Which Expansion

Ark Nova expansions

Base game: 1–4 players90–150 minCapstone Games3 expansions checked
  1. #1 overall

    Ark Nova: Marine Worlds

    Buy this first

    Won the 2023 Golden Geek Best Expansion award and is rated 8.9 on BGG; reviewers single out the alternate action cards and faster card-row churn as the reason it improves the base game.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Sea animals in new aquariums built next to water, a fourth university, 20 alternate action cards, new sponsors, conservation projects and final scoring cards.

    Fixes: Base-game card rows can clog with cards nobody wants; wave icons on sea cards flush the display, and the alternate action cards make each player's engine feel different.

    Expansion1–4 playersAdds more rulesBest for experienced groupsPrice: $20–$40
    DetailsBuy:AmazonCapstone Games
  2. #2 overall

    Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 2

    Worth it

    Cheap way to add variety (5 maps for about $13) and rated 8.6 on BGG; Feuerland confirmed on BGG it does not require Marine Worlds.

    Needs: Needs the base game. Works with or without Marine Worlds.

    Adds: Five new zoo maps on four double-sided boards, with a reference sheet for the new map abilities.

    Fixes: Gives experienced players fresh opening puzzles once the 8 base-game maps feel solved, and adds a shared map so everyone starts on equal footing.

    Mini expansion1–4 playersAbout the same rules loadBest for experienced groupsPrice: Under $20
    DetailsBuy:AmazonCapstone Games
  3. #3 overall

    Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 1

    Depends on your group

    Only two new layouts and a lower BGG rating (8.2) than Map Pack 2, so it's best for players who want every map once they own the other expansions.

    Needs: Just the base game

    Adds: Two double-sided zoo maps: Map 9 Geographical Zoo (continent bonuses) and Map 10 Rescue Station (tuck discarded animals under your map so their icons count).

    Fixes: Adds two new map puzzles for groups that have played the base maps many times.

    Mini expansion1–4 playersAbout the same rules loadBest for experienced groupsPrice: Under $20
    DetailsBuy:Capstone Games

Need the base game?

Buy:AmazonCapstone Games

Stuck between two?

Ark Nova expansions: quick answers

Which Ark Nova expansion should I buy first?

Ark Nova: Marine Worlds. Won the 2023 Golden Geek Best Expansion award and is rated 8.9 on BGG; reviewers single out the alternate action cards and faster card-row churn as the reason it improves the base game.

Is Ark Nova: Marine Worlds worth it?

Our verdict: buy this first. It adds: Sea animals that live in new aquarium enclosures built next to water, reef-dweller chain abilities, a fourth university, 20 alternate action cards (swap in 2 at setup), new sponsors, conservation projects, bonus tiles and final scoring cards, plus shaped wooden track markers.

Ark Nova: Marine Worlds or Ark Nova: Zoo Map Pack 2: which first?

We’d buy Ark Nova: Marine Worlds first. See the side-by-side comparison for what each adds and needs.

Other games’ expansion guides

Rankings are our editorial picks, built from the reviews linked on each expansion page. Last checked 2026-10-08.