiles on their own region and building up their economy.
There’s a lot of strategy involved and if you’re looking to play a Euro with your gaming partner, Castles of Burgundy is a great choice.
What we liked
Castles of Burgundy’s lightweight gameplay make it an easy place to start if you’re looking to experience Euro games.
What could be better
The theme is very much secondary to the “point salad” gameplay. If you find you’re not having fun, Euro-style games may not be for you.
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective
There’s a reason the world’s most famous literary detective worked as a duo.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective is a mystery-solving board game that will have you pondering clues and figuring out whodunnit. You may even find yourself staring off into the distance while playing the violin, contemplating the case.
Getting into the mindset and twists and turns of the case is perfect for 2 players. It can be played as a solo or group, but honestly, I think it’s perfect as a duo.
You’ll be able to bounce ideas off of each other without the confusion of too many cooks in the kitchen. And when you finally solve the case, you’ll have someone right there to celebrate with.
As I said, there’s a reason it’s Holmes and Watson. Detectives work best in twos.
What we liked
The unique case files and components and clues used to solve them will have you immersed in the world of Consulting Detective.
What could be better
This is another game that has a limited shelf life. Once you solve all of the cases then there’s not a whole lot keeping you in the game.
The game is afoot!
Claustrophobia
If you’re looking for some 2-player dungeon-crawling, Claustrophobia will have you delving the deeps with a religious fervor.
One player will control a Redeemer (think: really angry Paladin) and several prisoners/mercenaries that have “volunteered” to delve into the catacombs with the Redeemer to purge it of demons and troglodytes.
The other player gets to play as those troglodytes and demons.
It’s an interesting balance. The Redeemer and his flock are overall stronger than the waves of demons, but there’s a catch. There are waves and waves of enemies and the demon player has numbers on their side.
What we liked
Claustrophobia’s dark and gritty random modular dungeons give it a ton of replayability and easy setup when compared to similar games of its style.
What could be better
The rulebook suffers from a lack of clarity. There’s quite a bit that needed to be explained online and it would have been nice to see that come out in the original game instead of as an afterthought.
Star Wars: Destiny
Star Wars: Destiny is a fun collectible card/dice game. Players can easily pick up a starter pack and have a full set of fun characters to play with. It’s very simple to set up and play.
Star Wars: Destiny spans the entire canon and is filled with characters from all eras of the fandom. You can mix and match to create a deck using your favorite characters.
It does require booster packs, but there are also set boosters to pick up your favorite characters.
Initially, I didn’t like Destiny and I have no idea why. It just rubbed me the wrong way at first but after one game, I was hooked. It’s a fast and competitive play that’s just plain fun.
What we liked
The custom dice are rather impressive and the different combinations of characters you can build can make for some brutal Star Wars duels.
What could be better
Star Wars: Destiny is a collectible game, so to get the most out of the game, you’ll have to buy booster packs to get all the cards you want.
You can also check out our full review of Star Wars: Destiny here.
Exit The Game
I really like this series.
It’s described as an entire escape room in a box. There’s a series of games, each with a different theme and a different puzzle difficulty. Each one will have players attempting to solve various puzzles. Some components will need to be bent to fit the correct shape or even torn up to get the correct information to solve the riddles.
That, of course, means that the game is disposable and can only be played once. Even if you get a new copy, you’ll already know all of the answers.
This may immediately turn a lot of gaming duos off of the Exit series but keep in mind, the game retails for about $15. You can’t go out to the movies nowadays for less than that and $15 for a few hours of entertainment is a pretty solid deal.
What we liked
The Exit series are great budget games that can be played in a single night, but offer an incredible escape room experience in a single box.
If you’re into logic and puzzles, this is a good bet to bring to the table. It makes for a really fun date night.
What could be better
The Exit series is based on escape rooms and just like escape rooms, after you’ve completed them once there’s not a lot of replayability. These games are basically one play and then done.
Akrotiri (Revised Edition)
I really like the concept of Akrotiri. It reminds me of being a little kid and drawing fake treasure maps that led to nowhere.
In this 2-player game, each player has hidden maps that they’ll use to find lost temples. Players lay down tiles to create the game board that aligns with their hidden map to find the hidden temples.
Finding a temple is only one part. Players then have to grab the loots and return it to Thera before the expedition goes bankrupt.
What we liked
Surprisingly, there’s a lot going on in this seemingly simple tile placement game. It delivers a ton of strategy… as well as shiny temple loots.
Akrotiri’s strategy is great for 2-players. For a relatively simple and small game, it offers a ton of different approaches to play.
What could be better
Some players may get easily frustrated when blocked by the tactics of their opponent.
Ascension: Deck-Building Game
Ascension is a fantastic fantasy deck-building game in which players gain honor (victory points) by slaying monsters.
It was designed by former Magic: the Gathering champions so you know that they understand card games. It’s a very technically-sound card game that’ll give you and your gaming partner a serious showdown with cards.
What we liked
The combined artwork with newer deck-building mechanics makes Ascension one of the best deck-builders out there. Instead of just worrying about other players, the addition of monsters to fight adds a layer of complexity.
What could be better
After you play the base games for a while, you’ll really want to expand the gameplay with the expansions. (This is not necessarily a bad thing… it just might get a bit expensive.)
Haven
Haven has a really cool concept. In this 2-player board game, players are on opposing sides, trying to gain control of a mystical forest.
One player controls the forest and its creatures, looking to preserve nature in all of its glory, and the other controls the encroaching city using technology to master nature.
I’ve never seen a theme quite like it and the gameplay is a fluid tug-of-war battle.
What we liked
The unique theme and artwork complement each other well to make a very cute and fun game. Just because you win a lot of skirmishes, doesn’t mean you’ll win the game. There are lots of interesting decisions to make in prioritizing the right battles to fight, making it a fun and cerebral experience.
What could be better
Luck can sometimes be a major factor in this tug-of-war game, which is never my favorite board game feature. Also, players may overthink their decisions, leading to a bit of a drawn-out playing time.
Best Epic 2-Player Board Games
Twilight Struggle
Recreate the entirety of the Cold War from the comfort of your own living room.
Okay, that’s a little dismissive for an important period in world history when we were constantly on the verge of nuclear annihilation.
That being said, Twilight Struggle is an incredible game that recreates the tension the world felt as two world superpowers postured, threatened, spied on, and backstabbed to gain power.
Keep in mind, if you do end up going to a full thermonuclear war, you lose.
What we liked
The thematic elements of Twilight Struggle fit perfectly with its tense gameplay. Navigating the political world of the Cold War is broken down easily and in a compelling way.
What could be better
There is a large element of luck in Twilight Struggle. It can turn some games into one-sided fights, especially if you are new to the game.
Star Wars: Rebellion
Star Wars: Rebellion is a strategic dance. Each side controls one faction either Rebels or Empire and they both play completely differently. The empire, of course, has the numbers and economic advantage, and in a straight fight, would wreck the Rebellion player. The Rebels, on the other hand, are sneaky and hard to find.
This galactic conquest game of cat and mouse will have players maneuvering all over the board, triggering events from the iconic movies. The caveat here is the win conditions.
The Rebels need to survive long enough to rally the galaxy to their cause and trigger a full-scale rebellion to overthrow the Empire. The Empire simply needs to find the Rebel hidden base and destroy it.
Thematically, the game works beautifully and really has players relying on their strengths which makes the exploitation of their weaknesses all the sweeter.
What we liked
The cat-and-mouse gameplay between the Rebellion and Empire feels like Star Wars. Each faction’s strengths and weaknesses are distinct and complement each other during gameplay and strategizing. It can be played with multiple players but as a galaxy-wide duel, it plays amazingly well.
What could be better
Star Wars: Rebellion claims to let you recreate your own Star Wars story, but it more accurately just reshuffles the events of the original trilogy in random order.
Click here for even more Star Wars board games to sink your teeth into.
Battlelore (Second Edition)
Battlelore is a fantasy skirmish miniatures wargame. What makes it unique is that instead of leaving miniatures unpainted on your shelf for years at a time, everything comes ready to play right out of the box.
If you’re looking for a mini wargaming fix, Battlelore will have you set up and swinging swords in no time.
What we liked
Battlelore gives a complete miniatures fantasy wargaming experience in a premade box. You can open it up and begin playing skirmish games right away without any painting or fiddling with models.
What could be better
Battlelore is limited to small battles, so if you want to recreate epic wars you’ll still need to play a game that forces you to build your own models.
War of the Ring (Second Edition)
War of the Ring is one of the most EPIC games I’ve ever seen. In it, each player takes control of either Sauron’s Armies or the Free People of Middle Earth. The drama and strategy that unfold on the board are tense and nerve rending.
The Free People have limited troops but strong fortresses, whereas Sauron has an unending army that slowly moves across the board. Hope always rests with the Fellowship of the Ring.
Every game is different and it allows players to relive and retell Tolkien’s classic tale.
What we liked
The theme combined with variable faction abilities makes you feel like you’re orchestrating the final battle of Lord of the Rings.
What could be better
There are a lot of moving pieces in War of the Ring, so a rogue sleeve or misplaced drink can wipe out the whole board.
Android: Netrunner
Android: Netrunner is one of my favorite Sci-Fi games of all time. This living card game has since been completed, but it’s still widely available.
In Android: Netrunner, two players face off with opposing ideologies and means. One player takes control of the megacorporation of the future. They’ll have a ton of resources and power.
The other player takes on the role of a Netrunner which is basically a super hacker. It’s an incredible game of cat and mouse as both players strike at each other through their card-based powers.
What we liked
Android Netrunner’s artwork and gameplay are top-notch. Building your deck from the pool of cards available offers a fun strategic puzzle before you even make it to the game.
What could be better
Android Netrunner is getting harder to find on shelves and it’s becoming a collector’s item. If you can find a copy, you won’t be disappointed.
Wrap-Up
There you have it, our picks for the best 2-player board games. There are, of course, thousands upon thousands of 2-player board games out there and your favorite may not have made the list.
If you have a favorite 2-player board game, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.
Happy Gaming!
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