Have you ever been tempted to say "screw it" and go lose yourself in a galaxy far, far away? Short of booting up the movies or hopping on a plane to visit Galaxy's Edge at the Disney Parks, the best way of immersing yourself in the Star Wars universe is by breaking out one of the many excellent Star Wars board games currently lining shelves.
They're not all created equally, though; some are definitely a cut above the rest. My colleagues and I have tried a galaxy's worth of Star Wars board games between us, and as card-carrying Rebel scum, there are a handful I'd always recommend over all the others. Besides taking inspiration from some of the best board games, these cover a range of interests and skill levels – there's something to suit every kind of fan, no matter whether you want to hit the battlefield and command the Galactic Empire or adventure as a forgotten Jedi in an RPG quest.
If you're hunting down a good strategy game, it doesn't come much better than this. You play as one of the saga's many villains, and you all have unique objectives to pursue. The kicker comes from how you interact with each other; it's all about undermining and spoiling your opponent's plots to get ahead. I adore the original Disney Villainous series that this is based on, and such devious gameplay transitions beautifully to a galaxy far, far away. As noted in my review, the strategy on offer here is superb.
For those who want a strategic visit to the Star Wars universe at speed, Unlimited is a great choice. This is the franchise's answer to Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon (AKA some of the best card games in the business) so features many of the same ideas, but it also shakes things up with something completely original but totally Star Wars... duel land and space battlefields. This splits your attention across two distinct arenas, allowing both to shine.
Want a Warhammer-style game that allows you to field vast armies across the tabletop? Checking out Star Wars Legion is a must. This is a wargame that's easy to understand but has enough depth to keep you hooked long-term, and the spectacle of two armies facing off on a battlefield with fully-painted terrain is unmatched. While there are plenty of beginner boxes to choose from (which we have a guide to here), I'd recommend checking out the Empire version. Its troops are arguably the easiest to paint, so you can get a battalion onto the field much faster.
Even though it's a little harder to find now, the effort is more than worthwhile. A friend and colleague of mine swears by the Star Wars RPG, and seeing as it's kept their group engrossed for literal years, I'm inclined to say it's got the goods. Imagine D&D and the best tabletop RPGs, but wrapped in the battle between the Empire and Rebellion.
If you like the idea of grand warfare across the stars but don't have the time or patience for a full skirmish, this is a great alternative. Battle of Hoth is a more accessible, family-friendly wargame that provides an epic sense of scale without getting bogged down in minutiae. As noted in our review, it's an excellent introduction to a whole galaxy of gaming. It also has incredible pedigree; the mechanics are powered by the vaunted Command & Colors system.
This dungeon-crawling RPG is like Gloomhaven or HeroQuest crossed with Star Wars, but it manages to introduce a flavor all its own. Providing a unique story set between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, it casts you as a Rebel cell fighting for freedom through a long-term campaign. While that means it's not the most accessible entry here, it's something you can tackle solo or run as a group across multiple game nights for one hell of a memorable experience.
If there's a title that gets into a list of the best Star Wars board games on reputation alone, it's Rebellion. This enormous strategy epic has you recreating the Galactic Civil War on a staggering scale, directing fleets of ships and armies from planet to planet. Think Twilight Imperium, but with a Star Wars twist.
I always hear such good things about this one, and it's on my personal to-do list. Casting you as a no-good, scruffy lookin' smuggler operating on the edge of civilization, Outer Rim is all about making a name for yourself across the lawless frontier. It promises an immersive story too with dynamic encounters - but there's still a high level of replayability. That's the perfect mix, in my book.
Looking for a more fast-paced wargame? This smaller-scale entry from Atomic Mass Games is excellent, and our glowing review was full of praise for its Saturday morning cartoon-style action. It's got a dynamic art style that should really appeal to fans of the Clone Wars or Maul: Shadow Lord too.
Naturally, there's no shortage of Star Wars board games I could recommend to you. But for me, these are the cream of the crop.
Are there any you'd add to the list? Shout about them in the comments below!
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For more from a galaxy far, far away, why not check out the best Star Wars toys?
