17 Best Mystery Board Games for a Fun Game Night

Calling all sleuths and puzzle-solvers!

Are you itching to bring the intrigue of a mystery novel to your tabletop? Look no further, because we've compiled a magnifying glass-worthy list of the 17 best mystery board games guaranteed to make for an enigmatic game night!

Whether you consider yourself a modern-day Sherlock, an armchair detective, or just a board game aficionado looking for your next thrill, this list has something for everyone.

With a lineup of mystery board games comprising a wide variety of solo sleuthing, cooperative clue-gathering, and competitive whodunit challenges suitable for 1 to 8 players, your game night is bound to be anything but ordinary.

Prepare to unravel complicated plots, decipher cryptic clues, and outsmart your opponents.

From the haunted corridors of Betrayal at House on the Hill to the classic capers of Clue, each game promises hours of suspense and mental challenge.

Join us as we roll the dice and walk you through the shadowy alleyways of board game brilliance – may the best detective win!

In this post, we share with you the seventeen best mystery board games that you can play for a fun game night.

We chose them based on how well they bring people together and how much fun they provide. And of course, we also considered the great reviews and positive feedback they have received from satisfied customers.

Let’s check them out!

The Best Mystery Board Games

1. Betrayal at House on the Hill

Betrayal at House on the Hill is the perfect mystery board game for fans of suspense, horror, and excitement. It allows its players to build their own haunted house, room per room and tile per tile, and then start finding ways to escape from it alive.

The game is designed for three (3) to six (6) players, and everyone has a character to play. Since it is a cooperative game, all players must work together to survive, except for the traitor, whose job is to betray the team and hamper its strategy.

This means that in addition to getting out of the house, the innocent characters must also defeat the traitor before the game ends.

Betrayal at House on the Hill has 50 different blood-curdling scenarios. The players design and build the house, so it is a fresh story and experience every time.

This game is a product of Avalon Hill that was published in 2004, and won the Gamer’s Choice Award for Best Board Game that year. It was designed by Bruce Glassco and developed by Rob Daviau, Mike Selinker, Bill McQuillan, and Teeuwynn Woodruff.

2. Clue

Hasbro’s Clue Game is one of the most well-known board games in existence, making it a perfect choice for those who are into classic mystery games. it has been tried and tested for decades, and most people who have played it agree that it still stands as one of the best mystery board games ever made.

In this game, there is only one question to answer: Who murdered Mr. Boddy?

However, there are tons of clues and factors that you have to connect to discover the murderer. Out of six suspects, you need to determine who’s responsible for the killing, what weapon he or she used, and in which part of the mansion the crime was committed.

Before the investigation starts, players are given their characters, weapons, and location cards. However, the top card from each card type (which are confidential, and provide the identity of the murderer) is secretly placed in the middle of the board.

To identify these cards, players must  uncover the cards of other characters (players) by making accusations.

This is a game of logic and deductive reasoning. In addition to being cautious, you need to have excellent memory to remember which cards belong to whom. This is the only way to discover the cards in the secret files.

The person who successfully identifies who the murderer is, what weapon was used, and where the crime was committed wins.

3. Unsolved Case Files

This is the best murder mystery board game for those who dream of becoming cold case detectives.

Your goal is to find out who really murdered Harmony Ashcroft on May 8, 1998. But since it is a cold case, you need to start from scratch, with only the original investigator’s case files serving as your aid.

There are three objectives in this game: prove the convicted man’s innocence, disprove a key suspect’s alibi, and identify a clue that will put the real culprit behind bars. You have to find clues to crack the main case by solving these three mysteries in order.

This game comes with over 50 documents and photos that you need to scrutinize and investigate. There are newspaper articles, evidence reports, suspect interrogations, and witness statements you need to read and analyze.

Once you think you are done with the case, you must check the online answer keys to see if you have solved it correctly.

Unsolved Case Files is the perfect pastime for solo gamers, couples on date nights, and families during gatherings. There is no minimum or a maximum number of players, as it is more of a cooperative game than a competition.

4. Mysterium

If you have a knack for murder mystery games that require psychic investigations, then Mysterium is an excellent choice.

In this game, you need to unravel the truth behind the death of the ghost residing in Warwick Manor. Ultimately, you have to discover who did the crime, where it took place, and which weapon the culprit used.

One of the players needs to take the role of the ghost, and the others act as mediums or psychic investigators to help the ghost remember what happened on the night of the murder.

The ghost communicates with the mediums through cards with images that represent dreamlike visions leading to the culprit.

The game clearly ends once a majority of the mediums successfully identify the culprit, the location, and the weapon of the crime. If one or more mediums fails to do so, the ghost shall dissipate and the game is over.

Mysterium is a simple game that is easy to understand. Most reviews indicate that it is kid-friendly and recommended for families who love playing board games altogether.

5. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

This mystery board game is a perfect match for those who love playing detective and are Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts. Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective tests your investigative skills and deductive reasoning abilities.

This game is rather unique compared to other mystery board games. Each case takes around two hours to solve, so do not expect that you will finish it in one sitting. Since a set of 10 crimes is given to players, you will have to rest before proceeding through all of them.

As a detective, your goal is to finish solving these mysteries and arrive at the major conclusion. You have to decipher the clues that each of these mysteries holds and connect them to the other evidence you find.

You also need to find clues through reading newspapers, interviewing suspects, etc. You need to be mentally prepared in order to win this game.

6. Scotland Yard

Scotland Yard is an excellent option for those who are into “catch me if you can” type of board games.

In this game, you act as one of the greatest detectives in London who is in pursuit of a criminal mastermind named Mister X. You have to travel to different countries by land and water, and even underground, to complete your mission and apprehend the most dangerous criminal out there.

This game is easy to learn and simple to understand. First, you and your co-players need to decide who will play Mister X. The gameplay has thirteen (13) rounds, and in each round Mister X takes the first move. Only after Mister X is done with his turn will the detectives (other players) have a chance to take theirs.

The goal of the detectives is to catch Mister X either by finishing the move on the station where Mister X is currently located, or by blocking all the other stations that Mister X can go to.

While this may sound easy to accomplish, note that the game allows Mister X to take special moves (like being invisible in some rounds and secretly recording his next destination). If Mister X manages to travel across London within the 13 rounds without being caught, the game is over and Mister X wins.

Similar to the other games on this list, Scotland Yard is a game that tests your logic and deductive skills. It also tests your ability to weave clues and connect circumstances that are related to each other in order to come up with a valid conclusion.

7. Deception: Murder in Hong Kong

This mystery board game is a great choice for those who love deception-themed movies, games, or TV shows. If you love playing the Wink Murder game (a.k.a. Killer-Killer), then you will probably love this board game as well.

The storyline of this board game revolves around a group of people who find themselves trapped in a murder scene, now knowing who the killer is.

This means that one of them is the murderer, who secretly chooses his weapon and cleans all evidence that may be used against him. His main goal is to mislead and confuse all the investigators (other players) into thinking that somebody else is the killer.

One of the most important characters in this game is the forensic scientist. He is the only one who can convict the murderer, but he has to go through an in-depth analysis of the scene before speaking. The rest of the players are investigators who patch together the evidence-based clues they have gathered.

Deception: Murder in Hong Kong may be played by between four (4) and twelve (12) players, and involves around 20 minutes of game time.

8. Letters from Whitechapel

If you have ever dreamed of investigating the crime scenes of the Jack the Ripper murders, then this is the game for you. This game is filled with the crowded, smelly alleys of London, and its busy merchants and small ragged children running through the streets, begging for food and money.

Letters from Whitechapel is a one-versus-many type of board game that focuses on logic and deduction. It is based on the true story of the infamous murderer Jack the Ripper, and how authorities played an intense cat-and-mouse game while in pursuit of him.

The game revolves around bluffs and deception, with one player taking the role of Jack the Ripper, while the others act as detectives that work together to hunt him down.

The game is composed of four (4) rounds. In every round, the person playing Jack must choose a location on the board that represents his hideout. He then chooses a victim, commits the crime, and then finds a way to make it to his hideout before the investigators catch him.

He does this by moving his pawns between the numbered circles. The investigators, of course, must create a strategy to narrow down Jack’s moves and eventually arrest him. They do this by moving their pawns between crossings.

Letters from Whitechapel brings you back to Victorian London. The game has been praised by many critics saying that its components really draw you back to the time when Jack the Ripper was the talk of the town.

9. 221B Baker Street

This is another mystery board game that is perfect for Sherlock Holmes fanatics, as 221B Baker Street is where the world’s most famous fictional detective character lived, together with his best friend and investigative comrade, Dr. Watson.

What is rather unique about this board game is that it does not focus on only one case. You actually have to solve a number of intriguing cases that Holmes and Watson solved together.

You act as Sherlock Holmes, and solve the cases by finding all the clues that lead to valid results. Each case is represented by a card that features all the information you need to solve it (e.g., probable suspects, list of possible locations involved).

This can be a cooperative board game or a competitive one, depending on how you and your friends or family would like to play it. You can team up and solve the cases together, and everyone gets the chance to play the role of Holmes.

You can also compete with each other and see who can solve the most number of cases. If you are in the mood to play alone, this game can also be played solo.

10. Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game

If you like complex board games with interconnected storylines, then Detective: A Modern Crime Board Game might interest you.

It is a campaign-style board game, which means that the characters and the game itself may change over time. The main objective, however, is still to solve the crime using clues.

A total of five crime cases are laid out for you, and each case or session takes around one to three hours to finish. Winning is a lot more complicated than you might think.

While the game has the usual features like finding clues, navigating city mazes, and using strategic planning, you also have to check the game’s online database from time to time.

We recommend this game mostly for adults and teens who like deception games that require a lot of critical thinking. It is a really immersive game that encourages the players to collaborate and provide insights. The manufacturers recommend it for ages 16 years old and above.

11. Outfoxed!

Gamewright’s “Outfoxed!” is your typical whodunit game, except that it is great for playing with children at home.

It is a cooperative game that is suitable for five years old and above, and it might be just one of the best games for improving kids’ critical thinking skills.

The game takes around 20 to 30 minutes to complete and you can have a minimum of two and a maximum of four players.

To win the game, you need to work as a team to reveal the different clues and catch the criminal before it escapes. There are 16 suspects (foxes), and you have to choose wisely and figure out which one of them is the thief.

Outfoxed! is a cooperative game, which means that it is a good choice if you are looking to teach your children the value of unity and participation. Team strategy is a must, otherwise you won’t be able to catch the fox thief.

12. One Night Ultimate Werewolf

One Night Ultimate Werewolf is a popular mystery and horror board game.

Its play time is around 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the skill level of the players and the difficulty level set by the moderator before the game starts. It is also dependent on the number of players.

In this game, each player takes on a unique role. He can either be the Werewolf, the Seer, the Troublemaker, or a number of other characters. There can be a total of three to 10 players, each with a distinctive special ability and defensive power. The ultimate goal is to catch the killer—the Werewolf.

This board game is best combined with its expansion sets, One Night Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak and One Night Ultimate Vampire.

With the addition of these two sets, you and your co-players can enjoy epic and exciting battles. In the end, there can only be one champion—it’s either the wolf as the last person standing or the villagers who are able to catch him.

13. Chronicles of Crime

Chronicles of Crime has three outstanding features—a board game, an app, and a touch of virtual reality.

The app features integrate with the board game to provide a unique, interactive experience that allows players to use the board game components in several different scenarios through Scan&Play Technology.

Each board game component is equipped with a QR code that activates and triggers the clues and stories. This means that players may be able to get new stories even years after their release by downloading the updates—no need to order any new physical components!

What is rather exciting about this board game is that you can play various scenarios in different sessions or from multiple perspectives simultaneously. You only need to start the app, choose the scenario/s you want, and follow the flow. The ultimate goal is to catch the killer from the case you chose in the shortest time you can.

14. Exit: The House of Riddles

Exit: The House of Riddles is unique in its own special way because it is a one-time game, meaning you only have one chance to finish it. You will not be able to repeat it, since you will need to mark, tear, and fold the materials to solve the puzzles.

The game’s premise is easy: Find the exit. As an adventurer, you are summoned to enter an abandoned house and solve the mystery. Once you are inside, however, you are trapped unless you can find your way out. There is also time limit, adding pressure as you solve the riddles and crack the codes to escape.

This is a collaborative game, which means that you need to create a strategy with your teammates. The game is limited to only four players, and everything you need to beat the game is already on the board. You just have to figure out how to use them.

15. Whitehall Mystery

If you enjoyed the Scotland Yard board game, then you will definitely love this one as well. Whitehall Mystery is a competitive, cooperative, thrilling mystery game that focuses on strategy and planning. It is a game of deduction as you take the role of Scotland Yard police officers in search of the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper.

One player has to take the role of Jack, while all the others are investigators. The goal is to catch Jack before he strikes. The game is quite challenging, regardless of which role you end up playing.

The game may be played by two to six players, age 13 and above. The average playtime is around 60 minutes, but it may last longer than that if both sides are good at tricking each other. The game is also highly replayable, because the players can take turns being Jack and the investigators.

16. Mr. Jack

Here is another Jack the Ripper board game that is a bit more fast paced. Playtime is only around 30 minutes and there can be a minimum of two and a maximum of eight players. One player takes the role of Jack, while all the others are investigators such as Dr. Watson, Inspector Lestrade, and Sherlock Holmes.

As investigators, you are given special powers. Each character is different, and all the inspectors have to spread throughout the city to complete their objectives. Jack, on the other hand, has to make sure that he is not get caught by any of the inspectors.

Mr. Jack is designed by Bruno Cathala and Ludovic Maublanc and is currently being distributed by Hurrican. Its most recent version is the revised edition that has an updated art design and game components.

17. Spy Alley

Have you ever dreamed of being a spy? This is your chance to live that dream and become one of the world’s most talented spies.

Spy Alley is an adventure game that is perfect for ages eight years old and up. It can accommodate up to six players (minimum of two) and has around 30 to 45 minutes of playtime. Your opponents are also spies and your tasks are to reveal their identities and eliminate them from the game.

This game is a good opportunity to develop skills like social deduction, logic, and reasoning. You will also hone your critical thinking skills trying to come up with a strategy to beat the other spies.

Final Thoughts on Mystery Board Games

Mystery board games were once as famous as those we currently play on our consoles and smartphones. But even if they have become less popular over time, they are still a “hit,” particularly for those who prefer playing physical board games.

Instead of binge-using technology and wasting your time through mindless web surfing, why not try these mystery board games for something different?. You can play them on your own, with a friend or your partner, or with the whole family. In addition to killing time, you also get the chance to develop your cognitive thinking skills.

Have you tried one or more of the games we mentioned above?

We’d love to know which ones. Share a comment or two on the fields below and let us know which one is your favorite, or which game you’d like to try.

And if you're looking for more board games, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 11 Best 2-Player Board Games
• 21 Best Three-Player Board Games
• 9 Best RPG (Role Playing) Board Games to Play
• 13 Best Board Games for Your Family Game Night
• 9 Star Wars Board Games to Play in a Not-So-Far Galaxy