Amazon has a TON of board games on sale today only

Board games have been on the rise over the past few years—and we don't just mean they're getting put on higher shelves in the closet. Exploding Kittens blew up the competition to become the fifth most funded Kickstarter campaign of all time, and board game sales have been leveling up year over year since 2010.

One reason? Ease of access. With online retailers stocking their virtual gaming cabinets with tabletop, card, and dice options of all stripes, games are easier to find and purchase than ever. And today only, Amazon is dropping prices on over 50 games. Most of these are strategy games that the youngest party members may not be ready for yet, but most are worth checking out nevertheless.

You've got options for the Magic lover, sci-fi nerd, zombie fanatic, and even home brewers. We've highlighted some personal favorites, but this really just scratches the surface; be sure to take a second and poke around, as there's something for almost everyone.

One Night Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak

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This fast-paced and humorous option is a favorite palate cleanser at my own regular game nights. Each round takes about 10 minutes to complete, with all the different character options ensuring that things never get stale.

The stylized tokens and tongue-in-cheek character descriptions add to the lighthearted atmosphere, while the handy app walks you through set up and play through for an easy learning curve.

Technically it's an expansion to One Night Ultimate Werewolf, but it can be played on its own or combined with the original (and One Night Ultimate Vampire) for even more entertaining variations.

Dominion

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The granddaddy of deck building games perfected the formula and is still going strong. If you've never played it, now's the time to get in on the ground floor with the base game. Dominion is the very definition of easy to learn, difficult to master... perhaps because no round is ever the same due to the wide variety of card options available to you.

Really want to go down the rabbit hole? There are a whopping 10 expansions available, and the first one—Dominion: Intrigue—is also on sale. Typically, Dominion is meant for 2-4 players, but Amazon is also offering the Dominion Big Box, which includes Dominion, Intrigue, and extra base cards that allow you to expand the game for up to 6 players.

Risk: Legacy

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Rob Daviau turned the board game world on its head when he took the original Risk and turned it into a campaign game that could only be played once. If you love story arcs, or perhaps played his followup, Pandemic: Legacy, this is your chance to try out his original creation. The world of Risk transforms each time you play it, with permanent boosts and penalties that alter the landscape and your skills as a general.

It's perfect for folks with a regular game night and devoted compatriots who want something with a little more long-term consequences but aren't ready for a full-on dungeon crawl. And if you prefer the original game, Risk: Europe is on sale today, too.

Tokaido

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For a more relaxing evening, consider taking a pilgrimage through beautiful, scenic Japan on a quest for personal enlightenment. Tokaido is a gorgeous game that's still competitive, but takes a more relaxing tone than most of the other games Amazon is serving up today.

It's a bit like a vacation in a box, encouraging you to be a savvy traveler and to have the most enjoyable journey. Tokaido may not be a good substitute for actually going to Japan, but it's a lot more affordable and just as invigorating in its own tranquil way.

Betrayal at House on the Hill: Widow's Walk

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Okay—this one's a little specific, as it's the only one we're highlighting that requires you to own another game. Widow's Walk is the first expansion to Wizards of the Coast's smash hit Betrayal at House on the Hill. It's an expansion that isn't standalone, but the base game is just so darn good that we couldn't not call out this sale.

If you own Betrayal but haven't got the expansion yet, this sale is the perfect excuse to add even more depth to an already great game.