Top Couple Board Games for 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 tend to be intense war board games or abstract games, which may not appeal to both partners. Additionally, these games can be fiercely competitive, which might not be ideal unless both players are 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. These selections offer a delightful experience for couples looking to enjoy quality time together. If you're seeking a fun Valentine's Day date idea, these board games for couples are a fantastic choice to start with.

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: While all the games listed below are excellent for two players, some can accommodate up to 4 players. If you're interested in a game that's suitable for both board game nights and couple play, be 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 minsIf you remember the early internet's movement puzzle games, you'll appreciate this engaging board game about guiding finicky cats to safety. Each cat only travels over specific terrain colors, requiring you to collaboratively build a path to a raft before a fire cuts them off. The challenge is compounded by random terrain cards, the risk of blocking other cats' paths, and limited communication rules that might lead to amusing meows as you strategize. With over 80 scenarios of increasing difficulty, this game is both challenging and entertaining.

Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsImagine saying "I love you" by embarking on a flight together to an exotic destination. In Sky Team, you and your partner play as pilot and co-pilot, working together to land the plane. It's more challenging than it sounds, as you each manage your own dice and instruments, balancing values without discussing strategies during the placement phase. This setup helps avoid arguments when the dice run low, the plane tilts dangerously, and there's a queue 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 lost animal. Beneath its engaging exterior lies a complex logic puzzle. Each animal has specific habitat rules, some fixed and others revealed by the app as you research. Use these rules and exploration clues to pinpoint species locations and find the mysterious beast. Though complex, it plays quickly once mastered, with every game offering a new puzzle. You can collaborate against the app, sharing a single playing piece.

For a deeper dive into the gameplay, explore my hands-on review of The Search for the Lost Species.

Fog of Love

### Fog of Love

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 17+Players: 2Playtime: 1-2 hrsDesigned specifically for couples, Fog of Love lets you craft and explore the story of a fictional relationship. It's inclusive, supporting same-sex relationships as well. Each player's character has secret traits and destinies, influencing choices through various scenes. As an experimental game, there's no strict winner; instead, you win by enjoying the journey through an imagined relationship.

Patchwork

### Patchwork

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsPatchwork's charm lies in its simplicity and clever design. Players buy geometric pieces with buttons to create a quilt with minimal gaps. Each purchase advances you on a time track, which can earn you buttons or single-square patches. The player last on the track takes the next turn, allowing strategic plays like double turns or snatching valuable patches. Its addictive nature and brain-teasing elements have earned it numerous awards and nominations.

Codenames Duet

### Codenames: Duet

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 15+Players: 2+Playtime: 15 minsA breakout hit in party games, the original Codenames involves giving single-word clues to link words on a grid. Codenames: Duet refines this for two players into a cooperative experience. You work together to find fifteen clues before time runs out, with turns giving clues minimizing downtime. This brings the fun of party games to intimate settings, and there are various Codenames spin-offs to explore if you enjoy this version.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2-4Playtime: 60 minsThis narrative-driven game lets you retell the Robin Hood legend across nine scenarios, incorporating innovative gameplay. Instead of traditional board spaces, you track progress with a long base on your wooden piece, staying in shadows to avoid guards. The board functions like an advent calendar, with numbered pieces creating a dynamic world. Can you and your partner save Nottingham from the Sheriff before Guy of Gisborne catches you?

Hive

### Hive

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 9+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsPlayed with chunky plastic hexes, Hive's insect theme might give you the creeps, but its strategic depth will captivate your mind. Each player has a Queen hex, and you win by surrounding your opponent's Queen. Four other insect types have unique movement rules to leverage. With only eleven tiles per side and the requirement to keep the Hive connected, it's easy to set up and play but challenging to master.

Onitama

### Onitama

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 10 minsOnitama's simple concept yields complex gameplay. On a grid, players move pawns to capture the enemy master or reach the opposite end. Moves are dictated by cards, with two choices per turn, and the chosen card is discarded and replaced. This dynamic creates a strategic interplay where you can anticipate moves, yet the changing card deck adds unpredictability.

If you enjoy Onitama's mechanics, explore more picks from our list of the best dueling board games.

Five Tribes

### Five Tribes

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+Players: 2-4Playtime: 40-80 minsInspired by Mancala, Five Tribes has you picking up multiple color pieces and dropping them on a grid, with the final tile determining your actions. The board state changes, affecting future turns and creating a puzzle of balancing your strategy against your opponent's. With an auction for the first player, it's a modern classic. In two-player mode, you get double turns, adding another layer of strategy.

The Fox in the Forest

### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsThis trick-taking game adapts the genre for two players with a three-suit deck. Even-numbered cards function traditionally, while odd-numbered cards have special powers. The Fox card changes the trump suit, and the Witch is always a trump. The scoring system rewards winning either the majority or minority of tricks, making it challenging to secure a lead. Fast, fun, and innovative, it's a remarkable game.

7 Wonders: Duel

### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsA refined version of the acclaimed 7 Wonders, 7 Wonders: Duel is often considered superior. You draft cards to build point-scoring sets representing ancient civilization aspects. Instead of the original's pick-and-pass drafting, Duel uses a pyramid of cards, most starting face down. This adds a timing element, balancing 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 engaging. Players battle across nine stones, creating Poker-style three-card combos. The tension arises as you guess your opponent's strategy and hope for the right cards. It also includes a deck of special power cards and can be played as a different game called Lost Cities using the amusing cartoon art.

Splendor: Duel

### Splendor: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsWhile the original Splendor is excellent for two, Splendor: Duel is tailored for couples. You're still jewelers, crafting masterpieces for nobles, but now you pick gems from a board with placement rules, competing under three victory conditions. Special effects enhance strategy, making it ideal for couple play.

Sea Salt & Paper

### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2-4Playtime: 30-45 minsThis abstract card game by Bruno Cathala combines classic elements. You draw cards to build sets, scoring points. Certain card pairs offer special effects like extra draws or stealing from opponents, revealing points to the table. Players decide when to end the hand, gambling on their winning combo. It's best enjoyed with a couple, appreciating its unique origami artwork.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game

### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-6Playtime: 30-60 minsAdapted from the relaxing video game, Dorfromantik lets you build a rural utopia hex by hex. In the board game, you complete terrain groups before the tiles run out. Its campaign mode adds new content gradually, with little boxes to open, sharing discoveries with your partner. It's a delightful experience for couples looking to enjoy tile-laying adventures.

For a detailed look at this game, check out my review of Dorfromantik: The Board Game.