Starting a Board Game Collection in 2026
Whether you are collecting games for the family, brewery, library, or a game night with friends, a good collection is not about owning everything - it's about having the right mix. Games for two, games for the whole group, a few that get a table laughing, a way in for new players, something for the kids, and a few deeper picks for the people who want to dig in.
Here are some of our favorites for each style of play. Each game below links straight to our shop, or come on in and let us help you find what will suit you!
2 Player Games
These are our favorites for date nights, rainy afternoons, and anyone who wants a good game without needing a crowd.
Splendor Duel
A two-player game built from the ground up around Splendor's gem-collecting. Take gems, buy cards, and build towards one of several ways to win.
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Toy Battle
A quick tactical battle where you deploy toy troops across themed boards like castles, jungles, and space stations. Win by taking your rival's headquarters or finishing with the most medals.
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Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth
A head-to-head Lord of the Rings game for two. One player leads the Free Peoples and the other the forces of Shadow as you each push toward your own goal. Several avenues to victory. Not just a good pick for Tolkien fans, but a tightly composed two player game for tactics and strategy.
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Co-op Games
Everybody wins together, or loses together. These are our go-to picks for families and friends who would rather team up against the game than each other.
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Trick-Taking Game
A cooperative trick-taking card game that follows the Fellowship's journey through a series of missions, each based one-for-one with the chapters in the novel. If you like card games or Tolkien, this one fits both.
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Bomb Busters
Work together to defuse a bomb by cutting the right wires, using clues about what your teammates are holding. It rewards careful communication and steady nerve.
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Forbidden Island
Team up to grab four treasures and escape a sinking island before it disappears into the sea. The rules are friendly for newer players and the tension builds fast.
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See the full Co-op Games collection
Party Games
Big groups, short rules, and plenty of laughs. These are the ones we reach for at holiday tables and game nights, and most can be taught in about a minute.
Just One (Refresh Edition)
A cooperative word game where everyone helps one guesser find the mystery word. Any clues that match get cancelled, so the fun is in writing a clue nobody else will. Nobody loses, which is great for mixed ages.
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Hot Streak
A bonkers betting game where you place bets on mascot races. Secretly add cards to the deck, watch the mascots race, and finish with the most cash after three races.
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See the full Party Games collection
Intro to the Modern Classics
If you grew up on the old family classics, this is the next step. These ten are relatively easy to learn, quick to set up, and just as fun for long-time players as for newcomers. If you are building your first shelf, start here.
Carcassonne
Draw and place tiles to build roads, cities, and farms, then place followers to claim them. It is a classic for a reason and a good way to introduce tile-laying games.
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Modern Art
You are an art dealer buying and selling paintings, and the value of each artist depends on how many pieces get sold. It is an auction game full of bluffing and clever bidding.
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Ticket to Ride (Refresh)
Collect train cards to claim routes across the map and complete your destination tickets. It is one of the best gateway games around and a favorite for family game night.
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Games for Kids
Games for younger players, and for the grown-ups playing alongside them. Easy rules, short rounds, and a good introduction to competitive play.
Cascadia Junior
A simpler version of Cascadia designed for younger players. Kids build a landscape and place wildlife while learning the same tile-laying ideas their parents enjoy.
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Sleeping Queens
Wake up the sleeping queens by playing kings, numbers, and other cards, while your opponents try to put them back to sleep. It is a card game that sneaks in some math.
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Catan Junior
A simpler, pirate-themed take on Catan for younger players. Kids get the trading and building feel of the original with rules that are easier to learn.
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Spot It! Classic
Race to spot the one symbol that matches between two cards. It is quick, loud, and plays well across a wide range of ages, including grown-ups.
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For the Board Game Enthusiast
For players who want something to dig into. Bigger strategy, deeper decisions, and games that reward a second and third play.
Terraforming Mars
Lead a corporation in the effort to make Mars livable by raising the temperature, oxygen, and oceans. You build an engine out of a big deck of cards and race to score the most as the planet changes.
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Dice Throne Starter Set
A dice-battle game where each hero has their own unique abilities and deck. Roll dice, play cards, and try to take your opponent down first.
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The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship
A cooperative Middle-earth game from Matt Leacock, inspired by Pandemic. Players work together to guide the Fellowship while Sauron's forces close in. It supports 1 to 5 players.
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Spirit Island
Play powerful spirits defending an island from colonizing invaders in a cooperative game with real depth. Every spirit plays differently, so there is plenty to explore.
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Questions? Tell us what is on your list
Have any questions about these games? Send us an email at Mick@ToySoldierGames.com! We’d love to hear what you have on your list as well.
Not sure where to start? Stop by the shop at 113B Main St in Amesbury, tell us who you play with, and we will help you find a good fit.