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 the hardcore war board games or abstract categories, which can be challenging for couples to enjoy together. Even beyond niche picks, these games can be fiercely competitive, which may not be ideal unless both partners are very forgiving. Therefore, our selection of the best games for couples strikes a balance between competition and cooperation, blending luck with strategy to create a harmonious gaming experience. If you're looking for a Valentine's Day date idea, these board games are an excellent starting point.
TL;DR: These are the best board games for couples
Race to the Raft
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Sky Team: Prepare for Landing
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The Search for Lost Species
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Fog of Love
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Patchwork
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Codenames: Duet
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
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Hive
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Onitama
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Five Tribes
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The Fox in the Forest
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7 Wonders: Duel
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Schotten Totten 2
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Splendor: Duel
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Sea Salt & Paper
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Dorfromantik: The Board Game
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Editor's Note: While all the games listed are ideal for two players, some can accommodate up to four players. If you're considering a game for both couple's play and board game nights, be sure to check the player count listed for each game.
Race to the Raft
Race to the Raft
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Age Range: 8+
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 40-60 mins
Race to the Raft is a delightful and engaging game that harks back to the early internet's movement puzzle games. In this colorful board game, players work together to guide cats across different terrains to safety on a raft before a fire blocks their path. Each cat can only move over a specific color of terrain, adding a layer of strategy and communication to the gameplay. With over 80 scenarios of increasing difficulty, this game promises both fun and challenge for couples.
Sky Team: Prepare for Landing
Sky Team: Prepare for Landing
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Age Range: 14+
Players: 2
Playtime: 20 mins
Sky Team offers a unique cooperative experience where players take on the roles of pilot and co-pilot, working together to land a plane. The game's challenge lies in managing dice rolls to operate the plane's instruments without discussing strategy during the placement phase. This adds an exciting twist and ensures a smooth, argument-free experience as you navigate the complexities of landing.
The Search for Lost Species
The Search for Lost Species
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Age Range: 13+
Players: 1-4
Playtime: 60-75 mins
This app-driven game combines an appealing theme with a dynamic puzzle, challenging players to map an island's ecology and discover a lost species. The game's logic puzzle is both complex and engaging, with rules that change with each play, thanks to the app. It's perfect for couples who enjoy a mental challenge and can be played collaboratively against the app, sharing a single playing piece.
For a deeper dive into the gameplay, you can read my hands-on review of The Search for Lost Species.
Fog of Love
Fog of Love
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Age Range: 17+
Players: 2
Playtime: 1-2 hrs
Fog of Love is designed to explore the nuances of a relationship through the story of two fictional characters. Players choose actions based on secret traits and destinies, navigating through various scenes. The game supports both heterosexual and same-sex relationships and focuses on the journey rather than winning, making it a perfect choice for couples looking to engage in a meaningful narrative.
Patchwork
Patchwork
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Age Range: 8+
Players: 2
Playtime: 30 mins
Patchwork is a beautifully simple game where players buy geometric pieces to create a quilt with minimal gaps. The game uses a time track mechanism that allows for strategic play and double turns, making it both addictive and intellectually stimulating. Its awards and nominations reflect its clever design and engaging gameplay.
Codenames: Duet
Codenames: Duet
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Age Range: 15+
Players: 2+
Playtime: 15 mins
Codenames: Duet refines the original party game into a sleek cooperative experience for two. Players take turns giving single-word clues to identify fifteen words on a grid before time runs out. The game minimizes downtime, ensuring an engaging and fun experience for couples.
For more options, explore other Codenames spin-offs available for purchase.
The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Robin Hood
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Age Range: 10+
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 60 mins
This narrative-driven game retells the legend of Robin Hood across nine scenarios. Players use a unique movement system and an interactive board that unfolds like an advent calendar, creating a dynamic world. Couples can work together to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham and save the day.
Hive
Hive
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Age Range: 9+
Players: 2
Playtime: 20 mins
Hive challenges players to surround their opponent's Queen with insect-themed tiles, each with unique movement rules. The game's compact size and deep strategy make it an excellent choice for couples who enjoy tactical gameplay.
Onitama
Onitama
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Age Range: 10+
Players: 2
Playtime: 10 mins
Onitama offers a simple yet challenging gameplay mechanic where players move pieces on a grid, guided by cards that determine movement options. The game's strategic depth and quick playtime make it a favorite among couples who enjoy dueling games.
For more similar games, check out our list of the best dueling board games.
Five Tribes
Five Tribes
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Age Range: 14+
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 40-80 mins
Inspired by Mancala, Five Tribes involves picking up and dropping color pieces on a grid, triggering actions based on the final tile. The game's auction mechanism and turn doubling for two players add strategic depth, making it a modern classic for couples.
The Fox in the Forest
The Fox in the Forest
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Age Range: 10+
Players: 2
Playtime: 30 mins
This innovative trick-taking game for two uses a three-suit deck with special powers for odd-numbered cards. The scoring system rewards winning either the majority or minority of tricks, adding a layer of strategy and making it a fun and fast-paced game for couples.
7 Wonders: Duel
7 Wonders: Duel
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Age Range: 10+
Players: 2
Playtime: 30 mins
A refined version of the popular 7 Wonders, 7 Wonders: Duel uses a pyramid card draft system, adding a strategic timing element. The game's depth and variety make it an excellent choice for couples who enjoy building and strategy.
Schotten Totten 2
Schotten Totten 2
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Age Range: 8+
Players: 2
Playtime: 20 mins
This classic game from 1999 challenges players to create three-card Poker-style combos across nine stones. The tension and strategy involved in completing melds and using special tactics cards make it a timeless choice for couples.
Splendor: Duel
Splendor: Duel
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Age Range: 10+
Players: 2
Playtime: 30 mins
A refined version of the engine-building game Splendor, Splendor: Duel adds new gameplay elements like board placement and multiple victory conditions, making it ideal for couples who enjoy strategic depth and variety.
Sea Salt & Paper
Sea Salt & Paper
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Age Range: 8+
Players: 2-4
Playtime: 30-45 mins
This abstract card game by Bruno Cathala combines set-building with special effects, allowing players to strategize and gamble on when to end the hand. Its unique origami artwork and balanced gameplay make it a perfect choice for couples.
Dorfromantik: The Board Game
Dorfromantik: The Board Game
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Age Range: 8+
Players: 1-6
Playtime: 30-60 mins
Dorfromantik brings the relaxing puzzle experience of its video game counterpart to the table. Players work together to build a rural utopia, with a campaign mode that adds new content gradually. The shared discovery of new elements makes it a delightful experience for couples.
For a more detailed review, check out my analysis of Dorfromantik: The Board Game.
