Pandemic review

Pandemic is the best cooperative game on this list: the players form one disease-fighting team, travel between world cities, treat infections and try to discover cures for four diseases before outbreaks and epidemics overwhelm the board. Everyone wins or loses together, which suits families where competitive games end in tears. Each player gets one of seven roles with a special ability, so the team has to plan around different strengths. GameNerdz lists it for 2 to 4 players aged 8 and up at about 45 minutes, and notes that it was inducted into the BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame in 2025. The box holds 96 disease cubes, 48 infection cards and 59 player cards. It lists at $49.99 and was $39.99 when we checked. The common complaint with cooperative games applies: one strong player can take over, so groups should agree to let each person decide their own turn.

Who it is for

Families who would rather win or lose together

Price

$49.99 list price; $39.99 at GameNerdz when checked.

2025 BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Inductee $39.99 $49.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Fully cooperative: all players win or lose together
• 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up, about 45 minutes
• 7 role cards with matching pawns give each player a special ability
• 96 disease cubes, 48 infection cards and 59 player cards
• Designed by Matt Leacock, published by Z-Man Games

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No losers at the table, which helps with kids who dislike losing to siblings
• Strength: GameNerdz lists it as a 2025 BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame inductee
• Strength: Seven roles change the team's plan from game to game
• Weakness: One confident player can end up directing everyone else
• Weakness: Four players maximum
• Weakness: New infections appear every turn, so the team can lose before finding all four cures

Key facts

• Publisher: Z-Man Games
• Designer: Matt Leacock
• Players: 2 to 4
• Play time: 45 minutes
• Age: 8+
• Price: $49.99 list, $39.99 at GameNerdz

Where it ranks

Pandemic is No. 6 in our Best Board Games verdict.