Rare Board Games: Top 13 Rarest Games

Games like Monopoly or Scrabble can be found easily at almost every toy shop, but some board games are harder to find than others. Whether it’s their fleeting popularity or a limited number of copies, some titles simply don’t stand the test of time. 

But if you’re dead set on diversifying your game night experience, then rest assured the world of tabletop gaming has some hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, provided you’re willing to put your money where your mouth is. Because the rarer the board game, the higher the price. That said, here are the 13 most rare board games.  

13. Robert the Bruce

Source: BoardGameGeek 

Players: 2-6

Age guide: 10+

Time to play: 15 minutes

Complexity: 3.33/5

Set in the late Middle Ages, Robert the Bruce is a hex-grid-based board game that checks all the boxes as a timeless war game. Gripping combat, easy-to-understand rules, and a detailed war map – Robert the Bruce has it all.  

The game revolves around the Scots Wars of Independence during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Your goal as a player is to be crowned the King of the Scots. Sadly, finding the board game is as hard as locating Pandora’s box. You may find a few copies on eBay but be prepared to pay a hefty amount. Interested in the history here? The book by Ronald McNair Scott is easier to purchase if it suffices.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Engaging historical theme ✅ Strategic depth and complexity ✅ High-quality components and artwork ✅ Encourages critical thinking and planning ✅ Suitable for history and strategy game enthusiasts	❌ Steep learning curve for beginners ❌ Lengthy gameplay may not suit all players

12.  Case Blue 

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2

Age guide: –

Time to play: –

Complexity: 4.58/5

Case Blue brings forth a forgotten chapter of history, specifically the Axis advance when Hitler’s armies reached the edge of Asia and the Soviet counterattack. However, the game may not be for everyone. The rule book alone is over 60 pages long while the scenario booklets run for hundred pages.  

Case Blue allows players to play through the operations from October 1941 to May 1943 while offering a deeper insight into military warfare and strategic planning. An original copy of the copy will set you back hundreds of dollars. If you’re interested, you can head to eBay but make sure you have $600 in your pocket. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Detailed representation of WWII Eastern Front. ✅ Offers deep strategic and tactical decisions. ✅ Extensive replayability due to variable scenarios. ✅ Accommodates multiple players, fostering social interaction. ✅ Educational, enhancing understanding of WWII history.	❌ Complexity can be overwhelming for new players. ❌ Long game sessions.

11. Kriegsspiel

Source: eBay

Players: 2-99

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 300 minutes

Complexity: 3.70/5

Hailed as the first table-top war game, Kriegsspiel laid the very foundations of the genre. Although originally meant for army generals to run through battle simulations, the war game quickly found its place in the realm of tabletop gaming. The game is played on a topographical map with color-coded teams and dice to settle combat. 

Back in the day, games with a considerable number of players were moderated by an umpire. The player who manages to destroy the opposing army is crowned the winner. Or in case, there isn’t one, the umpire makes the decision. The 2022 version of the game has been redesigned to fit a two-player match.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Authentic Prussian military simulation. ✅ Encourages strategic thinking and leadership skills. ✅ Offers a unique historical gaming experience. ✅ Facilitates teamwork and communication. ✅ Adaptable scenarios for varied gameplay.	❌ Requires a dedicated group of players. ❌ Steep learning curve due to unique rules and mechanics.

10. Trafalgar

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 8+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 1.63/5

Trafalgar is a well-recognized name in the world of tabletop war games. The 20th-century gem is based around the famous Battle of Trafalgar from the Napoleonic Wars. The game effectively captures the high stakes of the historical battle with meticulously crafted board pieces and detailed rules. 

It’s the ultimate of wits as players brave against the unforgiving waters to outmaneuver their enemy and dismast their ships. The game is over when one of the players manages to sink the other’s entire fleet or steal their HQ flag and return to homeport safely. Unfortunately as fun as the game is, you won’t find it on display at the toy store. You can try your luck at eBay instead. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Captures the essence of naval warfare during the Napoleonic era. ✅ Balanced mix of strategy and luck. ✅ Easy to learn, making it accessible to a wider audience. ✅ High replay value with various scenarios. ✅ Quality components with attention to historical detail.	❌ May lack depth for hardcore strategy gamers. ❌ The luck element might not appeal to all players.

9. Discworld: Ankh-morpork

Source: Amazon

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 11+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 2.21/5

Based on the namesake book by Sir Terry Pratchett, Discworld: Ankh-morpork takes players on an adventure of the ages. With Lord Vetinari abandoning his duties, chaos has erupted in the city as different factions attempt to take control. Each player is given a different set of conditions to win. You will have to pull one of the 132 cards on your turn and follow the directions.

Discworld: Ankh-morpork does a brilliant job of bringing the series to life in the tabletop realm with its exceptional artwork. Unfortunately, the game is out of print which means that finding a copy is next to impossible.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Captures the whimsy and humor of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. ✅ Simple rules, easy to pick up for all ages. ✅ Diverse character roles for varied gameplay. ✅ Engaging and fast-paced. ✅ Creative and colorful artwork.	❌ May require familiarity with the Discworld series for full enjoyment. ❌ Limited strategic depth.

8. Capes & Cowls: The Superhero Board Game 

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 9+

Time to play: 60 minutes

Complexity: 3.00/5

Capes & Cowls: The Superhero Board Game offers an immersive gaming experience, allowing players to assemble their team of heroes and engage in strategic battles. Featuring an extensive roster of over 32 original heroes with even more secondary characters, the game boasts a diverse universe.

The game is played on a unique Battle Board with color and number-coded spaces. However, Capes & Cowls’ most redeeming feature is the game’s distinctive design. Drawing inspiration from the comic book world, the rulebook and scenarios are crafted to resemble comic panels. Sadly, finding this board game is not a piece of cake. If you can’t get your hands on the Capes & Cowl: The Superhero Board Game, you can check out other board games in the genre. Like something from Marvel. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Offers a fun superhero-themed experience. ✅ Variety of characters and powers for replayability. ✅ Encourages creative strategy and teamwork. ✅ Appealing to comic book fans and gamers alike. ✅ Fast-paced and action-packed gameplay.	❌ Might be too simplistic for players seeking deep strategy. ❌ Theme may not appeal to non-superhero fans.

7. Bloc by Bloc

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 13+

Time to play: 120-180 minutes 

Complexity: 2.71/5

Inspired by the 21st-century protest movements, Bloc by Bloc: The Insurrection Game is a semi-cooperative board game. You can still find the second edition of the game in stores but the first edition had a limited run so good luck. Despite the odds, the game is worth getting your hands on.

Players get to channel the spirit of the resistance as they take control of different factions on the street to topple the government. With hidden agendas and asymmetrical player abilities, there’s never a dull moment while playing Bloc by Bloc. The artwork is not too bad either and makes the board game worth the money.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Innovative theme of urban insurrection. ✅ Encourages cooperative play and strategy. ✅ Educational, with insights into social movements. ✅ Dynamic gameplay with unpredictable scenarios. ✅ High replay value due to variable objectives.	❌ The theme might be controversial for some players. ❌ Complexity can be challenging for new gamers.

6. Star Wars: The Queen’s Gambit

Source: Amazon

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 120 minutes

Complexity: 2.48/5

Star Wars: The Queen’s Gambit promises a captivating gaming experience as it effectively recreates the highs and lows from Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace. With over 150 miniature pieces, an impressive three-level palace, and three separate boards, the Queen’s Gambit offers the ultimate Star Wars experience. 

As the light side, players will need to capture all the Viceroys, sink all the battle droids, and defeat Maul. Unfortunately, after making most of the movie mania in 2000, the game is out of print, making it a rare find. While some second-hand copies are available, they often come with a hefty price tag. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Rich Star Wars theme with familiar characters and settings. ✅ Multiple levels of play for varied strategy. ✅ High-quality components and miniatures. ✅ Engaging for both Star Wars fans and strategy gamers. ✅ Offers a balanced mix of luck and strategy.	❌ Limited replayability due to fixed scenarios. ❌ Complexity can be challenging for new gamers.

5. Advanced Civilization

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-8

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 360-480 minutes

Complexity: 3.66/5

Advanced Civilization takes the best part of the original 1980 game Civilization and presents players with a new adventure. At its core, Advanced Civilization is the same as its predecessor. However, it introduces a fair share of enhancements along with a few rule changes. 

As far as the gameplay is concerned, players oversee civilizations around the Mediterranean Sea from the Stone Age to the Late Iron Age with the goal to emerge as the greatest civilization of them all by the end of the game.

Regrettably, given the game’s limited run, Advanced Civilization is not an easy game to find. However, the base game is easily available at fair prices. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Deep and engaging civilization-building mechanics. ✅ Offers a complex and rewarding gameplay experience. ✅ Encourages long-term planning and resource management. ✅ High replay value due to diverse civilization options. ✅ Educational, with a focus on historical development.	❌ Long gameplay duration. ❌ Complexity can be intimidating for new players.

4. Titan 

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-6

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 30-240 minutes

Complexity: 3.46/5

True to its name, Titan is all about…titans. As mythical Titans, players take arms against one another in an epic clash. Their goal – be the last Titan standing, a refreshing departure from the usual point-based system players are used to seeing. 

However, the game’s most standout feature is the depth of its combat mechanics. The game is split between the master board and the battle board. Players roam about the main board in hopes of recruiting more monsters into their armies and when it’s time to shed some blood, the game shifts to the battle board. 

All in all, Titan is a dream come true for tactical and strategy enthusiasts who love the genre. Sadly, the game is hard to come by with the 2008 re-release being out of print as well. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Unique blend of strategy and fantasy. ✅ Engaging monster recruitment and battle mechanics. ✅ High replay value with varied strategies. ✅ Captivating artwork and design. ✅ Suitable for both casual and serious strategy gamers.	❌ The learning curve can be steep for beginners. ❌ Game length might be too long for some players.

3. Here I Stand

Source: BoardGameGeek

Players: 2-6

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 180-360 minutes

Complexity: 4.18/5

Here I Stand does a better job of teaching history than most books. The game transports players to early 16th Century Europe, right in the middle of political and religious conflicts. What’s shocking is that the card-driven game manages to capture the political turmoil of that era all with a point-to-point system. 

There are six leading powers in the game, each on its own unique path to the top. The game’s complexity might seem daunting to first-time players but Here I Stand is worth the effort. You can still find copies of different editions in the market but the first edition remains a rare find. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Explores the interesting era of the Reformation. ✅ Deep strategic gameplay with historical accuracy. ✅ Offers a variety of play styles and strategies. ✅ Encourages diplomacy and negotiation skills.. ✅ Suitable for serious gamers and history enthusiasts.	❌ Complexity and length may deter casual players. ❌ Requires a commitment to learning and playing.

2. Princes of the Renaissance

Source: Amazon

Players: 3-6

Age guide: 12+

Time to play: 180 minutes

Complexity: 3.51/5

Set in Renaissance Italy, Princes of the Renaissance is yet another board game centered around political strategy and treachery. Players take on the role of Condottiere princes who take charge of one of the five major cities in battle. 

However, the game differs from other board games in the sense that the cities are not assigned. Instead, players bid for representation using influence points. Once all the representatives are appointed, the Condottieri head into battle, which is largely determined by the size of a player’s army. 

The game initially came out in 2003 with re-releases in later years. The latter of which is easily available. However, copies of the first editions are hard to come by. However, if you do manage to find one, chances are you won’t have to pay a lot. 

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Intriguing Renaissance theme with historical figures. ✅ Balances strategy, negotiation, and resource management. ✅ Engaging auction and bidding mechanics. ✅ Encourages player interaction and diplomacy. ✅ Replayable with different strategies each game.	❌ Complexity may not suit casual gamers. ❌ Competitive nature might not appeal to all.

1. Fireball Island 

Source: Amazon

Players: 2-4

Age guide: 7+

Time to play: 45 minutes

Complexity: 1.34/5

Fireball Island is a forgotten gem from the 1980s that takes players on an Indiana Jones-sque adventure. Players compete against one another to reach the top of the mountain and snag the Firestone Gem. However, the journey is not as simple with blazing fireballs threatening to knock over your pawns out of the blue. 

Although it’s next to impossible to get your hands on the original board game, players can still relive the wild adventure through remakes. The 2018 Fireball Island: The Curse of Vul-Kar breathes new life into the classic.

Pros:	Cons:
✅ Unique and engaging 3D game board. ✅ Fun and adventurous theme suitable for families. ✅ Easy to learn and play. ✅ Exciting and dynamic gameplay. ✅ Nostalgic appeal for those who played the original.	❌ More luck-based than strategic. ❌ May lack depth for serious gamers.

Summing Up The 13 Most Rare Board Games 

So, these were our top 13 picks for the most rare board games. From titles that would be right at home in a collector’s prized assortment, to forgotten gems that deserve to be brought back to mainstream gaming, this list had a bunch of everything. 

Didn’t see something that should be on the list? Feel free to drop us a suggestion! Hopefully, you found something that appeals to your taste. Read 13 Best Horror Board Games for some Spooky Halloween game suggestions.

FAQs

What is the rarest board game in the world?

The Jewel Royale Chess Set, adorned with a staggering 748 diamonds, 146 sapphires, 73 rubies, and an abundance of black and white pearls, claims the title of being the world’s rarest board game. Priced at around 9.8 million dollars, the chess set is one of the most expensive board games in the world, according to Game Goblins.

How many board games exist?

As of 2022, BoardGameGeek boasts a vast collection of board games, with more than 140,000 titles in its database. This extensive library continues to grow as over 4,000 new games are introduced each year, contributing to the ever-evolving collection of board games around the world. 

Which country invented board games?

Board games were introduced for the first time by Egyptians, with the earliest board games originating 5000 years ago. One particular board game called the Senet dates back to around 3500 B.C. Unfortunately, researchers know little about the rules of the game.