Itching for some tabletop game entertainment but always on the go? Why not try your hand at some digital board games?
Whilst we understand that playing physical board games brings joy like no other, we’ve also found that digitizing these classic favorites introduces a whole new level of gaming excitement. All you need is your mobile device to give this new way of play a try.
So, if you’re keen to discover the digital adaptation of some fan-favorites, look no further because we’ve got you covered. Here are our top picks for the best iOS board games available.
Why not also check out our list of Best Android Board Games too!
Table of Contents
🏆 Our Top Picks for Best iOS Board Games
In a hurry? Take a quick peek before you go.
Tokaido (Funforge Digital)
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 45 min
Ages: 8+
Complexity: 1.75/5
This Japanese sightseeing board game has finally made its digital debut and is currently free to download on iOS mobile app stores.
Try your hand at this strategy game as a magnificent voyage awaits! Tokaido is a rite of passage for the heart. It’s a game that can be played anywhere, online with anyone, or in solo mode against AI.
Set in ancient Edo Japan, you as a traveler must trek along the eastern sea road, in search of unique and joyous experiences. From meeting local residents to seeing marveling vistas, to trying the tasty cuisine, to collecting the most precious treasures, and finding some stunning panoramic paintings, you’re sure to have a one-of-a-kind adventure!
The key to winning Tokaido is to collect as many different experiences as possible, in order to be the player with the most fulfilling journey. This means that you need to be strategic about how you play. As you and your opponents move along the board, you’ll need to be critical about which places to stop on the map.
Each space along the game’s linear track has a marvel to see, or an activity to do, and jumping ahead will put you in the lead. However, making fewer stops means fewer experiences to be had… and less loot. So be sure to maximize your rewards and choose your destinations carefully to win.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
7 Wonders (Repos Production)
Players: 2-7
Playing Time: 30 min
Ages: 10+
Complexity: 2.25 /5
The highly regarded, fan-favorite board game now offers a new way to play. With an enhanced interface, impressive soundscapes, and stunning artwork, 7 Wonders on iOS will whisk you back to the ancient world. In multiplayer mode, you can compete against players around the globe, or have some solo fun playing quick games against AI.
The rules are simple but don’t be fooled, the game is strategic. As a leader of one of the seven greatest cities in antiquity, it is your job to build the city and enhance civilization. Through three evolutionary ages, dive into the ancient world, and develop your city.
Increase scientific discoveries, construct buildings, enhance your armed forces, and make commercial agreements. As you progress, you’ll build your city and erect an architectural masterpiece. Keep an eye on your opponents’ progress, however, and be sure to think smart, as the ultimate goal is to lead your civilization to glory.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Race for the Galaxy (Temple Gates Games)
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30-60 min
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 3/5
This digital card-based board game puts your skills to the test as you and your opponents advance your empires by settling planets and making technological developments.
At the beginning of each round, players are to secretly and simultaneously select one of the seven roles that correspond to the phases of the game. Once a role has been selected, players will then execute the phases in order to build a galactic civilization. As you execute the phases of the game and enhance your cosmos, you will earn points along the way. At the end of the game, the player who accumulates the most points will be the winner!
Race for the Galaxy is a top pick for those looking for an out-of-this-world experience. Now available on iOS, this game offers endless fun with 5 starting worlds and 90 development and settlement cards. In-network multiplayer, race against two to four others or compete against neural network AI, in solo mode.
The iOS application also includes a free promo pack of New Worlds with six additional starting planets.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Catan Universe (USM)
Players: 3-4
Playing Time: 60-120 min
Ages: 10+
Complexity: 2/5
With several extensions included all within one application, play anytime and anywhere with Catan Universe. Whether you want to play solo on your iOS device, or against friends on their PC, Catan is sure to satisfy all with its cross-platform gaming interface. Get excited because this table to digital implementation brings the feeling of real gaming to your screen with bright and authentic graphics.
Race against your opponents for colonization of the uninhabited Catan island! After a long and exhausting voyage – one filled with peril and great deprivation – your ships have finally reached the coast of this new land. However, other explorers have also found this island, and now the race for settlement has begun!
Embark on this journey as you compete in exciting duels, construct roads, erect buildings, and skillfully trade. There’s a lot at stake, and only strategy and skill will gain you the title of the ruler of Catan.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Carcassonne (Asmodee Digital)
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 30-45 min
Ages: 7+
Complexity: 2/5
Plan your way to victory with this simple yet fulfilling tile-laying game. Carcassonne on iOS offers several expansions for purchase with solo, local, and online multiplayer modes.
Appealing to all audiences from beginners to veterans, Carcassonne invites players to cultivate the landscape of the medieval fortress city. As founders of the region competing to colonize the land, you will need to fill the countryside with roads, farms, monasteries, and buildings.
However, it is important that you think about how to place your meeples. Play smart, and think ahead in order to beat your opponents and win the game.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Sushi Go! (Lummox Labs)
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 min
Ages: 8+
Complexity: 1/5
For those who want a challenge, love sushi animations, and enjoy playing card games, Sushi Go! is definitely a top pick for you! Now available for iOS on iPhones and iPads, Sushi Go! is sure to impress with its adorable animations and digital representation of this unique card game.
While this game may look a little bit complicated for those not familiar with it, once you get started, it is quite simple. Over several rounds, each player is to pick a sushi card from their dealt hand and pass the rest of the hand to the next player.
Earn points based on the sushi combinations that you make and the type of dishes that you choose. Nevertheless, be sure to read and understand the details of the cards before you make your choice, in order to choose the best dishes for your appetite. At the end of the game, the winner is the player with the most points.
Although this game may sound complex, it is an interesting way to exercise your strategy over luck. Eventually, players will be able to count and know who has which card, and therefore, it will be advantageous to play cards that hinder your opponents and help yourself. Sushi has never been so cutthroat.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Tsuro: The Game of the Path (Thunderbox Entertainment)
Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 15-20 min
Ages: 8+
Complexity: 1.25/5
Bringing this beautiful board game to life, Thunderbox Entertainment’s adaption of Tsuro: The Game of the Path, is a family classic with hidden depths. In full 3D, this recreated tactile experience revolves around moving the pieces, rather than just pushing buttons.
With cross-platform play, this enhanced version takes Tsuro to a whole new level. Players can share the experience with family and friends through online multiplayer or compete against devious AI opponents.
For those that enjoy a relaxing challenge, the objective of this game is to build the longest path. In order to do so, you need to place a tile and slide your stones along the created path. Paths of you and your opponents will connect and cross, and the choices you make will affect every journey across the board.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Exploding Kittens
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 min
Ages: 7+
Complexity: 1/5
Trick your friends into blowing up with this highly strategic, kitten-powered card game. The multiplayer card game offers both online and offline multiplayer modes. Plus, it features laser beams, and sometimes goats.
Similar to Russian roulette, this game is hilarious, cutthroat, and addictive. The rules of the game are simple and only require a minute to learn, while each match takes about 5-10 minutes to play.
Simply, players draw cards until someone pulls an Exploding Kitten. Whoever gets the kitten is immediately dead and kicked out of the game. Other cards in the deck contain ways to mitigate, move, or avoid the Exploding Kittens. The last player alive is the winner.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
One Deck Dungeon (Handelabra Studio)
Players: 1-2
Playing Time: 30 min
Ages: 14+
Complexity: 2/5
Get excited about this deep dungeon-crawler because adventure awaits! From Handelabra Studio comes One Deck Dungeon on iOS – a dice placement, card-based, roguelike dungeon-crawler!
For one to two players, One Deck Dungeon offers adventure and excitement as you navigate through dungeons full of peril. During each round, players can take their pick from six brave heroes, with five dangerous challenges to face. Each hero has special talents, strengths, and weaknesses, and the more you play, the more talents you can unlock, and the stronger your hero becomes!
Attempt to conquer the dungeon! Delve deeper, and the longer you take to explore, the more difficult the game will become. If you make it to the end, your final task will be to fight the benevolent dungeon boss. Survive, and you’ll become a legend! Though beware, only the strongest hero will be victorious!
If you can’t get enough of this game, be sure to check out the expansions available via in-app purchases! The Abyssal Depths expansion pack offers new kinds of threats, and the Forest of Shadows expansion pack doubles the content in the game. Individual expansion cards are also available, and each up the ante for endless fun.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Star Realms (White Wizard Games)
Players: 2
Playing Time: 20 min
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 2/5
In the world of sci-fi, Star Realms is one to satisfy and offers a digital way to play as this hugely popular deck-building game has made it to iOS. This space combat game provides heaps of playability for free, with stunning visuals, six mission campaign modes, and solo and multiplayer combat modes available.
Offering thrills and fun, you can play powerful ships, blast your opponents, and destroy enemy bases on the way to victory! Whilst this game is easy to learn, it can be difficult to master because the more you play, the more you realize the importance of strategy in building your deck. With opportunities to strategize on the fly, this game is sure to become addicting for all sci-fi board game lovers.
Click here for the iOS version from the App Store or grab a copy of the original.
Wrap Up
If you’re after something different or easy to play for when you’re on the go, don’t miss out on giving these iOS-friendly games a try or visit here if you want to create your own game app. Each app offers endless options for fun, excitement, and competition. All of the games have solo and multiplayer modes, with some even available for cross-platform play with friends and family.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best iOS board games. If you happen to try them out or have any other favorites to share, please drop us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
Looking for more digital games? Check out our best STEAM Board Games below:
Kendra has always been a hardcore fantasy nerd. Growing up in the worlds of Tolkien, Sanderson, Jordan, and Abercrombie, DnD & board games just came naturally. She and her husband, Bryan, started GameCows.com in 2018 as a fun passion project that just took over their lives. An avid board gamer since childhood and chronic DnD chronicler for more than two decades, she loves to play, write, travel, and learn dead languages. She is also a professional content writer at SlashGear.com