Star Wars is one of the most popular franchises in cinematic history, so it’s no wonder that there are several Star Wars board games. Whether you want a simple board game for the family or an epic tabletop RPG, there’s a Star Wars board game for you.
I like Star Wars Rebellion for its sophisticated, seamless game mechanics. This game is perfect for Star Wars fans, but it’s not just because of the trademark images. It’s just an excellent board game.
But there are other board games that might suit you better.
Ready to find your next favorite Star Wars game? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
- 1 Star Wars Games At a Glance
- 2 Star Wars Board Game Reviews
- 2.1 Star Wars Rebellion: Best Star Wars Board Game
- 2.2 Star Wars 2nd Edition X-Wing Miniatures Core Set: Best Miniatures Game
- 2.3 Star Wars Imperial Assault: Best Star Wars Tabletop RPG
- 2.4 Star Wars Legion: Best Quality Miniatures
- 2.5 Risk: Star Wars Edition: Best Classic War Game
- 2.6 Star Wars Monopoly, The Child Edition: Best for Kids
- 2.7 Star Wars Trivial Pursuit: Best Star Wars Trivia Game
- 2.8 Star Wars Clone Wars: Best Cooperative Game
- 2.9 Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side: Best Family Game
- 2.10 Star Wars, The Deck Building Game: Best Star Wars Card Game
- 3 Star Wars Board Games Buying Guide
- 4 Best Game in the Star Wars Universe? Final Verdict
Star Wars Games At a Glance
Beyond the Star Wars theme, what makes a board game worth playing? There are several features of Star Wars board games that make them appealing to different gamers.
If you love the original trilogy and want your game to revolve around those characters, I’d suggest Star Wars Rebellion. You could also check out Star Wars Imperial Assault, Star Wars: The Deck Building Game, or Star Wars Trivial Pursuit.
If you’re looking for a game that depicts another series in the Star Wars universe, you might like Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Though Risk: Star Wars Edition and Star Wars Monopoly: The Child Edition also go beyond the original trilogy.
Enjoy miniatures and/or a good roleplaying game? I recommend Imperial Assault, as well as Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures, Star Wars Villainous, or Star Wars: Legion.
Do you like a good ol’ classic American-style game? You might like Risk: Star Wars Edition, Star Wars Monopoly: The Child Edition, or Star Wars Trivial Pursuit.
Finally, there are several Fantasy Flight Games on this list. If you’re a fan of FFG, choose from Star Wars Rebellion, Star Wars 2nd Edition X-Wing Miniatures Game, Imperial Assault, Star Wars Legion, or Star Wars: The Deck Building Game.
Star Wars Board Game Reviews
Star Wars Rebellion: Best Star Wars Board Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 3-4 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: Rebellion is at the top of the list of the best Star Wars board games. It’s a unique and challenging game of space battles on an epic scale.
Star Wars Rebellion is an asymmetric board game that allows players to experience the conflict between the Empire and Rebel Alliance in an elegantly immersive gaming experience.
Imperial forces clash against Rebel forces in epic battles set in the vastness of space. Up to two players assume control of the Empire’s forces as they attempt to crush the rebellion with legions of stormtroopers, Star Destroyers, TIE fighters, and even the Death Star.
Up to two other players control the Rebel forces, with a drastically smaller army of troopers, Corellian Corvettes, and fighter squadrons. In spite of their small size, however, the Rebels seek to unite the peoples of the galaxy behind their cause.
If they can survive long enough to spark a full-scale revolt, they will defeat the Empire. But if the Empire can find the hidden rebel base before they succeed, they’ll turn the galaxy to the dark side.
This game features more than 150 plastic miniatures and two game boards that represent 32 of the Star Wars galaxy’s systems. It includes well-known loved and hated characters, from Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader to Leia Organa and Han Solo.
Rebellion is grandiose in scale but still feels personal and accessible. If you want to experience the big picture and the small details, you’ll love the Galactic Civil War featured in Star Wars: Rebellion.
Pros
- Heavily thematic
- Grand in scale but nails the details
- High-quality minis
- Streamlined mechanics
- Plays like the trilogy
Cons
- Pricey
Star Wars 2nd Edition X-Wing Miniatures Core Set: Best Miniatures Game
Players: 2
Playing Time: 45 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
As you might imagine, the Star Wars Universe is easily adaptable to warfare and battles in space. So it’s no surprise that starship combat games are plentiful. The Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game is one of the most popular examples of board games with space combat.
The second edition starter set features fast-paced, high-stakes dogfights with iconic characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Ace pilots lead starfighter squadrons throughout the Star Wars galaxy. Players can choose from a variety of Rebel and Imperial ships, including X-Wings and TIE fighters. Players control their ships’ locations to attack the enemy ships.
Each X-Wing ship flies differently, with its own set of maneuvers. You’ll need to use these capabilities in order to strategically position your ships. On each turn, players secretly select a speed and maneuver to perform, according to their ships’ unique dials. Upon deciding, players begin to reveal the dials and move their ships, starting with the lowest-skilled pilots.
Before you can fire on your opponent, the other player must be in your firing arc and within range. This is where that strategic positioning comes in. At that point, you can go for large-scale damage with proton torpedoes or seek to bring down their shields with blaster fire. The player to destroy all of their opponent’s ships is the winner.
This edition introduces Force powers into the game, allowing Force-sensitive pilots to push themselves and their ships to the limits of their capabilities. The intuitive mechanics and beautifully pre-painted miniatures create a tense cinematic atmosphere full of action. In addition, the Squad-Builder companion app tracks the ships, pilots, and upgrades to make building and customizing your squadron even easier.
This X-Wing Miniatures Game has high-quality game pieces and intense combat.
Pros
- Fast gameplay
- High-quality miniatures
Cons
- Only supports two players
Star Wars Imperial Assault: Best Star Wars Tabletop RPG
Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 1-2 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars Imperial Assault is an epic game of adventure set in the Star Wars Universe. The Rebel Alliance must face off against the Galactic Empire in a galactic civil war. Star Wars Imperial Assault is a semi-cooperative dungeon crawler.
The two playing modes offer a different experience. Go head-to-head against your opponent in a skirmish game, completing standalone missions. Or choose the campaign mode and complete an engrossing narrative campaign over several space battles.
In this roleplaying game, one player takes on the role of the Imperial Army commander, while up to four players take on the role of the Rebel heroes.
Star Wars Imperial Assault is story-driven, masterfully recreating cinematic moments from the films. The board game is also highly variable, so you can play it again and again without it feeling repetitive. Choose from one of over 30 missions to keep the play interesting and fresh.
Gameplay happens in rounds. Each round consists of two phases. Players choose actions in the activation phase, alternating between the Rebel soldiers and the Imperial army. The status phase is when the Imperial player increases the threat dial and players ready their cards.
As the game progresses both sides gain new skills to give their characters and further their individual objectives, eventually leading to some grand standoff between Rebels and the dark side. The tactical combat requires strategic depth and challenges players.
The miniatures in Imperial Assault are unpainted, perfect for those who enjoy painting miniatures. With over 50 modular map tiles, the board layout is unique for each game.
Some of the instructions are vague, especially in special situations. There are plenty of videos to help you through those scenarios, however. You could also set a few house rules to clear up any confusing spots. Imperial Assault is a standalone game, but there are expansion packs available if you want to add them later on.
Imperial Assault is the perfect dungeon-crawling board game for the Star Wars fan.
Pros
- Great story-driven RPG
- Skirmish or campaign mode
- Strategic depth
- High replay value
- Expansion packs available
Cons
- Some instructions are vague
Star Wars Legion: Best Quality Miniatures
Players: 2
Playing Time: 3 hours
Age: 14+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars Legion has more of a focus on ground combat than some of the other miniatures games. This version is designed to recreate epic duels from the original trilogy. Paint and assemble your own minis as you prepare to battle enemy forces as a rebel player or as a player for the dark side.
Star Wars Legion is a two-player game of full-on warfare. Each player controls their forces and has a variety of units to choose from. The game mechanics are designed to simulate the chaos of battle.
While the game does include well-known characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi, it more closely resembles the miniatures game Warhammer with an emphasis on troopers. Players also get the chance to command AT-ST walkers and land speeders in addition to the stormtroopers.
Star Wars Legion lasts for six rounds. At the end of those rounds, the player with the most victory tokens wins. Players acquire tokens by accomplishing objectives during play. There is definitely strategy involved, but dice rolling adds an element of luck to it. You’ll move troops, attack the enemy, and fill objectives.
Star Wars Legion is a starter set and does not include everything needed to play a standard game. There are not enough dice, upgrades, or action cards. You’ll have to purchase at least one other miniatures game core set. The Clone Wars core set comes highly recommended.
Pros
- High-quality miniatures
- Custom dice game
- Incorporates unique infantry battles
Cons
- Length playing time
- Need another set to play the game
Risk: Star Wars Edition: Best Classic War Game
Players: 2 or 4
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 10+
Publisher: Hasbro
Risk: Star Wars Edition lets players recreate the final epic battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance in the movie Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. Players determine the fate of the Star Wars universe through three distinct battles.
This version features a TIE fighter-shaped game board. Unlike the classic Risk game, the Star Wars Edition is designed as a head-to-head battle. Play as a two-player game or with two teams. Each player chooses to play as either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire.
The objective is to defend or destroy the Death Star. This conflict is simulated through three battles: the attack on the Death Star, the shield assault, and the final showdown between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.
This Star Wars board game differs from the original Risk in the setup. Classic Risk has players deploying their forces to conquer different territories of the game board. In Star Wars Risk, the battle lines are already drawn.
In both versions, dice rolls determine the outcome. Players roll dice when they engage in combat with their opponents. The Star Wars Risk game heavily favors the Rebel Alliance, but the decisions to make on the Empire side are more straightforward.
If you enjoy miniatures, you’ll like the Y-wing, B-wing, and X-wing miniatures. The game also comes with TIE fighters and a Millennium Falcon token, among others. One unique feature of this game is that it includes imagery from the new trilogy of Star Wars films, a nice change-up from the original (if that appeals to you).
Pros
- Quick setup
- Fast gameplay
- Quality miniatures
Cons
- Dice heavy
- Lacks balance
Star Wars Monopoly, The Child Edition: Best for Kids
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 8+
Publisher: Hasbro
This Star Wars Monopoly edition was inspired by the TV series The Mandalorian. It’s called The Child Edition as a reference to Grogu (a.k.a. “Baby Yoda”), who features prominently on the game board and is one of the game pieces.
In this Monopoly Edition, players travel around the board buying and trading objects from Grogu’s adventures. Move around the game board as The Child, buying and selling Hideouts and Common Houses.
Instead of Community Chest and Chance cards, you’ll draw Camtono cards and Bounty Puck cards. Just like in the original, the last player remaining after everyone else has gone bankrupt wins the game.
This game is exactly what it sounds like, Monopoly with a Mandalorian theme. The gameplay is the same. The only difference is instead of metal game pieces, you get plastic stands with cardboard inserts. It definitely has a cheaper feel to it, but that’s fairly typical with Hasbro games.
This game is easy to learn and appropriate for younger players. The biggest factor is whether you’re a fan of The Mandalorian TV series. If you aren’t, run away. If you are, you’ll enjoy the trademark images and art.
If you like Monopoly and Grogu, you’ll probably enjoy this game.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Quick gameplay
Cons
- Lower quality game pieces
Star Wars Trivial Pursuit: Best Star Wars Trivia Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 90 minutes
Age: 13+
Publisher: Trivial Pursuit
Trivial Pursuit: Star Wars Classic Trilogy Collector’s Edition is the customized edition of the classic trivia game. This is designed for those who love trivia and the Star Wars franchise. With over 2,000 questions, you’ll have plenty of fun testing your knowledge as a Star Wars fan.
Instead of the traditional categories, this edition has six Star Wars categories, including Weapons & Vehicle, Droids, Creatures & Aliens, History, Characters, Geography, and Wild Card. All categories are based on the first three movies in the Star Wars universe.
The game board features images from the original Star Wars trilogy. Instead of rolling dice to determine how many spaces to move, players use the electronic R2-D2 randomizer. Press the top of his head to hear his special sound effects.
The holders for the pie pieces feature sculpted pewter miniatures on top representing Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader. The pie wedges slide into the slots on the side, staying nice and secure throughout the game.
This game plays well and moves along nicely. Trivial Pursuit can be a lengthy game, but this one doesn’t drag on. The questions are bountiful, but there can be a large disparity in the difficulty. There are some questions that are super easy, however, while others are completely obscure. It certainly adds an element of uncertainty to a trivia-based game.
Some buyers did have problems with missing pie pieces, cards, and even a token. It seems there have been quality control issues in the past, but those who received all the pieces were pleased with the thoughtful details that made Star Wars come to life.
This is a collector’s edition, so it’s a pricier game. If you’re looking at Star Wars board games, however, you may find Star Wars Trivial Pursuit to be worth the extra cost.
Pros
- R2-D2 randomizer
- Challenging questions
- Quality game components
- Collector’s item
Cons
- Pricey
- Reports of missing components
Star Wars Clone Wars: Best Cooperative Game
Players: 1-5
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 14+
Publisher: Z-Man Games
Not to be confused with the Clone Wars Core Set of the miniatures games, this Star Wars Clone Wars has players using Jedi powers to fight off Separatist powers in a Pandemic-style board game.
Players take on the role of legendary Jedi battling the Sith Lord and the droid battalions of Count Dooku. Planets under siege by Separatist forces are spread out across the game board. Players fight for the Grand Army of the Republic to stop the takeover. They must work together to confront the onslaught of droids by moving into their spaces and engaging them in combat.
Players take on the roles of heroic Jedi, each with powerful and unique abilities. Play through four different scenarios, each featuring its own main villain: Darth maul, Count Dooku, Ahsoka Tano or General Grievous. The game includes seven iconic Jedi characters, including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin, Yoda, Luminara Unduli, Ahsoka Tano, Mace Windu, Utilize dice and squad cards to deal damage and push back the threat. In between battles, players move between planets and battle more droids, crush blockades, and complete missions. Like Pandemic, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a race against time. You’re working to defeat the evil forces before the threat is too high.
Each round has a certain number of goals for players to complete. The goals require you to pick some symbols and reach a certain number when fulfilling the mission. After completing the missions, you attempt to complete the main objective, which is to defeat the Sith Lord once and for all.
If you enjoy cooperative board games, you’ll like Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Pros
- Cooperative board game
- Easy to learn
- High replay value
- Challenging and exciting
Cons
- Too luck-dependent
Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side: Best Family Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 20 minutes per player
Age: 10+
Publisher: Ravensburger
In Star Wars Villainous: Power of the Dark Side, each player controls one of five Star Wars characters: Darth Vader, Asajj Ventress, Kylo Ren, Moff Gideon, or General Grievous. What do all those characters have in common? They’re villains, of course!
Each player has their own villain deck, fate deck, player board, and 3D character game piece. On each turn, the active player moves their game piece to a different location on their player board. They take one or more of the actions visible on that space and then refill their hand to four cards.
Cards are important in helping a player fulfill their unique win condition. The villain deck includes allies, items, vehicles, and effects, among other things. The fate deck contains heroes, items, and effects from that villain’s storyline, and the cards contained within allow other players to sabotage that villain.
Each villain comes with their own unique power, which players can use to perform actions that power effects based on the villain’s use of the Force, strategic leadership, or luck.
Some of the villains are easier to play with than others. It’s easier to win with Darth Vader, whereas Kylo Ren is by far the most difficult villain to take.
This board game also incorporates villain-specific missions and rules for iconic ships and transports from all corners of the Star Wars galaxy.
Pros
- Challenging but rewarding
- High replay value
- Variety of villainous characters
- Fun for all ages
Cons
- Game pieces lack quality
- Some villains are tougher to play
Star Wars, The Deck Building Game: Best Star Wars Card Game
Players: 2
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Age: 12+
Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game is a head-to-head card game for two players. This is a new game set in the series of deckbuilding games. With each victory, the Rebels gain hope, but they must fight the unmatched power of the Imperial Navy.
Each player chooses a side, playing as the Empire or the Rebels. Players strengthen the power of their starting decks and work to destroy each other’s bases. The first play to destroy three of their opponent’s bases wins the game.
Each player starts with a unique ten-card deck. Seven of those cards provide resources to acquire new cards. Six cards from the galaxy deck are on display, with Rebel cards facing the Rebel player and the Empire cards facing the Empire player. Neutral cards are sideways. Spend resources to acquire cards in the galaxy row that don’t belong to your opponent. You can use attack power to take out the cards that do belong to them and gain a reward in the process.
Over 50 different cards allow players to take command of their favorite Star Wars characters, vehicles, and starships. Each card has thematic abilities, such as the Death Star and the Rebel base on Hoth.
You find fan favorites among the capital ships. The Force mechanic has each side vying for force points to activate certain card talents or to gain resources.
This deck builder is like others in the basic mechanics, but there is plenty of strategy involved. The galaxy deck forces meaningful decisions about which track to take. This card game would benefit from some booster packs, but it still has a good replay value.
If you like deck-building games and Star Wars, you’ll enjoy Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Good replayability
- Solid-quality game components
Cons
- Could benefit from expansion packs
Star Wars Board Games Buying Guide
One thing to consider is which part of the Star Wars experience is your favorite. Star Wars is a massive series that spans several time periods, planets, and characters. If you’re a fan of the original trilogy, you may not enjoy a game that features elements from The Mandalorian. Alternatively, you may prefer to play a more general Star Wars game rather than focusing on specific characters.
You also want to consider the game’s number of players. Playing with your gaming group? It won’t work to get a two-player game when you have five people at the table.
Finally, consider the game components. High-quality images, solid game pieces and tokens, and graphics that match the theme are all important. Nothing can ruin Star Wars Board Games like poor-quality pieces. If you buy Star Wars games, you want to get your money’s worth, after all.
Best Game in the Star Wars Universe? Final Verdict
There’s a fleet of Star Wars board games, but which one emerges victorious? It’s tough to be the epic duels and sweeping gameplay of Star Wars: Rebellion. If I had to choose just one game, that would be it. I’m also a fan of Imperial Assault, but it’s geared toward those who enjoy dungeon crawlers. The great thing about Star Wars board games, however, is that there’s something for everyone.