Who said being a board game enthusiast was easy on the bank account? Step into a store and you will find quite a few boards reaching the 100-dollar mark. While beginners might not believe it, long-time board gamers have probably felt this pain in their wallet once or twice before… So believe it or not, board games can get pretty costly whether you’re in the USA, UK, Germany, or anywhere else in the world.
There are many reasons why a board game might be expensive, according to the MyKindofMeeple editorial team. So, whether you’ve got some savings you want to blow through or you’re a collector looking for something new, here are the seven most expensive board games.
7. Azul Giant Edition – 300$
Source: Tabletopgaming
Hi! This post may contain affiliate links to online stores. If you use a link and buy something, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. See my affiliate disclosure.
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 30-45 minutes
Complexity: 1.76/5
Sure you liked Azul but did you like it enough to spend 300 dollars on a giant version of the game? The game is built around a tile-laying artist tasked with decorating the walls of the Royal Palace of Evora. Your job is to create better designs and specific patterns to beat your opponent.
The Giant Edition ups the stakes by 200%. Even the chips come with their own playmates. If you are interested in adding the Azul Giant Edition to your collection, prepare to dish out close to 300$ or more on eBay. The game had limited production so you may not find it at stores anymore.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Enhanced Visual Appeal ✅ High-Quality Components ✅ Accessible to All Ages ✅ Strategic Depth ✅ Great for Group Play | ❌ Requires More Space ❌ Higher Price Point |
6. Ticket to Ride: 10th Anniversary Edition: $549.99
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-5
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 30-60 minutes
Complexity: 1.90/5
Ticket to Ride is a simple and easy-to-learn game that centers around trains. Players have to collect cards for different types of train cars and use them to take over the railway business in North America.
For years, the road-building board game has been loved around the globe. The 10th Anniversary edition celebrates Ticket to Road’s long history with a specially designed game edition that comes with 30 Classic Destination Tickets, along with 35 from the USA 1910 expansion. The game will set you back by 549.99 dollars.
Read 17 Epic Tickets to Ride Accessories, Upgrades & Gifts! (2023) for more.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Exclusive Artwork and Components ✅ Enhanced Game Experience ✅ Nostalgic Appeal ✅ Accessible to Beginners ✅ Perfect for Collectors | ❌ Higher Price ❌ Bulky Packaging |
5. Kingdom Death: Monster – 800$
Source: Kingdom Death: Monster
Players: 1-4
Age guide: 17+
Time to play: 60-180 minutes
Complexity: 4.27/5
Kingdom Death: Monster is a cooperative tabletop board game. Set in a nightmarish realm, players are supposed to craft weapons, fight off monsters, all the while developing their settlement. What’s more, you will be doing all this without any natural resources available.
However, before you get ready to embark on this adventure, you should know that the game does not come cheap. Buying all the essential figurines alone will set you back by 2500$.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Deep and Complex Gameplay ✅ Exceptional Miniatures ✅ Narrative Depth ✅ High Replayability ✅ Strategic Challenge | ❌ Very High Price Point ❌ Complex Rules |
4. Catan 3D Collector’s Edition – $1300
Source: BoardGameGeek
Players: 3-4
Age guide: 10+
Time to play: 60-120 minutes
Complexity: 2.30/5
Catan, a family strategy game that first debuted in 1995, has firmly established its presence in tabletop gaming circles over the years. The release of the 3D Collection Edition commemorates exactly this legacy by celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Special Edition features both – Cities and Knights and Settlers of Catan. The set of carefully hand-painted cities, city walls, roads, and settlements are truly fascinating and introduce a completely different gaming experience.
Although, getting your hand on this one-of-a-kind three-dimensional model will cost you around 1300 dollars.
Read 31 Best Catan Accessories, Upgrades, and Gifts! for more.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Stunning 3D Terrain ✅ High-Quality Craftsmanship ✅ Enhanced Gameplay Experience ✅ Collectible Value ✅ Iconic Game in Premium Format | ❌ Premium Price Tag ❌ Requires Careful Handling |
3. Cthulhu Wars – $1600
Source: Amazon
Players: 2-4
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 90-120 minutes
Complexity: 3.15/5
Cthulhu Wars, a creation of H.P Lovecraft, is quite popular among board game enthusiasts. The game takes place right here on Earth. All players oversee one of the four factions, with the goal to hit 30 on the Doom Track.
With figurines falling in the 20mm to 180mm range in terms of size, the game truly comes to life on the tabletop. You will have to dish out 1600$ for all the required pieces, figurines and maps.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Impressive Miniatures ✅ Asymmetrical Gameplay ✅ Thematic Depth ✅ Strategic Diversity ✅ High Replayability | ❌ High Cost ❌ Complexity and Length |
2. Advanced Squad Leader (ASL) – $3200
Source: BoardGameGeek
Players: 2
Age guide: 14+
Time to play: 120-480
Complexity: 4.74/5
The Advanced Squad Leader is a relic from the past. This 1985 hex-and-counter WW2 war game still has a small fanbase. The board game takes you right in the heat of battle where you will be assigned different tasks like scoring a certain set of casualty points or capturing a particular number of buildings.
Although a little warning. The accompanying rule book is a scary three-ring binder, which means getting your head around the rules might not be so easy. Still, if you are ready to take on the challenge, the board game will set you back by $3200. You can buy a starter kit for less than 50 dollars but buying all of the supplements will be a considerable financial blow.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Incredible Depth and Detail ✅ Huge Variety of Scenarios ✅ Strong Community and Support ✅ Highly Strategic ✅ Educational Value | ❌ Steep Learning Curve ❌ Time-Intensive |
1. Small World Designer Edition – $3500
Source: BoardGameGeek
Players: 2-6
Age guide: 8+
Time to play: 40-80
Complexity: 2.55/5
Paying homage to Philippe Keyaerts’ original wooden prototype, the Small World Designer Edition is an expensive but worthy investment. The 307 deluxe wooden tokens have been meticulously crafted and cover all the races – including the ones from the expansions.
The markers, and banners that come with the tokens have been printed on actual wood. Meanwhile, custom resin miniatures bring the Catapult, the two Heroes and the Dragon to life. Unfortunately, the board game was a single production with only a few units in circulation, meaning you won’t find it for cheap anywhere.
| Pros: | Cons: |
| ✅ Exquisite Design and Components ✅ Enhanced Gameplay Experience ✅ Collectible Item ✅ Strategic and Fun ✅ Wide Appeal | ❌ Premium Pricing ❌ Limited Availability |
Summing Up the 7 Most Expensive Board Games
So, these were our top 7 picks for the most expensive board games. In all reality though, there are more averagely-priced board game options out there if this list scares you! If you’ve got the chance to snag one of these off the market, go ahead without a second thought. Your friends and family will thank you for all the fun game nights. Didn’t see something that should be on the list? Feel free to drop us a suggestion!
Hopefully, you found a good entryway into the genre. For more spooky recommendations, check out 27 Gift Ideas for Board Gamers (That aren’t games!) 2023 for more.
FAQs
How much do board games cost?
Board games prices can vary depending on various factors. Generally, you can expect board game prices somewhere within the range of $10 to $45. Prices can be influenced by the popularity of the board game and intricacy of its design and craftsmanship.
What is the most expensive Monopoly?
The most expensive in the world is the original hand-made Darrow game. It’s the oldest Monopoly table in the world, created by the original inventor of the game, Charles Darrow himself. With only five thousand copies produced, the board game exists as a simple oilcloth with drawn-on pieces. The Strong National Museum of Play had to spend an upwards of $146,500 to add one of these to its collection.
Why are board games so expensive?
A significant portion of the revenue generated from board games goes towards distributors. Given their weight and size, board games can be hard to transport. Some board games are also expensive, owing to the detailed pieces and exclusivity they offer.
Hamza, your insight is as always, impressive! 😊 Your piece made me recall when I embarked on my own journey on this subject. Isn’t it curious how a different perspective can shed fresh light on the known?
Do you think there’s a tipping point at which our collective approach needs to shift? And, should societal focus lean more towards preemptive measures? A thought-provoking discussion could bloom from these questions!
In my experience, implementing the practical aspects you tackled significantly enhanced my perspective and results, which other readers might find useful.
Here’s a thought – is there room for alternative approaches without disrupting the carefully balanced ecosystem?
I’m eager to read your response, Hamza. Keep stirring the pot of thought-provoking content! 👍