The Nominations Are In! Unveiling the 2025 Spiel des Jahres Contenders

The board game world buzzed with excitement on May 20, 2025, as the highly anticipated nominations for the prestigious 2025 Spiel des Jahres, the German “Game of the Year” award, were officially unveiled. Alongside the main award, the nominees for the Kennerspiel des Jahres (Enthusiasts’ Game of the Year) and Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) were also announced, shining a spotlight on the best in tabletop gaming across various categories.

Often considered the most influential award in the board game industry, the Spiel des Jahres can propel a nominated or winning game to massive commercial success. Let’s dive into the contenders for each coveted title:

Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) Nominees:

This year’s nominees for the general Game of the Year award showcase a diverse range of gameplay experiences, catering to a broad audience:

• Bomb Busters by Hisashi Hayashi and Cocktail Games: This title promises intriguing mechanics and engaging gameplay from a well-regarded designer.
• Flip 7 by Eric Olsen and The Op Games: As highlighted in previous reports, The Op Games continues to expand its offerings, and “Flip 7” seems to be a standout.
• Krakel Orakel by Die 7 Bazis and frechverlag: This nomination introduces a game from a collaborative design team and a publisher known for creative titles.

Beyond the official nominees, the jury also recognized several “recommended” games that are well worth exploring: Agent Avenue, Castle Combo, Cities, Foxy, Perfect Words, and The Animals of Baker Street.

Kennerspiel des Jahres (Enthusiasts’ Game of the Year) Nominees:

For those seeking a more complex and strategic experience, the Kennerspiel des Jahres nominees offer a deeper dive into the hobby:

• Endeavor: Deep Sea by Carl de Visser, Jarratt Gray, Burnt Island Games, and Grand Gamers Guild: An expansion or new iteration of the critically acclaimed “Endeavor,” this title promises rich strategic depth.
• Faraway by Johannes Goupy, Corentin Lebrat, and Catch Up Games: This nomination suggests a game with innovative mechanics from a duo of talented designers.
• Looot by Charles Chevallier, Laurent Escoffier, and Gigamic: Previously noted for its intriguing premise, “Looot” has garnered significant attention.

The “recommended” list for the Kennerspiel category includes The Gang, Kauri, Medical Mysteries: NYC Emergency Room, and Zenith, providing even more options for discerning gamers.

Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) Nominees:

Ensuring the next generation of gamers has engaging and age-appropriate titles, the Kinderspiel des Jahres celebrates games designed specifically for younger players:

• Cascadia Junior by Fertessa Allyse, Randy Flynn, and Flatout Games: Building on the success of the popular “Cascadia,” this junior version promises accessibility for younger audiences.
• Le Clan des Souris by Christophe Lauras and Debacle Jeux: This nomination highlights a game with a charming theme and potentially engaging gameplay for children.
• Topp die Torte by Wolfgang Warsch and Schmidt Spiele: From the prolific designer Wolfgang Warsch, this game is likely to offer clever mechanics tailored for kids.

The “recommended” games for the Kinderspiel des Jahres are HiLo: Dein Konigreich, Kapt’n Kuck, and Syllabus, providing excellent choices for families looking for new games to enjoy with their children.

The excitement now builds as the board gaming community eagerly awaits the final results. The winners for all three categories will be officially announced on July 13, 2025. Stay tuned to see which games will take home the most prestigious awards in the industry!