The German Spiel des Jahres is perhaps the world's most prestigious board game award. Founded in 1978 by a group of German game critics to promote awareness and to increase the cultural value of games, the award recognizes outstanding games based on originality, playability, and educational value of the game idea; organization, clarity and understandability of rules; packing and layout of the gameboard and the game rules; and functionality and overall quality of the game materials included.

2011:

• Game of the Year: Qwirkle
• Nominees:: Asara, Forbidden Island

• Kennerspiel des Jahres Winner:(Best Complex Game) 7 Wonders
• Nominees:Strasbourg, Lancaster

2010:

• Game of the Year: Dixit
• Nominees: Portrayal, A La Carte, Roll Through the Ages, and Fresko (Fresco)

2009:

• Game of the Year: Dominion
• Special Prize, Party Game: GiftTRAP
• Nominees: FITS, Finca, Fauna, and Pandemic.

2008:

• Game of the Year: Lost Cities the Boardgame/Keltis
• Best Complex Game: Agricola
• Nominees: Stone Age, Witches Brew, Blox, Suleika.

2007:

• Game of the Year: Zooloretto
• Nominees:The Thief of Baghdad, Jenseits von Theben, Arkadia,Yspahan.

2006:

• Game of the Year: Thurn & Taxis
• Best Fantasy Game: Shadows Over Camelot
• Best Complex Game: Caylus
• Nominees: Seerauber, Aqua Romana, Just 4 Fun and Blue Moon City

2005:

• Game of the Year : Niagara
• Nominees: Around the World in 80 Days, Himalaya, Jambo, and Verflixxt!

2004:

• Game of the Year: Ticket to Ride
• Nominees: Maharaja, Ingenious, Einfach Genial, Saint Petersburg, Dicke Luft in der Gruft, Dawn Under
• Recommended: Attika, Carcassonne: the Castle, Coda, Da Vinci Code, Coyote, Die sieben Siegel, Dos Rios, Kai Piranja, King Me!, Maya, Oasis, San Juan, Sunken City, Tom Tube, Viele Dinge, YINSH

2003:

• Game of the Year:Alhambra (Der Palast von Alhambra)
• Finalist: Clans, Die Dracheninsel,
• Nominees: Amun-Re, Attribute, Balloon Cup, Coloretto, Edel, Stein & Reich, Fische Fluppen Frikadellen, Paris Paris, Richelieu, Rumis, The Werewolves of Millers Hollow(Die Werwölfe vom Düsterwald)

2002:

• Game of the Year: Villa Paletti
• Finalist: Puerto Rico, TransAmerica,
• Nominees: Alles im Eimer, The Bucket King, Atlantic Star, Blokus, Der Herr der Ringe: Die Gefährten: Das Kartenspiel, Dschunke, Dvonn, Kupferkessel Co., Magellan, Pizarro & Co., San Gimignano

2001:

• Game of the Year: Carcassonne
• Finalist: Das Amulett, Zapp Zerapp,
• Nominees: Babel, Capitol("Architects of the Eternal City"), Cartagena, Dragon Delta, Ebbe & Flut, The Traders of Genoa, Hexen Rennen, Land Unter, Royal Turf, San Marco

2000:

• Game of the Year: Torres
• Best Children's Game: Arbos
• Finalist: Carolus Magnus, Ohne Furcht und Adel, Citadels
• Nominees: Zèrtz, Web of Power(Kardinal & König), Vinci: The Rise and Fall of Civilizations, Taj Mahal, Port Royal, Metro, Kardinal, Frank's Zoo, La Città

1999:

• Game of the Year: Tikal
• Best Children's Game: Kayanak
• Finalist: Giganten, Union Pacific
• Nominees: El Caballero, Chinatown, Kahuna, Kontor, Mamma Mia!, Money!, Ta Yü, Verräter

1998:

• Game of the Year: Elfenland
• Best Children's Game: Chicken Cha Cha Cha(Zicke Zacke Hühnerkacke)
• Nominees: Basari, Caesar & Cleopatra, Canyon, David & Goliath, Through the Desert(Durch die Wüste), Tigris & Euphrates, GIPF, Die Macher, Minister, Tonga Bonga, Tycoon

1997:

• Game of the Year: The Mississippi Queen
• Best Children's Game: Leinen los!
• Nominees: Bohnanza, Comeback, Dimenticato, Expedition, Terra X, Löwenherz, Manitou, Die Siedler von Catan: Das Kartenspiel, The Settlers of Catan Card Game, Showmanager, Visionary,

1996:

• Game of the Year: El Grande
• Best Children's Game: Vier zu mir!
• Nominees: Ab Die Post!, Campanile, Get the Goods(Reibach & Co.), Mü & More(Mü & Mehr), Sisimizi, Speed, Top Race, Wat'n dat!?, Word-Whiz

1995:

• Game of the Year: The Settlers of Catan
• Best Children's Game: Karambolage
• Nominees: Buzzle, Condottiere, Galopp Royal, La-Trel, Streetcar, Linie 1, Mole in the Hole, Die Maulwurf Company, Medici

Game of the Year Before 1994:

• 1994 Winner: Manhattan
• 1993 Winner: Bluff
• 1992 Winner: Um Reifenbreite
• 1991 Winner: Drunter & Drüber
• 1990 Winner: Adel Verpflichtet
• 1989 Winner: Café International
• 1988 Winner: Barbarossa
• 1987 Winner: Auf Achse
• 1986 Winner: Top Secret Spies(Under Cover)
• 1985 Winner: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
• 1984 Winner: Dampfross
• 1983 Winner: Scotland Yard
• 1982 Winner: Enchanted Forest(Sagaland)
• 1981 Winner: Domination
• 1980 Winner: Rummikub
• 1979 Winner: Hare & Tortoise(Hase und Igel)