Best Co-op Board Games for Couples | Stranger Things Upside Down | Fun, Strategy & Replayability
by Eliza
Hey friends! As I’m writing this post, we’re coming to the end of 2025 and just days away from the final chapter of Stranger Things. Almost ten years, can you believe it? I honestly can’t wait to see how it all ends. But today we’re here for the board game. A few months ago I saw Ross Duffer playing it on Instagram, and that was all it took, I had to get it. The game covers the first two seasons, with one season on each side of the board, and it’s a fully cooperative, story driven experience to play with friends or family. It’s thematic, intense and beautifully designed, very much in the spirit of the show. So, let’s get into it.
Stranger Things Upside Down (2023)
Into the box and to the game
The box is well made inside and out, and once you open it, you can immediately see the care put into the components. The characters and Demodogs come as small plastic miniatures, simple and unpainted, but that’s part of the charm. I’ve seen on BoardGameGeek that many people actually paint them, which is such a fun idea and a great way to combine two hobbies. You can customize them however you like and really make the game your own. The board is beautifully illustrated and the cards feature artwork inspired by the show, almost photo realistic, mixed with that classic 80s aesthetic we see in the series. No dice are involved in this game, yet many moments depend on risk, timing, and how bold you’re willing to be.
The game is fully cooperative, for 1 to 4 players, so everyone works together to survive the threats of Hawkins and the Upside Down. You take control of your favorite characters, move around the board, complete objectives, and face monsters that keep the tension high. One thing I learned while playing is that you have to act fast and plan your moves carefully in speed mode, or the team can easily lose. If you know the show, it gives you an extra edge, each character has unique strengths that can really make a difference. The rules are clear and helpful, but the game still leaves plenty of room for strategy and teamwork, making every playthrough feel exciting and different.
How to play
Setup Choose which season you want to play, Season 1 or Season 2 and place the board in the center of the table. Each player selects a character, takes the matching figure and dashboard card and places them on board. Arrange the monsters, tokens as instructed in the rulebook. The game can be played solo or up to four players.
Rules… or just a few to get you in the mood. Make sure you read the rulebook carefully!
- You can’t play as Eleven, but she’s still a major part of the game and affects how everything happens!
- On your turn, you can move your character, explore locations, collect items and fight monsters. Each character has unique abilities, so teamwork is essential.
- Tokens are a big part of the game, with values from 0 to 5, placed in stacks all over the board. At the start, you can see the top token in each stack, but the ones underneath stay hidden, adding a little mystery and keeping you on your toes.
- Action cards are basically your currency in the game, with values form 1 to 3. You start with five cards in hand, and you’re encouraged to show them to the group. You can discard them to boost your moves or help with an action. Some cards have danger icons, which can make the Scene cards worse at the end of your turn, and some have walkie-talkie icons, these give you a bonus if you’re on the same space as the other players.
- Scene cards are the troublemakers of the game. They make monsters attack, force you to discard action cards and mess with your plans. Some cards reference Papa and other iconic moments from the show, adding extra chaos.
- Steve, Jonathan and some other favorite characters make appearances too, but I’m not giving away any more spoilers, you’ll have to discover them yourself!
Why It’s Awesome!
- Fully cooperative, solo or up to four players!
- Great re-playability, with plenty of variety, as you can choose a different character each time and pick which of the two seasons to play.
- The design is absolutely beautiful, the 80s inspired illustrated cards, the large board and the figures are all fantastic. I love it!
- Tension, excitement, strategy and teamwork are all on the table making every game a unique experience!
Keep in Mind
- The game only covers the first two seasons, and my personal favorite is the third, so if you are hoping to relive the later seasons, you’ll be missing some of the action.
- It can feel frustratingly easy to lose, especially on your first few plays. The tension is high and mistakes can snowball quickly. Saying that, I think this is a game for fans of the show and because it’s fully cooperative it works best when you play with people you know well and communicate with effectively.
- If the game feels too easy, you might be missing a rule, so it’s worth reading the instructions carefully to make sure you’re playing correctly.
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POV
Stranger Things is my favorite TV Show. I even go to my comfort zone by watching an episode before bed… maybe I’m a little weird! If you love the show, the 80s, enjoy thematic board games and have friends or family you know well and can really work together with, this is definitely a game you should have in your collection. It’s immersive, tense, and fun, and it really captures the feeling of being park of Hawkins and the Upside Down. Even if you’re not a hardcore gamer, the cooperative aspect makes it a great experience to share with people you enjoy spending time with.
Until next time, happy gaming!
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