Spiel des Jahres

The German Spiel des Jahres is perhaps the world's most prestigious game award. Founded in 1978 by a group of German game critics to promote awareness and to increase the cultural value of games, the award recognizes outstanding games based on originality, playability, and educational value of the game idea; organization, clarity and understandability of rules; packing and layout of the gameboard and the game rules; and functionality and overall quality of the game materials included.

Each year the journalists who compose the Jury cast ballots to select the honorees and to award the main prize, the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year). In past years, a list of Nominees was selected, then a few weeks later, the Spiel des Jahres was chosen from that list. Beginning in 2004, an initial list of Recommended games was published as well as five Nominees announced as finalists; and finally, the Game of the Year is announced a few weeks after that, in early summer.

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Spiel des Jahres: 1988

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Game of the Year

Barbarossa
List: $20.00 $16.00 (20% savings!) A modern classic, Barbarossa is a great game for a party or a relaxed evening! Enter the fantastic world of this casual riddle-solving game. Share laughs with your friends and family as you create and master riddles!

Game of the Year

Barbarossa English language edition Barbarossa is a wonderful family game--it is already a classic! Together you solve riddles, laugh and cheer! Let yourself get caught up in the atmosphere of this great riddle game! Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Game of the Year

Barbarossa und die Rätselmeister Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Game of the Year

Barbarossa German edition Barbarossa is a wonderful family game--it is already a classic! Together you solve riddles, laugh and cheer! Let yourself get caught up in the atmosphere of this great riddle game! Each player thinks of objects and models them as three-dimensional... Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Nominee

Bausack: Sac Noir German edition Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Nominee

Bausack English language edition in a bag There are five variations on how to play. The goal in all of them, is to build an tower. The bag contains very different wooden pieces (e.g. a cube, an egg, a ring, a fir tree etc.), as well as a sack of beans for the "auction variation" of the game... Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Nominee

Bausack German edition Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Nominee

Forum Romanum newer edition Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.

Nominee

Forum Romanum older edition
$79.99 Rome in the grip of election fever. Six senators are striving for the post of consul. The person who does most for the people and hence is most popular will emerge as the winner. During the game every player tries to make sure that, at the end of the...

Nominee

Hol's der Geier 1998 German edition A quick bidding and bluffing game; however, unlike many card games, this is a game of skill and steely nerves. All players start with the same hand. Funagain Games does not stock this edition of this title, usually because it's out of print.