For 2003, 75 gamers and one gaming group provided the data his list is based on -- so the list can be accurately described as reflecting the games that serious gamers play. According to Jackson's data, the most-played game of 2003 was Puerto Rico, a strategy game that was my pick for the best game of 2002 and is third on my list of the Top 10 Must-Have Games.
Gamers sent Jackson two lists: one that reflected how many games they played 10 or more times, and one that reflected how many games they played 5 to 9 times. Jackson compiled this data and created the following lists.
To calculate each game's point total, he awarded games 5 points for each gamer who listed a game as something they'd played 5+ times, and 10 points for each gamer who listed a game as something they'd played 10+ times. Percentage numbers refer to the overall percentage of gamers who listed a game (both 5 and 10+ plays).
Most Played Games of 2003
1. Puerto Rico, 375, 63%
2. Carcassonne*, 245, 45%
3. Crokinole, 220, 33%
4t. Coloretto, 200, 37%
4t. Liar's Dice/Bluff, 200, 32%
6. Balloon Cup, 175, 34%
7t. King's Breakfast, 170, 29%
7t. Mystery Rummy (series)**, 170, 29%
7t. Settlers of Catan***, 170, 29%
10. Lost Cities, 165, 30%
11. Ra, 155, 26%
12. Can't Stop, 150, 28%
13. Transamerica, 145, 29%
14. Europa Tour, 140, 25%
15t. Zirkus Flohcati, 140, 24%
15t. Amun Re, 135, 28%
15t. Alhambra, 135, 24%
15t. Paris Paris, 135, 22%
19. Schotten-Totten/Battleline, 130, 26%
20. Clans, 125, 24%
21. Tichu, 115, 18%
22. Bohnanza, 110, 22%
23. Lord of the Rings - The Confrontation, 105, 18%
24t. Take 6, 100, 21%
24t. Bang!, 100, 17%
* includes all expansions to the original game but not stand-alone related
games (Ark of the Covenant, Hunters & Gatherers, the Castle)
** adds all four Mystery Rummy games together
*** includes all expansions to the original game but not stand-alone related
games (Starfarers, Nurnberg, Zarahelma, etc.)
Fresh Faces (Most Popular Games Released in 2003)
1. Coloretto, 200, 39%
2. Balloon Cup, 175, 34%
3. King's Breakfast, 170, 29%
4. Europa Tour, 140, 25%
5t. Amun Re, 135, 28%
5t. Alhambra, 135, 24%
5t. Paris Paris, 135, 23%
8. Clans, 125, 24%
9. Age of Steam, 90, 20%
10. New England, 80, 18%
11. Edel, Stein & Reich, 75, 17%
12t. Attika, 65, 13%
12t. Mystery Rummy 4 - Al Capone, 65, 12%
Many thanks to Mark for collecting this data and allowing me to post some of it here. His entire work is much more thorough, including historical analysis and additional lists.
