Max Playtime: 60m

Milkman, from Dice Hate Me Games, takes you to a time when people were more directly connected to the origins of their food, much like today’s “farm to fork” movement. 10+, 2-4 players, 40-60 minutes

In Tower Up from Monolith, two to four players take the roles of construction companies expanding the city’s downtown. 10+, 2-4 players, 40-60 minutes

Running between train cars, grabbing bags of gold, climbing onto the roof, and getting whacked by an overhanging swivel arm — it’s all in a day’s work for train robbing varmints in just about every movie about the Old West. 10+, 3-8 players, 40-60 minutes

Sixty years is a big anniversary, whether it’s for a company or your favorite couple. 14+, 1-4 players, 45-60 minutes

Kinfire Chronicles: Night’s Fall by Incredible Dream Studios is the newest — and possibly largest, because this game is physically huge — installment in a series of titles set in the fantasy world of Atios. 14+, 1-4 players, 45-60 minutes

Every fantasy adventure features the stuff of bardic songs: terrible monsters, dangerous locales, dastardly villains, and heroic deeds — and, of course, a tavern where our heroes gather and enjoy each other’s company. 14+, 3-8 players, 20-60 minutes

In a time when global warming, alternative energy, and electric vehicles seem to be on everyone’s mind, the Salton Sea in California feels like a mirage. 14+, 1-4 players, 45-60 minutes

In The Rich and the Good from Ares Games, you’re a commodities trader in the midst of the Second Industrial Revolution. 13+, 2-5 players, 45-60 minutes

Oh no! 12+, 1-4 players, 60 minutes

When a company comes out with a new, updated version for one of their classic games, you can pretty much count on two things: the new one will cost more — sometimes a lot more — and it’ll add a bunch of complicated new features so it’s harder to learn and takes longer to play. 8+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up; 20-60 to play

When your new dungeon turns out to be nothing but an empty cave, it’s time to channel your inner dungeon builder and get to work. 10+, 2-4 players, 4 to set up, 45-60 to play

Dice love to race. 14+, 2-4 players, 10 to set up, 30-60 to play

It’s good to be a deity. 8+, 2-5 players, 5 to set up, 45-60 to play

Don’t let the cute box art with playful dinosaurs and a sunny sky fool you. 14+, 1-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

I grew up listening to my dad’s stores stories about working for Pan Am as a mechanic and then a pilot, so when a board game with the Pan Am globe appeared on the scene, I knew we had to give it a try. 12+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 60 to play

Starting any hobby can feel daunting. 13+, 2-5 players, 60 minutes

Many game people — our family included — have a long-standing love for the Looney Labs pyramids games. 10+, 2 (Homeworlds), 2-10 (Nomids) players, 30-60 minutes (Homeworlds), 2-10 minutes (Nomids)

Gardening is calm and patient work that demands skill, planning, and an eye for color and design. 10+, 2-4 players, 45-60 minutes

Cooperative play, the challenge of balancing conservation with development, plus possibly the cutest meeples ever seen on a game board—all of that adds up to The Aquicorn Cove Board Game experience from Renegade Game Studios. 10+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 45-60 minutes to play

Almost anybody in pop culture fandom immediately recognizes a Funko Pop! 10+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 20-60 minutes to play

Welcome to Copenhagen’s historic Nyhavn ( or “New Harbor”) district. 8+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 minutes to play

Let’s start with the basics: In Volcanic Isle from Arcane Wonders, the island you’re on will sink. 13+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 45-60 minutes to play

If you analyzed the universe of basic game mechanics, you’d find that trick-taking and dice rolling are a pretty common things. 14+, 3-5 players, 5 to set up, 45-60 minutes to play

The dream of the Scorpius system started with such hope, but it turned dark over the years. 14+, 2-4 players, 5 minutes to set up, 45-60 minutes to play

My Little Scythe from Stonemaier Games launched from a moment every gaming parent faces: when your too-young-to-play child gets enthralled by your very-expensive-it’s-new-don’t-touch-that board game. 8+, 1-6 players, 4 to set up, 35-60 to play

The stage is set for chivalrous battle. 14+, 2 or 4 players, 4 to set up, 25-60 to play

If the artwork in Sentient from Renegade Games is accurate, we look forward to a future filled with shiny intelligent robots and fascinating strategic decisions. 12+, 2-4 players, 4 to set up, 30-60 to play

Congratulations, Mayor! 8+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

Ah, the intrigue of a royal court! 14+, 2-6 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

It’s a bold land, filled with opportunity. 14+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

Trying to make a useful “beginner” version of anything takes some guts, especially if the topic at hand is more complex than explaining Dots and Boxes or successfully walking your dog. 13+, 2-7 players, 5-30 to set up, 30-60 minutes to play

The druids of Gaia face untold challenges, dangers, and opportunities in Mystic Vale: Vale of Magic, the new expansion for AEG’s Mystic Vale. 14+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 40-60 to play

Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time — back you were all in the pub, swapping tales of bravado over ales. 12+, 2-4 players, 10 to set up, 30-60 to play

Plenty of folks came to town looking to make their fortunes in gold, but not you — your vision looked different. 12+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

City planning must feel like designing a massive jigsaw puzzle — at least that’s what it looks like from the outside. 8+, 2-4 players, 5 to set up, 30-60 to play

Confession time: I always wanted to run an amusement park. 8+, 2-4 players, 10 to set up, 45-60 to play

If your lake cottage gaming crew longs for something light and fast to pump up the fun on summer nights, then try Flip the Bird, a new card game by Renegade Game Studios. 6+, 2-10 players, 10 to set up, 30-60 to play