Once you’ve been introduced to boardgaming, you may find yourself asking “Where do I get more?”. In this article, we will go over some of the most common ways hobbyists find and acquire new games.

FLGS (Your Friendly Local Game Store)

Believe it or not, boardgames are everywhere. Chances are you’ve driven by a local game store one hundred times without even realizing it. Game stores come in a variety of flavors, from shops dedicated to boardgaming, containing libraries of 100s of games, to comic and toy stores that may offer a smaller selection. Going into a game store may seem intimidating if you are new to the hobby, but you shouldn’t feel that way. Everyone there is excited about gaming and will be eager to help you find something you’ll enjoy, if you need the help.

Many board game stores will also host events, and you may see people playing games when you visit as well. Board game stores, like comic book stores and hobby shops, usually also carry a line of paints and supplies for painting miniatures, as well as a variety of collectible card games.

Not sure if you have a store near you? Use our search tool here to locate your FLGS.

Board Game Cafés

Board game cafes are becoming more popular as well, where you can explore games, play from their shared library, and even grab a drink and some food. They deserve their own category, because while they may be great places to explore new games or host a game night with friends, you may find the selection to purchase somewhat limited.

You can search for a local board game café using our search tool, here.

Big Box Stores

As boardgames because more popular and maintain stream, many big box stores such as Target, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart have expanded their selection of popular board games. You are more likely to find games from well-established publishers, strategy games suited for more general audiences, as well as party games at accessible price points. You may be hard-pressed to find specific expansions for Euros from overseas, but big box stores are a great place to pick up a game the whole family can enjoy, without the intimidation factor of sifting through a huge game library.

Learn about our favorite family games here.

Top ten boardgames you can buy at Target.

Comic Book and Hobby Stores

Sometimes all you have nearby is a comic book store who happens to also offer a selection of boardgames. You can sometimes find gems here, but do not expect the shop owners to be boardgame enthusiasts, let alone experts. Some shops have found a way to marry the two hobbies very well, and have staff dedicated to each; in many cases though, a store that specializes in comics will be more suited for a comic book enthusiast, and a boardgame store will offer a greater selection of boardgames. Hobby and toy stores tend to share a similar experience. You may find something interesting, but if you are looking for a great selection, you may want to temper your expectations before heading over.

Facebook Groups and Trades

If you are on social media, you may want to do a. Search for local or shipping-available boardgame trade and sales groups. Many gamers keep their collections fresh by selling or trading away gently used titles that do not suit their style, or just aren’t being played very often. You can usually get great deals on games this way, as the games are being bought and sold secondhand (even if they have never been opened!)

Crowdfunding

If you want to get your hands on a title with some extra perks for helping to fundraiser its development (and don’t mind waiting a while to actually play the game), crowdfunding has been a huge boon for the boardgaming community. Between Kickstarter and Gamefound, many games have been brought to fruition through pre-production funding. We have an entire article dedicated to crowdfunding, so if you are interested in investing, go check it out here.

Online retailers

As with everything, boardgames can also be purchased online through myriad methods. Websites, such as Miniature Market and Cool Stuff Inc. have boardgames for sale, and often offer discounts. These can be great places to find new releases, but stock of older games may be limited.

Many board game publishers also sell directly from their warehouses, and you can purchase their games through their websites. Because they are not selling through a distributor, sometimes they have the flexibility to bring prices down, or include incentives for purchasing multiple titles. Some publishers do not sell through distributors at all, so purchasing through their website is the only way to acquire their games.

Finally, Amazon and EBay are still go-tos for purchasing games both new and used. Many hobbyists will tell you to be wary of both, as well-produced fakes are often sold by dropshipping companies. As with anything of value made overseas, always be cautious where the goods are coming from, and if anything looks not quite right when your game arrives, contact the publisher and file a complaint with IPR and the FTC.