SEED GAME#28263 BGG all-time

Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1978)

★ 5.0 BGG2–4 players20 minWeight 1.00
Roll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit Deployment

Games like Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Looking for games like Close Encounters of the Third Kind? It's quick to teach and quick to play, easy to get to the table on any night. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

Star Wars: Rescue on Geonosis(2002)

★ 3.72–4 players1 minWeight 2.0
ISO Match
73/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move + 1 more

Roll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit Deployment

The Game of Life: A Jedi's Path(2002)

★ 5.32–4 players60 minWeight 1.4
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Roll / Spin and Move

Costume Party Detective(2018)

★ 6.72–6 playersWeight 1.2
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move + 1 more

Player EliminationRoll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit Deployment

Scotland Yard(1990)

★ 6.52 players60 minWeight 2.3
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move + 1 more

Roll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit Deployment

The Garlic Vampires(2008)

★ 6.72–4 players20 minWeight 1.5
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move + 1 more

Dice RollingRoll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit Deployment

Man-Eater!(1976)

★ 6.42–5 players30 minWeight 1.2
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move + 1 more

Roll / Spin and MoveSecret Unit DeploymentSimultaneous Action Selection

Star Trek: The Next Generation Game of the Galaxies(1993)

★ 3.82–6 players60 minWeight 1.3
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Roll / Spin and Move

Trivial Pursuit: Doctor Who(2013)

★ 5.52–6 playersWeight 1.0
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Roll / Spin and Move

Star Wars: Destroy Death Star Game(1977)

★ 5.52–4 players30 minWeight 1.1
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Roll / Spin and Move

Dr. Seuss: Merry Grinchmas! Game(2021)

★ 6.42–6 players15 minWeight 1.5
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Roll / Spin and MoveSet Collection

Bonanza(1964)

★ 6.42–4 players60 minWeight 1.0
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

RaceRoll / Spin and Move

Trivial Pursuit: Star Wars – The Black Series Edition(2016)

★ 6.12–4 playersWeight 1.0
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Roll / Spin and Move

Dice RollingRoll / Spin and Move

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