When the holidays roll around, many of us romanticize the idea of a cozy game night—only to remember the part where someone has to read the rules, explain them, and keep the vibes going while everyone tries not to flip a table. If you’ve ever sighed at the sight of a board game box (or struggled through a four-hour strategy game you didn’t sign up for), this episode is for you.James Austin, Wirecutter’s staff writer covering games and hobbies, shares how to host a game night that actually stays fun, how to pick games that match your group’s vibe, and which games work best for kids, adults, mixed-age families, multilingual gatherings, or friends who are already a few drinks in. If you crosswords and other NYT games, check out <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/77613/231580/57/241937" target="_blank">Puzzle Mania! </a>from The New York Times Games editor Joel Fagliano. James’s favorite resources to learn new games: <ul><li>If you don’t want to read the rules, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchItPlayed">Watch It Played</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/goodtimesociety">Good Time Society</a> have videos explaining how to play many board games</li><li><a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/">BoardGameGeek</a> can tell you how to play a game your interested in</li><li><a href="https://en.boardgamearena.com/">Board Game Arena</a> is a great resource for playing digital versions of board games</li><li><a href="http://pagat.com">Pagat.com</a> explains the rules to every card game</li></ul> Games for kids<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25524/135235/57/241413" target="_blank">Rhino Hero</a> (age 5+) and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/41867/166996/57/241414" target="_blank">Rhino Hero: Super Battle</a> (age 5+)</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25521/135209/57/241417" target="_blank">First Orchard</a> (age 2+) </li></ul>Games for mixed-age groups or families<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/68601/213324/57/241425" target="_blank">A Fake Artist Goes to New York</a> - especially good for avoiding awkward conversations</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/68283/212814/57/241426" target="_blank">The Gang</a> - cooperative but silent play</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/56057/190911/57/241427" target="_blank">The Crew</a> - no talking!</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25533/135312/57/241428" target="_blank">Sushi Go!</a> - adorable and easy to play</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/68579/226766/57/241429" target="_blank">Monikers</a> - great for big groups</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/48319/176959/57/241430" target="_blank">Anomia</a> - a great starter game</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/13521/194386/57/241431" target="_blank">Dixit</a> - a visual game without reading, good for kids and non-english speakers</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25672/135981/57/241432" target="_blank">Carcassonne</a> - interactive and easy to understand</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/36097/158369/57/241433" target="_blank">Coup</a> - quick to play</li></ul> Party Games for adults (including boozy groups)<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25687/136039/57/241434" target="_blank">Codenames</a> - match words by meaning</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/53875/186860/57/241436" target="_blank">Wavelength</a> - opinion-based fun</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/48319/176959/57/241430" target="_blank">Anomia</a> - lots of shouting!</li></ul> Strategy games<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25678/136359/57/241439" target="_blank">Catan</a> - the original “Euro” style game</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/59324/197141/57/241903" target="_blank">Bohnanza</a> - if you like the interactive trading of Catan</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/51839/183126/57/241904" target="_blank">Brass: Birmingham</a> - if you want a complex strategy game with a lot going on</li></ul> Games you can play with just a deck of cards<ul><li><a href="https://wrctr.co/3XJU3KU" target="_blank">Oh Hell!</a> - James’ family-favorite, trick-taking game</li></ul> Two-player favorites<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/25669/135970/57/241906" target="_blank">Splendor</a> - can be played with more than two as well</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/51222/181747/57/241932" target="_blank">Star Realms</a> - build decks of cards that become more powerful as you play  </li></ul>Games for solo play<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/58165/194988/57/241934" target="_blank">Final Girl</a> - a horror-movie themed game</li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/46106/173408/57/241933" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective</a> - solve challenging mysteries just like a famous detective</li></ul> James loves: <ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/77614/231579/57/241936" target="_blank">The Stormlight Ring</a> by Thorum (his wedding ring)</li></ul> Additional reading:<ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-we-love/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">18 Best Board Games of 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/board-games-for-kids/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">Board Games We Love for Kids and Families</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-two-player-board-games/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">The 8 Best Two-Player Board Games of 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-solo-board-games/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">The 4 Best Solo Board Games of 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-party-games/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">The 5 Best Party Games of 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-card-games/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_70" target="_blank">The 6 Best Card Games of 2025</a></li></ul> 
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