By: Blaze Aldrich | March 28, 2024
Knack, N. (2019)
The 15 Best Out of Print Board Games
There are tons of out of print board games that you shouldn't sleep on! Many great board games are discontinued not due to the lack of love gamers have for them, but there are many unfortunate reasons. Some of these reasons can include publishers losing the rights to print the games, losing licenses for certain produced games, profitability reasons, etc. That being said, I have listed 15 of the most desirable rare out of print games. This list is ordered from to least expensive to the most expensive. If you can find these gems below the average price, snag it if you can!
15. Santorini (2016)
Price: $40 - $55
Santorini board game is a playful 3-D type chess game. It's a simple enough board game that you could play with your kids or want to have an easy-going game night. Each turn consists of either a builder moving 1 space or building on each turn. To win the game, a player must move and reach the third level of a building. In addition to the game, players can use over 40 thematic god cards that give them abilities. Personally, since this is one of the cheapest on the list, the game is worth the money based on how fun and entertaining it is.
14. Balloon Cup (2003)
Price: $40 - $55
Balloon Cup card game is a fantastic 2 player game where high-valued balloons (cubes) are placed on mountains, and lower-valued balloons (cubes) are played on the plains. Players will then utilize their cards to match them with the corresponding colored cubes. Players can either put cards on their side or the opponent's side. The better balloonist takes the cubes from either the mountains or plains. When a player gets enough of the same color cubes, they are rewarded with 1 of the 5 trophies. The game is played until one of the balloonists wins 3 trophies. This game is quick and super simple to play. Through the years, this game has inflated in price from its retail price since there are not many copies out there.
13. Pagoda (2014)
Price: $45 - 60
Pagoda board game is another 2 player game that consists of, you guessed it... building pagodas. The art and style of the game is unique. Players start with 5 face-up and 2 face-down colored cards that they use to build corresponding colored pillars. The higher the pillar placed on the pagoda produces more points. In addition, players get special abilities for finishing the floor of a pagoda. Players go back and forth until 3 pagodas are fully built. Pagoda is a visually pleasing game that isn't too complicated for new gamers to pick up. I would definitely recommend this for a 2 player game.
12. Russian Railroads (2013)
Price: $55 - $75
In the board game of Russian Railroads, players compete to construct the most expansive and sophisticated railway system. To achieve this goal, players strategically deploy their workforce to undertake a variety of assignments. This includes initiating basic track constructions swiftly connects players to vital destinations, whereas upgrading their rail networks enhances operational efficiency. Advanced locomotives facilitate longer journeys, and enhanced technology is produced by bustling factories. If players use engineers effectively then they will have an edge over their competitor. As a result, winning the game.
11. Chinatown (1999)
Price: $70 - $85
Chinatown board game is all about using your negotiation skills. Players acquire ownership of sections of city blocks randomly. Completing businesses produce a higher payout so players are incentivized to trade to get matching businesses and adjacent locations. The price of this board game seems to increase every year with the limited amount of copies.
10. Scoville (2014)
Price: $75 - $90
Scoville board game involves players producing the best and hottest peppers that the town of Scoville craves. Players do this by crossbreeding different peppers when collecting peppers from two different fields such as red and yellow peppers. A Scoville round unfolds through a sequence of events, beginning with a blind auction to establish player order, followed by phases of planting, harvesting, and fulfillment.
9. Shadows over Camelot (2005)
Price: $90 - $120
Shadows over Camelot board game is a collaborative board game for 3–7 players. Players act as knights of the Round Table, completing quests like defeating the Black Knight or finding the Holy Grail. Success adds white swords to the Round Table, while failures add black swords or siege engines around Camelot. The goal is to gather more white swords before Camelot falls. Each turn, players take heroic actions and must also choose one of three actions that harm Camelot. Additionally, there may be a traitor among them, secretly working against the group.
8. Stockpile Epic Edition (2019)
Price: $175 - 225
Stockpile Epic Edition board game is the holy grail of stock market games for economic enthusiasts. Usually people see stock market games as dull and boring but Stockpile is none of those things. In Stockpile players/investors have individual insights aka insider information that provides clues on what's going to happen to each stock during each round. Knowing some information but not all, players either buy or sell stocks to benefit themselves. This game encourages player interaction and seamless game mechanics which helps forget that your playing a stock market game. The epic edition comes with all expansions for this game. If you can't get your hands on this edition, Stockpile standard edition is just as good and less expensive.
7. Battlestar Galactica (2008)
Price: $175 - $225
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game is a semi-cooperative game for 3-6 players, aged 10 and up, lasting 2-3 hours. Players assume roles on Galactica, choosing from pilots, political or military leaders, or engineers. Each receives a loyalty card (human or Cylon) and skill cards. Actions are taken on Galactica, Colonial 1, or in a Viper, collecting skill cards, defending against Cylon ships, and resolving Crisis Cards. Loyalty cards are redistributed, potentially revealing more Cylons. The Humans win by maintaining resources and Galactica until reaching Earth, while Cylons aim to sabotage and reveal themselves for victory. Players must attempt to expose the traitor while fuel shortages, food contaminations, and political unrest threatens to tear the fleet apart.
6. Chaos in the Old World (2009)
Price: $185 - $230
In Chaos in the Old World board game, you become a god with distinctive powers and followers, aiming to corrupt and dominate the world. Khorne craves battle, Nurgle revels in decay, Tzeentch schemes, and Slaanesh seduces. Compete against other Chaos powers and the inhabitants of the Old World. There are three ways to win as you reshape the world, corrupt the land, and battle rival followers. Each god has unique abilities and can upgrade their followers. Summon Chaos manifestations, hidden cultists, and powerful greater daemons to aid your conquest. There is also an expansion (Horned Rat), which usually cost more than the base game. I would recommend getting the expansion because it brings unique elements to the base game.
5. Forbidden Stars (2015)
Price: $185 - $235
Forbidden Stars board game challenges you and up to three others to lead powerful factions: the Ultramarines Space Marines, Eldar of Craftworld Iyanden, Evil Sunz Ork clan, or World Eaters Chaos Warband. Each faction has unique armies and strategies, aiming to secure key objectives across the Herakon Cluster. Build massive armies, dominate planets, strategize with cards, deploy structures, and advance your units to conquer foes. The game's three-phase structure blends short-term bluffing with long-term military tactics. Strategic placement of system tiles and starting forces adds depth. Exploit faction strengths and enemy weaknesses to triumph in the brutal struggle for dominance. Overall this game is explosive with entertainment and the combat mechanism is top notch.
4. Bus (1999)
Price: $210 - $245
In Bus board game players expand their bus fleet, extend routes, introduce new passengers via trains, and develop the city with additional buildings. A unique twist is the action board, where selecting certain actions means executing them last, leading to strategic challenges. Increasing the bus fleet allows carrying more passengers per run, potentially earning more points. However, finding passengers on the streets becomes challenging as the city develops. Bus routes extend from initial placements, with extensions added to either end. Parallel routes are allowed under specific conditions. New passengers arrive at train stations, influencing route planning. Diverse building types at intersections disrupt opponents' routes, prompting careful consideration during construction. The price of this game is even higher if you possess the 1st edition.
3. Shadow Hunters (2005)
Price: $225 - $260
Shadow Hunters board game is a survival board game set in a forest teeming with devilish entities. Three factions—Shadows, Hunters, and Neutrals—vie for survival amidst ancient conflict.
Players belong to one faction, concealing their identity while navigating the distrustful terrain. Through actions or Hermit cards, identities may be revealed, unlocking special abilities.
Victory hinges on identifying allies and enemies swiftly. Once exposed, enemies exploit abilities like Demolish or Teleport, or wield equipment like the Rusty Broad Ax. Only one faction—or an opportune civilian—will emerge victorious.
2. Discworld: Ankh-Morpork (2011)
Price: $250 - $300
Discworld: Ankh-Morpork board game is a whimsical silly game based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld book series. Each player possesses a hidden persona with specific win conditions, leading to uncertainty about opponents' objectives. Set in Ankh-Morpork, players strategically deploy minions and buildings using card mechanics. With 132 unique cards featuring renowned characters from the series, gameplay is immersive. Players follow straightforward rules: Play a card and execute its actions, which may include multiple choices. Some cards even enable chaining actions or playing an additional card. The collectors edition is worth close to $400 but to be brutally honest, the collectors editions isn't much different from the standard game.
Price: $425 - $500
Star Wars: Queen Gambit board game which once cost only $60 when it was first released in 2000 is now worth a whopping $425+. Inspired by the climactic battles of Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace, the game depicts four key conflicts: the Gungan-droid skirmish, Naboo's palace siege, Darth Maul's duel with Jedi, and Anakin's space battle. With 155 plastic miniatures spread over three boards, including a multi-level palace, gameplay is driven by dual decks of cards for each side. Players select and execute four actions from ten cards per turn, resolving combat with unique attack and defense dice. There are not many copies out there but if you find one, it will cost you an arm and a leg.
Bonus: Camp Grizzly (2011)
Price: $500+
Surprise! Here is another rare out of print board game that will make you have to take out a second mortgage on your home. Camp Grizzly: A survival horror board game for 1-6 players set in 1979. Players, as Camp Counselors, evade 'Otis', a killer with a bear obsession. Working together, they seek objectives to trigger one of four endings. But survival is tough. Otis hunts unarmed players each round, while armed ones fight back. As the body count rises, Otis grows stronger. Cabin Cards introduce game-changing effects, and Survival Cards offer unique abilities for evasion or confrontation.
Final Thoughts
There are so many excellent board games out in the ether that its hard to choose which one to buy. These Out of Print of board games are no exception. If you can find and afford these board games, they will definitely enhance your gaming experience! At Elevated Board Games we try to keep most of these on our online store but of course they sell ultra fast. Let us know if you have any questions about Out of Print board games, we would love to chat.
Email: elevatedboardgames@gmail.com
Website: www.elevatedboardgames.com
Comments