January 2026 Notable Toys — American-Made

Category:

Space
Board Games
American-Made

Step into the world of the Cthulhu Mythos in this mystery game set in 1920s America, where you and your fellow agents of the Bureau of Investigation work to uncover supernatural threats inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. As a cooperative detective game, players team up to investigate five peculiar cases—each one strange enough to test your resolve. Based on the rules of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective with some new investigative mechanics, it offers a fresh challenge for fans of that series while remaining accessible to newcomers. You'll explore locations like Boston and Arkham, follow leads, interview witnesses, and piece together clues across five highly variable cases that blend twists and new gameplay elements. Designed for 1 to 8 players ages 14 and up, each session typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours.

Inspired by the ancient ritual of creating and releasing mandalas from colored sand, this abstract strategy game invites two players to compete in building these symbolic maps. Players take turns placing colored cards into two shared mandalas, forming central mountains and personal fields. Once a mandala contains all six colors, players collect cards into their river and cup, with points scored based on the position of colors in their river. The game is easy to learn but rewards thoughtful play, making it suitable for both families and experienced players ages 10 and up. Each round plays in about 30 minutes, allowing for multiple games in one sitting.