20 Anticipated Board Games for Gen Con 2026
Which games are you most excited to play?
The best four days in gaming returns to Indianapolis next week. Gen Con has been going strong for 59 years, and is the biggest tabletop gaming convention in North America. One of the biggest spaces at Gen Con is the exhibit hall, where vendors show off their latest games.
Here is our annual list of the most anticipated games of Gen Con. First up are our top picks, in no particular order. These are followed by the most popular games as voted on by members of BoardGameGeek.com. Check out the list and let us know which games you are most excited for in the comments or on Bluesky.
Mystic Curling Club
Curling isn’t just for humans anymore. What could a witch do with that broom? From the publisher:
Bring the ice sport of curling to your tabletop, with dice! In the dexterity game Mystic Curling Club, instead of 40 pounds of granite down a 150 foot sheet of ice, you'll be sliding shiny 12-sided dice down a three-foot board trying to reach the center of the rings. As in the sport of curling, you can bump opposing stones, throw guard stones to defend your own, and mix strategy with skill to win.
Fly on over to booth 2555 to give this game a whirl or order it online.
Class of '89
Ah, to be a high school senior in the ‘80s. You’ll want to remember all the drugs friends you made. Can you create the most radical yearbook to highlight those glory years? From the publisher:
It's your senior year in high school, and as President of the Yearbook Club, it's your responsibility to make sure every standout moment is captured. Compete to create the most kickin' yearbook by sending your uniquely skilled staff all over the school. Assemble a nerd herd full of brainiacs, a team full of musclehead jocks, or a clique of style mavens who always look funky fresh. From the drama on the football field to the most wack after-school clubs, every righteous memory must be immortalized!
Rollerskate over to booth 1755 to check out Class of ‘89.
World Order
Lead your country and attempt to control the world's superpowers. From the publisher:
World Order simulates modern international relations, with players taking control of one of the four dominant global powers of the 2010s: the United States of America, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the European Union. Utilize your diplomatic power, economic strength, and military might to expand your influence across the globe. Form regional alliances, entice other nations through clever economic dependencies, or become the military juggernaut no one dares to mess with.
World Order blends academic theories with thrilling gameplay, creating a never-before-seen experience of international relations! Join the fight and show the other powers that a new era is dawning!
Take control of World Order at booth 2841 or order it online.
Keep the Faith
A storytelling game about religion published by Central Michigan University Press. From the publisher:
Keep the Faith is a storytelling game about a religion in transition. Elements of role-playing and board gaming combine to make an experience that is designed to welcome new players and create a story together.
During the game, you play cards and narrate short stories to describe how the practices and trappings of the Faith express different (and at times contradictory) beliefs: What does your religious music sound like if it's demonstrating your commitment to welcoming the outsider, as opposed to your desire to wield power? What does your altar look like if it's an altar for keeping secrets as opposed to spreading the word?
You can find Keep the Faith at booth 2758 or order it online.
Forbidden Legacy
A new story in the popular cooperative franchise, but with a twist. From the publisher.
You and your fellow adventurers have landed on an empty crumbling city floating high above the Earth. You must repair the portal, travel in time, all the while keeping the city afloat. Will you survive long enough to uncover the secrets of the ancient city?
Forbidden Legacy hurls your team into a thrilling seven-episode quest where every choice counts. Work together through shifting moments in time, unlock abilities, reveal hidden components, and trigger lasting changes that reshape the game.
Grab your friends and head to booth 1807 to find Forbidden Legacy.
Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock
Become a master builder and create a landmark that will be viewed for centuries. From the publisher:
From the heart of Prague’s Old Town, the ancient Astronomical Clock, known as the Orloj, marks the passage of time with its intricate mechanism and enigmatic figures. A marvel of medieval technology that has endured to this day.
In this game, you take on the role of a master builder competing to leave your mark on history by adding the legendary and majestic calendar to the ancient Orloj. Precision, balance, and knowledge of the cosmos will be the keys to completing this complex task. With every gear, sphere, and zodiac sign you assemble, you will be one step closer to finishing this masterpiece that will mark time in the city for generations.
Make time to check out Orloj at booth 2811 or order it online.
Cola Wars
Back to the ‘80s for another hit of nostalgia. Can you utilize your marketing knowledge to win the cola wars? From the publisher:
It’s the 1980s, and you’re in charge of marketing for a startup brand of cola. The market is completely dominated by the evil CorpoCola. Over the next few years, you’ll run advertising, snag shelf space, and play a few sneaky tricks to try to control the market. Will you come out on top — or will CorpoCola reign supreme?
Pop over to booth 2745 to crack open Cola Wars.
The Old King's Crown
Defeat your enemies and claim the crown you so richly deserve. From the publisher:
The Old King’s Crown is a game of card-driven conquest, where you play as heirs to a vacant throne, vying for control of an ancient, overgrown kingdom. Wield unique abilities and leverage your followers’ traits to best outwit your opponents across a map that stretches from the teetering heights of the castle to the dappled light of the necropolis.
The Old King’s Crown can be found at booth 1555.
Moytura
Battle a friend to be the king of Ireland. From the publisher:
The battle of Moytura has begun. As a leader of the Tuatha Dé Danann, spread your influence across the land to succeed in your quest to become High Ruler of Ireland, invoking the powerful deities of the Tuatha Dé Danann to aid you in your cause with their command of water, travel, war, and creation — but the road will not be easy for in your path to legend stand the sinister Fomorians and other mythical beings hungry for battle, not to mention a rival clan with ambitions of their own. Steel yourself and prepare for a legendary struggle. Rewrite the myths of Ireland, chieftain, and take your place as the true High King!
Check out Moytura at booth 2435 or order it online.
CRAB RAGE!
A game about post-apocalyptic crab wrestling? Yes please! From the publisher:
Compete for glory in the ultimate crab claw-down. Seize control of arenas, forge alliances, backstab combatants, and unleash your rage to win.
Every year, millions of salivating crustaceans from all over the world tune in for the wildest showdown on the planet! Five of the most legendary CRAB RAGE! teams will compete for the ultimate crown of decapod glory: THE GOLDEN CLAW.
Get your claws on a copy at booth 2705.
The Top 10
These are the top 10 most anticipated games as voted by members of the website BoardGameGeek.com. Due to virtual ballot box stuffing this year, we’ve decided to only include a maximum of two games from each publisher. Reissues and expansions are also excluded.
10: Night at the Zoo
Created by the designer of the award-winning game SETI, Night at the Zoo is a game about animals sneaking back into the zoo before anyone notices. From the publisher:
“Just a little further, a bit higher, bro…” The cheetah gives the penguin a boost over the gate, while a confused wolf dashes past. “Look out, someone’s coming!” Everyone freezes. After a moment of silence, a sloth calls from a tree: “All clear, move out!” The animals have secretly snuck out of the zoo at night—and now they’re trying to find their way back. Help them return before the keepers notice!
You can find Night at the Zoo at booth 611 or order it online.
9: Drillers
A deckbuilder about mining for minerals. From the publisher:
In Drillers, players explore an abandoned mine using their mechs, trying to find and excavate anything useful or valuable left behind by a forgotten mining corporation. Each level of the mine brings new opportunities and new challenges—as fuel runs low and decisions become tighter. By collecting cards, players improve the drilling capabilities of their unique mech, unlock new actions, and push their operation further underground.
Drillers can be found in booth 1003.
8: The Game Makers
A board game about…making your own board game. From the publisher:
Your office job has been grinding you down. Then one mysterious Monday, you receive a letter from your family lawyer informing you that a long-lost relative has bequeathed you a factory. You decide to risk it all, quit your day job, and follow your dream to become the greatest board game manufacturer the world has ever seen! You'll have to hire staff, build an assembly line, invest in additional structures to your factory, gain and fulfill contracts, and market your line of board games to the world.
Make your way to booth 237 to check out The Game Makers.
7: Under the Leaves
Create a beautiful garden filled with a variety of creatures. From the publisher:
If we are able to maintain the health and diversity of our garden, then it will fill up with life and become a refuge for fascinating creatures. Hummingbirds and bees are the first to arrive, filling the air with color and movement, but if we stop and observe with more attention, we will discover a hidden and unknown world: tiny inhabitants abound in the mushrooms, puddles, and foliage. They are under our feet, living out their lives without being perceived...until we decide to look under the leaves.
Scurry over to booth 2649 to find Under the Leaves or order it online.
6: Kokeshi
Become a master doll maker in Kokeshi. From the publisher:
Step into the role of master Japanese artisans, perfecting the delicate craft of wooden Kokeshi dolls. Your artistry comes alive as you strategically ascend your Kokeshi up five tracks on your player mat, pushing your workshop to produce faster and more skillfully, earning happiness points!
You can find Kokeshi at booth 2649 or order it online.
5: Hercules and the 12 Labors
Hey, we just reviewed this single player game! From the publisher:
Hercules and the 12 Labors is an immersive solo card and dice game where players embody the legendary hero Hercules, striving to complete the 12 Labors and ascend to godhood.
Engage in epic battles as you roll and allocate dice to unleash powerful abilities against fearsome foes, including the multi-headed Lernean Hydra, the flesh-eating Stymphalian Birds, and the formidable three-headed Cerberus. Each triumph earns you mighty rewards like the Impenetrable Hide or Athena’s Instrument, granting the strength needed to face the ever greater trials ahead.
Check out Hercules and the 12 Labors at booth 2561 or buy it online.
Jason Dean
4: Enchanted Ivy
Another single player game makes the top five. From the publisher:
Take on the role of Ivy, the courageous new owner of a magical inn. Build your bewitching B&B to best suit your eccentric guests while cultivating the ivy covering your walls.
Enchanted Ivy is available at booth 2119.
3: Container
Take control of a container ship where you can transport and sell products. From the publisher:
Every decision you make in Container shapes the market. During play, you build factories, produce containers, set prices, negotiate with your rivals, sail across the sea to trade, and (obviously) buy low, and sell high. At least that's the goal — but can you make it happen?
If this floats your boat, you can find Container at booth 2119 or order it online.
2: Jason and the Argonauts
The newest game from the makers of Hercules and the 12 Labors. From the publisher:
Jason and the Argonauts is an epic solo card and dice rolling and allocation game featuring deeply thematic lore cards. Players take on the role of Jason, commanding the legendary ship Argo and leading a crew of heroes on a perilous journey to retrieve the Golden Fleece.
Sail across treacherous seas as you roll, allocate, and manipulate dice in this boss battler style game to overcome deadly challenges and rival forces, from the Harpies that plague Phineus, to the clashing rocks of the Symplegades, and the fire-breathing bulls of Colchis.
You can find Jason and the Argonauts at booth 2561.
1: Entropy
Entropy allows you to play god by creating stars, planets and life. From the publisher:
For aeons, entropy was an inescapable force of nature. But then humanity evolved to understand it, harness it, and even bend it to their purpose. Your life has been devoted to learning how to shape the very workings of the universe to your will… or rather, to the will of your people. You are to become a scientist, a member of the most revered caste.
Now the time has come for the final exam. You must prove you can create new solar systems, coax stars into life, shape a range of biomes, and ultimately seed planets with life. It may only be a simulation, there are limits to what you can do here; this is science, not magic.
Entropy can be found at booth 2527 or order it online.
Which games excite you the most? Let us know in the comments or on Bluesky.
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