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Arkham Horror: The Board Game Buying Guide

By ZoeyMar 17,2025

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-standing franchise of horror board games. Players collaborate, communicating effectively to overcome challenges. Gameplay offers diverse paths based on chosen roles, expansions, and campaigns, making them excellent solo options when group play isn't feasible.

Featured in this article

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

For a quick jump to the games and expansions, scroll above. For a deeper dive into the connections between the games and the Arkham Horror universe, continue reading.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game

Arkham Horror (3rd Edition)
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 team up against various terrors. Choose from six investigators to solve mysteries and defeat monstrous foes. Multiple campaigns offer high replayability due to a significant luck element and the unpredictable nature of chaos and occult events. Be warned: this is a challenging game with a lengthy setup and playtime. Solo play is also an option.

Arkham Horror: The Board Game Expansions

Three expansions enhance Arkham Horror: The Board Game.

Arkham Horror: Under the Dark Waves Expansion

Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
Arkham Horror: Under Dark Waves Expansion
**MSRP**: $59.99 USD **Players**: 1-6 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+

This large expansion introduces underwater horrors, eight new investigators, and four new scenarios.

Arkham Horror: Secrets of the Order Expansion

Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
Arkham Horror: Secrets of The Order Expansion
**MSRP**: $44.99 USD **Players**: 1-6 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+

A medium-sized expansion with three new scenarios, three new investigators, and a new location to explore: French Hill.

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion

Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
Arkham Horror: The Dead of Night Expansion
**MSRP**: $32.99 USD **Players**: 1-4 **Playtime**: 2-3 hours **Ages**: 14+

A smaller expansion with two new scenarios and four new investigators.

Other Arkham Horror Board Games

These stand-alone games offer distinct Arkham adventures, featuring familiar characters.

Elder Sign

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

A dice-rolling game, accessible to a wide range of players. Six expansions are available.

Elder Sign Expansions

Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
Elder Sign: The Gates of Arkham Expansion
Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh Expansion
Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
Elder Sign: Unseen Forces Expansion
Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
Elder Sign: Omens of the Deep
Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
Elder Sign: Grave Consequences
Elder Sign: Omens of Ice
Elder Sign: Omens of Ice

Six expansions exist for Elder Sign; Grave Consequences is standalone.

Mansions of Madness (2nd Edition)

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 app manages setup, narrative, and gameplay.

Mansions of Madness Expansions

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

Two app-driven cooperative expansions.

Unfathomable

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

A social deduction game set on a ship, with a hidden traitor among the players.

Unfathomable: From the Abyss Expansion

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

Introduces new prelude cards, monsters, skills, items, and boon cards.

Eldritch Horror

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.

Eldritch Horror Expansions

Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Mountains of Madness Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Under the Pyramids Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Masks of Nyarlathotep Expansion
Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
Eldritch Horror: The Dreamlands Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Forsaken Lore Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Strange Remnants Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Signs of Carcosa Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion
Eldritch Horror: Cities in Ruin Expansion

Eight expansions are available for Eldritch Horror.

Other Ways to Play

Explore the Arkham universe through online versions of some games and the franchise's tabletop roleplaying game.

The Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game

Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying Game - Hungering Abyss Starter Set
**MSRP**: $34.99 USD **Players**: 2-4 **Playtime**: 1-3 hours **Ages**: 14+ Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
Arkham Horror: The Roleplaying - Game Core Rulebook
**MSRP**: $49.99 USD **Players**: 2-6 **Playtime**: 1-3 hours **Ages**: 14+

Start with the starter set and then explore the Core Rulebook.

Video Game Versions

Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace

Arkham Horror: Mother’s Embrace (Steam, Switch)

Elder Sign: Omens (Steam, Mobile)

The Bottom Line

Arkham Horror offers diverse Lovecraftian experiences, playable solo or with friends. While challenging and featuring a significant luck component, the high replayability and unique game mechanics make them worthwhile for fans of the genre.

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