Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

Author: Camila Mar 19,2025

The Arkham Horror universe boasts a vast collection of games, so much so that we've divided them into two guides. This buying guide focuses on the various board games; for the deck-building card games, please see our Arkham Horror: The Card Game Buying Guide.

Arkham Horror is a long-running franchise of cooperative horror board games. Players collaborate to complete missions, with multiple pathways determined by chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns. These games also offer excellent solo experiences for those times when gathering a group isn't feasible.

Featured in this article:

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
Elder Sign
Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)
Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent Expansion
Mansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion
Unfathomable
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
Eldritch Horror
Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace

To jump directly to specific games and expansions, scroll through the catalog above. For a detailed overview of the games and their connections within the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)

MSRP: $65.95 USD Players: 1-6 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

Arkham Horror is a cooperative board game where players work together against various terrors. Players choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat horrific creatures. Multiple campaigns offer high replayability due to the significant luck element and the potential for chaotic events. However, it's a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime. Solo play is also possible.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions add depth to the base game:

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion **MSRP**: $59.99 USD **Players**: 1-6 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+ (Under the Dark Waves: Sea-based horrors, eight new investigators, four new scenarios.) Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion **MSRP**: $44.99 USD **Players**: 1-6 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+ (Secrets of the Order: Three new scenarios, three new investigators, new location: French Hill.) Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion **MSRP**: $32.99 USD **Players**: 1-4 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+ (The Dead of Night: Two new scenarios, four new investigators.)

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These standalone games offer separate Arkham adventures, featuring familiar characters.

Elder Sign

Elder Sign

MSRP: $39.99 USD Players: 1-8 Playtime: 1-2 hours Ages: 14+

Elder Sign, a dice-rolling game, is the most accessible in the Arkham Files franchise. Gameplay revolves around dice rolls to complete tasks and overcome encounters. It features six physical expansions.

Elder Sign Expansions

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Elder Sign has six expansions: Unseen Forces, Gates of Arkham, Omens of Ice, Grave Consequences, Omens of the Deep, and Omens of the Pharaoh. Grave Consequences is standalone.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

MSRP: $109.95 USD Players: 1-5 Playtime: 2-3 hours Ages: 14+

An app-driven dungeon crawler, the second edition is a standalone game. The app manages setup, narrative, and gameplay.

Mansions of Madness Expansions
Mansions of Madness: Path of The Serpent ExpansionMansions of Madness: Beyond the Threshold Expansion

(Path of the Serpent: Jungle setting, app-guided.) (Beyond the Threshold: Two new investigators, two new scenarios, insanity mechanic.)

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

MSRP: $64.99 USD Players: 3-6 Playtime: 2-4 hours Ages: 14+

A social deduction game set on a boat escaping sea monsters. One player is a traitor.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion
Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

Eldritch Horror

Eldritch Horror

MSRP: $59.95 USD Players: 1-4 Playtime: 1-3 hours Ages: 14+

A globe-trotting cooperative game with simpler rules and quicker setup than Arkham Horror. Focuses on strategy and puzzle-solving.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

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Eight expansions: Forsaken Lore, Mountains of Madness, Strange Remnants, Under the Pyramids, Signs of Carcosa, The Dreamlands, Cities in Ruin, and Masks of Nyarlathotep.

Other Ways to Play

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter SetArkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook

(Hungering Abyss Starter Set: Accessible entry point for TTRPG newcomers.) (Core Rulebook: For continued adventures.)

Video Game Versions

Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace

(Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace: Single-player digital game, available on Steam and Switch.) (Elder Sign: Omens: Digital version available on Steam and mobile platforms.)

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse and engaging Lovecraftian experiences, playable solo or with friends. While challenging and possessing a significant luck element, the high replayability and unique game mechanics make them worthwhile for fans of the genre. The card games generally offer a simpler setup compared to the board games.