While there are numerous two-player board games that are excellent, board games specifically designed for couples merit their own special category. Many two-player games, such as war board games or abstract strategy games, can be too niche or overly competitive for couples to enjoy together. Even when avoiding these specialized games, two-player games often foster intense competition, which might not be ideal unless both players are particularly forgiving. To help you find the perfect balance of competition and cooperation, along with a mix of luck and strategy, we've curated a list of the best board games for couples. These games are ideal for creating a fun and engaging experience, making them a great option for a Valentine's Day date night.

TL;DR: These are the best board games for couples

### Race to the Raft

1See it at Amazon### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at Amazon### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at Amazon### Fog of Love

1See it at Amazon### Patchwork

1See it at Amazon### Codenames: Duet

1See it at Amazon### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at Amazon### Hive

1See it at Amazon### Onitama

0See it at Amazon### Five Tribes

0See it at Amazon### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at Amazon### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at Amazon### Splendor: Duel

0See it at Amazon### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at Amazon### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonEditor's Note: While all the games listed below are ideal for two players, some can also accommodate up to four players. If you're looking for a game that's perfect for both board game night with friends and intimate couple time, be sure to check the player count listed below each entry.

Race to the Raft

### Race to the Raft

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-4Playtime: 40-60 minsIf you're a fan of early internet movement puzzle games, you'll appreciate this vibrant and engaging board game. In Race to the Raft, you and your partner guide finicky cats to safety across a terrain of varying colors, each cat only moving over its designated color. The challenge comes from the random draw of terrain cards, the risk of blocking another cat's path, and limited communication that might lead to humorous meows as you try to coordinate. With over 80 scenarios of increasing difficulty, this game offers both challenge and laughter.

Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

### Sky Team: Prepare for Landing

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 14+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsImagine saying "I love you" by taking a flight to an exotic destination together. In Sky Team, you and your partner play as pilot and co-pilot, working together to land a plane. It's more challenging than it sounds; each player has a dice pool and set of instruments to manage. Balancing the values assigned by each player is crucial, and you can't discuss strategy during the placement phase, which adds an exciting twist. It's a thrilling way to test your teamwork without the risk of real-life arguments.

The Search for Lost Species

### The Search for Lost Species

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 13+Players: 1-4Playtime: 60-75 minsThis app-driven game combines an appealing theme with a dynamic puzzle. Players race to map an island's ecology and discover a long-lost animal. Beneath its engaging exterior lies a complex logic puzzle. Each animal has specific habitat rules, some fixed and some revealed by the app as you progress. Use these rules and clues from your exploration to pinpoint the location of the mysterious creature. The game is complex but quick to play once mastered, and every game offers a new puzzle thanks to the app. You can even collaborate against the app, sharing one playing piece.

For a detailed look at gameplay, check out our hands-on review of The Search for Lost Species.

Fog of Love

### Fog of Love

1See it at AmazonAge Range: 17+Players: 2Playtime: 1-2 hrsThis game is uniquely designed to explore the story of a couple's relationship, albeit through fictional characters. It's inclusive, allowing for both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Each player controls a character with secret traits and destinies, navigating through scenes that influence the relationship's outcome. There's no strict winner; instead, the focus is on the fascinating journey through an imagined relationship, making it perfect for couples looking to deepen their connection through play.

Patchwork

### Patchwork

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsPatchwork is a simple yet clever game where players buy geometric pieces with buttons to create a quilt with minimal gaps. Moving forward on a time track with each purchase can earn you extra buttons or valuable single-square patches. The person last on the track takes the next turn, allowing for strategic plays like planning double turns or snatching patches. This game is gently addictive and has won numerous awards for its engaging gameplay.

Codenames Duet

### Codenames: Duet

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 15+Players: 2+Playtime: 15 minsThe original Codenames was a breakout hit, and Codenames: Duet refines it into a sleek cooperative game for two. Players work together to find fifteen clues before the timer runs out, taking turns giving clues to minimize downtime. It brings the excitement of a party game to a two-player setting, making it a fun and engaging choice for couples.

Duet is just one of many Codenames spin-offs, offering options if you enjoy this version.

The Adventures of Robin Hood

### The Adventures of Robin Hood

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2-4Playtime: 60 minsThis narrative-driven game lets you and your partner retell the legend of Robin Hood across nine scenarios. Instead of traditional board spaces, you measure progress with a base on your wooden piece, aiming to stay hidden from guards. The board acts like an advent calendar, with numbered pieces you flip to create a dynamic world. Work together to save Nottingham from the Sheriff before Guy of Gisborne catches you.

Hive

### Hive

1See it at Amazon

Age Range: 9+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsHive features chunky plastic hexes and a complex web of strategies. Each player has a Queen hex, and the goal is to surround your opponent's Queen. With four types of insects, each with unique movement rules, the game is easy to transport and set up but challenging to master. The Hive must remain a single conglomeration, adding to the strategic depth.

Onitama

### Onitama

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 10 minsOnitama uses a simple yet effective concept. Played on a grid, you start with a master pawn and five students, aiming to knock out the enemy master or move your master to the opposite end. Legal moves depend on randomly dealt cards, creating a fascinating interplay of planning and adaptation. If you enjoy Onitama, explore more from our list of the best dueling board games.

Five Tribes

### Five Tribes

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 14+Players: 2-4Playtime: 40-80 minsInspired by Mancala, Five Tribes translates the concept into a modern strategy game. You pick up groups of colored pieces, and the final tile determines your actions for the round. The board state changes, affecting future moves, making each turn a strategic puzzle. With two players, you get double turns, adding another layer of strategy.

The Fox in the Forest

### The Fox in the Forest

0See it at Amazon

Age Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsThe Fox in the Forest is a trick-taking game that works brilliantly with two players. Using a three-suit deck with special powers for odd-numbered cards, it creates a unique gameplay experience. The scoring rewards winning either the majority or the minority of tricks, adding strategic depth. It's fast, fun, and innovative, making it a great choice for couples.

7 Wonders: Duel

### 7 Wonders: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 mins7 Wonders: Duel refines the original 7 Wonders into a superior two-player experience. You draft cards to create point-scoring sets representing ancient civilizations, but instead of the standard pick and pass, you draft from a pyramid of overlapping cards. This adds a timing element, balancing your best picks against giving more options to your opponent.

Schotten Totten

### Schotten Totten 2

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2Playtime: 20 minsA classic from 1999, Schotten Totten remains engaging today. You battle across nine stones, trying to create Poker-style three-card combos. The tension arises as your opponent guesses your meld, and you hope to draw the right cards. Strategy involves playing probabilities, enhanced by special power tactics cards. You can also play a different game, Lost Cities, with the same cards.

Splendor: Duel

### Splendor: Duel

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 10+Players: 2Playtime: 30 minsSplendor: Duel refines the original Splendor, making it ideal for couples. As master jewellers, you pick gems from a board with placement rules, vying for three victory conditions. Special effects add variety to your strategies, creating a delightful two-player experience.

Sea Salt & Paper

### Sea Salt & Paper

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 2-4Playtime: 30-45 minsThis abstract card game by Bruno Cathala combines classic gameplay elements. You build sets by taking cards, either randomly or from a discard pile. Pairs of certain cards have special effects like taking extra cards or stealing from an opponent. The game ends when players choose, adding a gambling element. It's best enjoyed with two, and its unique origami artwork is a bonus.

Dorfromantik: The Board Game

### Dorfromantik: The Board Game

0See it at AmazonAge Range: 8+Players: 1-6Playtime: 30-60 minsInspired by the relaxing video game, Dorfromantik lets you build your rural utopia hex by hex. It includes a campaign mode with new content revealed as you progress, adding excitement to each game. Sharing these discoveries with a partner enhances the experience. For a deeper look, check out our review of Dorfromantik: The Board Game.