10 Kickstarter Board Games That Delivered and Earned Lasting Shelf Space

5. Zombicide - Cooperative Action in the Undead Apocalypse

CMON's Zombicide franchise represents one of the most successful ongoing series in Kickstarter gaming, with multiple campaigns that have collectively raised tens of millions of dollars while building a devoted community around cooperative zombie-slaying action. The original 2012 campaign raised over $780,000, but subsequent campaigns including Black Plague, Green Horde, and Invader have each exceeded $4 million, demonstrating the franchise's remarkable staying power and ability to reinvent itself across different settings and time periods. Zombicide's success stems from its perfect balance of accessibility and excitement—players work together to complete objectives while fighting increasingly dangerous hordes of zombies, with character progression and equipment upgrades providing tangible rewards for survival. The game's innovative noise mechanic creates tension and tactical decision-making, as loud actions attract more zombies but are often necessary to achieve objectives, forcing players to balance risk and reward in every turn. CMON's commitment to exceptional miniature quality has made Zombicide campaigns highly anticipated events, with each new project featuring dozens of detailed plastic figures that serve both gameplay and collectible purposes. The franchise's ability to explore different genres and settings—from medieval fantasy to science fiction—while maintaining its core cooperative gameplay has kept the series fresh and relevant across nearly a decade of releases. Zombicide's community-driven approach, incorporating fan feedback and suggestions into new campaigns, has created a sense of collaborative development that strengthens the bond between creators and players, ensuring continued support for future projects.