1. A Command of Nature deck-building game for two or four players that you know you'll be scrambling for on a cold night when nothing sounds better than staying in and chillin' in your dorm with your blanket and a pal or three.

Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed

This game is cozy competitive and — this is VERY important to me — 🟢super easy🟢 to learn quickly. It's from the creators of Unstable Unicorns, so you don't just have to take my word for it because you KNOW it's gonna be good.

Promising review: "My gf and I were looking for another board game to play, and I will be honest, this one is one of our favorites. So much so, we bought the expansion pack.... After finding out we were playing it wrong, the instructions can be a little confusing at first, so I recommend watching a guide. Now I know that watching a guide for board games sounds like a hassle. Trust me. However, doing it for this game is worth it. Especially with all the amazing artwork and countless hours of fun it gave us." —S

Get it from Amazon for $18.97.

2. A Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza game so game night can finally have valid hand slaps. (They're built into the game, y'all.) 

Amazon, www.amazon.com

As soon as there is a match between a card and a spoken word, race against each other to slap your hand on the central pile of cards. The last one to do so must take them all. Be quick to be the first to get rid of all your cards. But watch out! Your mind will play tricks on you.

Promising review: "This game is more mind-bending than you think. Don’t let the cuteness fool you. This game is by far the most competitive and fun party game to play with friends!! The special cards mess with your mind!

"Pros: hours of fun, cute drawing style, unique packaging, easy to play

"Cons: may result in red hands, strain of voice from intense playing" —Hani

Get it from Amazon for $9.84.

3. A Bucketgolf portable nine-hole course to ensure that even if the course is closed, you and your friends can set up shop just about anywhere. Design your own course and tee up in minutes, just be ready to get a lot of, "Hey, can we join?" questions from passersby.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Check out this TikTok on how to play!

Promising review: "Gifted this for a birthday, everyone (ages teen—'70s) played several rounds together. College-age kids asked to borrow it for their next party. Super portable and love that it stores so nicely. So happy with this purchase." —Cindy Ray

Get it from Amazon for $134.99 (available with or without clubs).

4. And a Play Nine card game of golf that is just like real golf in that the lowest score wins. There's a bit of strategy, a bit of luck-of-the-draw, and a whole lotta fun.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a great game for all ages. It has become a regular at family get-togethers. We play with kids as young as seven and as old as, well, grandma. (I'm sure kids younger than seven can play, too.) Even the teens and college kids play and enjoy it. Easy enough that the young kids can play, but it is not boring for the adults. Just a really great game. I highly recommend!" —Lunk

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

5. A college football game day bingo you'll love to play *and* display. (When it's not a Saturday and in use, of course.)

Uncommon Goods

Promising review: "We use our set all the time, regardless of who is playing. Super fun and looks great, too! Impressed with the quality." —Expat G

Get it from Uncommon Goods for $68 (available in 15 college styles). 

6. An Azul board game, so you can imagine yourself in a colorful world of tile laying on a palace wall. Easy to learn but challenging to master, this makes a great entry point for both pro gamers and newbies, perfect for the next post-study session game night. 

Amazon

Promising review: "This is such a great game for both board game fanatics and non-gamers. It's easy to teach, simple to set up, plays in under an hour, and it's FUN! Azul is an abstract tile placement game that features drafting, set collecting, and pattern building. It's pleasing to look at, and the components are well-made. The tiles feel especially nice. This is one of those games that everyone we've introduced it to loves and wants to play again right away. It hits the table quite a bit." —Shelly 

Get it from Amazon for $34.97.

7. A Spikeball outdoor game: Basically what would happen if volleyball and four square had a baby, and that baby went to college and became the party starter for all outdoor hangouts.

Amazon

Promising reviews: "My kids love this game. We take it to the beach with us. I also bought one and sent it to my daughter in college. It's a big hit with college kids." —Shelly

"Bought this for my husband's birthday! He played spike ball in college a lot, so I knew he would love it. We have played so many times since getting it. Great family game. Perfect to travel with for vacation. Easy assembly." —Kirsten

Get it from Amazon for $69.97.

8. A Dice Forge board game that'll totally have your answer for "What should we do tonight?" in the bag. As a big board game fan but someone who does *not* want to spend 100 hours learning to play a new game, this one is SO much fun, and a big component is swapping out faces on your personal dice, which is *almost* as fun as the game itself.

Ashley Schumacher/BuzzFeed, Amazon

Promising review: "My favorite part about the board game is that the box was designed to be a storage box for the game, and everything has its slot, and it just gets packed away so nicely, and it's very innovative and satisfying. It is fun, and I'm going to get the expansion as soon as I can. Definitely recommend getting." —Daniel

Get it from Amazon for $48.99.

9. A Smug Owls riddle game for when you want to flex your brainpower and your trash-talk skills at the same time. Flip cards to create a riddle and then come up with answers to gain points. (And gloating rights when you beat the English major of the group!)

Amazon

Promising review: "We played with 8 adults, and everyone enjoyed it. Fun and creative! Well-designed with easy instructions." —Nancy A.

Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

10. A Harmonies game as pretty to look as it is fun to play. Play with up to four players as you design your dream worlds (full of animals and gorgeous landscapes) and try to rack up the most points to win!

amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Awesome game that focuses on the visual orientation of objects. No reading is involved, which makes it both fun, relaxing, and mentally stimulating. It is easy to learn, has three different ways to play, and beautiful art!" —JAV

"If you like Azul, maybe you'll like this. If you like Calico too, then you're golden!" —Mondongo

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

11. A light-up flying disk because the best part of college is you can stay up way past your bedtime playing and no one is going to call you inside. Rechargeable, waterproof, and the light comes on ~automatically~, so basically this is your new after-dark bff.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Very high build quality, easy-to-use instructions. LEDs are very bright even in broad daylight. We used to stop playing when it got dark, but now with this thing, it even looks better in the dark. There are many modes and color levels to choose from, and you can even set up your games. Highly recommend this!" —Chuong

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two styles).

12. A swashbuckling Plunder game if your fave part of world history is the pirate bit. Lead your fleet, conquer islands to gain resources, and get ready to gloat to your mateys about all the booty you're gonna win.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "Plunder is a fun game with two-person cooperative play or 1v1 or play with larger groups. The game is well-made. The pieces are sturdy and of good quality. We also like that the pieces all fit nicely back in the box. We bought this game for its ability to be played with only two players, and love that there’s more than one way to play it, as such. Plunder is easy to pick up. There's strategy, risk, rewards, and potential deviousness! We also like that each game board is randomized, so game play will always be different." —ForReview

Get it from Amazon for $49.99.

13. A Telestrations doodle telephone game as chaotic as your friend group dynamics. Get ready to humble the artsy ones in the group with your ~stellar~ rendering of a giraffe and to laugh yourselves silly at the hilarious results of this telephone-illustrated game.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I like this game because there are no winners or losers. It's just a lot of fun. Tons of laughs as people interrupt your drawings and draw pictures of their own. No need to be an artist, either, just basic drawing. We played this game with family members of all ages recently and had a ball. Then, I purchased it for our college daughter to play with her friends. She had nine or ten friends play in teams. They had a great time. I highly recommend it!" —tmwmaw

Get it from Amazon for $31.99.

14. A classic Catan game you'll love for its easy gameplay, its creative ever-changing board design, and the way absolute mayhem can ensue when you try to barter resources across the table.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This is a great family game for us. We have college-age kids, and we all sit down and play together. It takes a few times to understand, but after that, it's fun and keeps everyone's attention even if it's not their turn!" —MM

Get it from Amazon for $54.99. 

15. A Rollors wooden yard game that combines horseshoes, bocce ball, and bowling to make the most perfect way to spend an afternoon on the green.

Rollors/Etsy

Promising reviews: "Received the item quickly, looks great, well made and love that it stores in its own carry bag. Will be using at our next party!" —bdolby1

"Great quality product and a fun, challenging game! It's compact for travel and a nice alternative to cornhole and the other games we take camping! Everyone enjoyed it!" —Christa Renna

Get it from Rollors on Etsy for $59.95. 

16. A relaxing Wingspan strategy board game for bringing the wonders of birdwatching (and birdwatching competition) to your game table. Collect eggs and cards to score points and get ready to crush the competition, but in a chill, cozy way.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "My son bought this as he was introduced to the game by some college friends. He loved it so much that he bought one for himself. We just recently played it as a family. I love that it has bird-specific facts right on cards. You basically work toward your own board, at the same time trying to beat others. It was fun to play and we learned a few things about certain birds too!" —Kerry

Get it from Amazon for $55.

17. And a Wyrmspan dragon-esque version that's a slightly different game, but same cozy-competitive vibes, and with dragons. Perfect for suckering your romance-obsessed friend into putting down their latest read for a quick game night outing.

amazon.com

Promising reviews: "If you have someone in your family who can figure out the rules, you will love this game. Our college-age grandson guided us through. It is fun on a variety of levels: attention to detail, strategy, luck!! What a clever game. Beautiful art too." —M. B. Shaw

"We purchased this mainly because of the theme, I mean, birds or dragons? Dragons, please! The game is highly rated on BGG and for good reason. It plays well with two and with 3 and 4. Filled with a number of good choices — ie, strategy tactics for gaining points — we have found our games to be decently close. Often, just a few decisions separate us. Additionally, we’ve tried different strategies in different games and have seen that it isn’t just a one-strategy-wins game. Overall, love it!" —Lonnie W

Get it from Amazon for $65.

18. A Kan Jam toss, the flying disc competition you didn't know you and your friend group needed, but here it is! And it's packable, so you don't have chunky equipment taking up space in the corner of your dorm room.

amazon.com

Promising review: "This is so simple but yet so fun. I played it on vacation with my extended family and enjoyed it so much, I bought it for my daughter's graduation party. Now my other daughter has borrowed it for her welcome back to college party. Fun to watch also." —Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.97+ (available in four styles).

19. A Marrying Mr. Darcy board game because whether you're taking Brit Lit this semester or not, everyone is going to want to play through the courtship and proposal phases to see if they can catch a famous Jane Austen suitor.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I played this game for the first time with my college roommates. We had so much fun that I hopped on and bought myself a game the next day. The cards are clever and throughout. Whoever made this is a genius. It can be played with all ages as well. We played it with my son and daughter (10 and 11), and they thought it was hilarious. We played it with my cousin and his wife, and we were rolling with laughter. Get yourself a copy, you won’t be disappointed." —Amy Scheaffer

Get it from Amazon for $33.95.

20. A gigantic Jenga game (with a zippered bag!) perfect for any and all indoor/outdoor activities where you need just a *smidge* of tumbling mayhem thrown in the mix.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter's college graduation party. Everyone loved it! Every age from 5 years old to 60 years old thought it was so much fun. It was used all day! A little pricey but great quality, I expect to have this game for years." —JWJ7226TX

Get it from Amazon for $129.95.

21. A silly and chaotic Chicken vs Hotdog flip-'em and stick-em game that's basically a way to compete in the olympics of nonsense. Turn over a card and race to flip your character into the air. Be the first to stick the landing, and the point is yours!

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolutely LOVE this game and it's been a huge hit with all my friends! It is super easy to learn and perfect for any size group. The different flipping challenges are hilarious, and you can't help punching the sky and jumping with joy in celebration every time you land, and it suckers down! Feel the Dopamine hit haha! This has been a great gift for friends, too. It's so random and unlike other party games out there. One-hundred percent guaranteed to put a smile on your face! (Followed by hysterical laughing!)" —Dominic Y

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

22. A Yo Sabo bilingual card game if you want to level up your Spanish, one hilarious challenge at a time. (Basically count as studying for your Spanish exam, tbh.)

amazon.com

Promising review: "This card game is an absolute blast! Super easy to learn and had everyone laughing and engaged from the start. Perfect for game nights with family or friends. Can’t wait to play it again!" —Jennifer Leon

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

23. A Horrible Therapist game (the extra horrible edition) from the creators of Exploding Kittens. Be forewarned that nearly every review says it is *very* inappropriate, but also hilarious if that's your friend group vibe.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Be advised that basically every review says this is one of those...

Promising reviews: "This game had us crying laughing! It’s the perfect adult party game if your group loves dark humor and comic-style storytelling. The "Extra Horrible" cards really take things up a notch — definitely not for the faint of heart or super sensitive players. Easy to learn and quick to play, but be prepared for some outrageously messed-up answers. Great for game night with close friends who aren’t easily offended!" —Brittany Sassen

"My friends and I have had the best time playing this game. The combination of stories that can happen starts even more fun conversations. Not for kids. It can be explicit, and a lot would have to be explained, but adults with a healthy dose of twisted humor will love this. So much fun, and the cards are of great quality. Quick game too, so there is no time to get bored. I will be buying other games from them." —M. S. Bar

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

24. A pickleball set to get you and a friend (or three friends) pickleball-court-ready in no time! Looking for some fun exercise to break up your schedule? Look no further than whacking some balls together and join the pickleball craze!

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Got this set for my daughter. She is heading to college, and I figured 4 paddles would be a good idea for her to share with new friends." —Tonya Reid

Get it from Amazon for $28.90+ for a two-pack (also available as a four-pack and in various styles).

25. A Ticket to Ride train adventure for days when you'd rather hop a train and go anywhere other than the library to study. Compete with players to be the one with the longest road, the most completed tickets, and the official Train Conductor of Game Night (TM). (Choo, choo, y'all.)

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I first played Ticket to Ride with my college roommates. I then introduced my family to the series, and we are all now hooked! All of the Ticket to Ride games are great. The game changes each time you play, and it seems like a different game when you play with 2 or 5 players. I would recommend this game and all of the others (including the expansion packs) in the Ticket to Ride series to anyone looking for a fun, challenging group game." —Barbara

"This game is well worth the price Amazon sells it for (I'm not so sure about paying $50 in-store for it). It's innovative and interesting and great for all ages. I'm in college and my friends and I love this game! The board/cards themselves are beautiful and are sturdy enough that they should last a long time. Great family game or small group game." —S

Get it from Amazon for $49.99.

26. A Werewolf bluffing game because everyone wants to show off their excellent lying skills in a safe (and competitive) space. If you've ever played Mafia and wanted the same vibes but a little more organized, you're gonna love this twisty team game.

amazon.com

Promising reviews: "I’ve played this with my family before, so I bought another one to keep at college with m,e and I’m loving it!" —Nellie

"My daughter gave this game as a Christmas present to my son, who is in college. He and his friends get together and play cards or games often. They have played this game many times, and they love it! He said it is his “new favorite game." —BCat

Get it from Amazon for $24.95. 

27. And finally, a Herd Mentality Moovies and Moosic edition so everyone can win cow points by filling in answers and being in the Moo-jority of top responses.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "Such a fun game to play. It is compact and you can take it anywhere with you. The game will get you laughing and can be played over and over. I will be buying another one because my kids took it back to college at Christmas." —Leslie

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

You and all your friends approximately two minutes into the semester:

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Warner Bros. Television

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.