Polyominoes, those geometric shapes made up of adjoining squares laid edge to edge, have become a popular gaming mechanic in recent years. The shapes add a puzzle-y element to an otherwise linear game. With shapes that don’t often easily fit together, your game play needs to take into account the optimal shapes to acquire and which to avoid. For more information about just what makes a polyomino game so special, check out our polyomino board game stepladder.
With over 200 board games featuring polyominoes, what makes these games worthy of inclusion in this list? Each one has been reviewed right here on Meeple Mountain!
Patchwork
Uwe Rosenberg’s game of creating the most complete quilt using (polyomino) scraps of fabric. A brilliant puzzle of a game.
Quintillions
There are actually three games included in Kadon Games’ Quintillions, each using polyominoes as the playing pieces. (Bonus: there are also hundreds of great puzzles.)
The Isle of Cats
Rescue as many cats by fitting them into your boat. The catch is, however, they are each stretched out in ways only cats can.
Cartographers: A Roll Player Tale
A Roll & Write game where players flip the top card of the deck and draw in the matching polyomino shape onto their personal map
A Feast for Odin
Uwe Rosenberg builds on his polyominoes mechanic in this game of Vikings claiming goods to fill your Great Hall as efficiently as possible.
The Grand Carnival
Create the most impressive carnival by placing your differently shaped attractions on your fairground.
Jetpack Joyride
Players take polyomino tiles from a common pool to plan their route through a narrow laboratory.
Katamino
Lanterns Dice: Lights in the Sky
Roll dice to play colorful lanterns and cover shapes with polyomino fireworks tiles to earn the most points.
Prehistories
You’re a prehistoric tribesman hunting prey, prey represented by polyomino shapes. The bigger the prey, the more points—but they all need to fit on a 7×7 grid.
Tenpenny Parks
Grow your theme park by buying property, building attractions and concession stands, all of which come in polyomino shapes.
New York Zoo
Another Uwe Rosenberg game featuring polyominoes. This time, you’re building enclosures to both house and breed different animals.
Ubongo! Fun-Size Edition
Cities: Skylines
A cooperative game where players are adding polyomino-shaped buildings to develop the cityscape.
Project L
Players build an empire of polyomino pieces in order to complete a series of mini puzzles in the fewest pieces—and the fewest actions—possible.
