The Most Popular Board Game Company, Ranked

Choose the board game company you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:30
In the realm of board games, choosing the right company can significantly influence the fun and engagement level of game nights. Each company offers a unique flavor with its array of games, from strategy-heavy adventures to lighthearted family interactions. It's precisely because of these differences that finding out which companies rise to the top can enhance your gaming experience. By participating in voting on this interactive list, you help craft a clear and dynamic picture of which board game companies resonate most with enthusiasts. Your input directly shapes the ranking, providing newcomers and seasoned gamers alike a reliable reference for their next purchase or gaming session. Jump in and cast your votes, helping your favorite companies get the recognition they deserve.

What Is the Most Popular Board Game Company?

  1. 1
    34
    votes
    Hasbro is one of the most popular board game companies in the world, with a wide range of games and toys catering to people of all ages. Some of their most popular games include Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue.
    Hasbro is a popular American board game company known for manufacturing and distributing various board games and toys. With a rich history spanning over 100 years, Hasbro has become a household name in the world of gaming and entertainment.
    • Year Founded: 1923
    • Headquarters: Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States
    • Number of Employees: ~5,000
    • Annual Revenue: Approximately $4.72 billion (2019)
    • Key Brands: Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Trivial Pursuit, Risk, Twister, Connect 4, Battleship, etc.
  2. 2
    31
    votes
    Mattel is another popular board game company that is known for producing games like Uno and Pictionary. They also have a wide range of toys catering to children of all ages.
    Mattel is a renowned American board game company that specializes in the production and distribution of various popular toys and games. With a rich history spanning several decades, Mattel has established itself as a leading name in the industry.
    • Year Founded: 1945
    • Headquarters: El Segundo, California, United States
    • Popular Board Games: Scrabble, Apples to Apples, Pictionary, Uno
    • Key Focus: Creating innovative and engaging games and toys
    • Global Presence: Products sold in over 150 countries
  3. 3
    23
    votes
    Ravensburger is a German company that specializes in producing high-quality board games and puzzles. Their games are known for their intricate designs and challenging gameplay.
    Ravensburger is a renowned board game company that specializes in the production of high-quality games and puzzles. It was founded in 1883 by Otto Robert Maier in Ravensburg, Germany. With a rich history spanning over a century, Ravensburger has established itself as a leader in the board game industry, known for its engaging and family-friendly titles.
    • Year of Establishment: 1883
    • Headquarters: Ravensburg, Germany
    • Game Types: Board games and puzzles
    • Quality: High-quality production and materials
    • Popularity: One of the most popular board game companies
  4. 4
    16
    votes

    Parker Brothers

    George S. Parker
    Parker Brothers is the company behind some of the most iconic board games of all time, including Monopoly, Clue, and Risk. They were acquired by Hasbro in 1991.
    Parker Brothers is a renowned board game company that has been creating and publishing popular games for over a century. Established in Salem, Massachusetts, United States, by George S. Parker in 1883, the company quickly gained recognition for its innovative and high-quality games. Parker Brothers has been responsible for bringing some of the most beloved and iconic board games to the market, entertaining generations of players worldwide.
    • Year Established: 1883
    • Headquarters: Salem, Massachusetts, United States
    • Popular Games: Monopoly, Clue, Risk, Sorry!, Trivial Pursuit
    • Legacy: Over a century of game creation and publishing
    • Innovations: Introduced the concept of licensed games
  5. 5
    18
    votes

    Milton Bradley

    Milton Bradley
    Milton Bradley is another iconic board game company that was acquired by Hasbro in 1984. They are known for producing games like Battleship, Operation, and Connect Four.
    Milton Bradley is a renowned board game company known for producing a wide range of popular games for all ages. With a rich history and a strong legacy, Milton Bradley has been a trusted name in the board game industry for many years.
    • Founding Year: 1860
    • Headquarters Location: Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
    • Notable Games: Operation, Battleship, Candy Land, Connect Four
    • Specialty: Diverse range of family-friendly board games
    • Parent Company: Hasbro, Inc.
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    Gamewright is a relatively new board game company that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. They are known for producing family-friendly games that are easy to learn and fun to play.
    Gamewright is a renowned board game company that specializes in producing family-friendly and innovative card and board games. Founded in 1994 by a father-son duo, Gamewright has gained a reputation for creating engaging games that are easy to learn while providing strategic depth and entertainment for players of all ages.
    • Number of Games: Over 200 different games
    • Age Range: Suitable for all ages, from toddlers to adults
    • Game Types: Card games, board games, and party games
    • Gameplay Duration: Varies from quick 10-minute games to longer 60-minute experiences
    • Award-Winning Games: Numerous games have won prestigious awards, including Spiel des Jahres and Mensa Select
  7. 7
    6
    votes
    Fantasy Flight Games
    Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0

    Fantasy Flight Games

    Christian T. Petersen
    Fantasy Flight Games is a company that specializes in producing complex strategy games and role-playing games. They are known for their attention to detail and intricate game mechanics.
    Fantasy Flight Games is a leading board game company known for producing high-quality and immersive games in the fantasy and science fiction genres. Founded in 1995 by Christian T. Petersen, the company has gained a strong reputation for its innovative game mechanics, engaging storytelling, and visually stunning components. Fantasy Flight Games has created a vast range of popular games that cater to both casual and experienced gamers, including many licensed titles based on popular franchises such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings.
    • Year Established: 1995
    • Headquarters: Roseville, Minnesota, USA
    • Genres: Fantasy, Science fiction
    • Notable Game Titles: Star Wars: X-Wing Miniatures Game, Arkham Horror, Twilight Imperium
    • Licensed Franchises: Star Wars, Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings
  8. 8
    4
    votes

    GMT Games

    Gene Billingsley
    GMT Games is a company that specializes in producing war and strategy games. They are known for their attention to historical accuracy and complex game mechanics.
    GMT Games is a popular board game company that specializes in producing historically themed strategy games. Created in 1990 by Gene Billingsley, GMT Games is known for its high-quality components, extensive research, and depth of gameplay. The company has a dedicated and passionate fanbase, with many of their games considered to be classics in the board gaming hobby. GMT Games often focuses on war and conflict simulations, but also covers a wide range of other historical and thematic topics.
    • Year Founded: 1990
    • Specialization: Historically themed strategy games
    • Component Quality: High-quality components
    • Research: Extensive research
    • Gameplay Depth: Depth of gameplay
  9. 9
    8
    votes

    Avalon Hill

    Charles S. Roberts
    Avalon Hill is a company that was founded in 1958 and specializes in producing war and strategy games. They are known for their attention to detail and historical accuracy.
    Avalon Hill is a renowned board game company that specializes in strategic war and historical simulation games. Founded in 1958 by Charles S. Roberts, it has gained a reputation for producing high-quality and complex games that appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.
    • Year Founded: 1958
    • Specialization: Strategic war and historical simulation games
    • Game Complexity: High
    • Target Audience: Casual and hardcore gamers
    • Notable Games: Axis & Allies, Risk, Betrayal at House on the Hill
  10. 10
    7
    votes
    Asmodee is a French board game company that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. They are known for producing a wide range of games, from family-friendly games to complex strategy games.
    Asmodee is a leading international board game company that specializes in publishing and distributing a wide range of games. They are known for their high-quality game components, innovative game mechanics, and engaging gameplay experiences.
    • Founded: 1995
    • Headquarters: Guyancourt, France
    • Number of Games Published: Over 300
    • International Presence: Over 50 countries
    • Popular Titles: Ticket to Ride, Catan, Pandemic

Missing your favorite board game company?

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Ranking factors for popular board game company

  1. Number of games sold
    Higher sales numbers generally indicate a more popular company. Evaluating the total sales of their games historically can show a company's consistent popularity.
  2. Game variety
    A company with a wide variety of games catering to different age groups, interests, and gameplay styles is likely to be more popular.
  3. Game quality
    A company with well-designed, innovative, and enjoyable games will earn a better reputation and be more popular, leading to higher sales and more loyal customers.
  4. Awards and accolades
    Game industry awards and recognition from critics, such as the Spiel des Jahres or Golden Geek Awards, can contribute to a company's reputation, thereby affecting its popularity.
  5. Brand recognition
    A well-known and easily recognizable brand contributes to a company's popularity, as consumers are more likely to trust and purchase from a known entity.
  6. Online presence and reviews
    A strong presence on digital platforms, including an engaging website, active social media presence, and customer reviews, can impact a company's popularity.
  7. Distribution channels and partnerships
    A company with widespread distribution and strong partnerships with retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar, will be more visible to consumers, thus increasing popularity.
  8. Community engagement and events
    Companies that actively engage with their player community through tournaments, conventions, or other events can build strong ties with their fan base, boosting their popularity.
  9. Licensing and intellectual property
    Companies that produce games based on popular intellectual properties, such as movies, TV shows, or book series, can leverage the popularity of those franchises to gain popularity themselves.
  10. Longevity and history
    A company with a long and successful history in the board game industry may enjoy a legacy of popularity due to their established reputation.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular board game company. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or company is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2412 views
  • 150 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each company once every 24 hours. The rank of each company is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular board game company

Board games have been enjoyed by people of all ages for centuries, and with recent advancements in technology, they have become more accessible than ever before. With so many board game companies in the market, it can be tough to determine which one reigns supreme. However, based on data from thousands of polls and rankings on StrawPoll, there is one company that consistently stands out from the rest: Hasbro. Hasbro is a multinational toy and board game company that has been around since the early 20th century, and over the years, they have produced some of the most iconic board games in history, including Monopoly, Scrabble, and Risk. Hasbro's commitment to innovation and quality has earned them a loyal following among board game enthusiasts, and their products continue to be enjoyed by millions of people around the world.

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