About Games

 

If your family game night has been running on the same three options for the past two years, or if you have been quietly eyeing a puzzle that has been sitting in your cart for weeks, it might be time to browse the games category. Games covers a wide range of products: board games, card games, strategy games, party games, puzzles, trivia and more. Whether you are shopping for a rainy-afternoon activity with the kids, a competitive night with friends or a solo wind-down with a 1,000-piece puzzle, there is genuinely something here for every kind of player. Games also make some of the most reliable gifts around, because they are fun to give and even more fun to receive. Rakuten has paid out over $4.6 billion in Cash Back to more than 17 million members, so the savings you earn on purchases like these are as real as it gets.

Why Shop Through Rakuten for Games?

Games are the kind of category where you tend to know exactly what you want and just need the right moment to buy. Rakuten makes that moment more rewarding.

When you shop through Rakuten, you can earn Cash Back on eligible games purchases from participating stores. That Cash Back is stackable, too. You can layer it on top of store sales, coupons and promo codes that are already available, so you are getting more than one type of savings at the same time. Rakuten also surfaces verified coupon codes in one place, which means less digging through random websites before you check out.

Games are a category where the purchases range from $10 card games to premium strategy sets and collector's editions that cost quite a bit more. Either way, starting your trip through Rakuten means you are getting something back on a purchase you were already planning to make.

How to Maximize Savings on Games

 

• Start your shopping trip at Rakuten. Search for your store before heading to their website, then activate Cash Back so your eligible purchase gets tracked.
• Stack Cash Back with store sales and coupons. Rakuten Cash Back can often be combined with a store's existing promotions, giving you more than one way to save at the same time.
• Time bigger purchases around major sales events. Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the holiday shopping season bring some of the steepest discounts on games and puzzles. These are good windows for stocking up on gifts or treating yourself to a set you have been waiting on.
• Check for verified promo codes before checkout. Rakuten surfaces eligible coupon codes from participating stores, so you can apply a discount without hunting for one yourself.
• Sign up for store loyalty programs. Many games retailers have their own rewards programs that offer member-only pricing or early access to sales. These can often be used alongside Rakuten Cash Back.
• Look for bundle deals and multi-game sets. Many retailers offer bundles or expansion packs at a lower per-unit cost, especially around the holidays. Bundling up front is a good way to save without waiting for a separate sale.
• Use the Rakuten browser extension. It can notify you when Cash Back is available and remind you to activate it before you check out.

Top Picks in Games

 

1. Board games: Board games run the full range from quick-play family favorites to deep strategy titles that take an evening to finish. They are a consistent bestseller in the category because they have real replay value and work for a wide range of ages and group sizes.
2. Card games: Card games are compact, easy to learn and often less expensive than larger board games, which makes them a popular choice for gifts, travel and casual game nights. They range from simple matching games for kids to fast-paced party games for adults.
3. Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles have seen a major resurgence in recent years, and the variety available now is impressive, from 100-piece options for kids to 2,000-piece scenes for serious puzzlers. They are one of the few solo activities that also works well as a group project.
4. Strategy and tabletop games: Strategy games attract players who want more depth from their game night: resource management, city building, cooperative play and multi-hour campaigns. These tend to be higher-priced items with strong communities and lots of available expansions.
5. Party and trivia games: Party games are built for groups and designed to get loud fast. Trivia games, word games and team-based formats are popular at gatherings, holiday parties and anywhere you need something that can be learned in five minutes and played by people of different ages.

Best Games by Age Group

 

Age Group	Best Game Types	What They're Good For
Toddlers (ages 2-4)	Simple matching games, color recognition games and beginner memory games	Early learning, turn-taking and basic motor coordination
Young kids (ages 5-7)	Cooperative board games, card games with simple rules and beginner puzzles	Following directions, counting and playing with others
Kids (ages 8-12)	Strategy board games, trivia games, word games and puzzles with more pieces	Critical thinking, vocabulary and healthy competition
Teens	Party games, complex card games, escape room-style games and advanced strategy titles	Social play, problem-solving and longer attention spans
Adults	Cooperative strategy games, trivia, puzzles and premium tabletop titles	Deep play, entertainment and group or solo relaxation
Families (mixed ages)	Classic board games, team trivia, party games and family puzzles	Multigenerational fun, bonding and easy-to-learn formats

Games Stores to Love

Target

Target carries a broad selection of board games, card games, puzzles, party games and trivia across all ages and price points, making it a go-to for family game nights and gift shopping alike.

Barnes and Noble

Barnes and Noble is a well-known source for board games, card games and puzzles, with a good selection of strategy titles, classic family games and specialty games that go beyond the mass-market options.

White Mountain Puzzles

White Mountain Puzzles is a dedicated puzzle retailer specializing in jigsaw puzzles for all ages and skill levels, with a wide range of themes and piece counts, from beginner-friendly options to large, challenging puzzles for adults.

Disney Store

The Disney Store carries games and puzzles featuring beloved Disney and Pixar characters and franchises, with options across age groups that make them popular choices for gifts and family play.

Fat Brain Toys

Fat Brain Toys focuses on games, puzzles and brain teasers designed to combine play with learning, with a strong selection of options for kids and families who want something a little more thoughtfully designed.

Funko

Funko carries games and collectible titles built around popular characters and franchises, with a selection that spans trivia games, card games and specialty game formats for fans of all ages.

How Does Rakuten Work?

Rakuten is the most rewarding way to shop, helping you earn Cash Back every time you buy your favorite products at thousands of stores, including some of the most popular Games brands. It's a simple way to get value back for shopping you're already doing. Here's how to start earning Cash Back:
 

1. Join Rakuten for free. Create a free Rakuten account online, in the app or through the browser extension.
2. Find a participating store. Search Rakuten for the store where you want to shop.
3. Activate Cash Back. Click through Rakuten before making your purchase.
4. Shop as usual. Complete your order on the store's website.
5. Get paid. Eligible Cash Back is added to your Rakuten account and paid out every three months via check, PayPal, Amex Membership Rewards Points or Bilt Points.

How is it free? Stores pay Rakuten to send them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with you as Cash Back. It's as simple as that!

Why Rakuten Is a Dependable Way to Shop for Games

 

Trustworthiness and reliability are the foundation of a rewarding customer experience. Here's how you know you can always count on Rakuten:
 

1. It has been around for decades. Rakuten has been helping shape the way people shop online since its founding in 1999.
2. It has a huge member base and has paid out billions of dollars. Rakuten has more than 17 million members and has paid out over $4.6 billion in Cash Back in the U.S.
3. It has strong user reviews. Rakuten has a 4.6 rating on Trustpilot with over 36,000 reviews, including more than 27,000 five-star reviews.
4. It has thousands of partners. Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores in a huge range of shopping categories, including clothing, shoes, beauty, travel, electronics, pets, experiences and more.
5. It has a straightforward model. Rakuten's structure may seem confusing at first, but it's really quite simple: Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with its members as Cash Back. That's it!
6. It has a clear payment schedule and multiple payout options. Rakuten pays its members their Cash Back every three months through one of four payment options: check, PayPal, American Express Membership Rewards points or Bilt Points.
7. It publishes its privacy policy and terms. Rakuten provides a formal privacy policy that explains how its tracking works when you click through to a store. The company also publishes terms and conditions for its browser extension that describe how extension-collected data is handled in accordance with its privacy policy.

Picking the right game can be hard, so start with the player count. From there, focus on themes and types of games your group enjoys. Be realistic about the amount of time you’ll want to play and check the age guidance to make sure it isn’t too complex for any kids who may be playing.

Party games prioritize laughs and quick turns, while strategy games involve planning and deeper decisions. Family games balance simple rules with enough depth to keep adults interested.

Gateway games are easy to learn but still fun and replayable. They’re perfect for people who don’t usually play board games. They teach modern game mechanics without overwhelming new players.

Look for variable setups, multiple strategies to win and expansions or scenario variety. Reviews that mention replay value are always a good sign.

Pick games with simple core rules and optional complexity, or go for cooperative games where adults can guide without dominating. Short turns and rounds will also help maintain kids’ attention.

The games category on Rakuten covers board games, card games, puzzles, strategy and tabletop games, party games and trivia. You can earn Cash Back on eligible purchases from participating stores across all of these game types.

The holiday season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday typically bring the deepest discounts on games and puzzles. These windows are good for stocking up on gifts or finally buying a title you have been watching for a while.

Many strategy games hold up well over time because they have significant replay value, active fan communities and regular expansion content available. If a title gets played regularly, the per-play cost tends to be low even if the upfront price is higher.

Think about the recipient's group size, age range and how much time they typically have for game night. Quick-play card games and puzzles are easy wins for most people. Strategy games and premium tabletop titles are better choices when you know the person is already into that type of game.

Yes. You can earn Cash Back on eligible games purchases when you start your shopping trip through Rakuten and complete your order at a participating store.