The Best Board Games Set in the Alien Universe

Are you watching the new series Alien: Earth? Fans’ reactions are all over the place—some love it, others hate it. But one thing is certain: this production expands the Alien universe. And so do games. Yes, even board games.

So, what licensed Alien board games can you actually play?

I’ve gathered some of the most notable titles based on the Alien franchise. While the list isn’t enormous, there are definitely some great options worth exploring if you’re a fan of Xenomorph terror translated onto the tabletop.

Alien: The Roleplaying Game – Face the Xenomorph Up Close

Okay, this one isn’t technically a board game, but it deserves a mention. Alien: The Roleplaying Game lets fans immerse themselves in the harsh world of space colonization, corporate scheming, and lurking horrors. You’ll take on the roles of characters trying to survive in a setting where synthetic humans play god and unknown terrors lurk in the dark void.

The system runs on the award-winning Year Zero Engine, adapted for the gritty Alien universe. Players can choose between short, cinematic scenarios or long campaigns. Survival is tough, and characters often feel like slasher-movie victims—expendable and always one step away from becoming Xenomorph fodder.

The game is available as a starter set and as a full core rulebook, with expansions that dive deeper into the lore. Chronologically, the action takes place after Alien 3, in the year 2183. The original English edition is published by Free League Publishing.

Board Games from the Alien Franchise Worth Playing

Now let’s talk about actual board games. While there aren’t hundreds of them, the ones we have do a great job of capturing key elements from the franchise. Here are the standout titles:

Alien: Fate of the Nostromo

A cooperative board game where players take on the roles of the Nostromo crew. The game is based on the original 1979 film, meaning you’ll be facing a single Xenomorph while completing various objectives aboard the star freighter. Published by Ravensburger, this is a great choice for fans of the first movie’s tense atmosphere.

Aliens: Another Glorious Day in the Corps

Another co-op game, this time inspired by Aliens (1986). Players become Colonial Marines and venture into Hadley’s Hope to find out what happened to the colonists. Spoiler: the place is crawling with Xenomorphs. You’ll need to survive, eliminate the Queen, and complete missions—just another day in the Corps. The game also has expansions with new miniatures and scenarios.

Aliens: Bug Hunt

A lighter, quicker cooperative experience based on Aliens. Players explore a modular board made of tiles, complete objectives, and fight off waves of Xenomorphs. The game includes nicely designed miniatures and offers a fast-paced, accessible Alien experience.

Legendary Encounters: An Alien Deck-Building Game

One of the most beloved Alien-themed games out there—and yes, it’s cooperative too. This massive deck-building game spans storylines from the first four films, offering tons of cards illustrated in a unique comic-book style. If you love both card games and the Alien saga, this is a must-have.

Alien vs Predator: The Hunt Begins

A skirmish-style miniatures game featuring three factions: Colonial Marines, Predators, and Xenomorphs. Each side has its strengths and weaknesses, and players must leverage them to dominate the battlefield. If you’ve ever wanted to stage the ultimate crossover battle on your table, this one’s for you.

Aliens vs Predator: Requiem

Based on the movie most fans would rather forget (and honestly, same), this tactical board game featured asymmetrical play, with one player controlling a Predator and the other a Xenomorph hive. Unfortunately, the game itself is almost as forgotten as the film.

And let’s not forget the old-school curiosities: the 1990s Operation: Aliens (a roll-and-move game so colorful it could trigger an epileptic seizure) and earlier Alien and Aliens board games from the ‘80s, which recreated the films’ events with very simple mechanics.

Final Thoughts

That’s the lineup of official Alien-themed board games that tried to bring the iconic movie atmosphere to the tabletop—with varying degrees of success. It’s a bit surprising that such a legendary franchise hasn’t seen more modern adaptations. Until then, the games above are your best bet for turning your next game night into a fight for survival against the ultimate lifeform.