Top 3-Player Board Games to Play in 2025

There's no shortage of two-player board games – you can even find plenty of solo board games. And while you might think a group of three players would pose a challenge for board game night, you'd be wrong. Three is actually the perfect number for many games. It allows for more interesting dynamics than strictly two-player, and it affords a quick tempo with little downtime between turns. In many ways, it’s the best qualities of the two player and four player format merged together.

TL;DR: The Best 3-Player Board Games

### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at Amazon### Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

0See it at Amazon### Star Wars: Outer Rim

0See it at Amazon### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

0See it at Amazon### Dune: Imperium - Uprising

0See it at Amazon### Wingspan

0See it at Amazon### Anachrony: Essential Edition

0See it at Amazon### Azul Board Game

0See it at Amazon### Cascadia

0See it at Walmart### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon### Lords of Waterdeep

0See it at Amazon### Lost Ruins of Arnak

0See it at Walmart### Raiders of the North Sea

0See it at Amazon### Splendor

0See it at Amazon### Viticulture

0See it at Amazon

The challenge is in finding the right games. That’s why we’re here with this list offering a series of titles that provide an exceptional experience at the three-player count. No need to fret when your fourth cancels as game night can still be salvaged. Or if everyone brings a date, explore the best 6-player games.

Contributions by Samantha Nelson and Charlie Theel.

Clank! Catacombs

### Clank! Catacombs

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 13+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 45-90 minutes

The Clank! series offers thrilling dungeon-crawling experiences where players navigate through a maze using a deck of cards that they build and expand as they play. This strategic element adds depth to the game, but the real excitement comes from the risk of making noise. Moving too quickly adds noise cubes to a bag, increasing the chance of waking a dragon and facing its wrath, which injects thrilling tension into every move. Catacombs enhances this with a modular map that provides maximum variety and a genuine sense of exploration. While the game shines with three players, offering balanced dynamics and a lively pace, it also works well with two or four players, each with its own unique feel.

If you enjoy this style, we recommend checking out our guide to the best dungeon-crawler board games.

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

### Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 120 minutes

This unique civilization game, devoid of a traditional map, takes players on a journey from the Bronze Age to modern times. It combines resource management and population management with a strategic twist through a conveyor belt of upgrade cards, tempting players to overpay for them to outmaneuver opponents. The game also features direct military engagements between players, streamlined by the absence of a map, which prevents ganging up and ensures a well-balanced experience, especially with three players, where it tests both tactical and strategic skills.

Star Wars: Outer Rim

### Star Wars: Outer Rim

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 120-180 minutes

Set in the iconic Star Wars universe, this game features a distinctive crescent-shaped board and striking art. Players assume the roles of galactic rogues, striving to make a name for themselves through trading, hunting, and smuggling across the rim. As you gain skills and upgrade your ship, you're likely to encounter famous franchise characters. With three players, the game strikes a perfect balance, offering rich interactions without overstaying its welcome, enhancing the narrative-driven gameplay.

For more from the franchise, explore our recommendations for the best Star Wars board games.

Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

### Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-120 minutes

Gloomhaven has captured the hearts of many with its RPG-in-a-box format, and Jaws of the Lion offers a more accessible entry point into this fantasy adventure. Players cooperate to navigate dungeons and defeat enemies, each with a unique deck and playstyle. Managing your hand of cards effectively is key to optimizing actions and overcoming challenges. As a campaign game, it requires a significant time commitment, but the rewards are particularly satisfying with a small group of friends.

Discover why Gloomhaven tops our list of the best RPG board games.

Dune Imperium: Uprising

### Dune: Imperium - Uprising

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 13+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 60-120 minutes

Following the success of Dune 2, fans can delve deeper into this universe with one of the most acclaimed board games of recent years. Players must balance military might with political power by building a personal deck from a public market and strategically placing workers on the board. This creates a dynamic game loop that rewards strategic planning and adaptation. With three players, the competition for board spaces is just right, ensuring a challenging yet engaging experience.

For more on the original game, read our review of Dune Imperium.

Wingspan

### Wingspan

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 40-70 minutes

Wingspan invites players into a nature-themed competition to collect an array of beautifully illustrated birds. Each bird card offers unique abilities that interact with the rest of your sanctuary, creating a rich and evolving gameplay experience. The game's warm and inviting visuals are matched by its strategic depth, making it an ideal choice for three players, where it strikes a perfect balance between competition and pace.

Explore more about Wingspan and its dragon-themed spin-off, Wyrmspan, in our detailed reviews.

Anachrony

### Anachrony: Essential Edition

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 30 mins per player

In Anachrony, players must prepare for an impending asteroid impact, aiming to lead humanity post-disaster. The game involves deploying workers with unique abilities, including mech pilots, and using Time Rifts to borrow resources from the future, which must be repaid to avoid time anomalies. With multiple paths to victory and different factions, the game offers extensive replayability. For added complexity, consider the Future Imperfect and Fractures of Time expansions.

Azul

### Azul Board Game

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 8+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 30-45 mins

Azul is a quick and easy-to-learn game perfect for introducing new players to board gaming. Players compete to create the most beautiful mosaic by drafting tiles from a central market and placing them on their board. Scoring is based on connecting tiles, with bonuses for full rows, columns, and sets. The game's detailed pieces enhance the tactile experience, making each move satisfying as players strategize against each other.

For more on Azul, including its expansions, check out our hands-on review.

Cascadia

### Cascadia

0See it at Walmart

Age Range: 10+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30-45

This soothing family board game challenges players to build an ecosystem inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Varied scoring goals keep each game fresh, rewarding points for animal placements and terrain connections. Players draft tiles representing animals and landscapes, aiming to create unbroken expanses of mountains, wetlands, and forests. Pinecones add an extra layer of strategy by mixing up token and tile pairs during drafting.

Learn more about Cascadia in our detailed board game review.

Cthulhu: Death May Die

### Cthulhu: Death May Die

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+
Players: 1-5
Play Time: 90 mins

In this cooperative game based on Lovecraftian horror, the Elder Gods have already arrived, and players must prepare to confront them. With a high level of replayability due to various investigators and threats, the game features impressively detailed miniatures. Three players provide a good mix of character archetypes without extending playtime too much, but careful play is required to avoid a game-ending elimination.

Lords of Waterdeep

### Lords of Waterdeep

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 12+
Players: 2-5
Play Time: 1-2 hrs

An excellent entry into the worker placement genre, Lords of Waterdeep is particularly enjoyable for D&D fans with its Forgotten Realms setting. Players assume roles as secret Lords, recruiting adventurers to complete quests that offer strategic advantages or high points. Building new locations on the board provides additional strategic layers, as players can benefit from their own creations or profit when rivals use them. For a more competitive experience, consider the Scoundrels of Skullport expansion.

Lost Ruins of Arnak

### Lost Ruins of Arnak

0See it at Walmart

Age Range: 12+
Players: 1-4
Play Time: 30 mins per player

Combining worker placement and deckbuilding, Lost Ruins of Arnak challenges players to uncover the secrets of a mysterious island. With multiple ways to earn points, players must strategize which paths to pursue, competing directly with others for rewards. Focus on exploration, research, deck improvement, or recruiting assistants to enhance your efforts. The game board adjusts to player count, ensuring a balanced experience for three players. A solo variant is also available for practice or solo play.

Raiders of the North Sea

### Raiders of the North Sea

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 12+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 60-80 mins

In this Viking-themed worker placement game, players assemble crews and gather resources to raid settlements. Hiring crew members with specific bonuses shapes your strategy, while the risk of crew members becoming Valkyrie adds tension. Converting plunder into offerings for the chieftain is crucial, with the game's end triggered by players making offerings and advancing deeper into the board. Strategic action choices are key to success in this fast-paced game.

Splendor

### Splendor

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+
Players: 2-4
Play Time: 30 mins

Splendor is a fast-paced game suitable for families, where players build a jewelry business by collecting gem tokens to purchase developments and attract nobles. Efficiency and long-term planning are key, as players must anticipate opponents' moves and resource hoarding. The game's simplicity belies its depth, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.

Viticulture

### Viticulture

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 13+
Players: 1-6
Play Time: 45-90 minutes

In Viticulture, players inherit a Tuscan vineyard and work to transform it into a flourishing enterprise. Through strategic worker placement, players plant vines, build structures, and sell grapes in summer, then harvest and age wines in winter. Developing complex grape varieties and fulfilling orders drives the game forward, offering a delightful blend of strategy and education about winemaking.