Spiel des Jahres

The Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year), the most prestigious award for board and card games, is awarded annually by a jury of German game critics. Since 1989 the Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children's game of the Year) has also been annually awarded.

Previous winners

Also Recommended

Special awards for children's games are listed here up until 2001, when the Kinderspiel des Jahres award was created.
Games are listed with the standardized BGG name, which in some cases is different from the name listed at the Spiel des Jahres website.

Source: Spiel des Jahres

2009

Nominated: Fauna by Friedemann Friese
Nominated: Finca by Ralf zur Linde and Wolfgang Sentker
Nominated: FITS by Reiner Knizia
Nominated: Pandemic by Matt Leacock
Special Award for "New Worlds Game": Space Alert by Vlaada (Vladimír) Chvátil
Special Award for "Party Game": GiftTRAP by Nick Kellet
Cities
Diamonds Club
Einauge sei wachsam!
Maori
Mow
Pack & Stack
Valdora

2008

Nominated: Blox by Jürgen P. Grunau, Wolfgang Kramer and Hans Raggan
Nominated: Stone Age by Bernd Brunnhofer
Nominated: Marrakech by Dominique Ehrhard
Nominated: Witch's Brew by Andreas Pelikan
Special Award for "Complex Game": Agricola by Uwe Rosenberg
Big Points
The Hanging Gardens
Wicked Witches Way
Galaxy Trucker
In the Year of the Dragon
Jamaica
Kakerlakensalat
Lascaux
Linq
Metropolys
Pingu Party
TZAAR

2007

Nominated: The Thief of Baghdad by Thorsten Gimmler
Nominated: Arkadia by Rüdiger Dorn
Nominated: Jenseits von Theben by Peter Prinz
Nominated: Yspahan by Sébastien Pauchon
Alchemist
Chateau Roquefort
Kunstmarkt
The Pillars of the Earth
Die Säulen von Venedig
Imperial
Jetzt schlägt's 13
Notre Dame
Skybridge
Enkounter
Vikings
High Score

2006

Nominated: Aqua Romana by Martin Schlegel
Nominated: Blue Moon City by Reiner Knizia
Nominated: Just4Fun by Jürgen P. Grunau
Nominated: Buccaneer by Stefan Dorra
Special Award for "Fantasy Game": Shadows over Camelot by Serge Laget and Bruno Cathala
Special Award for "Complex Game": Caylus by William Attia
Ausgerechnet Buxtehude by Uwe Rapp and Bernhard Lach
Fettnapf by Reinhard Staupe
Fischmarkt by Mario Papini
Hart an der Grenze by André Zatz and Sérgio Halaban
Mesopotamia by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede
Hey! That's My Fish! by Günter Cornett and Alvydas Jakeliunas
Roma by Stefan Feld
Timbuktu by Dirk Henn
Objets Trouvés by Philippe des Pallières

2005

Nominated: Himalaya by Régis Bonnessée
Nominated: Around the World in 80 Days by Michael Rieneck
Nominated: Jambo by Rüdiger Dorn
Nominated: That's Life! by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling
Boomtown by Bruno Faidutti and Bruno Cathala
Diamant by Alan R. Moon and Bruno Faidutti
The Gardens of the Alhambra by Dirk Henn
Power Grid by Friedemann Friese
No Thanks! by Thorsten Gimmler
Piranha Pedro by Jens-Peter Schliemann
Tanz der Hornochsen by Wolfgang Kramer
Typo by Corné van Moorsel
Wie ich die Welt sehe... by Urs Hostettler

2004

Nominated: Dawn Under by Norbert Proena
Nominated: Ingenious by Reiner Knizia
Nominated: Maharaja: Palace Building in India by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling
Nominated: Saint Petersburg by Bernd Brunnhofer
Attika by Marcel-André Casasola Merkle
Carcassonne: The Castle by Reiner Knizia
Coyote by Spartaco Albertarelli
Coda by Eiji Wakasugi
Die Sieben Siegel by Stefan Dorra
Dos Rios by Franz-Benno Delonge
Im Wassergarten by Ferdinand Hein
Somethin' Fishy by Oliver Igelhaut
Kakerlaken-Poker by Jacques Zeimet
Mausen by Detlef Wendt
Maya by Bernd Eisenstein
Oasis by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum
San Juan by Andreas Seyfarth
Tom Tube by Tobias Goslar and Roland Goslar
Sunken City by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling
Viele Dinge by Bernhard Naegele and INVALID OBJECT ID=2453, type=person
King Me! by Stefano Luperto
YINSH by Kris Burm

2003

Nominated: Clans by Leo Colovini
Nominated: Die Dracheninsel by Tom Schoeps
Amun-Re by Reiner Knizia
Attribute by Marcel-André Casasola Merkle
Balloon Cup by Stephen Glenn
Coloretto by Michael Schacht
Werewolf by Philippe des Pallières and Hervé Marly and Dimitry Davidoff
Edel, Stein & Reich by Reinhard Staupe
Fische Fluppen Frikadellen by Friedemann Friese
Paris Paris by Michael Schacht
Richelieu by Michael Schacht
Rumis by Stefan Kögl

2002

Nominated: Puerto Rico by Andreas Seyfarth
Nominated: TransAmerica by Franz-Benno Delonge
The Bucket King by Stefan Dorra
Atlantic Star by Dirk Henn
Blokus by Bernard Tavitian
Der Herr der Ringe: Die Gefährten, Das Kartenspiel by Reiner Knizia
Dschunke by Michael Schacht
DVONN by Kris Burm
Kupferkessel Co. by Günter Burkhardt
Pizarro & Co. by Thomas Lehmann
San Gimignano by Duilio Carpitella

2001

Nominated: Das Amulett by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum
Nominated: Zapp Zerapp by Heinz Meister and Klaus Zoch
Special Award for "Literary Game": Lord of the Rings by Reiner Knizia
Special Award for "Historical Game": Troia by Thomas Fackler
Babel by Uwe Rosenberg and Hagen Dorgathen
Capitol by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum
Cartagena by Leo Colovini
Genoa by Rüdiger Dorn
Dragon Delta by Roberto Fraga
Ebbe & Flut by Wolfgang Werner
Hexen Rennen by Wolfgang Panning
Turn The Tide by Stefan Dorra
Winner's Circle by Reiner Knizia
San Marco by Alan R. Moon and Aaron Weissblum

2000

Nominated: Carolus Magnus by Leo Colovini
Nominated: Citadels by Bruno Faidutti
Special Award for "Children's Game": Arbos by Martin Arnold and Armin Müller
Kardinal by Wolfgang Panning
Web of Power by Michael Schacht
La Città by Gerd Fenchel
Metro by Dirk Henn
Port Royal by Wolfgang Panning
Taj Mahal by Reiner Knizia
Vinci by Philippe Keyaerts
ZÈRTZ by Kris Burm
Frank's Zoo by Doris Matthäus and Frank Nestel

1999

Nominated: Giganten by Wilko Manz
Nominated: Union Pacific by Alan R. Moon
Special Award for "Children's Game": Kayanak by Peter-Paul Joopen
Chinatown by Karsten Hartwig
El Caballero by Wolfgang Kramer and Richard Ulrich
Kahuna by Günter Cornett
Kontor by Michael Schacht
Mamma Mia! by Uwe Rosenberg
Money! by Reiner Knizia
Ta Yü by Niek Neuwahl
Verräter by Marcel-André Casasola Merkle

1998

Special Award for "Children's Game": Chicken Cha Cha Cha by Klaus Zoch
Basari by Reinhard Staupe
Caesar & Cleopatra by Wolfgang Lüdtke
Canyon by Frederick A. Herschler
David & Goliath by Reinhard Staupe
Die Macher by Karl-Heinz Schmiel
Through the Desert by Reiner Knizia
Tigris & Euphrates by Reiner Knizia
GIPF by Kris Burm
Minister by Rudi Hoffmann
Tonga Bonga by Stefan Dorra
Tycoon by Wolfgang Kramer and Horst-Rainer Rösner

1997

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Aztec by Niek Neuwahl
Special Award for "Children's Game": Leinen Los! by Alex Randolph
Special Award for "Dexterity Game": Husarengolf by INVALID OBJECT ID=4561, type=person
Bohnanza by Uwe Rosenberg
Comeback by Reinhard Staupe
The Settlers of Catan Card Game by Klaus Teuber
Dimenticato by Ferdinand Hein
Expedition by Wolfgang Kramer
Löwenherz by Klaus Teuber
Manitou by Günter Burkhardt
Showmanager by Dirk Henn
Visionary by Ron Dubren

1996

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Venice Connection by Alex Randolph
Special Award for "Children's Game": Vier zu mir! by Heike Baum
Special Award for "Dexterity Game": PitchCar by Jean du Poël
Ab die Post! by Helga Huber and Hermann Huber
Campanile by Hanno Kuhn and Wilfried Kuhn
Mü & More by Doris Matthäus and Frank Nestel
Get the Goods by Alan R. Moon and Mick Ado
Sisimizi by Alex Randolph
Blink by Reinhard Staupe
Top Race by Wolfgang Kramer
Wat'n dat!? by Virginia Charves and Claude Weber
Word-Whiz by Hajo Bücken

1995

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Tri-ba-Lance by Michael Sohre
Special Award for "Children's Game": Karambolage by Heinz Meister
Special Award for "Puzzle": 3D Krimi-Puzzle published by Milton Bradley
Runes by Bill Eberle and Jack Kittredge and Peter Olotka
Condottiere by Dominique Ehrhard and Duccio Vitale
The Mole in the Hole by Virginia Charves and Bertram Kaes
Galopp Royal by Klaus Teuber
Kaleidos by Spartaco Albertarelli
La Trel by Richard Morgan
Streetcar by Stefan Dorra
Medici by Reiner Knizia

1994

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Doctor Faust by Reinhold Wittig
Special Award for "Children's Game": Loopin' Louie by Carol Wiseley
Category 5 by Wolfgang Kramer
Billabong by Eric Solomon
Die Oster Insel by Alex Randolph and Leo Colovini
I'm the Boss by Sid Sackson
Take it Easy! by Peter Burley
Was Sticht? by Karl-Heinz Schmiel

1993

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Kula Kula by Reinhold Wittig
Special Award for "Children's Game": Ringel Rangel by Geni Wyss
Modern Art by Reiner Knizia
Pusher by Werner Falkhof
Quarto! by Blaise Muller
Rheingold by Reinhard Herbert
Spiel der Türme by Rudi Hoffmann
Tutankhamen by Reiner Knizia
Zatre by Manfred Schuling

1992

Special Award for "Children's Game": Galloping Pigs by Heinz Meister
Die Verbotene Stadt by Alex Randolph and Johann Rüttinger
Donnerwetter by Peter Lewe
Entenrallye by Walter Müller
Gold Connection by Sid Sackson
Palermo by Walter Ziser
Quo Vadis? by Reiner Knizia
Razzia by Stefan Dorra
Schraumen by Urs Hostettler
Taboo by Brian Hersch

1991

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Master Labyrinth by Max J. Kobbert
Special Award for "Children's Game": Corsaro - Irrfahrt im Piratenmeer by Wolfgang Kramer
20 Questions by Scott A. Mednick
Bauernschlau by Tom Schoeps
Conspiracy by Eric Solomon
Formica by S. Ray and M. Lorrigan
Im Reich des weißen Bären by Charles Lerue
Invers by Kris Burm
Irrgendwie by INVALID OBJECT ID=7677, type=person and INVALID OBJECT ID=7678, type=person

1990

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Life Style by Thomas di Paolo
Special Award for "Children's Game": My Haunted Castle by Virginia Charves
Das Geheimnis der Pyramide by Stefanie Rohner and Christian Wolf
Die Heisse Schlacht am Kalten Buffet by Alex Randolph
Dino by Reinhold Wittig
Favoriten by Walter Müller
Heuchel und Meuchel by Rudi Hoffmann
Lancelot by Roland Siegers
New Orleans Big Band by Herbert Schützdeller
Tabaijana - Flucht von der Feuerinsel by Wolfgang Kramer

1989

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Henne Berta by Geni Wyss
Special Award for "Children's Game": Gute Freunde by Alex Randolph
Abalone by Michel Lalet and Laurent Levi
Breakaway Rider by Pierre Jacquot
Such a Thing by Urs Hostettler
Flieg Dumbo Flieg by Virginia Charves
Magic Dance by Björn Hölle
Maestro by Rudi Hoffmann
Midnight Party by Wolfgang Kramer
Pole Position by Gerhard E. Kodys
Regatta by Frank Thibault

1988

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Inkognito by Alex Randolph and Leo Colovini
Special Award for "Cooperative Family Game": Sauerbaum by Johannes Tranelis
Bausack by Klaus Zoch
Forum Romanum by Wolfgang Kramer
Raj by Alex Randolph
Janus by Rudi Hoffmann
Lines of Action by Claude Soucie
Mississippi by Roland Siegers
Scalino by Peter Pallat
Schoko & Co. by Yves Hirschfeld and Gilles Monnet
Targui by Wil Dijkstra and Ben van Dijk

1987

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Orient Express by Jeff Smets
Flying Carpet by Kurt Feyerabend and Elke Flogaus
Die 1. Million by Sid Sackson
Kremlin by Urs Hostettler
Auf Kurs by Reinhold Wittig
Restaurant by Roland Siegers
Sauerbaum by Johannes Tranelis
Shark by Jean Vanaise

1986

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Müller & Sohn by Reinhold Wittig
Code 777 by Alex Randolph and Robert Abbott
The aMAZEing Labyrinth by Max J. Kobbert
Greyhounds by Bernd Brunnhofer
Malawi by Gerhard E. Kodys
Top by Dieter Drkosch
Top Secret by Alex Randolph
Winkeladvokat by Roland Siegers

1985

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Die Drei Magier by Johann Rüttinger
Abilene by Roland Siegers
Campus by Andre Francois
Cash & Carry by Hans-Jörg Nürnberger
Heimlich & Co. by Wolfgang Kramer
Iago by Alex Randolph
You're Bluffing! by Rüdiger Koltze
Mister Zero by Wilfried Bauer and Rudolf Schweikert
Pin by Dieter Drkosch

1984

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Uisge by Roland Siegers
Claim by Alex Randolph
Dominique by Kenneth Rand
Feuerwehr by Norbert Lechleitner
Metropolis by Sid Sackson
Netzwerk by Knut-Michael Wolf

1983

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Wir füttern die kleinen Nilpferde by Reinhold Wittig
Bärenspiel by Hajo Bücken
Der Schwarze Prinz by Johann Rüttinger
Fuzzi, Heinz und Schlendrian by Manfred Ludwig
Riombo by Reinhold Wittig

1982

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Skript by Henri Sala
Baubylon by Reinhold Wittig
Can't Stop by Sid Sackson
Fang mich! by Oded Berman
Ghosts! by Alex Randolph
Havannah by Christiaan Freeling
Kensington by Brian Taylor and Peter Forbes
Millionenspiel by Rüdiger Koltze
Vokabo by Johann Rüttinger

1981

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Ra by Marco Donadoni
Can't Stop by Sid Sackson
Havannah by Christiaan Freeling
Ombagi by Reinhold Wittig
Quibbix by Gilbert Obermair
Räuber & Gendarm by Rudi Hoffmann
Enchanted Forest by Alex Randolph and Michel Matschoss
Wendo by Intelli

1980

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Das Spiel by Reinhold Wittig
Special Award for "Best Solitaire": Rubik's Cube by Erno Rubik
Dampfross by David G. Watts
Epaminondas by Robert Abbott
Focus by Sid Sackson
Galaxis by David Wells
Stop Thief by INVALID OBJECT ID=7225, type=person
Niki Lauda's Formel 1 by Wolfgang Kramer

1979

Special Award for "Beautiful Game": Seti by Hartmut Witt and Andreas Steiner
Acquire by Sid Sackson
Alaska by Eric Solomon
Sly by Sid Sackson (cited for the included game Blockade)
Chess Challenger Voice (electronic device)
Merlin by Bob and Holly Doyle
Simon (Senso) by Ralph Baer
Shogun by Teruo Matsumoto
Touché by Wayne Bobette
Twixt by Alex Randolph