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Looking for some fun and entertaining eight-player board games?
If so, you’ve landed on the right page! In this post, we’ve gathered the best board games for eight players that will test your skills and stoke your enthusiasm.
Some of these games might already be on your list, as they are quite popular. Others are lesser known, but still super fun to play.
Let’s get busy!
1. Codenames
Codenames is one of the most popular board games that involves identifying and deciphering hints. From its name alone—Codenames—you have probably guessed that it involves codes and clues. It can be a bit challenging, especially for first timers, but once you understand the rules, it is pretty straightforward.
Playing this game requires strategic and critical thinking skills, which makes it a great opportunity to keep your mind fresh. We recommend this game to anyone looking to enjoy a night full of fun, entertainment, and mystery. It is suitable for two to eight players, and each round has around 15 to 20 minutes of playtime.
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2. Captain Sonar
Innovative and unique, this Captain Sonar game is a duel that requires strategy and wit. It is a battle of submarines, with their captains, mates, engineers, and operators. You take one of these roles and create a plan with your teammates to beat your opponents and take their submarines.
Of course, there is more to it than that. In addition to finding a way to defeat the other team, you also need to be wary of their tactics and avoid being detected and losing your underwater craft. You also have to keep everything operational while implementing techniques that lead you to victory.
The game is recommended for individuals with a high level of analytical and strategic skills. It is good for up to eight players (and this is recommended, since there are eight roles to fill) and has around 45 to 60 minutes of playtime.
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3. Decrypto
Decrypto is a “highly addictive” board game, especially for veteran players. The goal is to transmit secret codes while preventing the other team from intercepting them. The game uses anaglyph effects to mix and settle the codes, and you will need to slide your cards into the screen so you can start decoding them. One team member is called the “Encryptor,” and his job is to transmit the codes discreetly.
Winning the game is not as easy as it might appear. Aside from thoughtfully transmitting the codes for your teammates to decipher, you must also guess the opposing team’s code. Decode and intercept it twice and your team wins through “Interception Tokens.”
This game is designed for three to eight players, ages 12 years old and above. It has around 30 minutes of playing time.
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4. Spyfall
Ever dreamed of becoming a spy? Well, this is your chance to do it!
As you might guess Spyfall the game for people who love spies. Players receive a secret card at the start of each round, and one of these cards reveals to its owner that they are the spy. The others contain the group’s location, whether it’s a casino, space station, circus, or pirate ship.
Everyone playing has to bluff, ask probing questions, and provide clever answers. Since this is a game of deception, acting skills are required as well. Here’s a pro tip: Don’t ask questions that are too specific.
We recommend this game if enjoy deceit and playing tricks. It is specifically designed for three to eight players, ages 13 and above. It is a standalone game but can be played by in conjunction with other games in the Spyfall series.
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5. Camel Up
Bet on a camel just like you’d bet on a horse at a race—that is basically how Camel Up works, except that it is a board game and there is no money involved. The instructions are pretty basic, as you only need to place your bets before the game starts.
Once the game (and the camels) starts running, you only have to play and watch to see who’s going to win the race. Just note that the run doesn’t always happen smoothly, as some camels may land on top of others or swerve in the wrong direction (good luck when rolling the dice). That’s the fun of betting, of course—you never know what is going to happen.
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6. Sushi Go Party!
Sushi Go is a fast-paced game meant for those who like mathematics and probability. There are no numbers involved, per se, but knowing when and how to combine elements is a required skill to beat your opponents.
In this game, you are allowed to make various different moves, depending on how you want (and need) to combine your sushi dishes.
Sushi Go Party! is a great game for most adults, families, and employees. This is the expanded version of the original Sushi Go! and is designed for a maximum of eight players.
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7. Tsuro
Tsuro is an award-winning game that is quite easy to learn. While it is friendly for beginners, it can still be amusing for expert gamers. It is a game of both luck and strategy.
The gameplay involves building a maze (or path, as the creators call it). With every move you make, the maze just keeps getting bigger. Of course, you also need to anticipate your opponent’s next moves so you can strategize how to beat them in solving the maze.
Tsuro has around 15 to 20 minutes of playtime.
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8. Magic Maze
Magic Maze is an escape game, but one in which you have allies. You can either be the mage, barbarian, elf, or dwarf, but regardless of whom you choose, you have been stripped of all your possessions. You need to cooperate with everyone to escape the maze before the time is up.
Since this is a cooperative game, all of the players either win or fail together. Everyone should therefore contribute the best strategies they can come up with.
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9. Citadels
Here’s another bluffing game for those who like deceit and trickery. It’s a modern classic, so you may have played it before.
Citadels’ basic premise involves roleplaying and kingdom-building. The main goal is to “build a city fit for royalty.” Unlike in real life, however, you don’t have to be from a royal lineage to participate—all you need is wit, strategy, determination, and a bit of luck.
This strategic drafting game is designed for two to eight players and is suitable for anyone age 10 and above. The average playtime is around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your strategy (and your opponents’, of course).
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10. 7 Wonders
Here’s another popular board game for both beginners and experts. It may take some time for beginners to learn, but it is very enjoyable once you get the hang of it.
7 Wonders is similar to monopoly, but instead of a businessman, you are the leader of one of the great cities of the ancient world. The goal is to earn the most points by collecting various properties and resources. This is mostly dependent on the gamers’ strategic and money skills.
This game is better when there are many players. While you can play it with only three people, it is more exciting when there’s a big group.
We recommend this game for those who are looking for something that suits older children and adults. It could help kids develop their critical thinking and financial management skills.
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11. Incan Gold
If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a treasure hunter, this is your chance to take on the role of one. Incan Gold is a treasure-hunting game that allows its players to experience what it’s like to explore a ruined temple and accumulate tons of gold and jewels.
You need to be wary, however, because it’s not that easy to escape once you’ve found the treasure. There is no backing out of this game—there is only win or die. Keep your greed in check, as it might cause your downfall.
While the game is somewhat competitive, you eventually realize that the board game itself is your main enemy. You need to have good judgment to beat it.
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12. Formula D
Formula D is for the car racer in you. It is not your usual escape or builds game, and it shines in its unique gameplay. It’s basically a racing game, but with lots of twists and turns. As the manufacturer states, it is an easy game to learn, but a difficult one to master.
This is advertised as a “high-stakes car racing game with quick turnaround.” The game portrays illegal racing on the streets of a city, so it is not for kids or the faint of heart.
Formula D is the enhanced version of Formula 1 and Formula De. It features a racing track on one side and a street rack on the other, which is new from the previous versions. Note, however, that this version is compatible with earlier versions and can be merged with them.
We suggest this board game for those who are looking for an adrenaline rush. It may not be real-life car racing, but it can still satisfy your need for speed.
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13. Bang! The Dice Game
Bang! The Dice Game is a game of chase and surrender. Will you be the sheriff or the outlaw? You can be the renegade, too, if you simply want to be an accomplice who can join one or the other.
This board game has tons of expansion sets, but they are all lots of fun and great for parties.
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14. Cards Against Humanity
Chances are you have heard about this game before. It caused an uproar upon its release, to the point where manufacturers had to create a milder version of it to accommodate young teens.
Cards Against Humanity is a delightful card game that will satisfy your thirst for humor—as long as you have thick skin. It’s not your typical “thinking” game, as you just go with the flow and combine the question and answer cards to make the other players laugh.
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15. One Night Ultimate Werewolf
One Night Ultimate Werewolf is another classic, popular board game. The goal is simple—to catch the werewolf, which is a threat to the village. There are other characters, like the Seer, the Hunter, and the Robber, so you have to be careful when deciding who is the true killer.
The winner of the game is either the Wolf (if he isn’t capture captured) or the rest of the village (if they are able to catch the wolf before everyone in the village is dead). One Night Ultimate Werewolf is best for those who are planning a big board game night with lots of guests.
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Final Thoughts on the Best 8-Player Board Games
Are there any games on this list that sound fun to you?
We hope that this list of the best board games for eight players was able to help you plan your next game night.
Have the best night of your life with your family members, friends, or co-workers while playing these games, and make every moment special!
And if you’re looking for more board games, be sure to check out these blog posts:
