The best digital board games in 2024
Top tabletop adaptations to play solo or online
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If you’re a fan of board games, then the best digital board games are worth considering to take your adventures into the virtual realm. Anybody who has ever tried to play a board game in person knows that it can sometimes be tricky to get enough of your friends or family together in one room to get the dice rolling. Luckily, lots of popular board games now have digital counterparts, which allow you to experience all the fun of playing either alone (against random online players or AI opponents) or with those you already know without the need for everybody to be in the same place.
The popularity of online chat services like Discord orWhatsAppmeans it’s now easier than ever to coordinate your own virtual game night. However, with countless digital board games available to buy it can be daunting to work out which would be best for you. It’s also important to note that not all digital board games are created equal. While some may be extremely basic conversions with simple graphics and limited features, the best offer smooth visuals and a variety of modes to try.
We’ve assembled this list of the best digital board games to guide your purchasing decision, exploring games that we have first-hand experience playing and outlining what makes them worthy of your time and money. In addition to the entries on this list, it may also be worth checking to see if any of your current favorite board games have their own digital versions too. If you’re interested in tabletop gaming, be sure to visit our guide to thebest board gamesas well.
Best digital board games - The quick list
Best overall
The best digital board game overall
This is a great adaptation of a stone-cold classic, featuring slick modernized visuals, multiplayer support, and an engaging solo mode.
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Best budget
The best budget digital board game
With a robust set of tools that allow you to download, create, share, and play a huge number of games,Tabletop Simulatoris incredibly versatile.
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Best mobile
The best digital board game for mobile
Wingspan is a brilliant adaptation of a very relaxing card game. Its beautiful artwork and easy-to-learn rules put it above the competition on iOS and Android.
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Best for families
The best digital board game for families
A shiny reimagining of a classic board game,Monopoly Pluswins out for families thanks to its low price tag, local multiplayer play, and compatibility with a wide range of systems.
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Best with friends
The best digital board game to play with friends
This is a worthy adaptation of Uno with customizable rules, appealing visuals, and all the engaging mechanics that make the card game perfect to play with friends.
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Best strategy
The best digital board game for strategy fans
Scythe: Digital Editionstands out among the sea of strategy titles thanks to its in-depth mechanics and gorgeous alternate history setting.
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Best fantasy
The best fantasy digital board game
Gloomhavennot only maintains everything that made the dungeon crawling fantasy board game great but actively builds upon it.
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Best digital board games 2024
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Best digital board game
1. Ticket to Ride
Ticket to Rideis our top pick for the best digital board game overall. The physical edition ofTicket to Rideis one of the most popular board games for good reason. Putting you in the shoes of a railway tycoon, up to four players compete in a race to set up train lines across North America by tactically using a hand of color-coded train cards. It’s the perfect combination of easy-to-learn rules and a surprising level of depth that sees you strategically trying to outmaneuver your opponents before they manage to claim your desired routes.
This digital version of the game was released in 2023 and can be found on PC for $14.99 / £12.49 or $4.99 / £4.99 on iOS and Android.Ticket to Ridefeatures a host of fantastic game modes, including single-player against AI and an online mode that lets you compete against players globally. There’s also support for playing with friends, in addition to an asynchronous multiplayer mode which has players alternating taking turns over a period of days rather than hours.
Some might not appreciate the abundance of animations and UI elements, but we think that it really helps enhance the overall presentation of the game. The option to turn all of these animations off was also added in a recent update, which should satisfy anyone looking for something a little closer in presentation to the board game version.
Additional downloadable content (DLC) in the form of adaptations of the board game’s various expansion packs is planned, with the Europe expansion available now for $7.49 / £6.49. This should prevent you from running out of boards to play any time soon if you’re willing to spend extra.
Although a console edition has already been confirmed, it’s not ready quite yet. Luckily, you can still get an older adaption of the game calledTicket to Ride: Classic Editionwith similar features onPS4andXbox Onewhile you wait.
Best budget digital board game
2. Tabletop Simulator
Tabletop Simulatoris our top pick for the best budget digital board game thanks to its unparalleled versatility. After all, what better way is there to save money on a digital board game than buying one that can play an almost unlimited number of games with ease?
Rather than being an adaptation of one particular board game,Tabletop Simulatoris a set of tools that allows users to create and share their own adaptations. These can then be downloaded easily via theSteam Workshopand played with friends online. If you take the time to browse, you can find high-quality fan versions of timeless titles like7 Wonders,Catan,and variousWarhammergames.
The possibilities are truly endless and you can always try your hand at creating your own adaptation of your favorite game if there isn’t one available. You can even use it to create wholly original games by importing your own assets which makes it perfect for those with a creative streak. A single copy of the game costs $19.99 / £14.99, with a four-pack containing extra copies to gift to friends available for $59.99 / £44.99 (a saving of around $20 / £15 compared to the individual price).
It’s even compatible with a number of thebest VR headsets, allowing you to take your immersion to the next level if you have one on hand. The one thing to note here is that, while you can download and play plenty of solo games, there is no support for any AI opponents.
Best digital board game for mobile
3. Wingspan
Wingspanis our top pick if you’re searching for the best digital board game for mobile platforms. As the name would suggest, the game is centered around building a thriving nature preserve with a deck of cards featuring 170 unique birds. Each bird has a range of effects, which can interact with other cards in interesting ways that shape the overall trajectory of your park and contribute to your final score.
There’s a handy tutorial system that helps you learn the game, which can then be played alone or with up to four other players. In addition to the gorgeous background and card art, we really appreciate the gentle music and abundance of natural sounds that help create a supremely relaxing experience. Thanks to well-designed touchscreen support, the game works wonderfully on iOS and Android platforms where it is available for $9.99 / £7.49.
You can also find the game on Xbox and PC where it costs $19.99 / £15.99. Unfortunately, however, there is no PS4 orPS5version ofWingspanat the moment. Like other entries on this list, various DLC expansion packs are then available as additional purchases including an expansion that adds European habitats and species to the game.
Best digital board game for families
4. Monopoly Plus
You can’t ever go wrong withMonopolyandMonopoly Plusbrings all the joy of the classic board game to consoles and PC making it our top choice when it comes to the best digital board game for families. A game of capitalistic wealth accumulation,Monopoly Plussees you competing with up to five other players to buy up and develop properties across a square board.
In addition to being very easy to understand,Monopoly Plussteps up its presentation with engaging animations and charming graphics that lend the board a miniature, diorama look that should be a hit with younger players. There are plenty of different modes to try, each with its own unique rules, so there’s no shortage of content to get to grips with. There’s even a local multiplayer mode, which lets you share a single controller to play. If you intend to play together online though, it’s worth noting that there is currently no support for cross-platform play.
Monopoly Plusis available on PC, Xbox, and PS4 for $14.99 / £11.99. A separate but very similar version forNintendo Switch, titledMonopoly for Nintendo Switch, can be purchased for $39.99 / £29.99. All versions of the game are frequently subject to steep discounts of over 50%, meaning that it’s likely to be well worth waiting for a sale before you buy. Players on PS4 and Xbox also have the added option to create their own custom boards for use in local play via the standaloneMy Monopolyexpansion which is priced at $9.99 / £7.99.
Best digital board game to play with friends
5. Uno
If you’re looking for a game to kick back and play with friends over the internet, then you can’t go wrong withUno. A competitive card game where players race to empty their hands into a central pile, there’s a surprising amount of strategy to master here. Various action cards, like the infamous Wild Draw Four card, allow you to sabotage the progress of your opponents and the results can be absolutely hilarious.
This digital version includes online multiplayer, offline single-player, and the option to create your own custom rules like you might do at home. It’s also no slouch in the presentation department, with colorful visuals and stylish animations for playing and drawing cards. In addition to a limited free trial version of the game, you can buyUnofor $9.99 / £7.99 on Xbox, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The pricier Ultimate Edition ($19.99 / £15.99) comes with some additional modes, including the ability to playUno Flip, and some cosmetic card skins.
This is another title that frequently receives steep discounts on all platforms, so consider waiting until it’s on sale before picking up some copies for you and your friends.
Best strategy digital board game
6. Scythe: Digital Edition
Set in an alternate history vision of Europe where the First World War was fought with mechs,Scythe: Digital Editionis our choice for the best digital board game for strategy fans. As the leader of one of five civilizations inspired by cultures from across Europe, it’s your job to expand, trade, or conquer your way to victory. Each turn presents a myriad of possible actions that contribute to the development of your civilization, challenging you to keep on top of resource accumulation and the threat posed by other players.
You can also engage in combat against your rivals and all of the complex systems are much easier to keep track of compared to the physical version. There’s also thankfully no need for the lengthy setup process, allowing you to jump into solo or multiplayer games with ease. Although it lacks some of the visual polish that you would find in a strictly video game strategy series likeCivilization, Scythe: Digital Editionmore than makes up for it with depth.
You can buyScythe: Digital Editionfor $19.99 / £15.99 on PC or for $8.99 / £8.99 on iOS and Android. While the lower price tag may tempt you towards the mobile versions, we think that the game’s complexity means that it’s well worth spending a little more on the PC edition for that bigger screen.
Best fantasy digital board game
7. Gloomhaven
The incredible production values and enthralling campaign ofGloomhavenmake it our choice for the best fantasy digital board game. A dungeon crawler in which players tackle rooms of monsters in tense turn-based card combat between sections of choose-your-own-adventure-style exploration,Gloomhavenadapts the most important elements of its board game counterpart and is a real treat for fantasy lovers.
In addition to an approachable tutorial and the board game’s entire campaign,Gloomhavencomes overflowing with a wealth of new content including hundreds of new missions, a detailed level editor, and a sandbox mode that challenges you to an almost limitless number of procedurally generated dungeons. There’s also multiplayer support for co-op with up to three other players, allowing you to bring some friends along for the ride.
Gloomhavenis available for $34.99 / £28.99 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. A paid expansion calledJaws of the Lionis also available on all platforms, adding four new characters and some additional story content for $17.99 / £14.99
Best digital board games: FAQs
What is the best digital board game?
The best digital board game for you is going to depend on your specific preferences or needs. That said, we thinkTicket to Rideis a fantastic digital board game for veterans and newcomers alike thanks to its slick presentation and faithfulness to its physical counterpart.
Are digital board games good?
The best digital board games can be a fantastic way to experience playing board games either alone or with friends. Not only does a digital board game take far less time to set up, but many of the best can be easily played over the internet removing the need for everyone to be in the same place.
Can you play board games virtually?
You can certainly play board games virtually and many digital versions of popular games likeMonopolyorTicket to Ridecan be found on PC, consoles, or iOS and Android devices. Read the rest of our best digital board games guide to see some of our top recommendations right now.
Are the best digital board games on Steam?
Many of the best digital board games can be purchased on Steam. This includes the likes ofTicket to Ride, Uno,and many other entries on this list. You can also buy digital board games via stores on other platforms, though, including on consoles like the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 and mobile phones. Some digital board games, likeGloomhaven, also have physical disk copies available via retailers like Amazon.
Do digital board games go on sale?
Like most video games, the vast majority of digital board games go on sale often. Although we think that all of the digital board games included on this list are very fairly priced, this means that you can likely secure a discount on your purchase if you are willing to wait before taking the plunge.
How we made our best digital board games list
We created our digital board games list based on first-hand experience with each title’s features. We have tested all of these digital board games on at least one available platform, factoring in presentation, multiplayer features, and mechanics into the overall list. While they may have some rough edges here and there, we think that all of the games featured are faithful renditions of their physical counterparts and each has something to offer to board game fans or those curious about digital board games.
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Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK’s biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he’s not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
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