If you love board games but don’t always have people to play with in person, you’ve probably come across Board Game Arena (BGA). It’s an online platform that lets you play hundreds of board games against friends or strangers from around the world. But is it any good? Does it capture the experience of playing in person, or does it just make you wish you were sitting around a real table with actual game pieces?
Let’s have a proper look at what BGA offers and whether it’s worth your time.
What is Board Game Arena?
Board Game Arena is an online platform where you can play a vast selection of board games in a digital format. It’s browser-based, so there’s no need to download anything—just sign up, pick a game, and start playing.
The range of games is impressive, covering everything from casual family games to deep strategy classics. You’ll find titles like Carcassonne, 7 Wonders, Azul, and even heavier games like Through the Ages. If you’ve ever struggled to get your group together for a game night, BGA might be a perfect way to keep playing without the logistics nightmare.
Is It Any Good?
That depends on what you’re looking for. Personally, I really like it. It’s a fantastic way to try out games before deciding to buy a physical copy, and it’s free to sign up, so there’s no risk in giving it a go.
The interface is generally smooth, and most games play well, especially on a desktop or laptop. However, I’ve found some don’t translate perfectly to smaller screens. For example, Stone Age feels cramped on mobile, making it harder to manage resources and see the full game state. And if you prefer playing turn-based games over several days, it can be tricky to remember what’s going on—especially if you’re not actively watching every opponent’s move.
But overall, it’s a great way to scratch that board game itch when an in-person session isn’t possible. This is all of course just my opinion and your milage may vary.
Do You Need to Be a Premium Member?
BGA is free to use, and you can play a good selection of games without paying anything. However, starting some games yourself is locked behind a premium membership, which costs a few quid a month.
If you want access to the full library, premium is worth considering—especially if you plan on playing regularly. It also lets you create game tables for specific titles and play with friends more easily. But if you’re just dabbling or playing casually, the free version still offers plenty to enjoy.
Do the Games Work Well on BGA?
For the most part, yes. The automated rules enforcement is a big plus, removing any confusion about whether you’re playing correctly. But some games work better than others.
Real-time games with simultaneous actions (7 Wonders, for instance) work well, as you’re not sitting around waiting for ages. However, turn-based games that require a lot of interaction (Blood Rage comes to mind) can feel slow, especially if players aren’t responding quickly.
If you’re playing on mobile, it’s hit-and-miss. Simpler games tend to work fine, but more complex ones can be frustrating due to the smaller screen size.
Playing Remotely with Friends
One of the best things about Board Game Arena is how easy it makes playing with friends who live far away. If your usual gaming group is scattered across different cities (or even countries), BGA can keep the tradition alive.
Pairing it with something like Discord for voice chat makes the experience even better. The built-in chat is fine for quick messages, but nothing beats hearing your friend’s frustration when you block their perfect move.
But Would I Still Rather Play in Person?
Absolutely. Nothing beats the feel of real game pieces, the table talk, or the satisfaction of physically placing your tiles or moving your meeples. But if it weren’t for BGA, I wouldn’t be playing nearly as many board games as I do.
I love that I can play turn-based games over several days, making it easy to fit gaming into my schedule. I’ve also discovered loads of games I wouldn’t have tried otherwise—some of which I’ve ended up buying in physical form. The price tag on some board games is steep, so getting a chance to test them out first is a huge plus.
Final Thoughts
Board Game Arena isn’t perfect, but it’s a fantastic way to play board games when getting together in person isn’t an option. Whether you’re looking to try new games, play with distant friends, or just scratch that board gaming itch, it’s well worth checking out—especially since you can sign up for free.
If you’re a serious board gamer, you’ll probably get the most out of it with a premium membership, but even the free version offers plenty to enjoy. Just don’t expect it to fully replace the joy of playing in person—because let’s be honest, nothing ever will.
If you do sign up, why not add me and we can play something together.