The 8 Best Two-Player Board Games That Are Really Fun

Best Overall: Jax Sequence

4.5

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If you think a little healthy competition is good for game night, then you can't go wrong with Sequence, a versatile strategy game you can play with two people or a large group. The versatility and excitement of this game makes it our top pick in this category. "This game offers an alluring combination of luck, variables, stealth, and strategy that had my kids and me hooked," says our at-home product tester.

The concept of the game is relatively straightforward: you put down playing cards from your hand and place a chip on the corresponding space on the game board. The object is to get five chips in a row, but your opponent may very well see your strategy and work to block your progress. Even though the game is relatively simple, people say it's both entertaining and challenging for players of all ages.

Each game felt unique, making for high replay value, says our tester. There are different techniques and strategies to play every time, making every round exciting and memorable. The game also teaches valuable skills to younger players like sequencing, strategizing, and decision-making, according to our tester. The only downside is the game can get less fun and competitive the more players you add.

Price at time of publish: $18

Best for Families: SolidRoots Mind the Gap: A Trivia Game for the Generations

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If you constantly flaunt your generational knowledge in front of younger or older family members, then Mind the Gap is your family's ideal board game. Best of all this game can be played with anywhere from 2 to 20 players.

The object of the game is to race your marker around the board while answering challenge cards that make you hum, dance, or act out iconic pop culture moments across generations. Your team only has a certain amount of time to guess the correct cultural reference.

The rules of this game are easy enough for any age to grasp, but it may be better, and more fun, with several players of all ages. It also may be challenging for players facing off who have multiple generations separating them.

Price at time of publish: $30

Best for Kids: Think Fun Zingo! Family Board Game

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Zingo is a twist on the classic bingo board game, making it more compatible with younger ages. Just like bingo, players are challenged to match cue cards to their boards, but Zingo cards feature a picture and word for pre-readers and early readers.

Young players can race each other to fill up their Zingo board first—all while developing picture and word associations. Two different board levels are included so that young players can also "level up" their game play as they grow and learn.

We also love that this game can be played among a variety of ages, whether a parent and child, siblings, or grandparents are playing against each other. If you're allowing younger children to play between themselves, be sure to keep an eye on them as the game pieces are small and may be a choking hazard.

Price at time of publish: $22

Best Collaborative : Czech Games Codenames: Duet The Two Player Word Deduction Game

4.4

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If you usually love working with other people during team based games, the best two player game for you might be something collaborative, rather than competitive. Try Codenames: Duet, which promises to provide hours of fun with its cooperative gameplay. This game is an adaptation of the highly rated, team-based game Codenames board game, adjusted so it can be enjoyed by just two players.

During gameplay, you take turns giving one-word clues to your partner, striving to identify your team of “secret agents” from a grid of 25 cards. If you reveal the assassin or too many innocent bystanders along the way, you lose!

This game does a great job blending the basics of the original Codenames with cooperative play, making it a great two-player game that you'll want to play over and over. Plus, the rules are easy to learn and gameplay is quick!

Price at time of publish: $30

Best Strategy: Asmodee 7 Wonders - Duel

3.8

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Love a game that challenges your brain to think outside of the box? This pick is an adaptation of the award-winning original board game, 7 Wonders, but it's designed specifically for two people.

During the game, two players go head-to-head, competing to build a civilization to crush your competition, striving to build architectural “wonders” along the way. You can win by achieving military, scientific, or civilian supremacy, so you can play a different strategy every time you play.

Reviewers call this game one of the best two-player games they've ever owned. Many love the variability and mechanics of 7 Wonders: Dual, writing that the numerous ways to win make it an engaging game with lots of replay value.

Price at time of publish: $22

Best Theme: Z-Man Games Pandemic

3.5

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Cooperative games are the latest trend in board games, allowing you to work together instead of competing against one another. If you're looking for the best cooperative game to play with two people, you should definitely consider Pandemic—but only if you're up for a challenge.

The object of this cooperative game is to save the world from an outbreak of disease by working together to contain and cure the various strains. This game is especially challenging, as epidemics and outbreaks can spread diseases across the board faster than you can contain them, and there are several ways you might lose. "There is something unique and appealing about the way teams feel like they are fighting against the game, ultimately spurring great camaraderie," says our at-home tester.

Online reviewers write that this game is particularly addicting, as you'll want to keep playing until you can best it. Pandemic has ample replay value, as no two games will ever be alike, making it in essential for your collection of board games.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best for Adults: Days of Wonder Ticket To Ride

4.5

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If you're looking for a board game to play with adults, you can't go wrong with Ticket to Ride. This extremely popular game can accommodate up to five players, but it's equally entertaining when there are just two of you.

Ticket to Ride is recommended for players eight and older, and each game will take between 30 minutes in an hour. To play, each person races to build train routes across a map of North America, connecting various cities and earning points along the way. You can earn bonus points by having the longest continuous path or by completing routes given on your “destination tickets.”

People describe this as a “light” strategy game, because you do need a game plan to win, but it's not too thought-intensive. Overall, many people say this is one of their favorite board games, and it gets especially competitive when you're playing with all adults.

Price at time of publish: $34