Whoever said you need a large group to have a game night has never experienced a two-player board game. Whether you're looking to do something different for a date night, need an activity while abiding by stay-at-home orders, or got a last-minute cancellation from other players, finding a two-player board game isn't as hard as it sounds. From a spinoff of a classic to games that require great concentration and attention to detail, there's something out there for every type of player. And while yes, most two-player board games are geared toward children, that doesn't mean adults can't have fun too or make it their own (hello, drinking games)! Keep reading for board games to bring out at your next two-player game night. Best of luck!
— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes
If you played MASH ($20) as a kid, you'll adore this card version.
Rather than never have I ever, opt for Who's Most Likely To ($16)!
Created by a 7-year-old, this Taco vs. Burrito ($20) game is genius.
The Ultimate Game For Couples ($25) is a great way to get to know your partner on a more intimate level.
You'll be shocked by how telepathic this Wavelength ($35) game is.
The goal of Sequence ($13) is to get a sequence of chips before the other player. It sounds easy, but watch out for the jacks!
You better be ready to roll with Yahtzee ($8) in your home! Complete with five dice and a shaker, you may have to roll the dice up to three times per turn.
You'll quickly become addicted to this . . . I Should Have Known That! Trivia Game ($19).
The goal of Pressman Mancala ($12) is to get the most amount of beads in the other person's tray.
Everyone will get a laugh out of the What Do You Meme? ($30) card game which comes with a meme card and a picture.
The Boggle Classic Game ($10) can even be played solo if you're feeling up to it!
Compete for dominance of the islands of the south seas with this Kahuna Board Game ($22).
How good are you at words? Test your knowledge with the Clarendon Wordsmithery Game ($30).
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza ($10) is super easy to learn and a blast to play.
Perfect to play with a significant other, this Love Language: Card Game ($25) will bring you closer than you've ever been.
The best part about this Monopoly Deal Card Game ($8)? It only takes 45 minutes to play.
Race against a partner and build crossword grids with Bananagrams ($15).
The goal of the Couch Skeletons Card Game ($10)? To be the first player to fill your couch seat with skeletons.
Stir up some hilarious conversations with this Off Topic Adult Party Game ($30).
The Fast Sling Puck Game ($18) is practically a mini foosball game — how fun!
The best part about the Bowman Games Fill or Bust Great Card and Dice Game ($11) is that you can play for 30 minutes or the whole day.
Codenames Duet ($20) is the same as the original Codenames board game except it was made for only two players. Both players will use word association to give each other clues until you can guess the target's "codename." Aim to have the least amount of guesses.
PARKS ($49) was made for the outdoor enthusiasts. Hike your way through 48 national parks and learn about different animal species along the way.
Another detective game with a mystery twist, 221B Baker Street ($40) brings Sherlock Holmes to life. Based off the streets and alleys of Victorian London, players will use clues or riddles to solve the murder, including the motive and murderer weapon.
The hunt is on! Sift through old newspaper clippings, narratives, and clues to solve a mystery in Sherlock Holmes Consulting: Detective Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures ($53).
Blokus ($15) is a 21-piece game where each piece must touch another corner piece but only if they're of the same color. Once no more pieces can be played, whoever has the least amount left wins.
Battleship ($17) is a board game that can strictly only be played by two players. Each player will set up their battleships in a piece similar to the structure of a laptop, so you can't see each other's battleships. Guess where your opponent placed their ships by calling out sequences like "A4" or "F10." The first one to sink the other's ships wins!
Patchwork ($32) challenges players to use leftover patch scraps to make a quilt. It's like making a quilt but without the mess!
Jenga ($17) follows three easy steps: pull a block from the stack out, place it back on top, don't let the tower fall! Here's the catch: you can only use one hand, meaning you can't try to stabilize the tower if you see it falling.
In Connect 4 ($18), players will take turns trying to connect four of their colored tokens in a row. You can go horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Think of this board game as a more advanced and colorful version of tic-tac-toe.
It may be referred to as a children's game but that doesn't mean adults can't play. Ker Plunk ($23) is centered on one concept: don't let the marbles fall. Players will take turns pulling straws, and the one with the least amount of marbles at the end wins!
Tip: For adults, turn this into a drinking game by taking a sip every time you make a marble drop.
A fun take on the original game, Toss Across ($20) is tic-tac-toe but life-size! Take turns throwing bean bangs and trying to get three of the same letter in a row.