Pandemic

Designed by Matt Leacock and published by Z-Man Games, Pandemic is a cooperative board game for 2 to 4 players, recommended for ages 10 and up. In Pandemic, players team up to stop the global spread of four deadly diseases. Each player takes on a unique role—like the Scientist, who can discover cures more easily, or the Operations Specialist, who can quickly establish research stations. Working together against the game itself, players must travel the globe, manage outbreaks, and find cures before time runs out. If they fail to cure all four diseases in time—such as after eight outbreaks—the entire team loses. With adjustable difficulty levels and a strong cooperative element, Pandemic offers a highly engaging experience. It was named Games magazine’s Family Game of the Year in 2008 and was our top pick for best overall board game.