These are the winners of Speelgoed van het Jaar 2024
The winners of Speelgoed van het Jaar 2024 have been announced! Earlier this year, the expert jury selected three winners per category. Over the past period, you have been able to vote. During the Speelgoed Gala on Thursday evening, it became clear which games received the most votes from the public. These winners will take home the Golden Public’s Choice Award!
Spelgoed van het Jaar stands for ‘good toys’. This means that the toys are safe to play with, come with a clear explanation in Dutch, and are made from high-quality materials. The expert jury also pays extra attention to originality, sustainability, and playfulness.
In total, there are seventeen categories in which people could vote. Among these, there are four different categories focused on games. Below you will find the participants and winners from these categories:
Public’s Choice Children’s Games: KattenKwaad
Every year, many fun new children’s games hit the market. According to Speelgoed van het Jaar, Raptor Race by Asmodee, Gigantosaurus by MNKY Entertainment and KattenKwaad by Megableu are the best of the year.
It’s funny to see that two of the games feature dinosaurs as the main characters. In Raptor Race, a horse race takes place with velociraptors. Each player has three favorites that they hope to get across the finish line first. The board game Gigantosaurus is based on the popular animated series. Each player takes on the role of a dinosaur and tries to complete a personal shopping list. You can move faster on the board by hitching a ride on the back of Gigantosaurus.
However, the public did not choose dinosaurs, but cats! In KattenKwaad, you play as a cat. Each player takes a stroll along the garden fence. But watch out! A wrong roll causes the bulldog to go wild. Before you know it, you’ll be flying through the air in fright and have to start over again.
The jury finds it an exciting and hilarious adventure. The playful interaction and simple rules make the game a joy for young children. It’s a perfect blend of play and toy.
Public’s Choice Family Games up to 12 years: Break-Out
n the category of Family Games for children up to 12 years old, Battle Royale by Identity Games, Drakenherders by 999 Games, and Break-Out: Escape the Dungeon by Smart Toys en Games were selected by the expert jury. Three very different games, each with its own mechanics and objectives. In Battle Royale, you play tactically. The playing field keeps shrinking, but which player will remain standing as the last one? The card game Drakenherders lets you collect dragons and exchange them for amulets at the right moment. It may seem simple, but the requirements to earn an amulet change constantly!
The Golden Public Award in this category goes home with Smart Toys en Games for the game Break-Out. A cube-shaped dwarf must roll through the labyrinth in the right way to smuggle the loot outside. Here’s what the jury says: “This puzzle game is a striking standout. It features an attractive mix of clever mechanisms hidden within the game board. This makes the seemingly simple game challenging for all ages.”
Public’s Choice Family Games fro 12+: Sky Team
There are plenty of fun games this year for older kids as well. The favorites in the category of Family Games for ages 12 and up are Harmonies by Asmodee, Royale: Party at Louis’ by Jolly Dutch, and Sky Team by 999 Games. Do you have strong spatial reasoning skills? Then Harmonies might be for you. By building strategically, you create an attractive ecosystem and try to bring animals into your world. If such a peaceful game isn’t your style, try the chaos of Royale: Party at Louis’. In this game, you must satisfy all the noble guests by serving them the right dishes. As you would expect from demanding guests, each noble has specific preferences, turning the game into a puzzle.
However, the most votes went to the cooperative game Sky Team. This game is played by two players, and you’ll need to communicate well. As the captain and co-pilot, you must work together to land the plane safely. The jury describes Sky Team as an impressive mix of cockpit simulation and an exciting two-player game. There are various scenarios to play, each with increasing difficulty, making the game highly replayable.
Earlier this year, Sky Team also won the title of Best Family Game at the Dutch Game Award. You can read more about that here.
Public’s Choice Expert Games: Forest Shuffle
Expert games are known for their longer playtime, more complex setup, and the need for a good dose of insight and strategy. These are the games you bring out during a board game night, where you might end up playing for around an hour and a half. One such game is Intarsia by 999 Games, where you restore a wooden parquet floor and puzzle to fill the patterns with the right pieces. The game features many wooden components and is beautifully designed. Another new but familiar game is Wyrmspan by 999 Games. This is a reimagined version of Wingspan, but as the name suggests, this time it’s not about birds, but dragons!
However, the public’s favorite in this category is Forest Shuffle by Asmodee. In this strategic card game, you build your forest by playing cards. Which animals and plants will you allow in your forest, and which cards will you use for other actions? The jury’s assessment highlights that the game offers countless strategies and puzzle options. This makes it an intriguing and immersive experience for both experienced players and newcomers alike.
Public’s Choice Kidult, 18+: Hitster Summer Party
This category doesn’t always focus on games. It’s all about toys for adults. The word “Kidult” is a blend of “Kids” and “Adults.”
This year, we’ve been spoiled! All three winners are games. In the cooperative game Medical Mysteries by Identity Games, you work together as a team in a hospital. Can you figure out what’s wrong with the patient and help them survive the night within an hour?
Do you have Koehandel (the Dutch classic) in your cupboard? The refreshing new version, Koehandel Festival by Ravensburger, is described as “the remake you didn’t know you needed.” Enjoy this classic once again, full of strategy and interaction.
But the public’s favorite is Hitster Summer Party by Koninklijke Jumbo. Hitster is a real hit and has appeared at many parties. This new version is packed with summer hits from all eras. You can almost feel the sun shining as these songs play. The jury called it a fantastic addition to any summer gathering or game night.
We congratulate all the winners and are expecting to see many of these games on our dining table in the coming time! Whether you’re looking for a fun activity or need inspiration for your wish list next month: dive into the Public’s Choice winners and all the other Speelgoed van het Jaar winners. Guaranteed great toys!