Best two player board games to try in 2025

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As the days get shorter and the weather turns colder, it’s officially time to cozy up at home. We’re trading lively nights out for quiet evenings in, and putting away our party clothes. On the bright side, our wallets will appreciate the break!

October is here, which means it’s the perfect time to enjoy some cozy games! We’ve already shared our picks for the best board games and card games, and now we’re focusing on the very best board games designed for just two players.

Whether you’re a serious strategist or just looking for some fun with a friend or housemate – like a game of Connect 4 – you’ll find a great selection of board games here. We’ve highlighted what each game is best for, based on our recommendations.

Plus, best of all, these board games can all be played with at least two players.

If you’re looking for fun activities in person, check out our picks for the most immersive and engaging experiences, as well as the top murder mystery games.

Best two player board games at a glance:

  • Best for trivia: Where is Moldova? | £49.99
  • Best online board game: Outsmarted | £10.46
  • Best for couples: Carcassonne | £66.59
  • Best for strategy: Connect 4 | £10
  • Best classic board game: Yahtzee | £21.75
  • Best card board game: Wingspan | £47.99
  • Best for date night: Pass The Pigs | £10
  • Best fast-paced board game: Bananagrams | £12.99

Best two player board games you have to try in 2025

Where is Moldova?

Best for trivia

Ages: 8+

Number of players: 2-4

If you enjoy trivia and like to show off what you know, a trivia board game is a fun option. In ‘Where is Moldova?’, you try to control at least five countries that border Moldova by answering questions, competing with other players, and even taking countries from them! The game includes over 1,000 questions covering 60 different topics.

What’s great about this game is that winning takes more than just quick answers – you also need to remember things and use strategy. It’s not just about knowing the right answer, but *how* you play.

Outsmarted

Best online board game

Ages: 8+

Number of players: 2-24

If you love the music round at pub quizzes, you’ll really enjoy this board game! Outsmarted is a fun, immersive quiz that tests your knowledge of music from different eras. It’s designed for two or more players, and a unique feature is that you don’t even need to be in the same location – you can connect using the Outsmarted app, which works on Apple and Android phones and tablets, as well as PCs and Smart TVs.

Carcassonne

Best for couples

Ages: 14+

Number of players: 2-6

Playing a board game with your partner is a surprisingly great way to learn about them. You can see if they’re a strategic thinker, how they handle competition, and whether they’re secretive or open. Carcassonne is a particularly good choice for a couple’s game night.

In Carcassonne, players build the medieval landscape of southern France by drawing and placing tiles. They also strategically place their meeples – little game pieces – on these tiles. When a feature like a road or city is finished, the player who has meeples on it scores points. It’s a game that requires planning, as you can only place one tile and one meeple each turn.

Connect 4

Best for strategy

Ages: 6+

Number of players: 2

Connect 4 feels like a cozy activity for cooler days, making it ideal for the upcoming autumn weather. You probably know how it works – it’s similar to tic-tac-toe, but played on a vertical grid. Players take turns dropping red or yellow discs, trying to get four in a row. The first player to connect four of their color wins! Don’t forget to block your opponent if they’re about to get four in a row.

Yahtzee

Best classic board game

Ages: 8+

Number of players: 1+

I’ve been playing Yahtzee for years, and it’s amazing to think it’s been around since the 50s! It actually evolved from older dice games like Poker Dice and others. The basic idea is pretty simple: you roll five dice up to three times trying to get a specific combination. A lot of people think it’s just luck, but there’s definitely a strategy to it. You really have to think about what your opponents might be going for, too, to maximize your score.

Wingspan

Best card board game

Ages: 14+

Number of players: 1-5

Looking for a board game with a bit more depth? Wingspan might be perfect. It typically takes between 40 and 70 minutes to play, and you’ll take on the role of a bird enthusiast. The goal is to attract the most valuable birds to your wildlife preserve, and the player with the highest score after four rounds wins.

Pass The Pigs

Best for date night

Ages: 7+

Number of players: 2+

We absolutely love this game! I first played Pass The Pigs at a friend’s house about three Christmases ago, and it’s been a go-to for camping trips and cozy days indoors ever since.

If you’re looking for a fun and lighthearted date night game, we recommend Pass The Pigs! It always makes us laugh, and we think you will too. The game is simple: you roll the pig-shaped dice, and your score depends on how they land. You’ll be aiming for silly positions like the ‘Leaning Jowler’ or ‘Double Snouter’! The first player to reach 100 points wins, but watch out – certain rolls will send your score right back to zero!

Bananagrams

Best fast-paced board game

Ages: 7+

Number of players: 2-6

Let’s play a quick game! It’s a bit different than traditional board games like Scrabble, but you’ll still need a table or flat surface. Bananagrams is a fast and fun word game where you compete to use up all your letter tiles before your opponent does.

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2025-10-06 12:05