Are you both a die-hard Star Wars fan and an avid board game player?
Have you been searching for the best Star Wars board games available?
It is no mystery why Star Wars became one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. It’s popularity has been nearly universal, leading Star Wars to become a global phenomenon almost overnight, and one that has endured for decades.
To date, the franchise includes several film installments, comic books, video games, television series, theme parks, novels, and a number of themed varieties all existing within the fictional universe.
Game manufacturers have taken advantage of the craze and designed various board games intended for Star Wars fans. But since there are many of them, how do you know which ones are the best?
Today, we bring you the 9 best Star Wars board games of all time. Enjoy your favorite movie and the benefits of board gaming at the same time while playing in your little bedroom galaxy.
Let’s check out our list of the best Star Wars board games!
1. Star Wars: Monopoly
Monopoly is an excellent choice if you want a classic Star Wars board game.
It includes the complete saga edition, which allows you to relive all nine Star Wars episodes through a series of galactic movements. Unlike the original Monopoly game, however, you earn TIE Fighters and X-Wings instead of houses and hotels.
All three Star Wars trilogies inspire the gameplay, which is designed for two to six players, ages eight years and old and above. Playing time takes 15 minutes or more, and the characters include Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Padme Amidala, Leia, Luke, Kylo Ren, Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Rey.
The currency used in this game is cardboard chips called “credits,” and the last player to have credits left when all the others go bankrupt wins the game. To move around the game, you have to play with your cards and take action.
If you land on a Jedi Training or Holocron space, you have to pick a matching card and perform whatever action the card indicates.
Basically, the rules of the game are similar to the original Monopoly game, but with a Star Wars twist. If you are a Monopoly expert and a Star Wars fanatic, then this game is a perfect fit.
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2. Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Imperial Assault is best for those who want a Star Wars-themed, cooperative, roleplaying board game.
We also recommend it for those who like playing campaign games, as it offers two distinct modes: the “campaign” game and the “skirmish” game.
The campaign game allows one player to act as a troop commander and use all the properties and resources of the Galactic Empire. His goal is to defeat a team of elite rebels who are aiming to break through the empire’s territory. The team of elite rebels is composed of the other players in the game.
The skirmish version of the game is somewhat different, as it involves a head-to-head battle with another player. You can both choose who should take the role of the rebellion hero and that of the Stormtroopers’ commander. Both players have conflicting objectives, and whoever finishes his or her mission first becomes the winner.
As this is an RPG board game, expansion sets are available to make it more thrilling and exciting. If you ever enjoy this edition, you may want to get the extensions to make the game even more exciting.
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3. Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game
This tactical board game is best for players who want to experience high-speed Star Wars dogfights.
It is set during the time of “The Force Awakens,” when combat fight between starfighters was fast, fierce, and deadly. Your main goal is to plot a secret strategy to defeat your enemy’s (opponent’s) force.
X-Wing is a two-player game, so there can only be two people or groups playing. You and the other team should pick and decide who will take the First Order and who will command the Resistance pilots. Once decided, you and the other player then act as the squad leaders of each team to supervise the starfighters.
The board game is designed for fast and intuitive gameplay. Its unique maneuver dials let you secretly plan movements to create strategic attacks.
You may also customize your ships with a bunch of upgrades to make your offense and defense more powerful. Basically, it is a combination of a squad-building and combat-fighting board game.
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4. Star Wars: Risk
If you are looking for a Star Wars board game that you can play with the kids, then Star Wars: Risk might just be the answer.
Although this board game only requires simple strategic thinking, it is still fun and exciting—perfect for a night of family bonding.
Star Wars: Risk allows players to relive the dramatic final moments of Return of the Jedi. It is designed for two players or teams only—one should be the light side (Rebel Alliance) and the other should be the dark side (Galactic Empire).
The main goal is to either defend or destroy the Death Star, depending which side you are on.
Three battles are waged simultaneously during the game: the attack on the Death Star, the shield assault, and the fight between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker.
Both teams have their own objectives to keep in mind while playing. If one of these objectives fails, the other side gets the point and the advantage.
We highly recommend this board game if you are looking for something light and easy to learn. It is ranked as the best Star Wars board game for families with young children, as its rules are quite easy to grasp.
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5. Star Wars: Rebellion
If it is just you and your partner or you and your friends—no kids—then Rebellion could be the perfect choice. This board game requires hardcore skills in strategic and tactical planning.
Similar to Star Wars: Risk, the game depicts the conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. In this game, however, there can be a maximum of four players, and each person can choose whether they want to be a rebel hero or an Empire commander. The goal of the game is to defeat the other players.
Star Wars: Rebellion tests your strategic and decision-making skills by allowing you to create a plan to defeat your enemy. You will command starships, direct troop movements, and organize systems to aid you in your fight. Your victory depends on the strength of your build and the luck of your character cards.
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6. Star Wars: Legion
Star Wars: Legion is a good choice for those looking for a two-player board game that involves infantry battles. This game allows you to command armies filled with troopers, powerful vehicles, and iconic characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
In this game, you are free to create any Star Wars army you want. You can create one that fights for the dark side (the Galactic Empire), or you can build one that supports the light side (the Rebel Alliance).
Whatever you choose, the game offers several innovative mechanics to help you compose and establish your dream team.
This is more than just a competitive game, and doesn’t only test your strategic skills. In addition, it encourages you to be creative in building a team that will have an edge in the coming battle. It also requires keen analytical skills.
The game is composed of six rounds, with one to two hours of gameplay. At the end of the last round, whoever has the most victory tokens is the winner.
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7. Star Wars: Armada
Star Wars: Armada is another two-player miniature game involving tactical fleet battles between the rebels and the Galactic Empire in the Star Wars universe.
It is a strategic, tactical board game that requires great analytical skills and movements.
In this game, you take the role of a fleet admiral, serving either for the Imperial Navy or the Rebel Alliance. You assemble your fleet, devise your plan, survey your objectives, and implement strategies to defeat the enemy (opponent).
The game can last up to two hours, and is suitable for those who are 14 years old and above. If you have a knack for fleet building and tactical integration, you should try this board game with a friend or your partner. There are several rules in the guidebook that can help you design your fleet.
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8. Star Wars: Trivial Pursuit
Star Wars: Trivial Pursuit is a board game for those who want to challenge their knowledge of and dedication to Star Wars.
Remember your favorite movie scenes and characters and think back on your most hated villains—this is the ultimate Q&A game that will test how much of a Star Wars fan you really are.
The game is composed of 1,800 questions divided into six categories: The Cantina, The Force, Heroes, Villains and Scoundrels, The Saga, A Galaxy Far, Far Away, and Hyperspace. Each player must choose his allegiance before the game starts. The allegiances include the Jedi, the Rebel Alliance, the First Order, and the Galactic Empire.
Star Wars: Trivial Pursuit is an easy game as long as you know your Star Wars story and history. A player advances and earns a wedge whenever he answers a question correctly.
To win, you must collect all six wedges and provide the correct answer to the final question. This game is a race, so whoever reaches the end first and answers the questions correctly wins.
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9. Star Wars: Outer Rim
Star Wars: Outer Rim is an excellent choice for those who want to try something out of the norm. It involves roleplaying as smugglers, mercenaries, and bounty hunters crafting a legacy within the bounds of the Star Wars galaxy.
In this game, you take the role of an iconic scoundrel from the film franchise, like Han Solo or Boba Fett. From there, you collect credits and accomplish missions to build your own ship and crew. You can even purchase mods and upgrades to achieve your goal of creating a legacy.
Whenever it is your turn, you can gain popularity by moving across the galaxy and completing jobs or claiming bounties. You may also use your turn to avoid the major factions patrolling the area.
Whatever you do, just make sure that you have thought it out first, because this is a game of strategy.
Star Wars: Outer Rim involves two to three hours of gameplay, and can be played by one to four players. This means that it is also a perfect pastime for those who love playing solo. It is recommended for players who are 14 years old and above.
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Final Thoughts on the Best Star Wars Board Games
We hope that we were able to satisfy your appetite for Star Wars with the list of board games we have shared above. Have you already tried some of these Star Wars games? Or do you have a favorite that isn’t on the list?
We’d love to know your thoughts! Share a comment or two in the fields below and let us know what is the best Star Wars board game you have ever played!
And if you're looking for more board games, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 9 Best Horror Board Games for a Scary Game Night
- 9 Best RPG (Role Playing) Board Games to Play
- 17 Best Mystery Board Games for a Fun Game Night
