I’m a Board Game Fan, Here’s What I’d Buy on Prime Day
Prime Day 2025 runs from Tuesday, July 8 through Friday, July 11, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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New to Prime Day? We’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know . Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change.
My wife and I have a combined collection of over 30 board games, but there are some we play over and over again, and many of them are on sale right now for Prime Day. If you’re new to board games and want to build a collection that will entertain you and your friends and family for years to come, now’s a great time to buy: Many are 50% off.
Best Board Games for Friends and Family
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Splendor ( $19.99 , 50% off): I think Splendor is the best beginner board game, and it’s what got me into the hobby. It’s a really simple but fun game with a fair amount of strategic depth. You’re a Renaissance merchant trying to buy gem mines, vehicles, and shops to gain as much prestige as possible. You can even invite a noble to visit you for extra points. The player with the most prestige points at the end wins. It’s a quick game of collecting and progressing cards. Purchased gem cards can be used to buy more gems in the future, making deck building an important part of the gameplay.
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Ticket to Ride ( $24.99 , 50% off): I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t enjoy Ticket to Ride. It’s a map of old Europe or the United States. You pick a random map and are tasked with building a railroad from point A to point B without alerting other players. The player with the most points wins.
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Azul ( $20.99 , 34% off): Azul is the prettiest, most fun game in my collection. And for $20, it’s not too difficult. You have to create the most beautiful mosaic pattern inspired by traditional Portuguese azulejos. There are pond tile painting elements, and you get points for mismatched patterns, but overall it’s a relaxing, beautiful game.
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Pandemic ( $31.49 , 30% off): Pandemic is easily the most fun co-op game I’ve ever played. You and your friends are pitted against a virus that wants to take over the world, and you have to work together to stop it. Trust me, it’s a lot more fun than it sounds. You’ll think you’ve outsmarted the game (as I have many times), but you’ll end up three notches down thanks to some great gameplay mechanics.
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Code Names ( $14.99 , 40% off): Code Names is a great little game to have on hand at parties. It’s a great word-matching game where two teams compete to see who can identify all of their secret agents first. Each team chooses a spymaster who sits on one side of the table and holds a chart of words, or code names. The spymaster gives clues to the rest of the team, and they have to guess as many of the correct words as possible. The larger the group, the more fun Code Names is.
Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart, Best Buy, and Home Depot are running Prime Day sales that are especially helpful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.
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Walmart’s Prime Day sale starts at midnight on July 8 and includes discounts of up to 50% . It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+.
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Best Buy’s Prime Day sale , “Black Friday in July,” runs through Sunday, July 13, and offers some of the best tech sales online . It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.
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Home Depot has extended its July 4 sale through at least July 9, competing with some of its own great deals . It’s a particularly good option if you’re looking for power tools, appliances, or outdoor gear.