The Spiel des Jahres (German for Game of the Year) is arguably the most prestigious board game award for German-style board games.

The award was created in the late 1970s to reward excellence in game design, and to promote top-quality games in the German market. It is thought that the existence and popularity of the award is one of the major drivers of the quality of games coming out of Germany. However, some game fanatics feel that in the last couple of years, the award is awarded for diplomatic reasons, cycling between the three or four largest game producers in Germany.

The award is given by a jury, which reviews games released in Germany in the preceding twelve months.

Previous winners

Here is the list of games that have won this award:

• 2004 Ticket to Ride
• 2003 Alhambra
• 2002 Villa Paletti
• 2001 Carcassonne
• 2000 Torres
• 1999 Tikal
• 1998 Elfenland
• 1997 Mississippi Queen
• 1996 El Grande
• 1995 The Settlers of Catan
• 1994 Manhattan
• 1993 Call My Bluff (German title is Bluff)
• 1992 Um Reifenbreite
• 1991 Drunter und Druber
• 1990 Adel Verpflichtet
• 1989 Café International
• 1988 Barbarossa
• 1987 Auf Achse
• 1986 Top Secret Spies (German title is Heimlich and Co.)
• 1985 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
• 1984 Dampfross
• 1983 Scotland Yard
• 1982 Enchanted Forest (German title is Sagaland)
• 1981 Focus
• 1980 Rummikub
• 1979 Hare and Tortoise

See Also

• Deutscher Spiele Preis
• Origins Award
• Jeu de l'année

External link

• Spiel des Jahres - official website