{"title":"Amelia's Top 5 Board Games of 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere are some great games releasing in 2026, most we're still waiting on to come in but these are some of the games I'm most excited to play this year and this list is sure to change and grow as we get more throughout the year!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"wyrmspan","title":"Wyrmspan","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou are an amateur dracologist in the world of \u003cem\u003eWyrmspan\u003c\/em\u003e, a place where dragons of all shapes, sizes, and colours roam the skies. Excavate a hidden labyrinth you recently unearthed on your land and entice these beautiful creatures to roost in the sanctuary of your caves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring a game of \u003cem\u003eWyrmspan\u003c\/em\u003e, you will build a sanctuary for dragons of all shapes and sizes. Your sanctuary begins with 3 excavated spaces—the leftmost space in your Crimson Cavern, your Golden Grotto, and your Amethyst Abyss. Over the course of the game, you will excavate additional spaces in your sanctuary and entice dragons to live there, chaining together powerful abilities and earning the favour of the Dragon Guild.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWyrmspan\u003c\/em\u003e is inspired by the mechanisms of \u003cem\u003eWingspan\u003c\/em\u003e, though its unique elements make \u003cem\u003eWyrmspan\u003c\/em\u003e a standalone game (not compatible with \u003cem\u003eWingspan\u003c\/em\u003e). It plays up to 5 players, and it is flexible in size for various tables due to 3 smaller central boards (instead of a single big game board). Each player mat is 475x290mm.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(1-5 players)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Let's Play Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47212882821356,"sku":"BH-57675311","price":119.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/71A5Dxf5ccL._AC_SL1500.jpg?v=1768854707"},{"product_id":"heat-pedal-to-the-metal","title":"Heat Pedal to the Metal","description":"\u003cp\u003eManage your race car's speed to keep from overheating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1–6 Players  |  30–60 Min  |  Age: 10+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on simple and intuitive hand management, \u003cem\u003eHeat: Pedal to the Metal\u003c\/em\u003e puts players in the driver's seat of intense car races, jockeying for position to cross the finish line first, while managing their car's speed if they don't want to overheat. Selecting the right upgrades for their car will help them hug the curves and keep their engine cool enough to maintain top speeds. Ultimately, their driving skills will be the key to victory!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrivers can compete in a single race or use the \"Championship System\" to play a whole season in one game night, customizing their car before each race to claim the top spot of the podium. They have to be careful as the weather, road conditions, and events will change every race to spice up their championship. Players can also enjoy a solo mode with the Legends Module or add automated drivers as additional opponents in multiplayer games.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCatch the Leader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeck, Bag, and Pool Building\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand Management\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimulation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAWARDS \u0026amp; HONORS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2022 Tric Trac Nominee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2022 Golden Geek Most Innovative Board Game Nominee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2022 Golden Geek Medium Game of the Year Nominee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2022 Golden Geek Best Thematic Board Game Nominee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2022 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork \u0026amp; Presentation Nominee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ychy0Tgegjk?si=5q0IAEaKLbAoeXqT\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/heat-pedal-to-the-metal-rulebook.pdf?v=1773792820\" class=\"book2look-open\"\u003eView Game Manual\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n","brand":"Asmodee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47234372796652,"sku":"BH-57676228","price":125.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/1-8bdad77bfd-273546414.webp?v=1773011377"},{"product_id":"fourth-wing-rise-of-the-wingleader-game","title":"Fourth Wing: Rise of the Wingleader Game","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFourth Wing: Rise of the Wingleader Game\u003c\/em\u003e, inspired by Rebecca Yarros's bestselling novel, is a light strategy board game that immerses players in key moments from the series, including the Threshing and the Riders Quadrant's political intrigue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFeaturing exclusive character illustrations developed in collaboration with Yarros's team, the game is designed for fans of the franchise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47400616526060,"sku":"BH-61209008","price":54.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/Fourth_Wing-_Rise_of_the_Wingleader_Game_Goliath_Games.jpg?v=1773779443"},{"product_id":"cascadia-alpine-lakes","title":"Cascadia Alpine Lakes","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCascadia: Alpine Lakes\u003c\/em\u003e is a new stand-alone tile-layering game in the Cascadia universe that takes the beloved tile and token-drafting and environment-building to new heights!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1-4 Players | 30-45 Mins | Ages 10+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this gorgeous puzzly tile-layering game for the whole family, players take turns drafting habitat tiles and wildlife tokens to build the most harmonious ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. Turns are simple: select a tile\/token set and place each into your expanding ecosystem. Layer tiles to add elevation and score points as you arrange wildlife into your habitats and make space for pristine alpine lakes! With variable habitat and environment scoring goals, each game of \u003cem\u003eCascadia: Alpine Lakes\u003c\/em\u003e brings a new spatial puzzle to your table!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e90 Deluxe Wooden Wildlife Tokens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e84 Unique Habitat Tiles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Unique Starter Habitat Tiles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e34 Nature Tokens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e27 Unique Environment Scoring Cards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Unique Habitat Scoring Cards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Alpine Animals Cascadia Mini-Expansion Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Family\/Intermediate Scoring Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Wildlife Elevation Scoring Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Lake Scoring Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Full Colour Scorepad\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Deluxe Cloth Bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Rulebook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47551904841964,"sku":"BH-61751729","price":99.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/729220011237_1.jpg?v=1777003956"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/amelias-top-5-board-games-of-2026.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}