Top Board Games for Couples in 2025

While there are plenty of two-player board games that are excellent, board games for couples to play together deserve their own special sub-category. Many two-player games fall into niche categories like war board games or abstract games, which may not appeal to both partners. Moreover, these games often encourage fierce competition, which can be a recipe for tension unless you're both very forgiving. Therefore, we've curated a list of the best games that strike a perfect balance between competition and cooperation, blending luck with strategy to ensure a delightful experience for couples. If you're still searching for a Valentine's Day date idea, these board games for couples are the perfect place to start.

TL;DR: These are the best board games for couples

### Race to the Raft

1See it at Amazon### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at Amazon### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at Amazon### Fog of Love

1See it at Amazon### Patchwork

1See it at Amazon### Codenames: Duet

1See it at Amazon### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at Amazon### Hive

1See it at Amazon### Onitama

0See it at Amazon### Five Tribes

0See it at Amazon### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at Amazon### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at Amazon### Splendor: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at Amazon### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonEditor's Note: Although all of the games listed below are great for two players, some can accommodate up to 4 players. If you're looking for a game suitable for both board game night and intimate couple time, make sure to check the player count listed below each game.

Race to the Raft

### Race to the Raft

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-4Playtime: 40-60 minsDo you remember the movement puzzle games that were popular in the early days of the internet? They are the clear ancestors of this vibrant and engaging board game about guiding finicky cats to safety. Each cat will only travel over one color of terrain, so it's up to you to work together to build a path for them to reach a raft before a blazing fire cuts them off. Your goal is complicated by the random nature of terrain cards you draw, the risk of blocking another cat's route with each move, and limited communication rules that may have you meowing desperately to convey a point. Both challenging and hilarious, the game offers more than 80 scenarios of ever-increasing difficulty.

Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsWhat better way to express your love than by taking a flight together to an exotic destination? In Sky Team, you play as the pilot and co-pilot, working together to land the plane. It's more challenging than it sounds: each of you has your own pool of dice and set of instruments to manage using the results. Some tasks require balancing the values assigned by each player, made even trickier by the rule that prohibits discussing strategy during the placement phase. At least this rule helps avoid arguments when the dice pool runs low, the plane tilts dangerously, and there's a queue of air traffic waiting for the runway.

The Search for Lost Species

### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 1-4Playtime: 60-75 minsWith its appealing theme and dynamic puzzle, this app-driven game challenges players to map an island's ecology and discover a long-lost animal. Beneath the engaging theme lies a logic puzzle of fiendish complexity. Each island animal has specific rules dictating its habitat: some are fixed, while others vary from game to game and are revealed by the app as you research. Players must use these rules and clues from their exploration to determine which hexes hold which species and gradually pinpoint the location of the mysterious beast. It's complex but quick to play once mastered, and every game offers a fresh puzzle thanks to the app. You can even collaborate against the app, though you'll need to share a single playing piece.

If you want a more in-depth look at gameplay for this entry, check out my hands-on review of The Search for Lost Species.

Fog of Love

### Fog of Love

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 17+Players: 2Playtime: 1-2 hrsWe must start this list with a game designed specifically to explore the story of a couple's relationship. However, it's not your relationship but one you'll create between a pair of fictional characters, exploring its nuances and ups and downs. Although the visuals feature some blue and pink, the game is also open to same-sex relationships. Each character has secret traits and destinies that influence the choices you make in various scenes, affecting the outcome. As an experimental game, there's no strict winner, but you'll win by enjoying a fascinating journey through an imagined relationship.

Patchwork

### Patchwork

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsPatchwork is a delightfully simple game that synthesizes several clever concepts into one compact package. Players buy geometric pieces with buttons to create a quilt with as few holes as possible. Each purchase advances you on a time track, which periodically awards you extra buttons or valuable single-square patches, but the player furthest behind on the time track always takes the next turn. This mechanic allows for strategic plays like planning for double turns or leapfrogging your opponent to grab a one-square patch. Gently addictive, it captivates multiple aspects of your brain at once, no wonder it has won numerous awards and nominations.

Codenames Duet

### Codenames: Duet

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 15+Players: 2+Playtime: 15 minsThe original Codenames was a breakout hit in the party game world. Players laid out a grid of cards with words, and one player per team gave single-word clues to link multiple words, helping teammates identify their team's cards. Codenames: Duet refines this for two players into a sleek cooperative game. You and your partner work to find fifteen clues before time runs out. Because you both give clues, downtime while thinking is nearly eliminated, bringing a fun slice of party game magic to your table.

Duet is just one of many Codenames spin-offs available, offering variety if you enjoy this version.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2-4Playtime: 60 minsUnlike other games on this list, The Adventures of Robin Hood is a narrative-driven game where you retell the legend of the famous outlaw across nine scenarios. It introduces clever ideas that make it engaging and dynamic. There are no traditional board spaces; instead, you measure progress across the map with a long base on your wooden playing piece, aiming to stay in shadows and avoid guards. The board functions like an advent calendar, with numbered pieces you can lift and flip to create a living world you explore by referencing numbers in the included book. Can you and your partner work together to save Nottingham from the Sheriff's clutches before Guy of Gisborne hunts you down?

Hive

### Hive

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 9+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsPlayed with charming chunky plastic hexes, Hive can make your skin crawl with its insectoid theme. On the positive side, it also makes your brain buzz with its intricate web of strategies. Each player has a Queen hex, and you win by surrounding your opponent's Queen with your pieces. There are four other insect types, each with unique movement rules you must leverage to achieve your goal. With only eleven tiles per side, which enter play one by one, and the Hive always being a single conglomeration of tiles, Hive is easy to transport, set up, and play, yet the complex interaction of movement rules makes winning a challenging endeavor.

Onitama

### Onitama

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 10 minsOnitama derives a lot of its charm from a simple yet profound concept. Played on a grid, each player starts with a master pawn and five students. Moving any piece onto an opponent's piece knocks it off the board, and you win by either eliminating the enemy master or moving your master to the opposite end. The twist is that your pieces' legal moves depend on a random deal of cards: you choose from two each turn, and the card you select is discarded and replaced from the side of the board. This creates a fascinating interplay of cause and effect, allowing you to plan ahead while the ever-changing moves keep you on your toes.

If you like Onitama's gameplay mechanics, explore more options from our list of the best dueling board games.

Five Tribes

### Five Tribes

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2-4Playtime: 40-80 minsInspired by the classic game Mancala, Five Tribes transforms the concept into a modern strategy game played on a grid of tiles. You pick up a handful of colored pieces, and the final tile you drop one on determines your actions for that round. The board state then changes, influencing the next player's possible combinations, making each turn a mind-bending puzzle. Add an auction to determine the first player, and you've got a modern classic. With two players, Five Tribes allows you to double your turns, adding a layer of setting up your first turn for a combo in the second.

The Fox in the Forest

### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsIf you've played traditional trick-taking games like Whist, you might wonder how it could work with two players. The Fox in the Forest answers this with a three-suit deck where even-numbered cards function like standard playing cards, but odd-numbered cards have special powers. For example, the 3-value Fox lets you change the trump suit, while the 9-value Witch is always a trump. The scoring system rewards winning either the majority or the minority of tricks, making it challenging to maintain a lead without timing your wins perfectly. Fast, fun, and innovative, The Fox in the Forest is an exceptional solution to a seemingly impossible puzzle.

7 Wonders: Duel

### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsWhile the original 7 Wonders was a smash hit, this two-player version is often considered even better. The core concept remains: you draft cards to create point-scoring sets representing aspects of an ancient civilization. Different card types represent military, technology, or wonders, providing bonuses and resources. Instead of the standard pick-and-pass drafting, 7 Wonders: Duel uses a pyramid of overlapping cards, most starting face down and only becoming available when the cards atop them are taken. This adds a layer of timing to the draft as you balance your picks against giving options to your opponent.

Schotten Totten

### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsA classic from 1999, Schotten Totten remains relevant today. You battle across nine stones, trying to create Poker-style three-card combos on your side, one card at a time. This creates tension as your opponent guesses your intended meld while you hope to draw the right cards to complete it. Like Poker, it involves playing probabilities, plus an extra deck of special power tactic cards adds spice. If that's not enough, you can also use the cards with their amusing cartoon art to play a different game called Lost Cities.

Splendor: Duel

### Splendor: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsThe original Splendor, one of the best engine-building games, worked well with two players, so why create a version tailored for couples? The answer lies in the refinements that enhance the gameplay. You're still master jewelers, crafting beautiful works for noble clients, each enriching your purchasing power for future masterpieces. However, you now pick your raw gems off a board with placement rules, competing against three victory conditions, and utilizing simple yet impactful special effects to vary your strategies. The result is a delightful two-player dance, ideal if you're only playing with your significant other.

Sea Salt & Paper

### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2-4Playtime: 30-45 minsThis delightful abstract card game by Bruno Cathala combines several classic gameplay elements into one simple package. You take a card each turn, either randomly from the deck or a face-up one from the discard pile, aiming to build sets for points. Certain card pairs can be played for special effects like taking an extra card or stealing one from an opponent, though this reveals some of your points. This matters because players decide when the hand ends, gambling on a winning combo at the potential cost of points. While this game works with a group, it's best, fastest, and most balanced with a cozy couple, and you can both enjoy its unique origami artwork, specially commissioned for the game.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game

### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-6Playtime: 30-60 minsDorfromantik, the video game, was renowned for its relaxing puzzle, allowing players to build a rural utopia hex by hex. This board game adaptation brings the same vibe, letting you work together to take one tile at a time and complete groups of similar terrain features before the pile runs out. It has a trick up its sleeve: a delightfully addictive campaign mode that sees you climbing a tree of different reveals, adding new content to your game. These come in little boxes you break open with each reveal, and there's a particular joy in sharing your new discoveries with a partner, so you can appreciate your new toys before moving on to your next tile-laying adventure.

If you want a more in-depth look at this game, you can check out my review of Dorfromantik: The Board Game for additional details.