Spiel des Jahres 2026

Boardgames
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I haven’t seen a topic on this year’s awards yet, so I’m creating one.

Spiel des Jahres 2026
Longlist: Hot Streak, Meister Makatsu, Take Time, Toriki, Toy Battle, Wilmot’s Warehouse
Top 3: Cozy Sticker Ville, Morty Sorty Magic Shop
Winner: Dito! (JinxO)

Kinderspiel des Jahres 2026
Longlist: Little Stinker, Half and Seek, Paleolino
Top 3: Mimrose and Sam, Boo Party
Winner: Mookie Island

Kennerspiel des Jahres 2026
Longlist: Sanctuary, Frosted Blooms, Foundations of Metropolis, Tag Team
Top 3: Boss Fighters QR, Moon Colony Bloodbath
Winner: Rebirth

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Now, I know that there’s usually some disagreement with Spiel winners, but… WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?

Are you telling me that Morty Sorty (4/10 from Dice Tower, just as an indication) got picked for the top 3 over HOT STREAK? What?

And Moon Colony Bloodbath was the 2nd or 3rd best “enthusiast” level game of the entire year? (It’s a fun gimmick, but I didn’t rate it that highly).

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I’m a little surprised and disappointed that neither Wilmot’s nor Hot Streak took the title, but since the SdJ tends to be “safe” games that anyone can play, I can understand it.

It’s rare for a really great game to win SdJ. There are unquestionably some (Codenames, Carcassonne… there are others, but I can’t think before I’ve had coffee), but most of them are just kinda mid-weight anyone can play games, and both Wilmot’s and Hot Streak kinda need a good hand on the rudder to really soar.

I haven’t played Rebirth so I can’t comment on its win, but I do really like Moon Colony Bloodbath (although I don’t think it deserves to win… it’s good, but it’s iteratively better, rather than really great). None of the KdJ nominees really shout to me that they deserve the win? But I don’t think any of them are outright duds either, so… and hey, having not played Rebirth, maybe it DID deserve the win! I’ll certainly give it a thought next time somebody offers to play it!

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Thank you!

I’ve heard of four of these (Hot Streek, Wilmot’s because of SU&SD, Rebirth and Moon Colony Bloodbath) and played the first of those.

Looking at my collection, it’s not just that I’m not buying as many games as I used to: dnup was published in 2025 and really deserves a look in. (Most of the rest I have from that year is expansions, though.)

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I’ve heard very good things about Rebirth and it made a load of lists, so I’m not mad about that at all. It’s apparently a “good Knizia” and the company is doing interesting things with recycling etc, seems like a nice fit.

I’m just struggling to match this list with any games I thought were innovative or particularly engaging. (Efka called Morty Sorty “terminally boring”).

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I have Kingdom Builder Big Box so buying Rebirth doesnt appeal

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Also had a chance of playing Jinxo. It’s a good word game but I’vr played so many word games that I dont think i need more than one

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