Light / Gateway Games

Easy to learn games perfect for new gamers, families, and casual game nights

Top Gateway Game Recommendations

Ticket to Ride

★★★★★
2-5 Players 30-60 min Light

The quintessential gateway game. Collect train cards and claim routes across the map. Simple rules, satisfying gameplay, and wide appeal.

~$49.99
View on Amazon

Splendor

★★★★★
2-4 Players 30 min Light

Collect gem tokens and purchase cards to build your trading empire. Satisfying engine-building with beautiful poker chip components.

~$44.99
View on Amazon

Codenames

★★★★★
4-8+ Players 15-30 min Light

Give one-word clues to help your team identify secret agents. Instantly engaging, endlessly replayable, perfect for parties.

~$19.99
View on Amazon

Carcassonne

★★★★☆
2-5 Players 30-45 min Light

Build a medieval landscape tile by tile and claim features to score points. The classic tile-laying game that launched a genre.

~$34.99
View on Amazon

Kingdomino

★★★★★
2-4 Players 15-20 min Light

Build your kingdom using domino-like tiles. Spiel des Jahres winner that is incredibly quick to teach and play.

~$19.99
View on Amazon

Sushi Go Party!

★★★★☆
2-8 Players 20 min Light

Draft adorable sushi cards to build the best meal. Quick, fun, and perfect for teaching card drafting mechanics.

~$22.99
View on Amazon

The Crew

★★★★★
2-5 Players 20 min Light

Cooperative trick-taking with missions. Simple rules create engaging puzzles as you work together without talking.

~$14.99
View on Amazon

Azul

★★★★★
2-4 Players 30-45 min Light-Medium

Draft beautiful tiles to decorate your palace wall. Simple drafting with satisfying spatial puzzle elements.

~$39.99
View on Amazon

What Makes a Good Gateway Game?

Gateway games are designed to be taught quickly and enjoyed immediately. They have simple core rules that create engaging decisions without overwhelming new players. These games are perfect for introducing family and friends to modern board gaming, showing them there is much more to the hobby than Monopoly and Sorry.