1996 in games

This page lists board and card games, wargames, miniatures games, and tabletop role-playing games published in 1996. For video games, see 1996 in video gaming.

Games released or invented in 1996
• 2

Game awards given in 1996

 * Origins Awards (for 1995):
 * Best Card Game: Middle-earth: The Wizards
 * Best Fantasy or Science-Fiction Board Game: Dragon Dice
 * Best Graphic Presentation of a Board Game: RoboRally - Armed and Dangerous
 * Best Miniatures Rules: Warzone - A Fast & Furious Miniatures Battle Game
 * Best Modern-Day Board Game: Empire of the Rising Sun
 * Best Pre-20th Century Board Game (tie): Colonial Diplomacy, Three Days of Gettysburg
 * Best Roleplaying Rules: Mage: The Ascension (2nd edition)
 * Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame
 * Axis & Allies
 * Call of Cthulhu RPG
 * Games: 25 Words or Less

Significant games-related events of 1996

 * Five Rings Publishing Group formed as a spin-out of Alderac Entertainment Group and ISOMEDIA.
 * Looney Labs is founded after the demise of Icehouse Games, Inc.