The 25 best group game brands
Alderac Entertainment Group, Game Development Group and Hasbro lead our ranking of 25 group game brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Group Game brands, ranked
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1
Alderac Entertainment Group
Publisher of card-driven and party games, with the Smash Up series as its most recognised title.
Top products: War Chest: Nobility· Smash Up· Space Base
Website: alderac.com |Brands like Alderac Entertainment Group
Popularity 10.0/10
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2
Game Development Group
Offline card and board games are the best ways to get your family and friends together. Game Development Group is a leading online brand that makes fantastic quality games. Their vast array of card and strategy games consists of trivia, visual party, word, guessing, dice, card, brain-teasing, and other fun and strategy games. They have also provided game rule sheets on the website on how to play each game.
Website: gdg-games.com |Brands like Game Development Group
Popularity 8.0/10
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3
Hasbro
Owner of Monopoly and Clue, with trivia party games in the mix.
Top products: Drop Trivia
Website: hasbropulse.com |Brands like Hasbro
Popularity 3.0/10
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4
Mattel
Mattel's game lineup sits alongside its doll and vehicle ranges, with family card and party games.
Website: shop.mattel.com |Brands like Mattel
Popularity 2.2/10
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5
Parker Brothers
Founded in Salem, Massachusetts, its Monopoly sets and vintage editions from the 1930s to the 1970s are sought after by collectors.
Top products: Rook
Popularity 2.1/10
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6
GMT
Strategy publisher whose wargames focus on historical campaigns, such as the Barbarossa series on the Eastern Front.
Top products: Barbarossa: Army Group Center· Barbarossa: Army Group South
Website: gmtgames.com |Brands like GMT
Popularity 2.1/10
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7
Endless Games
Party and trivia games for group nights, with fast question-and-answer rounds across genres.
Top products: Name 5
Website: endlessgames.com |Brands like Endless Games
Popularity 1.9/10
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8
Asmodee
Largest board game publisher worldwide, owning labels like Blue Orange and Days of Wonder.
Top products: Spot it!· Cardline Animals
Website: store.us.asmodee.com |Brands like Asmodee
Popularity 1.8/10
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9
PlayMonster
Toy and game maker focused on children's and family games, with quiz-style titles like TMI.
Top products: TMI
Website: playmonster.com |Brands like PlayMonster
Popularity 1.8/10
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10
Spin Master
Toronto-based Spin Master makes toys and games for children, including Paw Patrol figures, vehicles, and monster truck toys. Its board games sit alongside the character-based lines. The company also develops digital games for young audiences.
Website: spinmaster.com |Brands like Spin Master
Popularity 1.7/10
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11
Gamewright
Family game publisher founded in 1994, sorting its card and dice games by age range.
Website: gamewright.com |Brands like Gamewright
Popularity 1.6/10
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12
Kheper Games
Adult party and novelty card games, supplied in volume to shops through wholesale channels.
Website: khepergames.com |Brands like Kheper Games
Popularity 1.6/10
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13
Decision Games
Military history wargames with multiple maps and counters, from solitaire to deluxe box editions.
Top products: Carrier Battle Group· Long Range Desert Group
Website: decisiongames.com |Brands like Decision Games
Popularity 1.5/10
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14
Late for the Sky
Custom-themed Monopoly-style boards with personalised designs, starting from 1984.
Website: lateforthesky.com |Brands like Late for the Sky
Popularity 1.4/10
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15
Buffalo Games
Board games are a fantastic way to get friends and family together and spend quality time together. Buffalo Games has the perfect board game for you, whether you're throwing a party or want to play with your kids. Professional designers...
Website: buffalogames.com |Brands like Buffalo Games
Popularity 1.3/10
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16
White Wizard Games
White Wizard Games is a go-to company for everything fantasy and epic. The company has an extensive line of products focusing on fantasy elements such as war, warriors, creatures, kingdoms, and more. Their products include games such as Star Realms,...
Website: shop.whitewizardgames.com |Brands like White Wizard Games
Popularity 1.2/10
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17
University Games
University Games produces entertaining goods that anybody may use. Various tabletop games from University Games encourage learning while having fun and interacting with others. They provide instructional card games, board games, and puzzles for children and families to enjoy together....
Website: universitygames.com |Brands like University Games
Popularity 1.1/10
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18
Winning Moves
Winning Moves USA is a renowned manufacturer of board and card games and puzzles. ThinkFun, Ravensburger, and Mattel Games puzzles; Cranium, Hasbro, and Parker Brothers board games; and Wizards of the Coast card games are among their product categories. They're...
Website: winning-moves.com |Brands like Winning Moves
Popularity 1.1/10
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19
That's What She Said
"That's what she said" --some jokes never get old. They have retained their classic impact and uproarious laughter in gatherings of family and friends for decades. The That's What She Said game is made to bring that effortless laughter and...
Brands like That's What She Said
Popularity 1.0/10
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20
Pressman
In the United States, Pressman is a well-known game distributor and maker. Sol Pressman established the business in 1938 with the straightforward goal of offering family members of all ages entertaining activities that would encourage friendships and give hours of...
Website: pressmantoy.com |Brands like Pressman
Popularity 1.0/10
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21
R&R Games
R&R Games publishes games for family and party play, and its range includes challenging games, big games and kids games. Its output covers several play styles, with some titles aimed at adults and others at children. Outside designers can submit...
Website: rnrgames.com |Brands like R&R Games
Popularity 1.0/10
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22
Rio Grande Games
If you like playing board games with family strategy features, then Rio Grande Games might attract your attention. Since 1998, these German-style board games have been a player favorite in the English-speaking countries of the world. The company based in...
Website: riograndegames.com |Brands like Rio Grande Games
Popularity 0.9/10
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23
Mantic
Mantic produces tabletop games and gaming accessories for players who enjoy painting and assembling their own models. Its miniatures are easy to paint and handle for hobbyists. The company also publishes role-playing games and books, and its team includes authors,...
Website: manticgames.com |Brands like Mantic
Popularity 0.9/10
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24
FoxMind
Marble board games and maze games lead the FoxMind line of brain-training toys. FoxMind makes board games, puzzles, building sets and junior construction sets for children and adults. Its designers are guided by the idea that the brain develops as...
Website: foxmind.com |Brands like FoxMind
Popularity 0.9/10
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25
CHH
CHH Inc. makes dominoes, Mexican Train sets, doubles games and oversized games for indoor play. Its tabletop games suit family play and game nights, with classic tile games alongside larger-format pieces. Dominoes and Mexican Train form the core of the...
Website: chh-inc.com |Brands like CHH
Popularity 0.9/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alderac Entertainment Group | alderac.com | – | – | @alderac | – |
| Game Development Group | gdg-games.com | – | – | – | – |
| Hasbro | hasbropulse.com | /hasbropulse | hasbropulse | – | – |
| Mattel | shop.mattel.com | – | – | – | – |
| GMT | gmtgames.com | /GMT-Games | gmtgames | @gmtgames | – |
| Endless Games | endlessgames.com | /EndlessGames | endlessgamesinc | @Endless_Games | Endless Games |
| Asmodee | store.us.asmodee.com | – | – | – | – |
| PlayMonster | playmonster.com | /PlayMonsterFun | playmonsterfun | @playmonsterfun | – |
| Spin Master | spinmaster.com | – | – | – | – |
Gathering with a group of friends or family is always fun, but sometimes it can be challenging to come up with ideas for entertainment. That is where group games come in handy. They are perfect for bonding, having fun, and making memories. However, with so many options available on the market today, it can be challenging to choose the best games for your next gathering. This buying guide will help you understand what to consider when buying group games.
Age Range
When buying group games, it is essential to consider the age range of the participants. Games for adults may contain mature content, language, and themes that may be inappropriate for children. On the other hand, games designed for children may be too simple or boring for adults.
Therefore, you should select group games that are age-appropriate for your participants. Some games, like Trivial Pursuit, may have versions that are specifically designed for children and adults, making them ideal for mixed age groups.
Playing Time
Another critical factor to consider when buying group games is the playing time. Some games can last for hours, while others are designed to be quick and easy to play. You should choose games that fit within the time frame of your gathering, ensuring that everyone has a chance to play.
Games like Monopoly or Risk are known for their long-playing time and may not be ideal for short gatherings. However, games like Jenga or Pictionary can be played quickly and are perfect for shorter gatherings.
Game Types
Group games come in different types, each with its unique rules and playing style. Therefore, it is essential to consider the game type when selecting games for your gathering. The most common game types include:
Board Games
Board games are classic group games that have been around for decades. They are popular among people of all ages and can range from simple games like Chutes and Ladders to more complex games like Settlers of Catan. Board games are perfect for small groups and are designed to be played on a game board.
Card Games
Card games are popular group games that can be played with a standard deck of cards or specialized decks. They are easy to learn and can be played with small or large groups. Some popular card games include Poker, Rummy, and Go Fish.
Party Games
Party games are designed specifically for gatherings and social events. They are perfect for breaking the ice and getting everyone engaged. Some popular party games include Charades, Truth or Dare, and Never Have I Ever.
Team Building Games
Team building games are designed to help groups build relationships and develop better teamwork skills. They can be beneficial for corporate events, family gatherings, or team-building workshops. Some popular team building games include Egg Drop, Blindfolded Maze, and Truth and Lies.
Game Difficulty
The difficulty level of a game is another crucial factor to consider when buying group games. Some games may be too complex for beginners, which can lead to frustration and disinterest. On the other hand, games that are too simple may not provide a sufficient challenge, leading to boredom.
Therefore, it is important to choose games that are at an appropriate difficulty level for your group. When selecting games, consider the following:
- The complexity of the rules
- The amount of time needed to learn the game
- The level of strategic thinking required
Games like Scrabble and chess may be too complex for beginners, while games like Jenga and Uno are easy to learn and are perfect for beginners.
Number of Players
The number of players is another critical factor to consider when selecting group games. Some games require a minimum number of players, while others work well with larger groups. Therefore, you should choose games that are suitable for the number of people in your group.
Games like Twister and Charades require a minimum of three players, while games like Werewolf can be played with up to thirty players.
Price
Group games come in a wide range of prices, from inexpensive games to high-end games that can cost over a hundred dollars. Therefore, you should select games that fit within your budget. The cost of a game does not necessarily reflect its quality or entertainment value.
However, it is essential to consider the value of the game you are buying. If you plan to play the game multiple times or use it for future gatherings, investing in a higher quality game may be worth the extra cost.
Conclusion
Selecting the best group games for your next gathering requires careful consideration of several factors, including age range, playing time, game types, difficulty level, number of players, and price. You should choose games that are appropriate for your group and the occasion, ensuring that everyone has a good time.
Whether you are planning a family gathering, a corporate event, or a social gathering with your friends, there are plenty of group games to choose from. With this buying guide, you can select the best games for your next gathering, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
