The Best Cooperative Board Games For Families & Friends

Here at Bandpass, we love cooperative board games! But with so many different types available, it can be tricky to pick one that's really going to shake up your game night.

Fortunately, we've tested out tons of these multi-player games and handpicked our top choices to make your decision just that little bit easier. From modern classics like Pandemic to fan favorites like Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle and Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar, there's a pick here for every kind of player!

So, if you're ready to find the next addition to your collection, let's get into the top eight cooperative board games for families and friends.

1. Pandemic

  • Players: 2 - 4

  • Age: 8+

  • Playing time: 45 minutes

In Pandemic, you get the chance to become heroes. Your mission? To race against time and four deadly diseases that are threatening to take over the world.

Each player will also get the chance to take on the role of a unique character, like the Scientist (who cures diseases faster) or the Operations Expert (who is tasked with building research stations). With a bit of teamwork, you can treat outbreaks, discover cures, and keep the inevitable chaos in check.

As you play, you'll need to watch out for Epidemic! cards - which can really crank up the pressure and keep you on your toes. But what we really love about this cooperative board game is the tension and need for expert-level cooperation.

2. Chronicles of Crime

  • Players: 1 - 4

  • Age: 12+

  • Playing time: 60 - 90 minutes

Chronicles of Crime is a high-tech detective game that combines an app, a great game, and even optional virtual reality (VR) to fully immerse you in some crime-solving fun.

To play, you'll need to scan the QR codes on different character cards, locations, and items. Then, you'll search for clues and follow leads as you piece together the evidence to catch the culprit. The best part? It's all tailored to the scenario you choose!

With interconnected cases and an app with a full library of scenarios, the game is also consistently updated to offer more exciting ways to play. It really brings the original fun of board games into the 21st century!

3. Gloomhaven

  • Players: 1 - 4

  • Age: 14+

  • Playing time: 60 - 120+ hours

If you're looking for an RPG game similar to Dungeons and Dragons but a little less complex, then Gloomhaven is a great alternative, with all the excitement of tactical combat and adventure!

What makes this one of the best coop games we've played is that you and your friends can take on the roles of adventurers with unique abilities. Together, you'll delve into dungeons and defeat monsters while making choices that will eventually shape your adventure. In fact, each Gloomhaven scenario feels like its own chapter of a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' story, with your decisions driving the plot.

Gloomhaven is one of the best board games for long-term campaigns, so you'll really have to commit in order to see it through.

4. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle

  • Players: 2 - 4

  • Age: 11+

  • Playing time: 30 - 60 minutes

Get ready to grab your wand and team up with your fellow students as you play the role of Harry, Hermoine, Ron, or Neville in Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle. As one of the best board games in the Harry Potter franchise, this cooperative deck-building game should be at the top of your list for your next game night.

Each player starts off with a small deck of spells, items, and allies. As you gain influence around the school, you'll start to build your deck with additional (and powerful) cards like iconic spells and your favorite characters.

With a bit of teamwork and plenty of magic, you and your fellow Gryffindors can take down the evil wizards threatening the school.

Bandpass tip: Although this game can accommodate up to 4 players, we found that it's best for 2 players. It makes it a little more challenging and increases the playing time if you want a longer experience. 

5. Arkham Horror (Third Edition)

  • Players: 1 - 6

  • Age: 14+

  • Playing time: 120 - 180 minutes

Welcome to Arkham in 1926. It's a city buzzing with jazz and speakeasies, but somewhere underneath the noise, something more sinister is brewing...

In Arkham Horror, you and up to five other players can take on the exciting roles of investigators, racing to stop eldritch terrors from tearing reality apart. This isn't just any old mystery-solving game - you'll be gathering clues and discovering dark rituals while battling otherworldly monsters.

Remember: Every choice matters as the Ancient Ones start to draw closer. That means you'll need strategy, courage, luck, and a lot of teamwork to save the world.

6. Horrified

  • Players: 1 - 5

  • Age: 10+

  • Playing time: 60 minutes

Are you a fan of classic horror movies? Do you want the thrill of the chase wrapped in a board game with cooperative rules? Horrified is the ideal co-op game for you.

In this board game, the town has been overrun by seven iconic monsters, and it's up to you to stop them before it's too late! From Frankenstein's Monster to Dracula and The Mummy, each brings a unique challenge and requires a different strategy to defeat.

What makes this game incredibly special is its detailed miniatures and simple yet engaging gameplay. But don't let your guard down too soon! The difficulty level starts to ramp up as you're playing, so be sure to come prepared for a challenge.

7. Jurassic World: The Legacy of Isla Nublar

  • Players: 1 - 4

  • Age: 10+

  • Playing time: 90 - 120+ minutes

Another one of the best cooperative board games on our list is perfect for different age groups. This twist on the classic Jurassic Park franchise is incredibly fun to play, with each playthrough giving you a new and exciting experience.

As you play, you'll join forces with other visionaries and scientists like Dr Alan Grant, Claire Dearing, or the mind behind it all: John Hammond. As a collective, your mission is to create an unforgettable experience for visitors to your prehistoric park.

This is also a huge game that includes 12 immersive adventures that cover everything from designing the park to managing your dinosaurs. But you'll need to watch out! Keeping the park safe from sharp-toothed threats is no easy task.

8. Spirit Island

  • Players: 1 - 4

  • Age: 13+

  • Playing time: 90 - 120 minutes

Spirit Island is a fantastic game for older kids and families, with a great theme that's easy to understand as the game plays out.

In this game, you and your fellow players are powerful spirits tasked with defending your island from Invaders. It's set in a world where magic and nature are alive, which gives it an enchanting twist. Plus, each spirit has its own elemental power to help stop the relentless spread of the invading empires.

Using your powers, you can manipulate your island and protect the local people. And, with a little strategic planning and help from the islanders, you can easily drive back the Invaders.

Still, it's not as easy as it seems. As the game progresses, the Invaders become more and more aggressive. So, get ready to fight as hard as you can to save your little slice of paradise!

FAQs

What is the value of cooperative games?

Cooperative board games are great for practicing teamwork and working toward a shared goal. Instead of competing, players work together in a fun yet challenging way. In turn, this can improve skills like problem-solving and even communication!

How do board games help with teamwork?

Board games encourage you to collaborate with your friends or family by sharing information, coming up with strategies, communicating clearly, and supporting one another. So, not only can you strengthen your teamwork, but you can also improve your relationships as a whole!

What are the benefits of cooperative board games?

Cooperative games have tons of benefits that you may not have considered. In fact, these advantages even include bettering your social skills! The most common benefits of co-op board games include:

  • Building relationships

  • Improves your critical thinking

  • Better communication

  • Learning to support your loved ones

  • Heaps and heaps of fun!

Final Thoughts

The next time you're on the hunt for a great co-op game, be sure to check out our list of the best cooperative board games on the market. Not only are these games fun and exciting, but they can also provide enough of a challenge to keep you on your toes at your next game night. Whether you're in the mood for something lighthearted and simple or tough and complex, our list has something for everyone.