The German Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) is perhaps the world's most prestigious game award. Founded in 1978 by a group of German game critics to promote awareness and to increase the cultural value of games, the award recognizes outstanding games based on originality, playability, and educational value of the game idea; organization, clarity and understandability of rules; packing and layout of the gameboard and the game rules; and functionality and overall quality of the game materials included. (List courtesy of Funagain Games).

Spiel des Jahres 2005:

In the wild rapids of the Niagara River, fearless canoers battle the water and each other to collect gems along the riverbank. Of course, the most valuable gems are found furthest down-river, close to the waterfall. Yes, there is a waterfall, and careless canoers can fall over the waterfall. Also, players must return collected gems to land in order to be counted. At the end, the player who collects the most value in gems is the winner. Players play on a 3D board, representing the Niagara River and the falls. Canoes float down the river as the river flows, but players can row their canoes up-river or down-river to collect gems, to return them to shore, and to avoid the waterfall. This game is great fun for the family, but is strategic and gives players the chance to plan and steal from one another.

As in Jules Verne's famous story, the players in Around the World in 80 Days are members of a London Club at the beginning of the 20th century who bet each other on a round-the-world journey. Whoever can complete the journey in less than 80 days will win the bet and the accolades of his comrades. To accomplish this, the players will have to make good use of train and ship travel as they move from place to place. Along the way, they may have the opportunity to speed their travels with balloons and elephants. However, they must also avoid the over-zealous detective, who will slow their progress if he can catch up with them for interrogations in the places they visit. Naturally, events outside the control of the players may also play a part.

"Jambo!" is the friendly greeting Swahili traders offered their customers in Central Africa before colonization. The players are traders in this day, competing to be the first to earn 60 gold by selling tea, hide, fruits, salt, silk, and trinkets. The game is played with cards which represent goods, people (which can help you or hinder your opponent), and animals (which add a bit of spice to the game). Players take turns with up to 5 actions per turn until one player reaches the goal and wins the game.

You just got onto the path to victory, and now you have to take this blasted card. But remain calm, because the game's not over yet. The last card decides the winner here. Only then is the final scoring done. As the saying goes: He who laughs last, laughs best...

There's gold in them hills! With that cry prospectors race westward and Boomtowns are establishedthe gold rush is on. In Boomtown, you must compete with your fellow prospectors in a mad scramble to find your fortune in gold, but watch out for highwaymen, card sharks and crooked politicians. There are many ways to make a buck in Boomtown. Aim of the game: The players are prospectors, trying to find gold and get rich. Every turn, mining concessions are auctioned. Then gold is found on some concessions, depending on the die rolls. Players can also act as highwaymen, tavern owners, and politicians. Through many means are fortunes won. At the end of the game, the player with the most influence, the best mines and the most gold wins.

Power Grid is an energetic economic game! The object of the game is to supply the most cities with efficient and reliable power. In this new edition, players mark pre-existing routes between cities for connection and then compete against each other to purchase the plants that are used to supply the power. As plants are purchased, newer, more efficient power generating technologies become available. Players must acquire the raw materials like coal, oil, garbage, or uranium, to power their plants while having enough available funds to upgrade their plants for maximum efficiency. The player with the best strategy and ability to expand their network quickly will succeed in the end!

Spiel des Jahres 2004:

• Carcassonne: The Castle - An exciting tile-laying competition between two players to expand the castle.
• Dawn Under - In the false dawn before sunrise, the vampires search for a dark resting place for the day.
• Maharaja - The maharaja has called, and you must build magnificent houses and palaces in his name.
• Ticket to Ride - Balance greed with speed to build your railroad across America.

Spiel des Jahres 2003:

• Alhambra - Build the most beautiful and splendorous palace to be crowned the winner.
• Amun-Re - Build the most pyramids and offer the appropriate sacrifices to Amun Re.
• Balloon Cup - Compete in several balloon flights to earn trophies and fame.
• Clans - Set in late prehistory, your challenge is to build the largest and strongest clan.
• Coloretto - Like a Chameleon, a player must change his color many times during this game.
• Die Dracheninsel - You're a treasure hunter on dragon island looking for the legendary dragon hoard.
• Paris Paris - Build a successful tour bus line to earn the most money from the Parisian tourists.
• The Werewolves of Millers Hollow - Who among the villagers of Millers Hollow are werewolves?

Spiel des Jahres 2002:

• Blokus - A fascinating strategy game for the whole family, very easy to learn, yet challenging to play.
• Dvonn - A challenging stacking game with very simple rules - control as many pieces as possible by building stacks.
• Pizarro & Co. - Take the roles of the Kings who bid to hire the services of the best and most daring explorers.
• Puerto Rico - Be a settler, mayor, builder, craftsman, trader, or captain in 1543 Puerto Rico.
• San Gimignano - You're the head of an aristocratic family, trying to construct as many towers as possible.
• TransAmerica - It's America in the 19th century: railroads are booming and the pioneer spirit is everywhere.

Spiel des Jahres 2001:

• Babel - You and your opponent try to build and maintain temples in ancient Mesopotamia. How high can you go?
• Carcassonne - Develop the area around the southern French city of Caracassonne by placing land tiles.
• Cartagena - This game recreates the famous 1672 pirate-led jailbreak from the fortress of Cartagena.
• The Traders of Genoa - The players take the roles of traders in Genoa - can you earn the most ducats?

Spiel des Jahres 2000:

• Carolus Magnus - Try to gain the Emperor's favor - and perhaps the right of succession - in the court of Charlemagne.
• Frank's Zoo - A fun family card game with humor, interaction, partnership and strategy.
• Torres - Build the tallest and largest castles to earn the throne.