is a fantasy-themed, strategy board game designed by Philippe Keyaerts and published by Days of Wonder in 2009. It is a reworking of his earlier game Vinci and features 2–5 players (up to 6 with expansions), with a gameplay duration of 40 to 80 minutes and a recommended age of 8 and up.

Core Gameplay

  • Players choose from 14 fantasy races (e.g., Elves, Dwarves, Orcs) and 20 special powers (e.g., Flying, Invincible), combining them into unique race/power pairs.

  • Each turn, players use their race’s tokens to capture territories on one of four double-sided maps (chosen based on player count).

  • To capture a territory, players must place enough tokens based on location, defending tokens, and racial abilities. Most captures are dieless, but a reinforcement die (0–3 bonus) can be used if insufficient tokens remain.

  • Once a race can no longer support more territories, it can be declined—players keep its tokens on the board (still scoring points) while switching to a new race.

  • The game ends after a set number of rounds; the player with the most victory points (coins) wins.

Expansions & Digital Versions

  • Expansions: Include Small World Underground (new maps, tunnels, relics), Small World Realms (customizable boards), Cursed!, Grand Dames, Necromancer Island, and more.

  • Digital Adaptations:

    • Small World (Steam): A digital version available on PC via Steam with online multiplayer, solo AI, and expansion support.

    • Small World App (iOS/Android): A mobile version with tutorials, AI opponents, local and online play, and in-game purchases for expansions.

    • Board Game Arena: Free browser-based online version for multiplayer.

Reception & Awards

  • Won Games Magazine 2010 Game of the Year.

  • Received multiple awards including Tric Trac d'Or, Golden Ace Jury Prize, and Guldbrikken Special Jury Prize.

  • Praised for its replayability, lightweight mechanics, and fun, chaotic fantasy theme.

The game is known for its high replay value, accessible rules, and strategic depth, making it a popular choice for families and casual gamers alike.

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BoardGameGeek
boardgamegeek.com › boardgame › 40692 › small-world
Small World | Board Game | BoardGameGeek
Control one fantasy race after another to expand quickly throughout the land.
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Days of Wonder
daysofwonder.com › home › games › small world
Small World - Days of Wonder: Play different.™
6 November 2024 - About Small World Small world, the fun, zany, light-hearted civilization board game! In small world, players vie for conquest and control of a world that is simply too small to accommodate them all.
Discussions

How good is Small World?
Not really sure where risk and monopoly come in (maybe to set a comparison) but IMO Small World is significantly better than Risk or Monopoly. Small world delivers on what it is and doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s biggest flaw is that when players know the game well picking your race becomes the most meaningful decision. I also really enjoy the flavor of the game and the humor of it. I used to play it a lot but I have moved on. I would play if someone asked. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/boardgames
65
65
12 June 2021
[Serious] Why is ‘It’s a Small World’ such a popular ride?
It's simply a classic. Personally I love it because my late grandmother used to love it, it kind of feels like I'm close to her for a moment. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/WaltDisneyWorld
268
115
13 January 2023
Why play Small World?
It's a very specific card for very specific decks but decks that can use Small World benefit from it greatly. It's a surprisingly well designed card because nobody really builds around it, it just kind of happens to work in your deck and you're happy about that. If you feel like you don't need or see how Small World can be run in your deck, chances are you are correct. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Yugioh101
38
22
3 December 2022
OK seriously how does small world work? I'm so confused...
This might help. It's a Bridge Finder for Small World: put the card you're banishing from hand and the card you want to add from deck and it'll look up every card that qualifies as the bridge: https://small-world.yugioh.app/bridge-finder But basically: Select 1 Card From Hand (Card A) and 1 Card From Deck (Card B) that matches exactly one characteristic (Level, Type, Attribute, Attack, Defense). This is the first half of the bridge, with the second card also being banished. Next, search the deck for the card you want to pull (Card C), provided that the card matches Card B on exactly one characteristics. So, if you banished Ash Blossom from hand, you have to establish a bridge to the final card you want by first finding a card that is is one of Fire, 3 Stars, Zombie, ATK 0, or DEF 1800. Then, if you're wanting Thinkek, that card must also be one of Fire, Lv 8, Dragon, ATK 2700, DEF 1700 and nothing else in common with Thinkek. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Yugioh101
22
34
29 January 2023
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Steam
store.steampowered.com › app › 235620 › Small_World
Small World on Steam
Small World
Carve out your place in a world that’s too small to accommodate everyone! This game of strategy and conquest can be played over and over again thanks to the nearly endless combinations of races and special powers.
(7 / 10)
Price   US$9.99
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Small_World_(board_game)
Small World (board game) - Wikipedia
13 September 2024 - Small World is a board game designed by Philippe Keyaerts, Illustrated by Miguel Coimbra and Cyrille Daujean as graphic designer, and published by Days of Wonder in 2009. The game is a reworking of Keyaerts' 1999 game Vinci.
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Amazon
amazon.com › mall-World-Board-Game-Creatures › dp › B0024H7OF6
Amazon.com: Asmodee Small World Board Game - Fantasy Area Control & Strategy Game with Magical Creatures, Special Powers, Family Game for Kids & Adults, Ages 8+, 2-5 Players, 40-80 Min Playtime : Toys & Games
CLASSIC & BELOVED GAME: Designed by Philippe Keyaerts as a follow-up to the award-winning Vinci, Small World is a classic game of fantastical conquests and adventures, beloved by families and friends worldwide.
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Board Game Arena
en.boardgamearena.com › gamepanel
Play Small World online from your browser • Board Game Arena
20 January 2026 - In Small World, players vie for conquest and control of a world that is simply too small to accommodate them all.
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App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › small-world-the-board-game › id364165557
Small World - The Board Game App - App Store
In this digital adaptation of the legendary board game, dive into a world inhabited by whimsical fantasy races. Take control of the dwarfs, wizards, amazons, giants, orcs or even humans.
Rating: 4.6 ​ - ​ 715 votes
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Asmodee North America
store.asmodee.com › products › small-world
Small World Board Game - Fantasy Conquest and Fun – Asmodee North America
Small World
Small World is a fun, zany, light-hearted civilization game! In Small World, players vie for conquest and control of a world that is simply too small to accommodate them all. Designed by Philippe Keyaerts as a fantasy follow-up to his award- winning VinciTM, Small World is inhabited by a zany cast of characters such as dwarves, wizards, amazons, giants, orcs, humans, and more who all use their troops to occupy territory and conquer adjacent lands in order to push the other races off the face of the earth. Picking the right combination from the 14 different fantasy races and 20 unique spe
Price   US$59.99
Find elsewhere
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Meeple Mountain
meeplemountain.com › home › board game reviews › small world game review
Small World Game Review – Meeple Mountain
Small World
If you want battle, but you barely want to fight and you don’t really want to be married to your army, join Bob for a look into the Small World that started it all.
Rating: 3 ​
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Moonshot Games
moonshotgamestore.com › home › small world & expansions
Small World & Expansions
Small World is the home to one too many fantasy races who all fight for land which subsequently also pushes other races off the planet in search for a new home. It is a fairly easy game to learn how to play and rather simple to understand.
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Days of Wonder
daysofwonder.com › home › games › small world: 6-players board
Small World: 6-players Board - Days of Wonder: Play different.™
6 November 2024 - About Small World: Sky Islands Small World and Small World Underground just got a lot bigger with this expansion… Pair up in teams and attempt to rule the land together. Despite the growing landscape, you’ll find there still isn’t enough room to accommodate you all!
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Game Nerdz
gamenerdz.com › home › board games › small world
Small World - Game Nerdz
Small World
Players 2-5 Playtime 40-80 Age 8+ Designer Philippe Keyaerts Publishers Days of Wonder Artists Miguel Coimbra, Cyrille DaujeanShow More Mechanics Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Auction: Dutch Priority, Dice Rolling, Hidden Victory Points, Increase Value of Unchosen Resources, Variable Player Powers, Variable Set-up, Victory Points as a Resource Categories Fantasy, Fighting, Territory Building Small World is a fun, zany, light-hearted civilization game in which 2-5 players vie for conquest and control of a board that is simply too small to ac
Price   US$47.99
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Small World: Civilizations & C - Apps on Google Play
Carve out your place in a world that’s too small to accommodate everyone! This game of strategy and conquest can be played over and over again thanks to the nearly endless combinations of races and special powers. Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced player, you’ll love playing this classic board game with simple rules and tactical gameplay.
Rating: 3.9 ​ - ​ 6.6K votes
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Board Game Bliss
boardgamebliss.com › home › small world
Small World – Board Game Bliss
Small World
Designer Philippe Keyaerts Publisher Days of Wonder Players 2-5 Playtime 80 mins Suggested Age 8 and up Honors 2009 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork/Presentation Nominee 2009 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee 2009 Golden Geek Best Gamers' Board Game Nominee 2009 Golden Geek Best Wargame Nominee 2009 International Gamers Awards - General Strategy; Multi-player Nominee 2009 Japan Boardgame Prize Voters' Selection Nominee 2009 Meeples' Choice Award 2009 Spiel der Spiele Hit für Experten Recommended 2009 Tric Trac d'Or 2009 Tric Trac Nominee 2010 As d'Or - Jeu de l'Année No
Price   US$47.99
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Steam Community
steamcommunity.com › app › 235620
Steam Community :: Small World
Small World - CONTROL FANTASY RACES, SET OFF TO CONQUER NEW LANDS, OVERTHROW YOUR ENEMIES AND CLAIM THE VICTORY! In this digital adaptation of the legendary board game, dive into a world inhabited by whimsical fantasy races.
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Miniature Market
miniaturemarket.com › dow7901.html
Small World | Board Games | Miniature Market
I’d recommend ... every time. ... Small World is a fantasy area control/conflict game for 2-5 players designed by Philippe Keyaerts and published by Days of Wonder....
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Days of Wonder
daysofwonder.com › home › games › small world: underground
Small World: Underground - Days of Wonder: Play different.™
6 November 2024 - SMALL WORLD UNDERGROUND… WHEN IN A HOLE, KEEP DIGGING! Small World Underground is a stand-alone game set beneath the surface of the same fun, light-hearted Small World universe of epic conquests and fallen empires.
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The Dice Tower
dicetower.com › board-game › 40692
Small World | The Dice Tower
In Small World, players vie for conquest and control of a world that is simply too small to accommodate them all.
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There Will Be Games
therewillbe.games › articles-boardgame-reviews › 2348-boardgames-qsmall-worldq-review
Small World Board Game Review - There Will Be Games
24 May 2019 - ... Small World (2-5 players, 1-2 hours) is a game that shares the basic theme of Vinci--civilizations with varying powers and skills rise and fall over the course of the game, doing battle and conquering lands in the hopes of having the highest ...