By Blaze Aldrich | January 20, 2025

(Ushakov, 2025)
8 Most Anticipated New Board Games in 2025: Board Game Buyers Guide
Do you have a hard time keeping up with all the new and amazing board games being released every year? Yeah, it can be very overwhelming. Luckily for you, I have created a list of board games that everyone has been waiting for and also are on the hype train. That was the good news, the bad news is now your bank account or spouse is going to fight you every step of the way so you don't spend more money on board games. Regardless I buy them anyways...so now I am typing this from the doghouse.
8. Fellowship of the Ring (January)

The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game is a cooperative card game that spans eighteen chapters, each reflecting events from The Fellowship of the Ring. Players assume character roles like Frodo or Gandalf, each with unique objectives required to advance. Frodo, for example, must collect ring cards, while Pippin avoids tricks. New characters, items, and challenges emerge as the game progresses. The game play and rules are simple for anyone to grasp quickly and easily. Further down the campaign the rounds get a little bit harder each time. Super fun if you enjoy cooperative trick taking card games that gradually get more challenging.
7. FinSpan (February)

If you enjoyed Wingspan & Wyrmspan, then you are in luck because a new Span game is coming soon near you! In Finspan, players act as marine researchers exploring the Sunlight, Twilight, and Midnight Zones to document aquatic life. Over four weeks, players expand fish collections, discover eggs, hatch young, and form schools. Points are earned from fish, eggs, young, schools, and achievements, with the highest score determining the winner.
6. Santorini Pantheon Edition (February)

The Pantheon Edition of Santorini includes content from the Golden Fleece expansion, all promo cards, and new rebalanced cards. Players take turns moving and building, aiming to reach the third level to win. Variable god and hero powers add strategic depth and variety to the gameplay. The components have been upgraded and redesigned. Not only that, but it also come with a campaign mode that you can buy separately.
5. Heat: Tunnel Vision Expansion (February)

Heat: Tunnel Vision adds two new tracks and expands the game to 7 players (8 with the Heavy Rain expansion). Race through dark tunnels in the Spanish Grand Prix or navigate sharp corners at high speed on the Netherlands track. The expansion includes front wing upgrades for drafting, new event cards, and the 1965 Championship season for even more intense and technical races. Honestly, Heat: Pedal to the Metal is way more entertaining and fun with the more players that are involved in the game. So adding an expansion, will definitely enhance the gaming experience. And if you are lucky, you already have Heavy Rain Expansion.
4. Ethnos 2nd Edition reprint (March)

Ethnos 2nd Edition invites players to unite scattered clans and compete for control of six regions in the land of Ethnos. Each clan offers unique abilities, allowing for varied strategies and dynamic gameplay. The updated edition introduces streamlined rules and a new solo mode, accommodating 1-6 players for competitive or solo play. Suitable for ages 14 and up, this area control game offers deep strategy and diverse playstyles.
3. Star Wars Unlimited Jump to Lightspeed (March)

Well if you are fan of the Star Wars Unlimited Trading Card Game (TCG), a 4th set is set to be released. A new unique key term Piloting is introduced into the very popular TCG. This upgrade turns a unit into a Leader and bolsters their stats dramatically. Some unit cards also have the Pilot upgrade as well that can enhance other cards. This set heavily emphasizes on starfighters, transports, and capital ships across eras of the Star Wars galaxy.
2. Pokemon TCG: Glory of Team Rocket (June)

Pokémon TCG: The Glory of Team Rocket set is supposed to be one of the most sought after Pokémon releases since forever... or maybe since the last Pokémon release. This is the third set of The Glory of Team Rocket, the first coming out in 2000 and the second set coming out in 2004. So after 20 years of waiting, a third set is finally being released and in limited supply. Pokémon has not officially set a date for this set, but is estimated to be released this summer.
1. Nemesis Retaliation (December)

Nemesis: Retaliation is the third installment in the acclaimed sci-fi horror series by Adam Kwapiński and Awaken Realms. This time, players become marines tasked with infiltrating an alien nest armed with advanced tools, facing relentless enemies and potential betrayal. Building on the core mechanics of the series, Retaliation introduces new aliens, tools, and heightened tension, offering a fresh challenge for both fans and newcomers.
Bonus. Stockpile Kickstarter (Q1)

A Stockpile Kickstarter is planned to be released sometime in the beginning of this year. Currently the board game is out of print and the prices are getting pretty pricing. So hopefully with a Kickstarter more gamers can buy it at a reasonable price. Stockpile is an economic board game where players act as investors in the 20th century, aiming to accumulate the most wealth. Players use insider information to buy and sell stocks strategically and bid on mixed stockpiles with hidden cards, adding risk and player interaction. Balancing stock splits, bankruptcy risks, and portfolio diversification is key to success. The game combines classic stock trading with unique mechanics for a dynamic and engaging experience.
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