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Even though the sale is better known for discounting TVs and laptops, Black Friday board games are a bit of a dark horse. They're surprisingly good, getting you new and old favorites for their lowest price of the year.
No, really. While some offerings stay the same as they have been the rest of the year (many family-friendly games get 'discounts' that are actually identical to ones we've already seen months before), many others tumble in cost by an absurd degree. We're always taken aback by how much cheaper hobby games are in particular during the Black Friday board game deals, to the point we'd recommend waiting for the sale before pulling the trigger.
To save you having to dredge through countless retailers in search of the best offer this year, we've rounded up every tip we can think of to save you money on the best board games. Because our team of bargain hunters have been searching the sale for years now, we have a pretty good idea of what makes a worthwhile discount. Basically? If you're hoping to snag the very best Black Friday gaming deals, we've got your back.
Black Friday board game deals: FAQ
When will Black Friday board game deals start?
Black Friday board game deals always take place at the same time each year; they occur after Thanksgiving and on the final Friday of November. That means we'll be staring down the barrel of some discounts this November 29.
Still, you don't have to wait until then to get a good price cut. Board games enjoy reductions well beforehand, as demonstrated by this year's sales getting going at least a week before Black Friday itself. They'll then roll on into the Cyber Monday board game deals afterward.
Should I wait until the Black Friday board game deals?
While we appreciate that it's an annoyingly vague answer, but it depends on what you're looking for. Family-friendly games normally enjoy discounts all year round, and despite getting even better reductions at the end of November, you can still find a bargain if you jump the gun. (Though if you do, it's worth checking with price-comparison sites such as CamelCamelCamel to see if it's actually a good offer.)
Hobby games are a different story. These consistently hit all-time low prices during Black Friday, so we'd highly recommend waiting if you want anything like Twilight Imperium or Scythe. If the game's price normally hits or exceeds $80 / £80, you can be confident it'll get a decent - if brief - saving during the Black Friday board game deals.
Where will the best Black Friday board game deals be?
Every retailer wants a slice of that Black Friday pie, so it's not surprising that they all put on a mega-sale throughout November. And while most are pretty decent, some are better than others. We've rounded up the best ones here, including why you should check out their deals.
USA
- Amazon: The best for variety and quality across a range of games
- Walmart: Surprisingly good for discounts on niche hobby games
- Best Buy: Decent for reductions on popular family games
- Target: Often enjoys exclusive products
UK
- Amazon: Best for overall quality and variety of deals
- Magic Madhouse: Provides surprisingly good offers
- Argos: Good for reductions on classic family and kids' games
- Very: Respectable offers on family games
- John Lewis: Solid deals on hobby and family games
What to expect
There's a lot of ground to cover when it comes to the Black Friday board game deals, so what should you be looking out for? Considering the sale's proximity to Christmas, board games for families such as Catan and Carcassonne are always a good shout. They're usually cheaper than normal and will go down very well if you're visiting loved ones over the Holiday season. We enjoyed Catan's lowest ever price in 2021, for example. Equally, there was a huge drop on Pandemic in 2022. (It was less than $20.)
However, it's worth pointing out that those games always seem to be on sale. Indeed, the discount you'll get during Black Friday isn't dissimilar to other year-round reductions. As such, the 'best' deals tend to be on more expensive games for adults such as Wingspan, Mansions of Madness, or Twilight Imperium. Because these can cost up to $100 / £100 or more, being able to pick them up for less isn't an opportunity to miss. Especially considering the fact that Gloomhaven, often considered to be one of the top board games for adults, tumbled to its lowest ever price during 2021's Black Friday board game deals.
Watch out for coupons as well. In 2023, we saw a lot of offers get boosted by bonus reductions via Amazon if you ticked a box under the price. These provided some the best bargains that weren't matched again, so speed is of the essence. If you can be sure we've never seen a lower price via comparison sites like CamelCamelCamel, don't hesitate.
That's the biggest takeaway we can give, actually. Even if a lowest-ever price emerges before Black Friday itself, it's worth striking right away. It's unlikely to get reduced any more, particularly if coupons such as the ones mentioned above are involved, so move fast to avoid disappointment. We've been burned by that ol' chestnut before.
Last year's best Black Friday board game deals
UK
The November sales extravaganza isn't limited to board gaming, of course. We can expect some decent Dungeons and Dragons Black Friday deals along with Black Friday Pokemon card deals. A few good Black Friday Lego deals should be up for grabs, too.