Top 10 tabletop games and TCGs to look forward to in 2025Lucy OrrLucy OrrPublished January 27, 2025 1:00amUpdated January 27, 2025 1:54am Tabletop gaming has never been more popular (Games Workshop)GameCentral looks forward to a new year of board game and trading card releases, with news on Warhammer, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Dungeons & Dragons, and more.2025 is the year of the trading card game. In every gaming caf across the country you have to fight through swathes of One Piece players just to get to the counter, while social media is rife with rumours of the new League Of Legends Project K. The trading card game calendar is filling up with big events, such as The Pokmon World Championship in Anaheim, California and theres plenty of desperate Disney fans keen for Lorcana to announce the date of their World Championship event.The Pokmon Company has also had huge success with the Pokmon Trading Card Game Pocket mobile app, which continues to top the mobile game charts and is due to introduce online trading at the end of this month, which will completely shake up the meta. UK trainers are also hoping that the McDonalds X Pokmon happy meals will make their way to the UK, as they have codes for Pocket digital currency.If card games arent your thing dont worry, as theres plenty of other interesting tabletop games coming out this year, with many more to be announced in the months to come, but for now these are the most exciting new releases that have been confirmed so far.Warhammer: Age Of Sigma Soulblight GravelordsThe Las Vegas Open tabletop convention in January had a lot to get excited about, including some shapely new Eldar figures, but what I cant stop thinking about, now the paint has dried on Hera the Bride of Deaths questionable features, is the new Soulblight Gravelords miniatures. The new miniatures showcase some stunning new sculpts, reinforcing the factions undead dominance with a mix of fresh characters and units. These models are impressively creepy, with sharp details that capture an eerie, otherworldly vibe.At the heart of the new wave are some imposing leaders, including a vampire lord called Prince Vhordrai, the Master of the Crimson Keep, astride the zombie dragon Shordemaire, Lord of Revenants. The attention to detail is exceptional, with sculpting that embraces the factions gothic horror aesthetic, from the haunting faces to the gnarled, decayed armour and rotting Draconith wings.Release Date and RRP: TBC Gotta collect em all (The Pokmon Company)Pokmon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet-Journey Together Elite Trainer BoxWith many shops in the States limiting the number of boxes trainers can buy in a single outing, Im beginning to think the world has gone Pokmon crazy. You had to have quick fingers when the latest Journey Together Elite Trainer Box came up on the Pokmon Center website, because if you blinked you missed it. Packed with exclusive content, including special foil cards, a set of booster packs, and premium accessories, its clear why everyone is desperate to get their hands on it.The gorgeous art features fan favourite pokmon in vivid new designs, including the return of Trainers Pokmon cards that indicate who owns which pokmon. So, I cant wait to see cards with the more recent trainers, such a Lillie and Marnie. Other cards Im excited for are competitive powerhouse Lycanroc, whose new move Spike Energy sees damage counters forced on opposing Pokmon for a boost to the move Grabbing Fangs. But the one everyone wants the most is the secret rare card of Articuno showering snowflakes across your playmat.Release Date: March 28, RRP: 54.99 Not horrible news at all (Ravensburger)Horrified Dungeons & DragonsThis is the fifth in Ravensburgers cooperative game franchise Horrified, which pitches players against all kinds of different legendary monsters, and now its the turn of the Dungeons & Dragons bestiary. Most prominent on the artwork so far is the bug-eyed Beholder, often referred to as the Sphere of Many Eyes and an instantly recognisable Dungeons & Dragons monster, but three further creatures are yet to be announced (can anyone say Mimic?).The game uses the same gameplay mechanics seen in all the earlier Horrified editions, except with the introduction of a 20-sided die. The game has been designed by Peter Lee, the mind behind almost a dozen Dungeons & Dragons board games, as well as the Horrified Universal Monsters game.Release Date: summer, RRP: around 30 Yet another new set (Ravensburger)Disney Lorcana Set 9: FabledHot on the heels of info about Archazias Island and Reign Of Jafar, Ravensburger has just announced another new Lorcana set, which is coming in the third quarter of 2025. Set for release around the second anniversary of this still comparatively young trading card game, the newest Lorcana set reveal hints at a classic Disney character vibe (think Steamboat Willy) and a hark back to the much-loved movie characters of old.Apart from the launch visual depicting Mickey and Minnie making googly eyes at each other, the main takeaway from the teaser info is the tagline power in the tales we tell. Also, if youre a fan of the franchise, like me, and just watched the North American Challenge, youll be keen to learn when and where the much-anticipated, first ever Lorcana World Championship will take place.Release Date and RRP: TBCThe Fellowship Of The Ring: Trick-Taking GameThe first of a slew of Lord Of The Rings titles to hit the tabletop world this year, this game has a box as pretty as the One Ring itself. Designed for two to five players, it cleverly weaves thematic elements into the traditional trick-taking format, where you play a card each turn into a trick, which matches the same suit as the lead player.So, if Frodo plays a Hill card the next player should try to match that with Hill as well, with the winner being the character with the highest value card. This format allows players to win tricks and to progress through the chapters creating a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.Each card reflects a part of the epic struggle against good and evil, with suits representing iconic characters and locations such as Bag End and the Lonely Mountains. The addition of special abilities, tied to specific cards such as Gandalfs Strategic Insight or The Burden of the One Ring, adds a layer of strategy that enhances replayability. The games clever design ensures every round feels narratively rich, while maintaining the core competitive essence of trick-taking.The Art Nouveau aesthetic and production quality are top notch, making this a treasure worthy of The Great Hall of Thrin. Newcomers to trick-taking games may need some guidance, but as a Tolkien fan I loved it.Out Now, RRP: 24.99Dungeons & Dragons Monster ManualThe updated Monster Manual promises to be a treasure trove for Dungeon Masters and your Dungeons & Dragons party will get a thrill out of its new offerings, especially if the amazing Mind Flayer alternate artwork cover is anything to go by. Building upon the iconic 5th Edition version, this revision introduces expanded lore, reimagined creature designs, and refined mechanics to breathe new life into encounters both familiar and fresh.Wizards of the Coast has teased revamped stat blocks that emphasise dynamic combat and storytelling flexibility, giving Dungeon Masters more tools to challenge and surprise players. New artwork showcases impressive reinterpretations of classic monsters, from menacing dragons to sinister aberrations, while also introducing a roster of 500 entirely new horrors ready to terrorise your table just dont mention the Arch-Hag or upset the primaeval Owlbear.Im particularly intrigued by the inclusion of legendary upgrades for some lesser-used creatures, enhancing their tactical depth. While some purists may lament changes to established lore, most of us couldnt be more excited to do battle with a revamped Mind Flayer.Release Date: February 18, RRP: 59.99 Its like Final Fight but in board game form (Steamforged Games)Street Masters: Tide Of The DragonNot going to lie, Im extremely keen to hear literally anything new about Segas Streets Of Rage Revolution video game, but in the meantime the Street Masters miniatures game from Steamforged looks like an exciting distraction. Tide Of The Dragon is the latest standalone expansion to the hit co-operative beat em-up board game, Known for its fast-paced combat and immersive storytelling.This new instalment and standalone expansion introduces a gritty, Hong Kong-inspired setting where you take on the role of a martial artist battling against ruthless triads, enigmatic assassins, and shadowy criminal overlords. Featuring new fighters, stage decks, and an expansive story-driven campaign, the game promises even more tactical depth and replayability. Im especially keen to try out the new mechanics tied to the Dragon Gauge, which allows players to unleash devastating abilities as they build momentum through combat.Pre-Order until: Feb 25, RRP: 49.99 Gladiator has quite the costume (Atomic Mass Games)Marvel Crisis Protocol War Of Kings Crisis Card PackWith Kraven the Hunter managing to hit new Metacritic lows at the box office its good to see some positive superhero hype on the tabletop, in the form of Marvel Crisis Protocol. While Asgard has been dominating this miniatures games meta with hammers (and Kaiju Thor) rather than strategy, the game is about to get a brand new card pack to shake things up. It features five new Extract Crisis Cards and five new Secure Crisis Cards, all inspired by the events of the War Of Kings comic book storyline.These cards provide the synergy to create a new campaign system, with five new narrative missions, and will add new ways of playing the game, so its bound to sell out if you dont pre-order. Along with the cards, you get Gladiator, leader of the Imperial Guard, who deals huge damage with his Praetor Punch move.Release Date: March 14, RRP: 44.99Yu-Gi-Oh! Blue-Eyes White Dragon DestinyIs it time to fall back in love with Yu-Gi-Oh? Theres something about the simplicity of this trading card game that means it holds a special place in my heart. Blue-Eyes White Dragon Destiny delivers a thrilling homage to one of the franchises most iconic monsters, that everyone has been wating for. Whether youre a long-time duellist or new to the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, this set feels like a celebration of what makes the Blue-Eyes White Dragon an enduring symbol of power and majesty.The 50 card deck is packed with new support cards, as the set revitalises classic strategies while introducing innovative new ways to compete. The Neo Kaiser Sea Horse card is especially useful for its flexibility and revival qualities, as it maintains the synergy between spell and trap cards. The standout, as usual for Yu-Gi-Oh!, is the artwork; gorgeously rendered new visuals elevate these cards and Im keen to get my hands on one of the Quarter Century secret rare versions of Maiden of White, Wishes of the Eyes of Blue, or the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Spirit Dragon.More TrendingRelease Date: February 12, RRP 11.99 A very different kind of Magic: The Gathering theme (Wizards of the Coast)Magic: The Gathering AetherdriftThe latest Magic: The Gathering set is a breath of fresh air, fusing high-octane racing with the franchises signature multi-planar storytelling. Set against the dazzling backdrop of Avishkars Ghirapur Grand Prix, this expansion combines speed, strategy, and chaos in a way that feels both bold and refreshing.The 10 racing teams include the artefact-fuelled precision of the Guidelight Voyagers and the anarchic mayhem of the Goblin Rocketeers, as every faction brings unique mechanics to the track. The Alacrian Quickbeasts reintroduce the saddle mechanic, offering clever synergies, while the Speed Demons exude a retro 80s vibe led by Winter a character bursting with personality. Beyond its thematic novelty, Aetherdrift introduces clever new gameplay twists, including Exhaust which is a mechanic that helps create resource management with tactical depth.Release Date: February 14, RRP: Commander Deck 39.99Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy