Terraforming Mars vs Catan
Side by side comparison of two top board games
Terraforming Mars
In Terraforming Mars, players take on the role of corporations working together to terraform the planet Mars. Players compete for victory points while raising temperature, creating oxygen, and covering the planet with water. Each player manages their own corporation, playing project cards that represent technologies, infrastructure, or events.
Catan
Catan is the classic strategy game that introduced modern board gaming to the world. Players build settlements, cities, and roads on the island of Catan by collecting and trading resources. The modular board creates a different island each game. Trade and negotiation are key as players work to become the dominant settlement on Catan.
Specification Comparison
| Spec | Terraforming Mars | Catan |
|---|---|---|
| BGG Rank | 4 ✓ | 583 |
| Rating | 8.4 ✓ | 7.1 |
| Year Published | 2016 | 1995 ✓ |
| Price | 50 | 35 ✓ |
| Min Players | 1 ✓ | 3 |
| Max Players | 5 ✓ | 4 |
| Play Time (min) | 120 | 60 ✓ |
| Min Age | 12 | 10 ✓ |
| Complexity (1-5) | 3.24 ✓ | 2.33 |
Terraforming Mars wins in 5 categories, Catan wins in 4 categories.