I play board games nearly every day, and these are 9 Prime Day deals I recommend

Ark Nova: was $74 now $55 @ Amazon
For fans of Terraforming Mars, Ark Nova is an improvement and features a better theme with much better art. This is one of the heaviest games on the list, but if you're ready to step up in difficulty, Ark Nova is a great game to try. The game can be intimidating to set up and play, but if you have the patience, you will find a game full of intriguing mechanics and numerous adaptive strategies to attempt.

Azul: was $39 now $28 at Amazon
Azul is an easy-to-learn tile-laying game that tasks 2-4 players with drafting colorful tiles from suppliers to their own board and then placing them down to decorate their own "palace", scoring points based on how they're laid. If you're looking for a strategic, but simple game that's suitable for all ages and experience levels, this is one to consider.

Catan: was $59 now $37 @ Amazon
Too often, things are labeled a "modern classic," but the nearly 30-year-old Catan is a modern game that can be considered a classic in the board game world. You have heard of this game, even if you haven't played it. In the last 30 years, mechanics have evolved and surpassed the play of Catan, but it's still a solid game that does what it does well. Like visiting a classic movie, it's good to see where other ideas came from.

Price Check:$37 @ Target

Herd Mentality: was $24 now $19 @ Amazon
Herd Mentality is abreezy party game that's easy to pick up and play. Flip over a card and read out a random question like, "What is the best Disney film of all time?" Players then write down the answer they think will be the most common among the group. If you're in the majority, you win points; if not, you'll be left with the dreaded pink cow of doom. It's a fun, simple premise, one which could see your next game night overtaken by a very heated debate over something as frivolous as the best brand of sneakers.

Marvel Champions: was $79 now $39 @ Amazon
You should check out Fantasy Flight Game's Marvel Champions if you're not sick of superheroes. You take a pre-built deck of cards and pick a superhero like Spider-Man, Iron Man or Captain Marvel. Then, you choose a villain and their scenario and duke it out in comic book style. It's colorful and delightful. Plus, there are plenty of expansions, bringing other Marvel heroes to the game.

Pandemic Legacy: Season 1: was $89.99 now $54 @ Amazon
The original Pandemic is still popular, and Pandemic Legacy Season 1 is primarily regarded as one of the best legacy games on the market years after its release. A legacy game is one where you make actual changes to the board or cards via stickers, writing, and sometimes throwing pieces away. Ultimately, you have a game unique to your group and the story you told while playing. If you've been curious about trying the legacy game format, this is the one to test out. 

Splendor: was $44.99 now $20 @ Amazon
When it comes to board games some of the joy is in the tactility of the game. Splendor has that in spades with chunky, poker-style chips that represent gems. The game is called an engine-builder, as you collect gems to pay for cards that let you buy more cards or gems. The loop is immensely satisfying, and while you wait your turn, you can play with the chips, which is a delight. If you prefer different themes, there is a Marvel and recently released 2-player versions.

Star Wars Legion: was $119 now $89 @ Amazon
If you've ever been curious about miniature war games like Warhammer 40K or Warmachine, then the Star Wars Legion base game might be for you. In these games, armies are assigned point values. This kit gives you a small army to dip your toes into the genre. Plus, it's Star Wars. If you find it enjoyable, you can get a complete starter set or tumble down the dangerous road of mini-painting, which is basically 80% of the hobby.

Ticket to Ride: First Journey: was $34 now $24 @ Amazon
This one is for the little ones in your life. The original Ticket to Ride isn't too hard for kids to understand, but First Journey makes it brighter, easier to read and a little smaller in scope. Still, my five-year-old son loves this game, and there's just enough luck combined with the strategy that he occasionally wins on his own. Plus, it's been teaching him some geography, and he's learning to read the city names.