Every board gamer knows that SPIEL Essen is the ultimate destination for tabletop gaming. Every year, the small city of Essen in Germany transforms into a vibrant hub of excitement, filled with strategy, dice rolling, and laughter. It’s the place to discover the latest releases, hidden gems, and reconnect with the global gaming community. For four glorious days, SPIEL Essen 2024 was no exception, showcasing the very best the board gaming world has to offer.
This year’s event was a massive hit. With over 204,000 attendees, the halls of Messe Essen were packed with energy and shared passion. As always, I was on the hunt for standout games, and let me tell you, I found some real gems. One game in particular, TOSSIT, was an absolute blast. But I’ll get into that later. Let’s dive into the event’s highlights and explore the top games I discovered at the fair, from dexterity-based fun to deep strategy titles.
Day one: a thrilling start
As soon as the doors opened on Thursday morning, SPIEL Essen 2024 came alive. The atmosphere was electric, with families, friends, and gaming groups rushing in to grab the best spots at their favorite booths. The surge in attendance—thanks to a German national holiday—created an intense but thrilling environment. Navigating the busy aisles was tough at times, but it added to the sense of excitement and discovery.
One thing was immediately clear: the sheer number of games on display was overwhelming (in the best way possible). Booths stretched as far as the eye could see, each one offering something unique and enticing. From complex euro games to quick and easy party games, there was something for every type of gamer. And I couldn’t wait to dive in.
My best discovery: TOSSIT
I’ve attended SPIEL Essen multiple times, and each year there’s one game that sticks with me long after the event. This year, that game was TOSSIT. Although I tend to gravitate towards strategy-heavy games, TOSSIT’s simple yet captivating gameplay drew me in immediately. It’s a dexterity-based game where players throw silicone darts with suction cups, trying to hit targets on various surfaces—walls, floors, or tables. The beauty of the game lies in its versatility. You can play it anywhere, and it’s perfect for players of all ages.
The TOSSIT booth was buzzing with activity. Kids and adults alike were lining up to try their hand at throwing darts. What struck me most was how inclusive the game is. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a first-time player, TOSSIT offers immediate fun. It’s easy to learn, hard to master, and undeniably addictive.
A balanced approach to TOSSIT
While TOSSIT was a highlight for me, I’m not here to oversell it. It’s a fun, engaging game, but part of what made it special at SPIEL was its accessibility. It’s not trying to be a deep strategy game or reinvent the wheel. It’s a quick, lighthearted experience that can be played casually or as a break between heavier games.
The tactile nature of the darts and the excitement of trying to land a perfect throw make it a fantastic icebreaker. But for me, TOSSIT really shined when I saw how much joy it brought to families and children, who were clearly captivated by the simplicity and fun of the game. It’s the type of game you’d pull out at a party or a family gathering to get everyone laughing and moving.
Success with kids and families
A major takeaway from SPIEL Essen 2024 was how much the family-friendly games resonated with attendees. TOSSIT was a hit with kids, who could be seen running around the booth with darts in hand, gleefully sticking them to any available surface. The simplicity of the game made it perfect for younger players, while still offering a challenge for older participants.
Parents loved the fact that TOSSIT was safe and easy to understand, and I overheard several teachers discussing how it could be used in classroom settings. While TOSSIT might not be the most innovative or complex game of the event, its universal appeal definitely earned it a spot on my favorites list.
The best games I tried at SPIEL Essen 2024
While TOSSIT was a standout, there were plenty of other incredible games that I tried at SPIEL Essen 2024. Here’s a curated list of the top 12 games I enjoyed most at SPIEL Essen 2024:
1. Fishing
- Designer: Friedemann Friese
- Players: 3–5
- Duration: 40–60 minutes
Fishing is a trick-taking game with a twist. Over the course of eight rounds, you catch fish using cards and then use those fish as bait to catch even bigger ones in future rounds. The trick here is that the cards you win in one round form your hand for the next. With clever buoy cards and evolving strategies, Fishing brings new depth to trick-taking mechanics, making it a standout family-friendly game at the event.
2. Nucleum
- Designers: Simone Luciani, Dávid Turczi
- Players: 1–4
- Duration: 60–150 minutes
Nucleum is a brainy, heavyweight Eurogame set during an alternate industrial revolution fueled by nuclear power. Players take on the role of industrialists, building power plants and railways to distribute energy across 19th-century Saxony. The game offers asymmetric technologies, allowing each player to pursue unique strategies. With deep strategy, continuous gameplay, and intricate mechanics, Nucleum was one of the most engaging games I played at SPIEL.
3. Ark Nova: Marine Worlds
- Designer: Mathias Wigge
- Players: 1–4
- Duration: 90–150 minutes
The Marine Worlds expansion for Ark Nova introduces aquatic animals, new enclosures, and enhanced action cards. This expansion adds a new layer of strategy to the base game, particularly with its sea creatures that trigger abilities when played near water. For fans of Ark Nova, this expansion is a must, bringing even more replayability and depth to an already beloved game.
4. Race to the Raft
- Designer: Frank West
- Players: 1–4
- Duration: 40–60 minutes
In this cooperative tile-placement game, players work together to guide stranded cats across a burning island to the safety of a raft. Race to the Raft combines grid movement and puzzle-like mechanics as players lay down paths while avoiding spreading flames. With 81 scenarios and a gradually increasing difficulty curve, this game offers hours of fun and challenge.
5. Nimalia
- Designer: William Liévin
- Players: 2–4
- Duration: 20–30 minutes
Nimalia is a quick tile-laying game where players design an animal sanctuary within a limited space. The game’s objectives change with each round, forcing players to adapt their sanctuary to maximize points. Its simplicity, combined with clever strategic depth, makes Nimalia an excellent choice for gamers who enjoy quick yet rewarding games.
6. Challengers! 2
- Designers: Johannes Krenner, Markus Slawitscheck
- Players: 1–8
- Duration: 30–45 minutes
A sequel to the award-winning Challengers!, this standalone game brings back the fast-paced auto-battler mechanics with new characters, synergies, and challenges. Challengers! 2 supports up to 8 players in tournament-style battles, making it a fantastic choice for groups looking for a high-energy, competitive experience.
7. The Wolves
- Designers: Ashwin Kamath, Clarence Simpson
- Players: 2–5
- Duration: 75–90 minutes
In The Wolves, players control wolf packs, vying for dominance across various terrains. The game combines area control and pack-building mechanics with an innovative action-selection system. By flipping terrain tiles, players set up future turns, adding a layer of long-term strategy. The theme is immersive, and the gameplay rewards careful planning and adaptability.
8. Sky Team
- Designer: Luc Rémond
- Players: 2
- Duration: 15–30 minutes
Sky Team is a two-player cooperative game where you and a partner work together to safely land a plane. The game’s real charm lies in the silent coordination required to manage dice, flaps, landing gear, and speed. It’s a quick but thrilling game of communication and teamwork, perfect for couples or close friends looking for an immersive challenge.
9. SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- Designer: Tomáš Holek
- Players: 1–4
- Duration: 40–160 minutes
In this space exploration game, players take on the role of scientists searching for alien life. SETI combines resource management, multi-use cards, and a dynamic rotating board representing planetary orbits. Players send probes, collect samples, and analyze signals to uncover the mysteries of the cosmos. It’s a complex game that rewards strategic thinking and long-term planning.
10. The White Castle
- Designers: Isra C., Shei S.
- Players: 1–4
- Duration: 80 minutes
Set in feudal Japan, The White Castle is a dice-driven worker placement game where players compete to gain influence and prestige. The game beautifully integrates resource management, action drafting, and multi-use cards. With its gorgeous art and engaging mechanics, The White Castle was one of the standout games in the mid-weight strategy category at SPIEL.
11. River of Gold
- Designer: Keith Piggott
- Players: 2–4
- Duration: 60–90 minutes
Set in the world of Legend of the Five Rings, River of Gold transports players to the bustling river that runs through the heart of Rokugan. As river merchants allied with powerful samurai clans, players compete to build thriving markets, ports, and shrines along the riverbanks. The game blends area control and economic strategy with clever dice mechanics, allowing players to manipulate their actions through divine favor. With its striking metallic gold board and fast-paced, streamlined gameplay, River of Gold is a mid-weight Eurogame that offers minimal downtime and an engaging experience for fans of economic games. The stunning art by Francesca Baerald adds to the immersive theme, making it a must-try for strategy enthusiasts.
12. Point of View: Lost Places
- Designer: Lukas Bleuel
- Players: 2–8
- Duration: 60 minutes
Point of View: Lost Places is a cooperative deduction game where communication is key. Players are presented with a large folding map of a scene, but each map shows the scene from a different perspective, meaning no single player has the full picture. To solve the puzzles and complete various tasks across four exciting chapters, players must share what they see and work together to uncover hidden objects. With 160 puzzle cards and immersive artwork, this game is perfect for those who enjoy teamwork and abstract thinking. The variety of challenges in each chapter keeps the game fresh, offering a rewarding experience for family and friends.
The atmosphere: a paradise for gamers
One of the things that makes SPIEL Essen so special is the atmosphere. It’s hard to describe the energy that fills the halls during the event. Everywhere you look, people are playing games, discovering new titles, and sharing their love for the hobby. It’s a place where strangers become friends over a shared table, and every conversation seems to revolve around the latest strategy or a hidden gem someone just discovered.
The international presence was stronger than ever this year, with publishers from all over the world showcasing their games. It’s always exciting to see what different countries bring to the table, and the variety of games on display was staggering. From huge publishers to small indie developers, everyone was there to share their passion.
Of course, no convention is without its challenges. The crowded halls made it difficult to hear game explanations at times, and some of the more popular booths had long lines. But these minor inconveniences didn’t dampen the overall experience. In fact, they added to the excitement—there’s something thrilling about being part of such a massive event, even if it means waiting your turn to try the hottest new releases.
Tips for attending SPIEL Essen
If you’re planning to attend SPIEL Essen in 2025, here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience:
- Get There Early: The event gets more crowded as the day goes on, so if there’s a specific game or booth you want to check out, make it your first stop.
- Plan Your Route: With so many games on display, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Take a look at the exhibitor map beforehand and make a list of the games you absolutely want to try.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You’ll be walking—and standing—a lot. Trust me, your feet will thank you if you wear comfortable shoes.
- Bring Snacks: The food trucks are great, but they can get crowded during peak times. Having a few snacks on hand will keep you going throughout the day.
- Stay Hydrated: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget to drink water. Bring a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated as you explore.
Final thoughts: SPIEL Essen 2024 was a gamer’s dream
As I walked out of Messe Essen on the final day, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. SPIEL Essen is more than just a game fair—it’s a celebration of everything we love about board games. It’s a place where people from all over the world come together to share in the joy of gaming, discover new favorites, and make lasting memories.
Looking ahead to 2025, I’m already excited about what the future holds. The world of board games is constantly evolving, and SPIEL Essen is always at the forefront of that evolution. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the hobby, there’s no better place to immerse yourself in the world of tabletop gaming.
And as for TOSSIT? I’ll be bringing it to every game night from now on. It’s the perfect game to break the ice, get people laughing, and have some good, old-fashioned fun. If you ever get the chance to try it, don’t hesitate—you won’t be disappointed.
Prost, Essen! See you next year!
Baptiste