Joybuy Insights

Buying Games: How to Choose the Right Board, Card and Video Games by Type

If you’re buying games, you’ll find a huge selection for families, children, adults and console players. But product images and short marketing copy don’t always show whether a game will suit your group. Often, it’s the details – age rating, number of players, language, platform or media format – that determine whether a purchase works in everyday life.

Common Pitfalls When Buying Games

1. Confusing Packaging with Content

With video games, a “Code in a Box” package can look just like a standard edition. However, it doesn’t contain a disc – instead, you get a one-time redeemable download code. This applies to certain editions of Grand Theft Auto VI for PS5 or Xbox Series X, for example. To activate, download and update the game, you’ll need a compatible user account, an internet connection and enough storage space.

2. Overlooking Age Ratings and Player Count

A game designed for 1–4 players isn’t automatically suitable for a larger group. Similarly, a title rated USK 0 isn’t necessarily a multiplayer game. With Nintendo Switch games, board games and card games, you should always check at least the USK or PEGI rating, the number of players and the recommended age group.

For example: Tomodachi Life: Where Dreams Come True has a USK 0 rating and is listed for one player. So it’s not the right choice for a group session with several people. A game like Super Mario Bros. Wonder, on the other hand, supports local play for up to four players.

3. “Family-Friendly” Doesn’t Tell You Much About the Gameplay

Family games can be fast-paced, strategic, cooperative or heavily luck-based. A game with lots of rules might not be suitable for younger children, while a simple party game may lack enough tactical depth for adults. Before you buy, it’s worth looking at the playing time, how the game works and how much concentration it requires.

These Buying Parameters You Should Check

Age Rating and Safety

The age rating is an important selection criterion, but it doesn’t replace your own judgement of the content. Small game pieces can pose a choking hazard for children under three. For games rated 8, 10, 12, 16 or 18+, you should take the recommendation seriously.

For children’s board games, you’ll also want manageable rules, clearly recognisable materials and a suitable playing time. With board games for adults, on the other hand, more complex mechanics, dark humour or challenging themes may take centre stage.

Number of Players and Playing Time

Check whether your actual group size matches what’s stated on the box:

  • Buying card games: often compact and suitable for 2–10 players, like UNO.
  • Buying board games: usually designed for 2–5 players, for example Ticket to Ride: Europe.
  • Escape room games: mostly cooperative for 1–4 players with a fixed story.
  • Strategy games: can last anywhere from 30 to 70 minutes or longer, depending on the title.
  • Party games: often work best with four or more players and need a chatty group.

A short playing time is great for spontaneous sessions. For regular players, replay value, extra scenarios or varying tasks are more important.

Platform, Edition and Media Format

With console games, the platform must match exactly. A PS5 title won’t automatically work on Xbox Series X or Nintendo Switch. You should also check whether it’s a standard or special edition, a disc or a digital download code.

With a Code in a Box, you get a retail package and an activation code, but no disc. Once redeemed, the code is tied to the relevant account. For games as gifts, compatibility with the console, account and region is especially important.

Our Selection for Different User Profiles

Best for: Budget-conscious beginners
UNO Card Game

UNO Card Game

Why this product suits the profile: This card game is designed for 2–10 players aged 7 and up, and you can start playing without a board or batteries.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The number of players and age group are clearly stated; there are no additional app, battery or console requirements.

Main benefit & strengths

112 cards, action cards and customisable Wild Cards; compact packaging.

Best for: Shoppers with high quality expectations
Asmodee Ticket to Ride: Europe

Asmodee Ticket to Ride: Europe

Why this product suits the profile: This edition combines route planning with accessible rules and is designed for 2–5 players aged 8 and up.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The number of players, age, language and approximate playing time are all listed, making it easier to plan a game session.

Main benefit & strengths

Route building, destination tickets and stations offer several tactical decisions within a single game.

Best for: Special uses & frequent players
Kosmos EXIT - The Game - Adventure on Catan

Kosmos EXIT – The Game: Adventure on Catan

Why this product suits the profile: This escape room game is designed for 1–4 players aged 10 and up, combining puzzles with a Catan-inspired storyline.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The entry difficulty level is stated. This means buyers can better match the puzzle challenge to their group before ordering.

Main benefit & strengths

Cooperative gameplay, tutorial and optional KOSMOS app; no batteries required.

Looking for more options?

We’ve put together a full, regularly updated list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and the safety regulations in force in the EU.

More Choices for Consoles and Game Sessions

For a younger family, children’s board games like Ubongo Classic (ages 8+) or Super Mario Bros. Wonder for Nintendo Switch are good options. If you’re after quick rounds with several people, you could consider party games like Hitster Original (ages 16+) or a classic card game.

Adults interested in tactical gameplay will find strategy games such as Azul, The White Castle or Sky Team with varying difficulty levels and player counts. For a session with dark humour, Verdammt Nochmal is strictly for ages 18 and up.

With PS5 games, you should also check whether a disc or a download code is included. The same goes for Xbox Series X games. A physical game like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for PS5 includes a Blu-ray disc according to the product description, while the GTA 6 editions mentioned are offered as digital codes without a disc.

FAQ on Buying Games

Which games are suitable as a gift?

When buying a game as a gift, you should first check the age, platform and group size. For families, Ticket to Ride: Europe, UNO or Super Mario Bros. Wonder are good choices. For adults, Hitster, EXIT or a more challenging strategy game could be suitable. With digital download codes, the recipient needs to have the right console and a compatible account.

What’s important when buying a digital download code?

Pay attention to the platform, region, account requirements and internet connection. A code can only be activated once and is then tied to a user account. With a “Code in a Box”, the packaging contains no disc. You’ll also need enough storage space for the download, installation and updates.

How long do board and card games last?

The lifespan depends mainly on storage and handling. Paper and cardboard materials should be kept dry and only cleaned with a dry cloth. Small pieces should go back in the original packaging after playing. For frequently used games, clear sorting trays or resealable bags are handy to keep cards, tokens and tiles complete.