ComicBook.com's 2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Tabletop

Card Games

Space Battle Lunchtime

Publisher: Renegade Game Studios

Space Battle Lunchtime isn't just a delightful comic series from Oni Press any longer, as it is now an equally delightful and immensely addictive card game from Renegade Game Studios. The premise of a cooking competition in outer space is a surreal one but Renegade utilizes the theme perfectly, with art from the comics and a gameplay loop that's incredibly easy to pick up after just a turn or two. You'll be creating amazing dishes in and earning points in no time.

You can pick it up here.

Dark Nights Metal: DC Metal Deck-Building Game

Publisher: Cryptozoic

Cryptozoic's original DC Deck-Building Game is already one of my favorite deck-builders of the past few years, and now it just got one of its most interesting expansions yet. Not only do you get a new subtype of cards to collect and use in Metal cards, but you also get the ability to control multiple heroes after you rescue them from the clutches of the Batman Who Laughs. Those new additions give the game an injection of welcome energy, and if you like the original storyline, you're going to dig the new Dark Nights Metal themed cards, locations, and abilities, so do yourself a favor and check it out. You can find the game right here.

You can pick it up here.

Party Games

MTV: The Throwback Music Party Game

Published By: Big Potato Games

Big Potato Games' had a hit on its hands with the Blockbuster Party Game, and now it's taken another beloved nostalgia goldmine in MTV and run with it. The MTV Party Game has players attempting to use their musical knowledge to convey the song on their chosen cards to their team, though there are two phases to the game, which gives you multiple opportunities to succeed. Whether you're going to rattle off names of songs with the word love in the Head to Head challenge or want to perform something to get your team to guess the right answer, you'll have a chance to show off your skills, and everyone is bound to have a great time regardless of whether you win or lose.

You can pick it up right here.

Pop-Tarts Game

Published By: Funko Games

Most think of Pop-Tarts as delicious breakfast treats, but now they are part of a brand new game from Funko, and it's a game perfect for any game night. The goal is simple, as you are trying to collect 30 points to win, and to pick up Pop Tart cards (either toasted or from the fridge) you'll need to strategically use your Action Cards to manipulate the line and get Pop Tart cards onto your plate. It's easy to learn and fun to play, and what more could you ask for?

You can pick it up right here.

A Game of Cat and Mouth

Published By: Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens was a phenomenon when it hit, and now the same team is bringing you an all new game that ups the crazy factor. It's called A Game of Cat and Mouth, and you know you're in for something different just by taking a look at the board, which has a cat vomiting a rainbow and two paws on either side. You use the paws to slingshot balls through the Cat's open mouth, and if you can get them through to the other side you score points and pave the way to victory. It's a guaranteed hit with just about anyone and is trippy enough to leave an impression.

You can pick it up right here.

Experienced Gamers

Marvel Champions: The Rise of Red Skull

Published By: Asmodee and Fantasy Flight Games

For those looking for a superhero experience with depth, you can't go wrong with Marvel Champions, but there's a brand new expansion to the game that introduces new heroes to the mix (including the ever so amazing Spider-Woman), new villains to battle like Taskmaster and of course Red Skull, and a full campaign mode, which makes the already stellar game even better. If you've already got the core game this is a no-brainer, but even if you don't, it's still worth picking up both for an ultimately rewarding experience.

You can pick it up right here.

BattleCON: Devastation Remastered

Published By: Level 99 Games

BattleCON has become a fan favorite in the years since it first came to Kickstarter, and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Level 99 Games, the studio has released an enhanced version of the popular BattleCON: Devastation of Indines box set. The slick dueling card game has the same addictive gameplay you've come to love but features new artwork, packaging, and new experiences for you to master. No fighting game fan will want to miss out, because BattleCON has never looked better.

You can pick it up right here.

New Player Friendly

Funko Marvel Battleworld,

Published By: Funko Games

Funko has dominated the collectible space, and they managed to bring some of those same sensibilities to tabletop with a game that anyone can learn in a matter of minutes. Battleworld combines delightful collectible heroes with a genuinely fun set of mechanics that is only growing with new expansions and accessories +lime the amazing Thanks). It's addictive to gain new heroes, and the roster is far more varied than you would necessarily expect, so this is an easy recommendation for just about any fan.

You can pick up the Series 1 Mega Pack Set here.

You can pick the Thanos Ship here.

Pandemic: Hot Zone - North America

Published By Z-Man Games

The Pandemic series is one of tabletop's most popular franchises, and with Pandemic: Hot Zone - North America Z-Man managed to create a package that puts approachability first without sacrificing what makes the game so addictive. You can pick up the game in a matter of a few turns, and despite the lack of campaign or larger board you'll still get a satisfying experience, and the best part is you'll likely get several sessions in because of the tighter ruleset. This is the perfect entryway into the series, though has enough depth to keep longtime players entertained.

You can pick it up right here.

Story Games

Forgotten Waters

Published By: Plaid Hat Games

If you've ever wanted to be a pirate, look no further than Plaid Hat Games' Forgotten Waters. The game puts you in the role of a ship's crew, and each player will be responsible for the teams' success in their own unique way. Whether you're tracking the ship's rations, loading the cannons, or keeping a lookout for land and enemy ships, you'll feel like a part of a well-oiled machine as you maneuver through an ever changing narrative that will always feel unique every time you play. You're going to live the pirate's life for sure, so grab an eye patch and a hat and get ready for a rollicking good time.

You can pick it up right here.

Pandemic Legacy Season 0

Published By: Z-Man Games

While North America boils the franchise down to its essential mechanics, Pandemic Season 0 also does a bit of streamlining but doesn't lose any of its depth and adds a thrilling narrative to the mix. An immersive campaign set in 1962 in the midst of the Cold War will have you working with the CIA attempting to stop a Soviet Bioweapon, and since it's a prequel to the other seasons you can just jump right in here if you've never played the series. Mechanics are streamlined and expanded in interesting ways, including the removal of Outbreaks, though Secret Agents will quickly throw all your plans into chaos if too many land in one spot, and that's before we get into factions and teams. The franchise continues it's hitting streak, and this is the perfect time to hop in.

You can pick it up right here.

Licensed Games

Marvel United

Published By: CMON and Spin Master Games

Some of Marvel's biggest heroes leap to your tabletop in Marvel United, a cooperative adventure that has players working as a team of Avengers to take down villains like the Red Skull, Taskmaster, and more, and it's a game any Marvel fan will love. The game requires you to be quick on your feet in response to the chaos villains cause on their turns, and you'll also need to work as a team in every facet of the game to win, as your actions will directly benefit the next player, and can go a long way to either turning the tide or keeping your momentum. It doesn't hurt that the miniatures are out of this world, making for a Marvel game that should appeal to just about any fan.

You can pick it up right here.

WWE DiceMasters

Published By: WizKids

WizKids is home to some big-time games, including WWE HeroClix, and that would certainly make a worthy pick here. That said, I'm actually going to go with WWE DiceMasters instead, and there are several reasons. Like HeroClix, DiceMasters will take a few turns to really get the hang of, but the core gameplay loop is easier to grasp compared to HeroClix, and soon you'll be moving around dice on your mat like a pro. That loop is also quite addictive, and because of the sheer number of superstars available in the Campaign Box and additional Tag Team and Legends sets, you'll get an absurd amount of replayability out of the game with a rather low bar of investment. Throwdowns are a blast in this game, so if you want something a little different but no less compelling for the WWE fan in your life, DiceMasters might be just the thing.

You can pick it up right here.

A Few Favorites

Marvel Splendor

Published By: Asmodee and Space Cowboys

Splendor is already a modern classic, so it might be difficult to see how it can improve. Crazily enough Space Cowboys managed to do just that with Marvel Splendor, which gives the game a Marvel makeover and utilizes the theme brilliantly. The art used on the cards is gorgeous and features all the heroes and villains you've come to love, and having the Infinity Stones as Tokens not only looks cool but also seamlessly weaves into the new trigger needed to win the game, and that's in addition to the new Avengers Assemble tile that can change the balance of power all the way through to the end of the game. In short, it makes an already great game better, so don't hesitate to pick it up.

You can pick it up right here.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game

Final Fantasy continues to be one of the biggest franchises around, and while there is no shortage of games to start playing within the series, you might want to take a look at the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game. The game has been growing for quite a bit over the past few years, and just released a new set in October. Don't let that intimidate you though, as Square Enix has numerous Starter Sets for the game available that feature two full decks for you to try out and play against a friend. Some starter decks also theme themselves around certain games in the franchise, but there are cards from all over in the set, so if you've been looking for another way to enjoy the franchise, this might be the perfect game for you.

You can pick it up right here.

Power Rangers: Heroes of the Grid - Rise of the Psycho Rangers

Published By: Renegade Game Studios

Power Rangers: Heroes of the Grid has become a fan favorite, as it embraces so many of the epic characters and concepts of the franchise with addictive and team-focused gameplay, and now In Space fans are getting their favorite Rangers brought to the hit game. Rise of the Psycho Rangers brings the same thrilling gameplay while spotlight some of the biggest Ranger villains of all time in the Psycho Rangers, and players will find new abilities to utilize as you try and take them down. It also features a new one player mode titled Mastermind Mode, so if you've been waiting to jump in, this is the perfect way to do so.

You can pick it up right here.