Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the various board games; for 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 to complete missions, with multiple paths available depending on chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also offer excellent solo gameplay experiences.

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Want to jump straight to the games and expansions? Scroll above. For a deeper dive into the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

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

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where players work together against terrifying threats. Choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat monstrous beings. Multiple campaigns offer high replayability due to the significant luck element and potential for chaotic events. Be warned: this is a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance the base game:

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion
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
MSRP: $44.99 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+
A medium-sized expansion with three new scenarios, three new investigators, and exploration of French Hill.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
MSRP: $32.99 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+
A smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four new investigators.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These standalone games offer separate Arkham adventures:

Elder Sign

MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+
A dice-rolling game, the most accessible in the Arkham Files franchise, with six 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 standalone.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+
An app-driven dungeon crawler, playable solo or with up to five players. The app handles narrative, rolls, and game direction.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

Two app-driven expansions exist:

Mansions of Madness: Path of the Serpent Expansion
MSRP: $69.99 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
MSRP: $39.19 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Unfathomable

MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+
A social deduction game with a seafaring theme, best played with five or six players. One player is secretly a traitor.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Eldritch Horror

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

Explore the Arkham universe through online versions of some games and the Arkham Horror tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG).

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

The Arkham Horror TTRPG offers a new way to experience the universe. Begin with the starter set before progressing to the core rulebook.

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
MSRP: $34.99 USD Players: 2-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Core Rulebook
MSRP: $49.99 USD Players: 2-6 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

Video Game Versions

Digital versions exist for Arkham Horror and Elder Sign.

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers a diverse range of gaming experiences, enjoyable 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.