In 2004, the quality of games published was quite remarkable. Here are my picks for the top 10 board games and card games published in 2004. Some are a bit more difficult to track down than others, but it's worth the hunt.
1. Ticket to Ride
Image courtesy of Days of Wonder
Ticket to Ride is an absolutely top-notch game with broad appeal, playing in less than an hour and providing a lot of depth without being complicated. Players compete to build railroad lines across the United States, trying to connect specific cities while preventing other players from reaching their goals. Winning requires a variety of smart strategic and tactical choices, giving Ticket to Ride considerable replay value.
2. HeroScape
Photo © Erik Arneson
HeroScape's subtitle is "The Battle of All Time" and it certainly is. Everything about this game is well done: the figures, the terrain, the rules, the scenarios. If you're at all interested in the theme (battles between warriors from many different ages -- from ancient armies to futuristic aliens), I strongly recommend that you try HeroScape.
3. Betrayal at House on the Hill
Image courtesy of Avalon Hill
Betrayal at House on the Hill is just great fun to play. Players explore a haunted house which is revealed during the game. Each player is a specific character; each character has specific strengths and weaknesses. Initially, they all work together. But one of the characters betrays the rest of the group, and at the end of the game, either the traitor or the innocents win. If you buy BaHotH, be sure to check Avalon Hill's web site for a must-read FAQ.
4. Memoir '44
Memoir '44, a World War II game, is a kind of sequel to Battle Cry, a U.S. Civil War game. They share similar systems, but Memoir '44 has streamlined everything just enough to where it feels like an almost perfect light war game. Memoir '44, which includes more than 100 plastic miniatures and focuses on the Normandy landings, won the 2004 International Gamers Award (IDA) as best two-player game, the consensus choice of gamers from around the world.
5. St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg won the 2004 IGA award as the best multi-player game, and again I think the jury made an excellent choice. Set in 18th century Russia, this game finds players trying to balance various concerns -- money, victory points and endgame profits -- to emerge as the winner.6. Power Grid
Players compete to supply cities with power in this board game, which offers numerous tense choices. For example, as you buy power plants (which you must do), more efficient plants become available to all players. Raw materials -- e.g. coal and uranium -- are also necessities, unless you rely on solar and wind-based power plants. As of this writing, Power Grid is the number six player-rated game at BoardGameGeek.com, out of more than 2,000 games rated.7. BuyWord
Designed by master game designer Sid Sackson, BuyWord challenges players to buy letters and then sell words at a profit. Naturally, the better letters cost more money. Players have to have good word skills, but it also helps to understand the concept of "buy low, sell high" in this game.8. San Juan
A card game based on the board game Puerto Rico (the top-rated game at BoardGameGeek.com), San Juan is a terrific game on its own merits. Players choose a role (e.g. builder, trader) and then take advantage of its ability; generally, the other players also get to perform a lesser version of the ability. When one player has completed 12 buildings, the game ends and the player who has earned the most victory points wins.9. Heroes Incorporated
The goal in this board game is to stop crime in various city neighborhoods in order to earn "hero points." Along the way, you might have to push other superheroes out of the way. Each players starts with two heroes, each with special powers. To stop a crime, you use your powers and roll dice trying to surpass the "crime level" in a neighborhood. Heroes Incorporated is easy to learn and fun to play, making it a great game for families.10. Snorta
This new party game comes with 12 plastic animals, 8 plastic barns, and 97 cards. Players choose an animal at random and -- after everyone sees it -- hide that animal in their barn. Cards are then played face up by the players, until a pair exists. When that happens, the two players involved try to be the first to make the noise of the other's hidden animal. The loser earns all of the cards in front of both players. Play continues until one player is out of cards.