Inside Gen Con 2025: What I Took Home and What Blew Me Away

Another Gen Con has come and gone, and 2025 proved once again why it’s the biggest and best event in board gaming. The crowds were absolutely back in full force—packed vendor halls, buzzing demo tables, long lines for hot new releases, and Cardhalla already towering by Thursday morning. Despite the gloomy weather at the start, the energy was high, and I was right there when the doors opened to scoop up everything on my must-have list.

Here’s a look back at my favorite moments, the standout events, and of course, the games I took home.

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Thursday: The Hunt Begins

I kicked things off early in the vendor hall, hitting up booths and securing every game I had my eye on before the lines got long. Cardhalla—the ever-growing city of stacked cards—was already rising impressively by morning. The hall was buzzing, and the pace of the day was nonstop in the best way.

Friday: My First Gen Con D&D Event

I’ve been going to Gen Con for years, but 2025 was my first time attending an official Dungeons & Dragons event—and I couldn’t have picked a better one. I joined a two-hour one-shot set in the world of Dante’s Inferno. It used 5E mechanics, so it felt familiar, but the setting was completely fresh, with unique powers and a dark, immersive twist. I had an incredible time and would recommend this event to anyone even slightly curious.

By this point in the con, the vendor hall was on fire. Spooktacular, Compile 2, and Luthier were flying off shelves.

Saturday: Superheroes and Skull King

Saturday brought one of the coolest surprises of the con: the demo of the new Marvel RPG. The system uses 3d6 for skill checks and combat, and while it takes a minute to click, it runs really smoothly once it does. It’s fast, clean, and a lot of fun.

I also competed in the Skull King World Championship—a Gen Con tradition I look forward to every year. Sadly, I placed last in both my preliminary rounds, but I had an absolute blast. The tables were full of friendly, enthusiastic players, and it reminded me why I love this hobby.

Food & Drinks: A Mixed Bag (With a Hot Cheeto Surprise)

Let’s talk food. The official Gen Con burger this year came with Hot Cheetos—yes, really—and it was actually pretty good. The official beer from Sun King was an apple cyzer, a huge step up from last year’s lactose-heavy brew, even if it wasn’t a new favorite. Daniel’s Vineyard canned wine was once again a highlight, and while most of the food trucks were average, the overall experience was still part of the fun.

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My Gen Con 2025 Haul

Here’s what made it into my bag this year—and some quick thoughts on each:

Spooktacular – A hilarious game about movie monsters escaping into the theater. You play as one of 20 different monsters, each with unique mechanics. That variety makes it a real standout.

Innovation Ultimate – I’ve owned 3rd Edition Innovation for a while, but I’m excited to dive into all the expansions I’ve never tried. This set has it all.

Bomb Busters – I didn’t plan on grabbing this, but after it won the Spiel des Jahres and I got a chance to try it, I was hooked. Imagine a mix of The Crew and Hanabi—it’s smart, tense, and replayable.

7th Continent (Kickstarter Edition) – Scored this in the flea market, which I used for the first time this year. It was smooth, easy, and I’m thrilled to finally own this long-sought adventure game.

CDSK Travel – I already love CDSK, so picking up this expansion for more trivia cards was a no-brainer.

Classified Information – A slick little 2-player deduction game in a compact pouch. Feels like Love Letter with a twist.

Skull King Expansion – The new powers and numbers are totally wild. If you’re a fan of Skull King, this expansion takes it to the next level.

Forest Shuffle: Dartmoor – I told myself I didn’t need this since I just got the expansions… but when I saw it in person, I caved. It’s just as good as the original—maybe better.

Change My Mind + Chaos Unleashed & For the Family – These standalone party games had me laughing non-stop. Ridiculous debates and absurd rankings galore.

Linko (Amigo) – Scored this one for free! Can’t argue with that.

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Final Thoughts

Gen Con 2025 was everything I hoped for and more. Great people, great games, and nonstop excitement. From demos to tournaments to that surprisingly good Hot Cheeto burger, this con delivered from start to finish.

Already counting down the days until next year.