War Games have a deep and rich history in the board game sphere. They are some of the most interesting historically because they started as training tools and very quickly evolved into games. They pit players against each other as if they had the full backing of an empire behind their every action.
The most well-known war genre to explore has been (and hopefully always will be) World War II. It is rich in history, human drama, tragedy, and heroism. It’s one of the darkest points in human history but also showed how humanity can perform incredible acts of sacrifice for the greater good.
Today we’re remembering those who have gone before us with the best World War II board games we could find. We hope you enjoy our list.
Table of Contents
🏆 Our Top Picks for Best WWII Board Games
In a hurry? Check out our favorites below.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: WWI GAMES | WWII GAMES | STALINGRAD GAMES | VIETNAM WAR GAMES | NAPOLEONIC WARS GAMES | AMERICAN CIVIL WAR GAMES | COLD WAR GAMES | CRUSADES GAMES | ENGLISH CIVIL WAR GAMES
Axis & Allies: 1942 (Second Edition)
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 240 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 3/5
It’s hard to think of World War II board games and not think of Axis & Allies. It’s not the oldest of the wargames but it had such a huge impact on the wargaming world and is a classic that has survived many of the original companies that produced it.
Axis & Allies: 1942 is the successor to the original Axis & Allies. It’s gotten the full makeover with an updated board, newer minis, and an overall sleeker look. There have been some power adjustments, especially for the Germans, so that they don’t get immediately knocked out by an experienced Russian player.
If you’re looking for an absolute classic wargame, this is the newest version of an indisputable classic. It has everything you could want in a World War 2 board game.
What we liked
Axis & Allies does an excellent job of encapsulating the strategy and decision-making of World War II into a board game. It’s quite complex, but without being overwhelming. It works as a great introduction to even more complex games while also providing a fantastic, immersive, gaming experience.
What could be better
The setup and runtime of Axis & Allies is not for the faint-hearted. You definitely need to make sure that you’ve got a whole evening or afternoon free and are ready to make a commitment. This is especially true if you’re playing with people who love to overanalyze their moves.
Memoir ‘44
Players: 2-8
Playing time: 30-60 minutes
Ages: 8+
Complexity: 2.25/5
Memoir ‘44 is one of the easiest entry-level World War II board games I’ve ever seen. It uses a card system that mimics the breakdown of communication on the battlefield and as a veteran, I can tell you that when things are going wrong, a strong line of communication can be the absolute difference between life and death.
Memoir ‘44 uses a card-based system that breaks up the map into 3 different sections: left, right, and center. Players use cards that allow them to move their units but only on specific sections of the board.
It’s another perfect example of a game that’s easy to learn but requires a fair bit of strategy and analysis to win. Normally when you think of World War II games, massive sprawling maps and tables full of miniatures come to mind.
Memoir ‘44 manages to pack a lot of thematic flair and wargaming into a small and complete package that plays in about 30 to 45 minutes.
What we liked
The great thing about Memoir ‘44 is that it packs a serious punch, considering its lack of depth or complexity. If you’re playing with less experienced players, this game is perfect because anyone can pick up the rules. But there are still essential decisions to make so more experienced players will also find a lot to enjoy in this game.
What could be better
Memoir ‘44 aims to be historically accurate. While this makes each game reflect real historical events as they happened, it does mean that players will have built-in strengths and weaknesses that are tough to overcome.
Axis & Allies: D- Day
Players: 2-3
Playing time: 120 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 2.25/5
D-Day was one of the defining moments of World War 2. It’s been pored over historically and the incredible acts that were performed that day are why people are still fascinated with D-Day long after the war.
Axis & Allies: D-Day puts players on opposing sides. Hunkered down on the beaches of Normandy behind their near-impenetrable wall stands Nazi Germany, while the Allies gather their strength to storm the beaches and gain a foothold to launch their attacks inland.
D-Day is a fantastic WWII gateway game that lets players jump right into the fight. The board is very clear and is clearly marked for play. It’s one of the easier Axis & Allies games to get into.
There are a lot of dice involved in D-Day, so if you’re opposed to dice and random rolls this may not be the exact game for you. If you’re looking to get some friends together and relive one of the pivotal moments of World War 2 then this is the perfect game for you.
What we liked
As Axis & Allies games go, D-Day is super accessible. It’s relatively easy to learn and plays much more quickly than some of the other games in the Axis and Allies series. This game is perfect for those who want to recreate an epic historical event, but don’t want an overly complex experience.
What could be better
Due to the simplistic mechanics and random dice rolling, it can feel like fate is just taking its course and there is little you can do to sway the outcome. So if you’re not a fan of randomness or simplicity, D-Day may not have much to offer you.
A World at War
Players: 1-8
Playing time: 1440-2880 minutes
Ages: 14+
Complexity: 5/5
The title promises a lot for a board game. A World at War attempts to give players just that, the granddaddy of all strategic games in which every facet of global war is at your fingertips. I’m not kidding about EVERY facet, either. Players have control over supply lines, troop training, ship and vehicle construction, individual deployments to different theaters, and even diplomacy.
The scope of the game is one of the largest I’ve ever seen and has one of the largest rulebooks I’ve ever seen as well, and it’s constantly being updated and refined. It’s currently at 235 pages of rules and seems like it’s always in development.
If you can find a copy and want one of the most intricate wargames imaginable, A World at War will keep you busy. But be warned: if you play A World at War, that’s all you will play.
What we liked
This is WWII on the grandest scale that a board game can offer. The scope of A World at War is incredible. It includes every single aspect you could imagine a war effort involves. This game is perfect for those who want something that is extremely complex and endlessly rewarding.
What could be better
If you have never played before, you should play with someone who has. Deciphering the rulebook is an epic task in itself. Once you know how to play, it’s not so overwhelming. But the first time you approach this game, prepare for a lot of rule consulting and an exhausting gaming experience.
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear!
Players: 1-4
Playing time: 120 minutes
Ages: 10+
Complexity: 3.25/5
Often, when you hit on a theme like WW2, it’s viewed through a lens of massive troop movements, multiple fronts, complex supply lines, and major events during the war. The Conflict of Heroes series takes a magnifying glass to the whole experience and puts players into the roles of individual squads, tanks, and units.
Conflict of Heroes: Awakening the Bear! takes place during Operation Barbarossa when German forces stormed across the border and attacked Russia in 1941.
The designers have currently the 3rd edition with an improved ruleset to account for muddled communication lines when orders don’t always get to troops. They also put great detail into the stats of each unit and vehicle based on historical data; armor thickness, the slope of tanks, and ability in terrain.
It’s incredibly impressive when it’s all put together, and each series in the Conflict of Heroes takes that same magnified look at various points of WW2.
What we liked
Very often, historical events can just seem like a continuous flow of stats and it can be hard to visualize the human experience. By focusing on a squadron, Conflict of Heroes shows how war is waged on the scale of individual soldiers with unique strengths and weaknesses.
What could be better
Conflict of Heroes is based on different scenarios. As long as you buy into these scenarios and enjoy the context of the game and the different strengths and weaknesses of each side, this is no problem at all. But ultimately you can end up feeling trapped within the confines of the scenario.
Combat Commander
Players: 2
Playing time: 60-180 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 3.25/5
The Combat Commander series is another excellent introduction to any war gamer’s shelf. The games in it function as fantastic solo games as well as excellent 2-player games as well.
In Combat Commander: Europe, players choose a scenario to play and face off in capturing objectives and moving their units to their opponent’s side of the board (and beyond) for victory points.
To account for the scale of squads and platoons, Combat Commander uses a lot of cardboard tiles to keep track of the action on the board, but after about 2 games you shouldn’t need to refer to the rules very often. It does an excellent job of clearly laying out the rules.
One of the more interesting aspects of the Combat Commander series is the Fate card system that it includes. Throughout the game, each side will pull Fate cards that are either good or bad for your faction and these can really throw your battle plans for a loop.
What we liked
Combat Commander offers excellent replayability. There are 12 base scenarios to work from. But on top of that, there is a random scenario generator. So even once you’ve completed all the historical scenarios you can continue to make your own.
What could be better
The gameplay in Combat Commander is extremely confrontational. Of course, war is confrontational, but Combat Commander pits you against your opponent in a direct way. If you prefer games that are more indirectly competitive, then you might want to give this one a miss.
Combat Commander: Europe
Combat Commander: Pacific
B-17 Flying Fortress Leader
Players: 1
Playing time: 30-120 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 3.25/5
B-17 Flying Fortress Leader is one of my favorite solo games. The theme, design, and gameplay are just fantastic.
In B-17, players take control of a bomber group in German-controlled airspace and attempt to run missions in the European theater. It’s not all about the impressive bombers either. Players will need to manage their pilots, escort fighters, and avoid German AA guns.
I’m always a sucker for campaign play and pilots start as newbies that will eventually advance to ace fighters… if they survive long enough.
A new version of B-17 was recently backed on Kickstarter and is now available with new and updated rules. You can check out the updated rules here.
What we liked
The concept and theme of B-17 Flying Fortress Leader are brilliant. It totally immerses you in the game and there are tons of campaigns to get involved in. In each campaign, there’s a lot to consider and strategy is absolutely essential if you want to win. If you’re taken in by the theme, this game will keep you coming back for more.
What could be better
It’s a solitaire game, and once you figure out the optimal strategy it’s going to work every time. Sure, it can take a while to master but it’s just a matter of time before you become very comfortable and proficient in each campaign.
Victory at Sea: Battle for the Pacific
Players: 2
Playing time: Not provided
Ages: 10+
Complexity: 2.5/5
I may be biased because I was stationed at Pearl Harbor when I was enlisted, but in my opinion, the Pacific Theater is just fascinating.
Victory at Sea: Battle for the Pacific puts players in command of those mighty ships that fought it out for control of the Pacific. The game comes with some rather impressive models for an all-in-one box game and includes historical ships from both the US and Japanese fleets.
I like the movement system that’s built into the rules, which seems very realistic. You simply can’t expect your ship to pull a 90-degree turn or stop on a dime.
If you’re a fan of naval battles, I think Victory at Sea does a fantastic job of showing the difficulty and evolution of naval warfare during this period.
What we liked
Overseeing naval warfare in the Pacific theater is a great concept for a game. The theme attracted me immediately. The game isn’t particularly complex or difficult to learn so even if the theme isn’t appealing to everyone, they can still learn the basics and give it a go. In that sense, it’s an inclusive game that caters to a wide audience.
What could be better
Victory at Sea is a little light on complexity so for those looking for a more strategic experience this game will feel too easy. That being said, it’s still going to provide a few fun run-throughs.
Axis & Allies: 1941
Players: 2-5
Playing time: 60-180 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 2.75/5
Axis & Allies is considered to be one of the foundational games in the wargaming sphere. It’s also known for being a massive time commitment.
Axis & Allies: 1941 solves that problem by simplifying the playing field. Instead of having to micromanage the entire theater of war, players will have a streamlined version that can be played in about 2 hours.
This game is for WW2 board game fans who want to try their hands at some war games without having to dedicate an entire day to a single game.
What we liked
The overall scale of this game is more manageable. Reducing the scope of the game, allows new players to quickly tell if they are interested in the Axis and Allies universe. In that sense, it’s an excellent gateway game.
What could be better
Playing with 5 players can defeat the purpose of Axis & Allies 1941. It plays much better with 2 players. With more players, the pacing is too slow and the whole rationale for playing a streamlined version of Axis & Allies is negated.
Undaunted: Normandy
Players: 2
Playing time: 45-60 minutes
Ages: 14+
Complexity: 2.25/5
Operation Overlord was an epic and momentous turning point in WW2. The Allies needed a foothold in Europe and Normandy was chosen as the point of attack. D-Day became the largest seaborne invasion in history. Now the Allies had a foothold, but victory was not assured.
In Undaunted: Normandy you will play as either American or German forces and try to turn the tide of the war. Of course, we already know how it actually ended, so you can either try to recreate history or create an alternate timeline where the Germans pushed the Allies back. Either way, this game is a lot of fun.
What we liked
The core mechanics are clear and easy to understand. They also offer a lot of variety and possibilities in terms of deck building. There’s a lot of player interaction so you will always be engaged with your opponent. Overall for a simple game, Undaunted: Normandy has a lot going for it.
What could be better
If you’re not a fan of dice rolling and random outcomes you’re going to feel frustrated a lot. You could do everything right, and have an excellent strategy in place, only to be thwarted by an unlucky roll of the dice.
Blitzkrieg! WWII in 20 Minutes
Players: 1-2
Playing time: 20-45 minutes
Ages: 14+
Complexity: 2/5
Blitzkrieg was a terrifying and lightning-quick form of warfare developed by the Germans in order to win the war quickly. It involved surprise attacks and overwhelming shows of force. The aim was the rapid capitulation of the enemy.
The board game Blitzkrieg incorporates some of the same elements to create a fast-paced, exciting WWII board game. An entire war can be won and lost in 20 minutes. Players will draw army tokens from a bag and distribute them across the battlefield. There will be immediate give and take, with excellent back-and-forth gameplay. Once the war is over, you can recreate it all over again.
What we liked
The pacing is frenetic and means you constantly need to adapt to the situation on the battlefield. There will be multiple areas where you have the advantage or are being forced back and you need to prioritize and make decisions in the blink of an eye.
What could be better
Blitzkrieg’s scale is huge but it’s not a deep game. It doesn’t focus on individual squadrons or historical figures. It also doesn’t focus on the deep strategy and tactics involved in waging total war. In that sense, it’s a limited game. But, you are resolving WWII in 20 minutes, which is quite an achievement.
Churchill
Players: 1-3
Playing time: 60-300 minutes
Ages: 14+
Complexity: 3.5/5
During WWII, three of the most important figures of the 20th century met during a series of conferences, including Tehran, Yalta, and Potsdam. These leaders debated, deliberated, and divided the world into spheres of influence. These were, of course, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin.
In Churchill, you will play as one of these three leaders and maneuver into a position of power. Through cooperation and competition, the winner will be the one whose forces can exert the most pressure on the enemy and bend the world to their vision. This isn’t so much a war game as a game of political intrigue.
What we liked
Technically all the players are allies, but in reality, you are all in direct competition. This results in some brilliant gameplay where you want to win but you also need to do what’s right for the war effort. Ultimately the Axis powers will collapse and you want to be the most dominant player at this point.
What could be better
Although you don’t technically have to play the full campaign, it is the best way to play it. This will take a long time. If everyone is truly engaged with their character and fully immersed in the game, then time will fly by. But otherwise, it may be too much of a time commitment.
Triumph & Tragedy: European Balance of Power 1936-1945
Players: 2-3
Playing time: 240-360 minutes
Ages: 12+
Complexity: 3.25/5
Countries weren’t the only forces pitted against each other in WWII. Ideologies were at stake too. Capitalism in the West, Communism in the Soviet Union, and Fascism in the Axis block all fought for global supremacy. In Triumph and Tragedy, players take the role of one of these three geopolitical forces and strive for global domination.
The game begins in 1936 and plays through the entirety of WWII. You can win through economic hegemony, technological supremacy, or military victory. There can only be one winner and by the end of the game, the world will be shaped in the image of the ultimate victor. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
What we liked
Nothing is inevitable in this game. Germany doesn’t have to invade Poland. The Allies don’t have to side with the Soviets. There are so many what-if scenarios that each game will play out as an alternate, fascinating timeline.
What could be better
If you’re looking for historical realism, this is not it. The famous and infamous actions of WWII will not be repeated in this game. It’s a sandbox where any outcome is possible. That is excellent in its own way, but for players who really want to recreate WWII in a more accurate way, this game will disappoint.
Wrap-Up
Since tabletop wargaming is a smaller niche of board gaming, a lot of the best games are produced as limited runs and made by some incredibly small companies. That also makes them a little scarce and hard to source.
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best WWII board games. If your favorite didn’t make the list, we’d love to hear from you. We tried to include the best games that we could find that are also readily available for our readers.
Let us know what you think! Which ones have you tried? Drop a comment below. Happy gaming!
Looking for more War Board Games? Check out our video below:
Before starting GameCows with his wife Kendra, he used to teach English Language Arts in the US. He combined his love of gaming with education to create fun game-based learning lessons until he eventually decided to run GameCows with Kendra full-time. He’s known for pouring over rulebooks in his spare time, being the rule master during game night, and as the perma DM in his DnD group. Bryan loves board games, writing, traveling, and above all his wife and partner in crime, Kendra.