Best 2-player board games to suit any budget in 2024

Despite what you might think, the best 2-player board games aren't a consolation prize if you can't rustle up enough people; they're perfect for everything from date night to vacation entertainment. Now that sweater season is here, there's no better time to cozy up with board games for 2 players.

Not that I'd need an excuse, anyway. Even if the sun was blazing, I'd still recommend adding some board games for 2 players to your collection – if you ask me, they're some of the best board games around (Villainous is a particular favorite of mine, because there's so much to get your teeth into that may be lost with extra people around the table). That's why the 12DOVE team and I have rounded up some recommendations here to save you time. You'll find options to suit most moods, skill-levels, and budgets below. Unsure of what you're looking for? Don't worry, I've got some advice on how to choose 2-player board games further down the page.

No matter what you're in the mood for, know that our writers and editors have been hands-on with every single entry listed throughout this guide (I've got many of them in my own collection, for example). We've spent the last several years reviewing, writing about, and playing board games for 2 players, so will never recommend anything we don't truly believe in. For more info, drop by the 'how we test' section.

Curated by

Curated by

Benjamin Abbott

Benjamin's been writing about board games professionally for almost six years, but has been playing them ever since he was old enough to roll dice. He's currently enjoying the post-apocalyptic Life in Reterra.

The quick list

Best 2-player board game overall

What happens if evil wins? You get to find out with Disney Villainous. Allowing players to mess around in a Disney-themed toy box, it's all about giving baddies their happy ending... and screwing over anyone that tries to stop you. Crucially, playing it as a head-to-head board game for 2 players is better than battling it out as a group. In all my years with Villainous, I've found that playing with just one other person makes for a more focused and enjoyable experience.

Features & design: Don't be fooled by that family-friendly theming – Villainous is hiding layer upon layer of strategy under its gorgeous artwork. You see, characters have a unique objective and play-style inspired by their movie, and that means they all handle differently from one another. They also come with their own board to explore at your leisure. However, that's not to say it's laissez-faire. The game encourages you to explore your wicked side, and you can send heroes to harass your foes as a result.

Just be warned: it takes a hot minute to get your head around the rules, and it's not the easiest to explain.

Still, at least you'll have time to admire its gorgeous artwork while you figure things out. Luxurious, atmospheric paintings are used here rather than screenshots from the movies in question, and every component has a premium feel that makes Villainous seem much more expensive than it is. Those movers are incredible, too; they're abstract, statue-esque representations of characters that really are beautiful.

Gameplay: While Villainous shines when played in a group, tackling it as a pair gives you space to learn the characters' ins and outs rather than being swept up by the chaos of a larger melee. And make no mistake, 'chaos' is the right word. That title isn't just a name; it's a mindset you'll need to embrace. The quickest path to victory is throwing a wrench into another player's schemes, and more people means more carnage. That's no bad thing, of course, but it's a little less focused. Seeing as genuine skill is rewarded here, battling head-to-head feels more tactical. There aren't as many variables to consider, so you can really hone in on your villain's skills.

Because each of these baddies is so distinctive mechanically speaking, this is the sort of game that benefits from repeat play as well. It'll take you a match or two to understand how they work, and different match-ups provide all-new challenges. (Especially if you add the many Disney Villainous expansions.)

Best card game for 2 players

Jaipur is the poster child in terms of good board games for 2 players. Even though it's the definition of 'accessible', there's a hidden depth beneath the surface that allows you to experiment along the way. It's delightfully moreish too, making it a contender for any 'best' list.

Features & design: Putting you in the shoes of a trader from Jaipur city, you've been challenged to become the best businessperson and earn an invite to the maharajah's court. (In other words, collect as many points as possible.) How you get there is up to you, though; players have room to test a variety of different strategies, and there are no wrong answers. Should you buy and trade cheap items quickly, or is it better to chase expensive goods that get you a larger payout in the end? You'll have to decide quickly, because the sooner you trade an item, the more points you'll get. That means your foe could beat you to the punch if you don't cash in your wares fast enough.

So far as its visual design goes, Jaipur is a riot of sumptuous color that brings the vibe of a busy street market to life. Its tokens are chunky bits of cardboard as well, so they should last for a good while without becoming too dog-eared.

Gameplay: Every match of Jaipur is a balancing act. The question of whether you should sell fast or hold out for a bigger payday is captivating, because there's always the risk that your opponent will get there first. They may figure out what you're collecting and go for the same thing to stop you in your tracks, too. It's surprisingly thoughtful – more so than you'd expect from a quick and seemingly lighthearted game.

While we're on the subject of 'quick,' that makes Jaipur ideal for traveling as well (along with the fact that it doesn't take up much space in play or packed away). It's a shame that you can't play with more than one other person, but seeing as the experience is so laser-focused as a result, that's no bad thing.

Best strategy board game for 2 players

This smaller, more focused version of Splendor sits in the Goldilocks zone of board games for 2 players; it's both accessible and tactical. That's a rare mix. In fact, some tweaks to the formula mean that Splendor Duel may be better than its (excellent) predecessor.

Features & design: On a surface-level, Duel revolves around gem crafting. But in reality, it's about being savvier than your opponent. This is an efficiency exercise; you’ve got to make better, tighter purchases. Deciding when to act is a similar tightrope walk.

Basically, players collect tokens from the board to spend on gem cards which earn them points. Gather 20 points overall or round up 10 of a specific resource to win.

The borderline anime art-style may not be for everyone, and it's certainly a departure from the more realistic approach of classic Splendor. However, it also provides Duel with a dash of personality all its own. Plus, those chits and tokens are still incredibly well-made – there will be no disappointment so far as they're concerned.

Gameplay: Timing matters in Splendor Duel. It's a delicate dance; players can deny their rival gems if they make clever selections, or ruin each others' day with special ability cards. Opponents also get an advantage if you redraw the gem pile because you didn't want anything from the existing selection, so you've got to think hard about when you want to restock. Combined with its constant sense of one-upmanship, Duel requires you to be on the ball.

Wondering why we needed a 2-player version of Splendor when the original game can be played head-to-head already? As our review says, "not only does this play a lot more distinctively than its minor rules changes would suggest… it’s actually a superior game in almost every regard." Even though its new victory conditions are beholden to luck of the draw, it's still snappier than the original.

Best RPG board game for 2 players

If you grew up drawing fantasy maps and often dreamed about heroic quests, this 2-player board game will feel like those memories distilled into cardboard. With an expansive world and heroes you can make your own through upgrades, it fosters a feeling of genuine adventure from the start.

Features & design: As well as being a classic dungeon-crawler where you trawl locations for loot, Jaws of the Lion reacts to your choices. Thanks to a branching storyline, the kingdom will respond to decisions you make. This is tracked through stickers on a map that's permanently altered by your journey, and secret mechanics (such as new characters) are unlocked along the way. When you add a combat system that relies on cards and strategy rather than luck of dice, it offers a feeling of agency matched only by the best tabletop RPGs.

Much like its predecessor, Gloomhaven, this game is also a handsome beast. If anything, it's better-looking. The map is more lavish, and instead of individual board pieces that make up most of the older game's box, you play on printed environments in a scenario book. There are those who will turn their nose up at this, which is fair enough, but the simple fact is that it's easier.

Jaws of the Lion's various tokens and trackers are made in exactly the same style as OG Gloomhaven, though. Similarly, it employs the same kind of cardboard standees for monsters (complete with moody artwork of each one) and plastic miniatures for heroes. These models might not be as high-quality as those seen in the Descent series or Bardsung, but they're still effective and evocative nonetheless.

Gameplay: While there is a learning curve you'll need to work through (Jaws of the Lion's deeper than most board games for 2 players), the payoff is greater as a result. The world of Gloomhaven is one you can lose yourself in, and you'll become very attached to your character by the end because you've spent hours leveling them up. Mix in combat that rewards genuine skill and you have a potent mix on your hands.

Alright, so you can technically play with up to four people. Tackling it as a pair allows you to take more ownership of the narrative, though. (It's less hassle to line up schedules for the next session as well.) And yes, full-fat Gloomhaven is better overall. But this version is more intimate by default thanks to its reduced size, which makes it a great fit for two players.

Best co-op board game for 2 players

Think you can handle Jurassic Park better than its creators? The Legacy of Isla Nublar lets you have a go. Along with tense gameplay and consequence-driven mechanics, it improves on the 'Legacy' format (where decisions follow you from session to session) by providing something so much more replayable than its peers. Plus, tackling it as a pair gives you greater control of the choices you'll be asked to make – there's a danger of 'too many cooks' otherwise.

Features & design: Although it allows you to play through the events of each movie, this game also fills in gaps between them with new stories. Naturally, dinos running amuck is a given… so you've got to keep them in line.

That's easier said than done. Aside from trying to break through any barriers you've erected, they'll do their best to chow down on park guests as well. Seeing as you have other objectives you need to complete at the same time (which feature unique mini-games), you'll often be faced with a deliciously wicked Catch 22.

The visual design of this 2-player board game is much easier to judge, though. In a word, it's amazing. It opts for a vibrant approach rather than slavish realism, and its rulebooks – not to mention cards – are made to look like pulp comic books. 'Wood-trimmed' elements and a colorful board give it an air of the best classic board games from decades ago, too.

Then there are those dinosaur tokens, along with the dice. Oh my. The latter includes a d20 made to look like prehistoric mosquitos in amber, and the former are amazing little dioramas I'd be happy to display on my shelf. Legacy of Isla Nublar is an expensive game, yes, but goodness me does it make up for that.

Gameplay: Board games are at their best when something unexpected happens, and this is the perfect case in point. I once had to help geriatric park founder John Hammond fend off a T-Rex with nothing more than a cattle prod while he was stocking the gift shop, for instance. Emergent moments like this make The Legacy of Isla Nublar so much more memorable.

The real fun begins when you create your own board, though. Every barrier and building is permanent, so you'll wind up with a totally unique map by the end of your campaign. It isn't useless after that, either; the board can then be used in a separate, endlessly replayable game mode. There aren't many other Legacy games which give you the same luxury.

Best puzzle board game for 2 players

There's something soothing about this 2-player board game. A serene exercise in fitting Tetris-like tiles together, it's the sort of easy-going distraction that's perfect for date night or a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's not overly competitive either, so fallings-out will be kept to a minimum.

Features & design: Your aim is simple – build a quilt before you run out of time. Fortunately, that process is much easier in Patchwork than it would be in real life. Players use buttons to 'buy' patches that slot onto their board, and this might earn them buttons in return. They can then buy more patches that earn them even more buttons. It's a satisfying domino effect, and whoever collects the most buttons at the end will win.

Just keep an eye on the proverbial clock. Rather than using a sand timer, Patchwork tracks time by shuffling you along a central board. The bigger the patch, the more spaces you'll move. Reach the middle and it's all over.

Patchwork is equally meat-and-potatoes in how it looks. That isn't to say it's bad; on the contrary, it's very effective despite that simplicity. The components are sturdy and well-made, while its art style is a cute but bold mish-mash of clashing patterns. Fitting for a board game about quilts, in other words.

Meanwhile, its tokens are effective if workmanlike. They don't need to do more than they are, but a bit of flair wouldn't have gone amiss.

Gameplay: Despite what you might think, this isn't a simple race to the finish. Seeing as more desirable patches run down your time the most, planning ahead is vital – splashing out on a lucrative tile now might limit what you can do later.

Still, you'll lose points if you leave spaces on your quilt unfilled. The result is an engrossing push-and-pull that draws you in quickly, and you won't want to put Patchwork down once you've got a taste for its smart yet simple gameplay. While it's a shame that you can't add more people to proceedings, it's a good chill-out option because it's not overly taxing.

How to choose board games for 2 players

Don't panic if you're not sure what you're in the mood for; we've all been in that situation. To point you in the right direction, here are a few questions that always help me when I'm looking for 2-player board games.

If you're still left feeling cold, why not take a look at our guide to the many types of board games? That may spark some inspiration for you.

How we test 2-player board games

The testing process is very important to the 12DOVE team, and our writers will never suggest a product in buying guides unless we're sure it's worth your time. If we aren't in love with it, it doesn't get on the list.

As explained in our 'how we test board games' guide, our expert reviewers (who have many years of experience in the industry) spend as much time as they possibly can with the product they're reviewing. That way, they can get a better sense of its pros, cons, and longevity.

Our writers always run a game multiple times with different amounts of players where appropriate, too. This helps us determine how the experience differs under these circumstances.

We then split our critique on this page into four distinct sections:

• Introduction: This is where we discuss the 'elevator pitch' for a game, or "what does it do differently?" You'll also find reasons to buy / not to buy here.
• Features & design: As well as discussing the basics of how a game works, we'll also dive into its physical components and art.
• Gameplay: The bulk of our writing will be dedicated to the mechanics of a game, whether they're fun to play, and any issues we might have encountered.
• Should you buy: Board games for 2 players can be expensive, so we give a balanced overview of whether we think a product is worth buying in this section. We also list reasons to buy or not to buy here.

Finally, we rank 2-player board games using a standardized set of criteria; we look at gameplay, accessibility (how easy it is to understand and get into), replayability, setup and pack-down, and component quality. Here's how it's presented:

For a broader overview of our process sitewide, be sure to see the 12DOVE review policy.

Board games for 2 players FAQ

Looking for games to play with your loved ones when you all get together? Don't miss these board games for families. As for options that'll suit larger groups, be sure to check out the best party board games.