Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast library of games, so extensive that we've divided our buying guide into two parts. This guide focuses on the various board games; for information on the deck-building card games, please see our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-running franchise of cooperative horror board games. Players collaborate, communicating strategies to overcome challenging missions. Gameplay offers diverse paths depending on chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns, making them equally enjoyable as solo adventures when a group isn't available.

Featured in this article:

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

See it at Amazon

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion

See it at Amazon

Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion

See it at Amazon

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

See it at Amazon

Elder Sign

See it at Amazon

Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion

See it at Amazon

Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion

See it at Amazon

Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion

See it at Amazon

Elder Sign: Grave Consequences

See it at Asmodee

Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

See it at Asmodee

Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep

See it at Asmodee

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

See it at Amazon

Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion

See it at Amazon

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

See it at Amazon

Unfathomable

See it at Amazon

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion

See it at Amazon

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

See it at Amazon

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

See it at Amazon

Want to skip the descriptions and jump straight to the games and expansions? Scroll through the catalog above. For a deeper dive into the connections between the games and the broader Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where teams of investigators battle terrifying creatures. Choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat horrific beasts. Multiple campaigns and a significant element of chance ensure high replayability. Be warned: this game presents a significant challenge, with lengthy setup and playtime.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance the base game:

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $59.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This large expansion introduces underwater horrors, eight new investigators, and four new scenarios.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $44.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This medium-sized expansion adds three new scenarios, three investigators, and explores a new neighborhood.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $32.99 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

This smaller expansion offers two new scenarios and four investigators.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These standalone games offer unique Arkham adventures:

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+

A dice-rolling game playable by one to eight players, Elder Sign is the most accessible game in the Arkham Files franchise. It features six physical expansions.

Elder Sign Expansions

Elder Sign has six expansions: Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Grave Consequences is a standalone deck.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

An app-driven dungeon crawler, this standalone game combines physical components with an app for narrative guidance.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two expansions are available: Path of the Serpent and Beyond the Threshold.

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+

A social deduction game set on a ship escaping monstrous creatures. It includes a traitor mechanic.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

See it at Amazon

Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

A globe-trotting cooperative game with simpler rules and quicker setup than Arkham Horror.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

Eight expansions are available: Forsaken Lore, Mountains of Madness, Strange Remnants, Under the Pyramids, Signs of Carcosa, The Dreamlands, Cities in Ruin, and Masks of Nyarlathotep.

Other Ways to Play

Beyond board games, explore online versions and the Arkham Horror roleplaying game:

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $34.99 USD Players: 2-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

See it at Amazon

MSRP: $49.99 USD Players: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Video Game Versions

Digital versions of Arkham Horror and Elder Sign are available.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse gaming experiences, playable solo or with friends. While challenging and requiring significant setup time, the high replayability and unique Lovecraftian settings make them worthwhile for fans of the genre.