The German Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) is perhaps the world's most prestigious game award. Founded in 1978 by a group of German game critics to promote awareness and to increase the cultural value of games, the award recognizes outstanding games based on originality, playability, and educational value of the game idea; organization, clarity and understandability of rules; packing and layout of the gameboard and the game rules; and functionality and overall quality of the game materials included.
Popular Spiel des Jahres Winners
Dominion
$45.98
Niagara
$49.95
Power Grid
$35.99
Prices shown are accurate as of Dec 23, 2017 18:06pm CST. Please follow the links for current pricing.
Spiel des Jahres Winners, By Year
2011 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Asara — Asara, the land of a thousand towers has opened its gates to you! Use your tactical sense to stay ahead of the other players and become the greatest architect of the country.
- Forbidden Island — Dare to discover Forbidden Island! Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to capture four sacred treasures from the ruins of this perilous paradise. Race to collect the treasures and make a triumphant escape before you are swallowed into the watery abyss!
- Qwirkle — Qwirkle is as simple as matching colors and shapes, but it's also a game that requires tactical maneuvers and well-planned strategy. Easy-to-learn rules mean you'll be having fun in no time!
- Sun Sea and Sand — In SUN SEA and SAND each player starts a resort on a tourist island. Manage your money and time -- it's all in your hands!
2010 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Dixit — Storytelling is the name of the game in Dixit.
- Roll Through The Ages — Build a thriving civilization -- in under an hour!
2009 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Dominion — You assume the role of a monarch, as your parents before you.
- Fits — Fits is basically multi-player board game version of the popular video game Tetris. One to four players try to skillfully fill in the spaces using shapes that are made up of three, four, or five blocks.
- Valdora — Hidden far away from our time lies a valley full of unimaginable riches. Adventurers from all over the world set off to try to make their fortune in Valdora.
2008 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Galaxy Trucker — Build your own space ship, and you just might find yourself among the 10 billion richest people in the Galaxy!
- Linq — 4 Cards... 1 Pair... 100 reasons why you SHOULD be right. The only problem is... you don't know who your partner is!
- Witch's Brew — Whether it is the druid, the witch, or the wizard, who will make the best witch's brew?
2007 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Imperial — A challenging strategy game based in Europe in the age of imperialism.
2006 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Caylus — Players embody master builders to construct the King's castle and developing the city around it.
- Shadows Over Camelot — a unique collaborative game where you join forces with the Knights of the Round Table in an attempt to protect Camelot.
2005 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Niagara — In the wild rapids of the Niagara River, fearless canoers battle the water and each other to collect gems along the riverbank.
- Power Grid — An energetic economic game where the object is to supply the most cities with efficient and reliable power.
2004 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
2003 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Coloretto — Like a Chameleon, a player must change his color many times during this game.
- The Werewolves of Millers Hollow — Who among the villagers of Millers Hollow are werewolves?
2002 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
- Dvonn — A challenging stacking game with very simple rules - control as many pieces as possible by building stacks.
2001 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
2000 Spiel des Jahres Awardees
See Also: Other Award-Winning Board Games
