Thanksgiving is almost here and Black Friday 2023 is right around the corner. Everywhere you look, it seems like all of the big box stores are already gearing up for the big sale.
This year Black Friday falls on November 24th, and it’s going to be a big one.
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Preparing for Black Friday
Big box retailers like Target & Walmart now offer more variety in their board game aisles than ever before. Instead of a new themed version of Monopoly, they now have a huge variety of great titles that you can find, as well as the infrastructure to sell them at steep discounts on Black Friday.
If you’re looking to round out your collection of board games staples and classics, then definitely check them out this year and see what’s on the shelf. So far, I’ve seen that they are carrying games like Power Grid, Betrayal at House on the Hill, and they even have some nice Legacy games on their shelves too.
As always, during this time of year, be sure to check out your FLGS (Friendly Local Game Shop) and support the little guys as well. They’ll definitely have some nice deals going on and typically will be able to give you a preview of their bargains before the holiday season begins.
Tips for the Best Black Friday Board Games
Holiday shopping can be a tricky business, especially for board gamers. Chances are if you’re shopping for a board gamer, you know that they are probably a compulsive game buyer… it goes along with the territory.
Before plopping down your hard-earned cash on a gift this year, it’s a good idea to do some recon. Check out their board game shelf and it’ll give a bit of guidance on getting the perfect game for the gamer in your life.
Do they have a ton of expansions for a particular game?
If they own a ton of expansions for a game, that means they love it. Expansions are great ways to get more gaming mileage out of your favorite games… and new ones are constantly coming out. If their shelf is filled with expansions, take and look and see what’s missing. A new expansion might be just the thing that’ll brighten their holidays.
Is there a particular mechanic that dominates the shelf?
Is their board game shelf full of worker placement, adventure, or deck-building games? If you notice that most of their games utilize a particular mechanic, then finding a matching game is an easy way to find a great gift for them this Black Friday.
Which games look a bit worn down, and which ones are still in shrink wrap?
All gamers have been guilty of this at one point or another. We’ve picked up a new game, only to leave it unopened and still in the shrink wrap for years. Meanwhile, our tried and true favorites get pulled out time and time again.
If the gamer in your life has games still shrink-wrapped after years of being on the shelf and a handful of tried and true favorites, you can use that information to either find them something they’ll really like or maybe even get them an updated version of their favorite.
The Best Black Friday Board Games
If you’re still completely lost, we’ve still got you covered. Here’s a list of some of the best board games to look for this Black Friday. These are classic games that are at home on anybody’s gaming table and guaranteed to be welcome gifts.
Fantasy Fan: Gloomhaven
Looking to get the perfect game for the fantasy fan in your life? Gloomhaven is the big box legacy fantasy game that’s been sitting at the top of almost every chart since its release. With the upcoming expansions, this is the best time to get lost in the world of Gloomhaven.
Check out our full Gloomhaven review here.
Couples: 7 Wonders Duel
Couples can be hard to shop for, especially gamers. If they don’t already have a copy, 7 Wonders Duel is a great choice. It’s specifically designed for 2-players and is widely regarded as one of the best 2-player board games out there.
Check out our 7 Wonders Duel review here.
History Buff: Twilight Struggle
Twilight Struggle is a fantastic game. It’s won numerous awards, and you can tell the designers really cared about the subject matter. If you’re looking to find the perfect gift for a history buff, especially someone interested in the Cold War, Twilight Struggle is an easy choice.
Check out our Twilight Struggle review here.
Family: Sushi Go! Party
Looking for the perfect family game to play as soon as it’s unwrapped? Sushi Go: Party is family-friendly, easy to learn, adorable, and most importantly, a blast to play.
Check out our Sushi Go! Party review here.
Disney Fan: Villianous
Disney’s Villainous lets fans step into the role of their favorite dastardly villains. If they already own the game, see what expansions they have. Disney groups together various villains into their own mini-expansion packs, and each one adds a whole new dimension to the game.
Check out our Villainous review here.
Gateway: Pandemic
Trying to get someone into the board game hobby? Gateway games are the best way to introduce them to what board games have to offer. I highly suggest Pandemic as your starting point. The cooperative gameplay combined with the challenging task of finding the cure for 4 diseases is a memorable experience for any newbie.
Check out our Pandemic review here.
Stocking Stuffers: Tiny Epic Whatever
The Tiny Epic Series makes the perfect stocking stuffer. First of all, they’re small enough to actually fit into a stocking, and second, each game has a completely different theme and is tons of fun to play.
Check out our review or Tiny Epic Galaxies or Tiny Epic Quest.
Storyteller: Sleeping Gods
Does your loved one enjoy a good story? Sleeping Gods is one of the most unique board games to come out in recent years. It’s a mixture of a Robinson Crusoe novel, D&D campaign, and Disney’s Jungle Cruise ride. It’s absolutely wild, and if you’re shopping for someone who loves a good adventure story, they’ll absolutely love Sleeping Gods.
Check out our Sleeping Gods review here.
Why Wait for Black Friday?
Sure there are plenty of deals to be had on Black Friday, but there are also plenty of deals year-round. If you find something fantastic and it’s already on sale, why wait for the busiest shopping day of the year?
Check out our friends at Noble Knight. They always have sales going on and I’ve found some great deals, especially if you’re looking for some nice miniatures.
Remember that the clerks and other shoppers are people too, and everyone deserves to enjoy the holidays.
Bookmark this page or sign up for our email newsletter, and we’ll send out a reminder to our subscribers letting them know the best deals we’ve found. Until then you can check out some of our gift guides to get ideas and a jumpstart on your holiday shopping.
- Best Christmas Board Games
- Best Games for Large Groups
- Best Gateway Games
- Best Wine Board Games
- Best Cooperative Board Games
- Best Party Board Games
- Best Social Deduction Board Games
- Best Games by Age Group
Black Friday Best Sellers
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Happy Gaming! From Bryan & Kendra at GameCows.com.
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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