The Best Fast-Paced Board Games

Apart from the good time spent with family and friends, fast-paced board games require good reflexes, infallible memory, and the ability to make the right decision. They’re even better when humor is involved because then the atmosphere is as fun as it is tense. Here, we present you with the best board games that require you to be quick and always on your toes.

Dobble

Pros
✓ Several possible variants to make the game more exciting.
✓ A fun game for all family members.
✓ Short games where everyone can test their observation skills.
Cons
✕ Cards are fragile and wear out very quickly.
✕ Players must agree on which variation to play.

Characteristics
● Brand: Dobble
● Number of players: 2 to 8 people
● Age: 6 years and over
● Duration of a game: 15 minutes
● Game type: Observation, speed

The principle of the game is to find a matching symbol on the middle card and the one in the player’s hand. The first player to find one must immediately call out the name of the matching symbol. After that, they place the card that was in their hand in the middle of the table. Dobble can be played in any one of five variations. The rules vary slightly, as well as the way of tallying up the score.

In one variation, each player receives a face down card. The remaining cards are placed in the middle of the table. The first player to find a matching symbol takes the card from the center pile and adds it to their own pile. The game is over when there are no more cards in the center pile. The winner is the player who has collected the most cards.

In another variation, each player tries to find the matching symbol between their card and an opponent’s card. The first player to find a matching symbol takes a card from the center pile and places it on the pile of the opponent who had the card with the matching symbol. The winner is the player with the fewest cards.

Our opinion: The game has several interesting variations. However, all players must fully understand the rules of the game to avoid confusion and arguments.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Pros
✓ Simple rules.
✓ Funny.
✓ A quick game.

Cons
✕ Risk of getting scratched when everyone slams their hand on the center card.
✕ Cards wear out very quickly.

Characteristics
● Brand: Blue Orange
● Number of players: 2 to 8 people
● Age: 8 years and over
● Duration of a game: 10 minutes
● Game type: Reflex, speed

This is a card game where players take turns saying the words Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, in that order. At the same time, the player whose turn it is places their card in the center of the table while saying the correct word. If the card a player places matches the word they’ve uttered, all players quickly place a hand on the card. The last player to put their hand down picks up all the cards in the center of the table.

There are 11 cards that match each one of the words. There are also special cards: 3 Groundhog cards, 3 Narwhal cards, and 3 Gorilla cards. When any of the special cards is played, the player must perform a certain action. Whoever hesitates or makes a mistake takes the cards that are in the center of the table.

At the start of the game, every player receives 12 cards. The goal is for a player to get rid of all of their cards. The player who has no more cards continues to say the words in order and puts their hand in the center as quickly as they can. If they manage to put their hand down before all the players, they win the entire game. If they are the last, they pick up all the cards, and the game continues.

Our opinion: Players should be alert at all times. Despite the simple rules, it’s easy to make mistakes. The funniest thing is when a player gets rid of all of their cards and is close to winning, but ends up picking up lots of cards again.

Chicken Chicken (Poule Poule)

Pros
✓ A game that tests memory skills.
✓ Teaches quick mental calculations (addition, subtraction).
✓ Fun for all ages.

Cons
✕ Some players may enjoy disputing others.
✕ It is necessary to know the function of each card.

Characteristics
● Brand: Cartamundi France and Oka Luda
● Number of players: 2 to 8 people
● Age: 8 years and over
● Duration of a game: 20 minutes
● Game type: Observation, speed, memory, calculation

An egg is counted when an Egg card is placed. When a Hen card is placed, the hen sits on the egg, which means that egg should no longer be counted. Everytime a Hen card is placed means that an Egg card below it is no longer counted.

The Fox scares then Hen away. If there are no Hens placed, the Fox does nothing. When the number of eggs reaches 5, players quickly place a hand on the cards. The first player who puts their hand down scores 1 point. The first player to receive 3 points wins the game.

If there are only 2 players, each player takes half of the cards and keeps them face down. The 2 players take turns placing their top card in the center of the table.

There are several other kinds of cards in the game, such as a dog who chases the fox away; and a fox who’s disguised as a hen to fool the dog, amongst others.

Our opinion: The game tests the players’ ability to mentally count and calculate. On top of having to count the eggs placed, the players must not forget the action of each card.

Panic Diner

Pros
✓ Opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of a restaurant.
✓ Players can feel proud when they complete a challenge.
✓ Players can help each other.

Cons
✕ The atmosphere is stressful for those who do not like speed.
✕ Fulfilling an order requires an eye for detail.

Characteristics
● Brand: Blue Orange
● Number of players: 2 to 5 people
● Age: 7 years and over
● Duration of a game: 20 minutes
● Game type: Observation, speed, fast food

The players are waiters who take customer orders in a restaurant. The reputation of the waiters depends on the satisfaction of the customers. A successful day gives the player a Star token. To achieve this, the player must serve the dishes mentioned on a Customer card. When an order is fulfilled, they continue by picking another Customer card.

The tokens of a fulfilled order are thrown in the sink, and the player or another does the dishes. A 90-second hourglass marks the duration of a round, which represents a work day at the restaurant. The game is divided into 7 rounds. The waiter can be given a special challenge: to fulfill orders from a Super Customer.

There are 15 Event Cards. The Event cards indicate special actions that change the rhythm of the game. Completing Event Cards contributes to the success of the day. At the end of the week, the successful days are counted. If the player has had 0 to 3 successful days, their restaurant loses its customers and shuts down. From 4 to 5 successful days, the service needs to be improved. From 6 to 7 successful days, the restaurant receives congratulations from customers.

Our opinion: This is an exciting game. The player must be very quick and stay calm to be able complete all the challenges and to fulfill the special actions of the Event Cards. This is what determines the quality of the restaurant’s service.

Dr. Eureka

Pros
✓ A game that allows you to improve your agility.
✓ Suitable for children and does not bore adults.
✓ Easy rules and quick rounds.

Cons
✕ Marbles can fall out and go missing easily.
✕ The player must remain calm, yet fast.

Characteristics
● Brand: Blue Orange
● Number of players: 2 to 4 people
● Age: 6 years and over
● Duration of a game: 15 minutes
● Game type: Speed, strategy, thinking

The players are budding chemists, helping a scientist carry out his experiments. The goal is to make the combinations indicated by each Objective card. Whoever finishes first shouts “Eureka” and they score 1 point. The same player reveals another Objective card. The first chemist to score 5 points wins the game.

At the start, each player receives 3 tubes, and 6 marbles of 3 different colors: 2 red, 2 purple, and 2 green. Marbles of the same color are placed in a tube. This is the case for the 3 colors. The Objective cards are shuffled and placed in the middle of the table. Players are not allowed to touch the marbles with their hands or drop them on the table. Any player who breaks these rules is eliminated from the current round.

The tubes can be presented upright or upside down. After a round is finished, all tubes must be turned right side up. Another round is then started with the marbles still in the same position from the previous round.

Our opinion: This is a game of skill which requires concentration. Above all, you have to be patient; by transferring the balls from tube to tube, and curbing the urge to pick them up with your fingers.

Halli Galli

Pros
✓ An entertaining game that’s accessible to children.
✓ Mental math exercise.
✓ The rounds are short.

Cons
✕ The bell can become annoying in longer games.
✕ Cards are easily damaged.

Characteristics
● Brand: Gigamic
● Number of players: 2 to 6 people
● Age: 6 years and over
● Duration of a game: 30 minutes
● Game type: Speed, observation, reflex

The game features a call bell and 56 cards displaying fruit. At the beginning of the game, the bell is placed in the middle of the table. The cards are evenly dealt to all players. Everyone keeps their cards in front of themselves, face down. All players reveal, at the same time, the top card of their pile. The first to spot 5 identical drawings of fruit presses the bell. The first player to ring the bell collects all of the revealed cards.

When a player has no more cards in their pile, they’re eliminated. However, their revealed cards remain in the game, and can be picked up by the first player to find the 5 identical fruits. When a player makes a mistake by ringing the bell when there aren’t 5 identical fruits on the table, they are penalized: They have to give 1 card from their pile to each opponent.

The player who manages to collect all of the cards wins the game. During the course of the game, it is not allowed to look at the card before it is turned over. Only one card per player must remain visible.

Our opinion: Players must be observant and able to quickly add up the number of identical fruits to win. Therefore, the game is fairer when the participants are of the same age.

Stay Cool

Pros
✓ An educational game.
✓ There are many questions of varying difficulty.
✓ The player gets a chance to make up for wrong answers.

Cons
✕ Too complicated for toddlers.
✕ The questions could be too fast.

Characteristics
● Brand: Asmodee
● Number of players: 3 to 7 people
● Age: 12 years and over
● Duration of a game: 25 minutes
● Game type: Speed, general knowledge, emotional control

The game is played with at least 3 people. During a player’s turn (the active player), the other two ask questions. One player takes care of the written questions (the written interrogator), which are to be answered by aligning the dice. The other takes care of the verbal questions (the verbal interrogatory), which are to be answered verbally. The game consists of 3 rounds. During a round, every player takes a turn being the active player who answers the questions.

During a player’s turn, the written interrogator begins by asking the first question on the card they have in their hand. The active player starts answering by aligning the dice, meanwhile the verbal interrogator asks their question. The player writes and speaks their answers, and so on, until each interrogator finishes their card. On the next player’s turn, the roles change.

The points of each question are written on the cards. They are not the same for written and verbal questions. For the calculation, multiply the points of the written questions by those of the verbal questions. The total points after the 3 rounds indicate the final score of each player. Whoever has the most points wins the game.

Our opinion: The rules are simple, but all players must be aware of them, so that there is no misunderstanding in the middle of the game. The game can require some practice to be played efficiently.

Difference

Pros
✓ The cards display beautiful images.
✓ The game is suitable for all ages.
✓ Exercises observation skills.

Cons
✕ Solving the game becomes automatic when the players are accustomed to the different illustrations.
✕ Can be frustrating if the players are not of the same age.

Characteristics
● Brand: Gigamic
● Number of players: 2 to 6 people
● Age: 7 years and over
● Duration of a game: 20 minutes
● Game type: Speed, observation

The game has 50 cards displaying the same images. There are different levels of difficulty and themes. Half of the cards represent the easy level. The other half is made up of cards with a level of difficulty.

When starting the game, the participants agree on the theme. The easy level includes Circus and Castle themes. The Lake and Dragon themes make up the difficult level.

Players will each have a pile of cards with the same illustrations. A card is then placed in the middle of the table. The first to find the 2 differences declares it by calling out “Difference!” They then get rid of their card, leaving it in the middle of the table. The card they place in the middle becomes the new reference card, and the search for differences continues. If a player gets a difference wrong, the game continues. Whoever gets rid of all of their cards wins.

Our opinion: Even if the cards look identical, there are always 2 differences between any 2 cards. This reduces the risk of knowing all the cards by heart.

Comparison Table