Top Couples' Board Games for 2025

While there are plenty of two-player board games that are excellent, board games for couples to play together deserve their own special sub-category. Many two-player games fall into the realm of hardcore war board games or abstract puzzles, which can be challenging categories for couples to agree on. Even if you steer clear of these niche options, two-player games often lean towards being intensely competitive, which might not be ideal unless both partners are particularly forgiving. That's why we've curated a list of the best games that strike a perfect balance between competition and cooperation, blending luck and strategy to create an enjoyable experience for both players. If you're looking for a unique Valentine's Day date idea, these board games for couples are a great place to start.

TL;DR: These are the best board games for couples

### Race to the Raft

1See it at Amazon### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at Amazon### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at Amazon### Fog of Love

1See it at Amazon### Patchwork

1See it at Amazon### Codenames: Duet

1See it at Amazon### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at Amazon### Hive

1See it at Amazon### Onitama

0See it at Amazon### Five Tribes

0See it at Amazon### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at Amazon### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at Amazon### Splendor: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at Amazon### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonEditor's Note: Although all of the games listed below are great for two players, some can accommodate up to 4 players. If you're looking for a game that you can enjoy both on board game night and as a couple, make sure to check the player count listed below each game.

Race to the Raft

### Race to the Raft

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-4Playtime: 40-60 minsIf you remember the movement puzzle games popular in the early days of the internet, you'll appreciate this vibrant and engaging board game. In "Race to the Raft," you and your partner must guide finicky cats to safety across different colored terrains. The challenge lies in drawing random terrain cards, avoiding blocking other cats' paths, and communicating within limited rules, which might lead to some amusing meows. With over 80 scenarios of increasing difficulty, this game offers both challenge and laughter.

Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsImagine saying "I love you" by taking a flight to an exotic destination together. In "Sky Team," you and your partner play as pilot and co-pilot, working together to land the plane. It's more challenging than it sounds, as you each manage your own dice and instruments, balancing values without discussing strategy during the crucial placement phase. This game avoids arguments by keeping communication silent, even when the dice pool runs low and the plane tilts dangerously.

The Search for Lost Species

### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 1-4Playtime: 60-75 minsWith an appealing theme and dynamic puzzle mechanics, "The Search for Lost Species" challenges players to map an island's ecology and discover a long-lost animal. This game cleverly disguises a complex logic puzzle, where each animal has specific rules for its habitat, some fixed and others revealed by the app as you research. Use these clues to pinpoint the location of the mysterious beast. The game plays quickly once mastered, and the app ensures every game is a fresh puzzle. You can even team up against the app, sharing a single playing piece.

For a more in-depth look at gameplay, check out my hands-on review of "The Search for the Lost Species."

Fog of Love

### Fog of Love

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 17+Players: 2Playtime: 1-2 hrs"Fog of Love" is designed specifically to explore the story of a couple's relationship, albeit with fictional characters. This game allows you to create and navigate the nuances of a relationship, suitable for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. Each player has secret traits and destinies, and you play through scenes, making choices that affect the outcome. There's no strict winner, but the journey through an imagined relationship is the real prize.

Patchwork

### Patchwork

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 30 mins"Patchwork" is a simple yet clever game where players buy geometric pieces with buttons to create a quilt with minimal holes. Each purchase advances you on a time track, earning you extra buttons or useful patches, but the player last on the track takes the next turn. This mechanic allows for strategic plays like planning double turns or snatching key patches. It's gently addictive and has won numerous awards for its engaging gameplay.

Codenames Duet

### Codenames: Duet

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 15+Players: 2+Playtime: 15 minsThe original "Codenames" was a breakout hit in party games, where players give single-word clues to link multiple words on a grid. "Codenames: Duet" refines this for two players into a cooperative game, where you both work to find fifteen clues before time runs out. With both players giving clues, downtime is minimized, bringing the fun of a party game to a couple's setting. "Duet" is just one of many "Codenames" spin-offs available, offering variety if you enjoy this version.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2-4Playtime: 60 mins"The Adventures of Robin Hood" is a narrative-driven game where you retell the legend across nine scenarios. It introduces innovative mechanics, such as measuring progress with a wooden piece on a map, staying in shadows to avoid guards, and using an advent calendar-style board with numbered pieces to create a dynamic world. Can you and your partner work together to save Nottingham from the Sheriff before Guy of Gisborne catches you?

Hive

### Hive

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 9+Players: 2Playtime: 20 mins"Hive" is played with chunky plastic hexes, featuring insectoid themes that might make your skin crawl, but its strategic depth will engage your mind. Each player has a Queen hex, and the goal is to surround your opponent's Queen. With four types of insects, each with unique movement rules, and only eleven tiles per side, "Hive" is easy to set up and play but challenging to master due to the complex interplay of strategies.

Onitama

### Onitama

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 10 mins"Onitama" is a simple yet deep game played on a grid with a master pawn and five students. You win by knocking out the enemy master or moving your master to the opposite end. The twist is that legal moves depend on randomly dealt cards, creating a dynamic interplay of cause and effect. If you enjoy "Onitama," explore more from our list of the best dueling board games.

Five Tribes

### Five Tribes

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2-4Playtime: 40-80 minsInspired by Mancala, "Five Tribes" involves picking up and dropping color pieces on a grid, with the final tile determining your actions. The board state changes with each move, creating a puzzle of balancing your needs against your opponent's opportunities. With two players, you get double turns, adding a layer of strategic depth. This modern classic includes an auction to determine the first player, enhancing the gameplay experience.

The Fox in the Forest

### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 mins"The Fox in the Forest" is a trick-taking game for two, using a three-suit deck where odd-numbered cards have special powers. The Fox card changes the trump suit, while the Witch is always a trump. The scoring system rewards winning either the majority or minority of tricks, making it challenging to maintain a lead. Fast, fun, and innovative, this game is a unique take on traditional trick-taking games.

7 Wonders: Duel

### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 mins"7 Wonders: Duel" refines the original "7 Wonders" for two players, maintaining the core concept of drafting cards to build point-scoring sets representing ancient civilizations. Instead of the standard pick-and-pass, you draft from a pyramid of overlapping cards, adding a timing element to your strategy. This version is widely regarded as an improvement over the original for two-player gameplay.

Schotten Totten

### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsA classic since 1999, "Schotten Totten" involves battling across nine stones by creating Poker-style three-card combos. The tension arises as you and your opponent try to guess each other's strategies and complete your melds. With a deck of special power tactics cards and amusing cartoon art, you can also play a different game called "Lost Cities."

Splendor: Duel

### Splendor: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 mins"Splendor: Duel" refines the original "Splendor" for two players, enhancing the engine-building gameplay. As master jewelers, you pick raw gems from a board with placement rules, aiming to meet three different victory conditions. The game introduces special effects that vary your strategies, making it a delightful two-player experience, especially for couples.

Sea Salt & Paper

### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2-4Playtime: 30-45 minsThis abstract card game by Bruno Cathala combines classic gameplay elements, where you build sets to score points. Pairs of cards can be played for special effects like taking extra cards or stealing from opponents, revealing some of your points. Players decide when to end the hand, gambling on their winning combo. While it works with a group, it's best with a couple, and you can both enjoy its unique origami artwork.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game

### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-6Playtime: 30-60 mins"Dorfromantik" brings the relaxing puzzle experience of the video game to the board, where you build a rural utopia hex by hex. The game includes a campaign mode with new content revealed in little boxes, adding excitement to your tile-laying adventures. Sharing these discoveries with a partner enhances the experience, making it perfect for couples.

For a more in-depth look at this game, you can check out my review of "Dorfromantik: The Board Game" for additional details.