Seven Games That Make You Think (and Smile) Earn 2026 Mensa Select® Honors

HERNDON, Va. - Rezul -- After nearly four days of nonstop gameplay at Mensa's 2026 Mind Games® competition,  American Mensa has awarded its coveted Mensa Select® seal to seven standout tabletop games — titles that challenge the mind, reward creativity, and deliver unforgettable play experiences

Chosen by approximately 400 Mensa members during an intensive four-day board game marathon in Herndon, Va., the winning games rose to the top based on their scores in concept, level of challenge, and design. The Mensa Select distinction is widely recognized as a mark of excellence in tabletop gaming, signaling games that are both intellectually engaging and broadly enjoyable.

The 2026 Mensa Select winners are:

• A Place for All My Books (Smirk & Dagger Games), a delightfully clever puzzle of order, organization, and literary charm. (Creators: Alex Cutler and Michael Mihealsick)
• Critter Kitchen (Cardboard Alchemy), a whimsical strategy meets culinary competition in a lively, critter-filled kitchen. (Creators: Alex Cutler and Peter C. Hayward)
• Fromage (R2i Games), a richly layered game of timing and tactics, where every move matures with flavor. (Creators: Matthew O'Malley and Ben Rosset)
• Galileo Galilei (Capstone Games), a thoughtful, strategic journey through discovery, innovation, and scientific legacy. (Creator: Tomáš Holek)
• Got Five (Blue Orange Games), fast-paced pattern recognition and quick thinking collide in an addictive challenge. (Creator: Yoann Levet)
• Things in Rings (Allplay), a smart, social deduction game that rewards logic, creativity, and connection. (Peter C. Hayward)
• Twinkle Twinkle (Allplay), a deceptively simple experience that shines with elegance, timing, and tactical depth. (Creator: Ammon Anderson)

The annual Mind Games competition, sponsored by the Mensa Foundation, offers game manufacturers the opportunity to have their titles evaluated by one of the most discerning audiences in the country: avid tabletop gamers who are also members of American Mensa.

More on Rezul News

• Real Estate Strategy Plays a Critical Role in Divorce Outcomes for Phoenix Homeowners
• Frontier Senior Living Selected to Manage Austin, TX Memory Care Community
• A New Pulse for Cardiac Care in Baltimore: St. Elizabeth Rehab & Nursing Welcomes Dr. Hakim Uqdah and Expands Advanced Heart Program
• Ashlar Homes Introduces Woodhaven Estates, a New Community in Kansas City's Northland
• Inframark–Slater Joint Venture Selected to Manage Fulton County Wastewater Operations

The recognition comes as tabletop gaming continues to grow worldwide, with annual sales exceeding $15 billion and strong long-term growth projected. North America leads the market — evidence that games which challenge the mind are finding a wider audience.

About American Mensa: American Mensa is an organization open to anyone who scores in the top 2 percent on an accepted standardized intelligence test. Mensa has 45,000 members in the United States and more than 140,000 members globally. For more information about American Mensa, visit americanmensa.org.