My prime 148 video games of all time

Has it been one other two years already?  Guess it has.  And it’s time for a brand new shortest-list-ever – my 148 favourite video games, and thus those I select to have in my assortment.  Not together with video games I’ve designed, 148 video games represents simply 3.6% of the 4117 totally different video games I’ve performed (give or take; I don’t depend expansions and – to present one instance – I depend all Ticket to Ride video games as one whole totally different recreation I’ve performed; I believe most people would depend greater than 4117).  But I are inclined to play the video games I get pleasure from rather a lot; performs of those 148 video games symbolize 48.8% of my recreation performs since I began recording my performs.  I will even notice that I took a snapshot of my play knowledge once I began making this record; I’ve performed many of those video games not less than as soon as since then.

As at all times, I’d advocate taking this record with many grains of salt; whereas I are inclined to have _some_ alignment with each gamer I do know, I even have extra misalignments than alignments with each gamer I do know.

#148 – Just One, by Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter

44 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2021

My assortment has, since 2016, shrunk by greater than half.  And I’ve not likely missed any of them – I nonetheless _like_ them, however I don’t miss them.  Except – I spotted that I used to be lacking Just One.  So I’ve re-acquired it.  Which, to be truthful, was at all times the plan for any recreation I let go and resolve I wish to play extra.

#147 – Take It Easy, by Peter Burley

62 performs

Change from 2023: Up 17

First look: 2021

Over time, increasingly more of the video games I price a 7 have left my assortment.  At one level I removed the entire video games I price under a 7; I’m simply 14 video games away from eliminating the entire video games I price under an 8.  But some maintain on, for varied causes; for Take It Easy, the truth that it’s a brief recreation for a lot of gamers helps tremendously.

#146 – Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier, by Steve Baker

21 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2021

It’s odd to see a recreation to date down this record that didn’t transfer up, when 17 video games have dropped off altogether.  If you wish to play an anachronistic, luck-filled recreation, it’s laborious to beat this.  Given the entire luck, there are much more alternatives for strategic play than one may count on, and for a recreation with participant elimination, the time from the primary participant being eradicated by means of the top of the sport is shorter than one may count on.

#145 – Black Vienna, by Gilbert Obermair

36 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

I’m discovering that, over time, my curiosity in deduction video games slowly diminishes.  Black Vienna nonetheless stands out amongst them, and remains to be fairly pleasurable, however – it’s not transferring up this record.  I do know many are bothered by the fragility of the system – if a participant offers a fallacious reply, it each messes up the sport and often isn’t detectable till a lot later.  But we remind of us to at all times _look_ at their playing cards when answering, and really hardly ever have any points.

#144 – Hanabi, by Antoine Bauza

53 performs

Change from 2023: up 9

First look: 2021

Games in my assortment all have a ratio of performs I provoke to whole performs.  Some are almost 100% performs I provoke.  Hanabi might need one of many lowest ratios, since a buddy of mine in Ohio actually enjoys it and suggests it steadily after we’re collectively, both on-line or in particular person.  This works properly for me as a result of this buddy has by no means proven curiosity in creating conventions for taking part in the sport, which is how I choose to play it.  And – given what number of video games I must provoke performs of, it’s good to have some that I don’t.

The key, for me, to creating Hanabi enjoyable is to play with none conventions or the like.  I’ve nothing in opposition to conventions for speaking in complicated video games – however with a recreation equivalent to Hanabi, I discover they take away from the gaming expertise.  I do fear that too lots of my latest performs have been on-line – I’d prefer to play it in particular person once more someday quickly.

#143 – Klunker, by Uwe Rosenberg

41 performs

Change from 2023: up 11

First look: 2021

Most of the video games close to the underside of this record survive in my assortment as a result of they fill a specific gap.  Just One is a cooperative celebration recreation.  Take It Easy handles a lot of gamers in a brief enjoying time.  Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier is a foolish, mild king of the hill recreation.  But Klunker – doesn’t actually match.  It’s only a card recreation, and there are numerous card video games I like extra.  But it’s by no means actually been in peril of leaving my assortment, despite this.

I’m relatively amazed by how Rosenberg’s time as probably the most revolutionary card recreation designer round appears to have vanished from BoardGameGeek’s collective consciousness.  Bohnanza appears to have survived – if not whereas being thought of something like on a par with Rosenberg’s boardgames – but it surely looks as if the remainder of his card video games are largely forgotten.  Which is just too dangerous – Klunker isn’t my favourite of the lot, however remains to be a recent and novel design – and a enjoyable recreation.

#142 – Diamant, by Alan Moon and Bruno Faidutti

39 performs

Change from 2023: up 16

First look: 2021

Very lately I had one thing occur to me in a recreation of Diamant I had by no means skilled earlier than.  I almost at all times push my luck too laborious on the recreation, fall behind, push my luck even tougher, and end at or close to the underside.  But on this recreation, once I pushed my luck even tougher – it labored.  I can’t recall ever coming from considerably behind within the recreation, however this time I managed it.  Fortunately, the sport is each bit as a lot enjoyable even when such issues don’t occur.

#141 – Topfrosch, by Hilko Drude & Reinhold Wittig

23 performs

Change from 2023: up 19

First look: 2021

I actually recognize video games which, once you carry them out to play as soon as, usually get performed twice or extra.  Topfrosch, particularly, advantages from this as a result of the time to place the sport away is bigger than the time to set the sport up is bigger than the time to attain the sport is considerably higher than the sport itself.  It’s additionally far and away the messiest recreation I personal – the coconut frogs are nice, however then do tend to shed.

#140 – Akropolis, by Jules Messaud

21 performs

Change from 2023: up 8

First look: 2023

Akropolis continues to be very pleasurable, however I’m afraid that it’s going to wish to maneuver up a step for me with a purpose to make a 3rd look.  I believe it properly may – I proceed to benefit from the recreation every time I play it – however absent a step ahead I’m undecided it’s going to stick round in my ever-shrinking assortment.

#139 – Doppelt und Dreifach, by Der Bruder von Christian Anders (a.okay.a. Friedemann Friese)

27 performs

Change from 2023: Up 23

First look: 2021

This is basically the identical recreation as Fuji Flush – however for me, that is the superior model, as a result of it’s greatest with 4-6 gamers (I discover Fuji Flush most pleasurable with 5+) and the smaller vary of playing cards (2-15 relatively than 2-20) makes the sport of extra curiosity to me.  And there’s something good about proudly owning a Friedemann recreation printed by Friedemann that doesn’t begin with an F (and that I get pleasure from greater than Wucherer).  

Game titles I’d be inquisitive about seeing from Friedemann:

Fractionalization

Foresightfulness

Fictionalization

Ferroelectricity

Flibbertigibbet

Fossilification

Flimflammeries (ideally _not_ only a reprint of Falsche FuFFziger)

Featherbrained

Foreknowledge

Frankincense

Fascination (ideally themed across the previous amusement park recreation)

Fiddlesticks

Fundraising

Fenestrated

Flugelhorn

(Given infinite time, I’d attempt to provide you with German equivalents for these.  Well, aside from Flibbertigibbet and Fascination.)

#138 – Industrial Waste, by Jurgen Strohm

35 performs

Change from 2023: up 9

First look: 2021

I’m wondering what precisely the designer of the sport thinks is being manufactured within the recreation.  Does he view it as some generic product, or does it symbolize one thing extra particular?  The waste is clearly the waste from the manufacture of the product; did the designer think about the waste of the post-lifetime product itself?  It took me gaining a bit of understanding of German labor legal guidelines to know why you needed to have the appropriate card with a purpose to let staff go…

#137 – Codenames, by Vladimír Chvátil

99 performs

Change from 2023: Up 26

First look: 2021

“Party Game” has an odd that means for me, as a result of I’d be glad to play any recreation on this record as a celebration recreation.  But Codenames and Just One are the one two video games in my assortment which may typically be regarded as celebration video games – although I’m positive many would dispute that concept.  I prefer to assume and be challenged when enjoying video games; Codenames affords loads of that.  I’ll say – I may not be a celebration recreation particular person, however I’m much more a celebration recreation particular person than a celebration particular person.

#136 – The Green Fivura, by Taiki Shinzawa

23 performs

Change from 2023: up 13

First look: 2023

This has lately been re-released in English as Fives, making it way more available.  And it’s a really good manufacturing (as long as you don’t thoughts the colour pink, which I don’t), with one small exception – the playing cards aren’t listed on each ends.  I do know many of us strongly choose playing cards listed on each the left and proper facet, however to be sincere that doesn’t hassle me.  Not having the playing cards listed on each ends frustrates me every time I play the brand new version.  Having mentioned that, it’s tolerable, and a _whole_ lot higher than actually having fun with a recreation nobody can get their arms on.

#135 – Winhard, by Reinhard Pichler & Erwin Pichler

39 performs

Change from 2023: down 39

First look: 2005

I’m now imagining a retheming of this recreation to Spy Hard.  Not due to the film, which I’ve by no means seen, however due to the Weird Al theme track.

#134 – Rapa Nui, by Reinhold Wittig & Ingo Althöfer

17 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2011

Abstract video games actually aren’t my factor, often – but when, as with Rapa Nui, an summary carries off a theme with the principles, these can work for me.  Rapa Nui is a superb instance of this.  The elements are totally in line with an summary title, with the delicate exception of the form of the board.  And the principles are totally in line with different abstracts, with the delicate exception of the luck ingredient of rolling a die (albeit not for motion or something of that nature).  But – the theme is the overpopulation/deforestation of Easter Island, and the sport carries this out extraordinarily properly.  It doesn’t take lengthy earlier than what began as a wide-open board begins to really feel totally locked up, and never for much longer earlier than the primary participant is eradicated.  Fortunately, from that time it by no means takes lengthy earlier than there is just one participant remaining and the sport concludes – usually not more than two turns earlier than that final participant could be eradicated as properly.

#133 – Scoozie, by Rich Maiers

18 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2007

Just as Rapa Nui carries off its theme tremendously, Scoozie does the identical.  It’s inconceivable for me to think about enjoying this recreation and _not_ image a single play in American Football.  As with all two participant video games, it’s laborious for me to get this to the desk as a lot as I would love; because of this, I’ve completely no concept if I’m any good at this recreation.  But I’m sure I actually benefit from the recreation.

#132 – Hare & Tortoise, by David Parlett

36 performs

Change from 2023: down 23

First look: 2005

OK, talking of retheming – I’d like to see a Looney Tunes themed model of this recreation.  One of my latest performs concerned one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than – I managed to eat all three lettuce earlier than passing the primary lettuce house.  First, I had the nice fortune to get to eat a lettuce on a hare house.  Then I went to the primary lettuce house.  Then I moved ahead to a hare house, as one should do – and it moved me again a place, inserting me behind the primary lettuce house once more.  I’m under no circumstances satisfied this was optimum luck, but it surely actually was enjoyable.

I will even notice – whereas I doubt anybody besides me pays consideration to the particular variety of performs in these – Diatribes?  Novellas?  Ramblings? – when you did, you’ll discover that for the primary time ever each single one of many play counts is up by not less than two.  This is as a result of I performed each recreation in my assortment in 2024, and once more in 2025, this time by the top of April.  I solely record the play depend so that people who want to dismiss my opinion based mostly upon a low variety of performs have all the information they want to take action.  Personally, I believe it’s totally cheap to dismiss my opinion even with out this data, however higher secure than sorry.

#131 – Blöde Kuh, by Florian Racky

29 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2019

Once there was a really foolish cow.  It lived at a farm with a barely much less foolish horse, a a lot much less foolish pig, and a barely foolish in any respect sheep.  Each day, they might both change their loyalties to a unique member of the household that owned the farm, or benefit from their particular expertise – the sheep would go to sleep, the pig would share their meals with another person, the horse would change the household’s chores round, and the cow would chow down on a very alternative little bit of grass.  At the top of the month every member of the household must take duty for the animals they have been left with, and the member of the family with probably the most chores remaining must fess up.  As time moved on, the entire animals turned larger and sillier, and taking duty for them turned a bigger and bigger burden.  Eventually the household toted up their tasks, however then celebrated with a farm-fresh dinner.  The household lived fortunately ever after.

#130 – Q.E., by Gavin Birnbaum

26 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2019

One of the issues I like most about Q.E. is the open query every recreation as as to if there might be inflation, deflation, or regular costs.  If you knew going by which would happen, you might do a lot better on the recreation.  And every participant can attempt to tip the scales within the path they want to see issues go – however, in the long run, no single participant has management.  (Well, OK – one participant _can_ have management if they simply constantly bid a lot, a lot greater than the earlier bids would recommend, and win all the things.  They would then lose whereas everybody else gained.  To me, the appropriate alternative could be to not play Q.E. with such a participant, however to every their very own.)

#129 – Spyrium, by William Attia

25 performs

Change from 2023: down 10

First look: 2013

The side of Spyrium I get pleasure from probably the most is the stress between taking items off the board for money and taking items off the board to amass buildings or applied sciences.  Which is odd; it bears some resemblance to a recreation of hen, which I intensely dislike, however right here it really works for me – partly as a result of you possibly can keep away from the high-interest playing cards totally or place items subsequent to them in a means that gives for a backup plan, or you possibly can deliberately danger having a positioned piece transform ineffective.  So in contrast to, say, Taj Mahal, the place you possibly can’t simply keep away from the video games of hen and nonetheless meaningfully play the sport, right here there are alternatives.

#128 – Abraca…What?, by Gun-Hee Kim

22 performs

Change from 2023: down 33

First look: 2015

Perhaps the factor I get pleasure from most about Abraca…What? is the power to decide on a plan based mostly upon the data out there to you.  If the participant in your left and the participant in your proper have numerous spells that injury you, you recognize that your odds are poor, and you may strive bolder plans with out having to fret about dying; it’s the probably end result, and dying by blowing your self up is best than having one other participant remove you.  On the opposite hand, if only a few spells influence you, you possibly can take a slower strategy, looking forward to alternatives to remove one other participant for the reward.    And when you belief the opposite gamers, you possibly can generally work out the spells you maintain by means of their actions, and non-actions.

#127 – Kardinal & König, by Michael Schacht

45 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2005

My private weak spot at this recreation is my overemphasis on diplomats.  I’ll often place diplomats within the first half of the sport, despite understanding full properly they gained’t rating till the top, and miss out on each good nation scoring alternatives and highway scoring alternatives because of this.  (And, often, on some diplomat scoring alternatives too, as different gamers react to my diplomat placement.)  The unhappy factor is I’ve recognized about this tendency for a very long time, and I nearly by no means handle to efficiently struggle it.

#126 – Luz, by Taiki Shinzawa

17 performs

Change from 2023: down 28

First look: 2021

Since Luz I’ve performed plenty of further video games the place the again of the cardboard reveals some details about the cardboard – most frequently go well with, however generally the quantity.  And I now have a transparent second alternative for the sort of recreation – Xylotar affords very attention-grabbing decisions, and for me addresses the priority I had with Magic Trick (although I do know plenty of of us who disagree, preferring the unique).  But Luz nonetheless stands out for me – despite the truth that the scoring is a bit wonky.  One miscue on one hand can simply make a fifty level distinction, in a recreation the place in my expertise there’s usually lower than a fifty level distinction from first to final.  But the problem of the sport – deciding find out how to bid the uncertainties of your hand to greatest work for all circumstances – makes the sport successful for me.

Last minute replace: I heard that the iello guidelines (1) change the scoring, and (2) are on-line.  And – they’re _still_ a bit wonky, however maybe rather less so; the largest one-trick-difference hole is now 45 factors (solely on the ultimate hand), however since scoring is decreased that is really a much bigger distinction than fifty factors within the unique.  That mentioned, there’s extra risk to catch up, which is a wonderful factor.

#125 – Havalandi, by Reiner Knizia

15 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2025

While I typically have a powerful choice for video games the place the mechanisms match the theme, there are some very summary video games that sneak into my assortment.  Havalandi is one among them; I’m undecided _any_ mechanism within the recreation is thematic, although to be truthful I’ve by no means gone sizzling air ballooning so maybe there’s one thing I’m lacking.  But it’s a really strong and pleasurable recreation, even with the disconnected theme.

#124 – Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg, by Wolfgang Warsch

39 performs

Change from 2023: down 33

First look: 2019

One factor I don’t perceive – many individuals appear to place this recreation away with the potion tiles sorted by shade.  This makes completely no sense to me; I can pick the colours very simply, however have a tough time discovering a 1, 2, or 4 particularly.  But I’ve seen video games sorted this fashion usually sufficient to know that it’s a choice for a lot of.  I can nearly image doing this with gamers who’re colorblind – I believe it’d nonetheless be tough to inform which pile is which, however not less than there’s no confusion between two colours in the identical pile.  

#123 – Wildlife Adventure, by Wolfgang Kramer & Ursula Kramer

44 performs

Change from 2023: down 30

First look: 2005

One factor in regards to the interest that has modified over time is the push for these new to the interest to play the classics.  This is sensible; once I bought into the interest, the variety of classics I wanted to play to “catch up” on was a _lot_ extra manageable.  It’s laborious for me to even image the “you really should try…” record as of late; it’s not laborious to think about it being a multi-decade quest for a lot of.

But, again once I got here throughout the interest, Wildlife Adventure was a type of video games that almost all everybody agreed on, and so I attempted it, and favored it – and nonetheless do.  It is attention-grabbing how in a different way the sport performs with extra gamers; what appears a really doable process with 3 or 4 turns into actually unwieldy with 6; I believe it very becoming that I as soon as noticed a Wildlife Adventure event last finish when all routes have been blocked and nobody had journey vouchers remaining.

#122 – Scratch House, by Kuro

17 performs

Change from 2023: up 13

First look: 2017

One of my private flaws is that I’ve unrealistic expectations of different’s experiences.  Going again to Wildlife Adventure, I count on that people can have performed the sport – not that they essentially are followers of the sport, however not less than familiarity.  Such is the case with the Winchester Mystery House; I count on, once I sit down to show Scratch House, that individuals might be conversant in its inspiration, and truthfully I’m fallacious way more usually than I’m proper.  (BTW, when you ever end up in San Jose CA, it’s properly value a go to for my part.  And, not less than once I visited, they’d a grapefruit tree the place – when you might nab a grapefruit with out climbing the tree you have been welcome to take one.  It was far and away the very best grapefruit I’ve ever had.)

#121 – Auf Fotosafari in Ombagassa, by Reinhold Wittig

19 performs

Change from 2023: down 7

First look: 2005

We have launched two extra home guidelines to this recreation – first, at all times dealing out further photos, after which requiring N out of M photos being taken to win the sport, and second, permitting a participant to spend a flip to swap photos.  Neither is strictly crucial, however they each decrease frustrations and permit the enjoyable a part of the sport to shine.  They additionally keep away from the sport stalling close to the top, which helps with the circulate.

#120 – Entenrallye, by Walter Müller

20 performs

Change from 2023: down 34

First look: 2005

The everlasting query – the one which has dogged avid gamers for ages – is what number of rallies one ought to intention to attend when enjoying Entenrallye.  Attend all 4 would require unimaginable luck; I don’t assume I’ve ever seen it executed.  And going to only one probably isn’t ample.  But 2?  Or 3?  And whatever the reply, which of them?  And moreover, if solely 2, how a lot do you maintain out for very nice items to improve your automobile?  All I do know for sure is that I almost at all times get the solutions fallacious.

#119 – Perry Rhodan, by Heinrich Glumpler

22 performs

Change from 2023: up 26

First look: 2013

As my assortment of two participant video games has shrunk – I’d lastly have sufficiently few of them – I do discover it attention-grabbing to see which stick for me.  When Perry Rhodan got here out, I used to be whelmed.  It was a superbly wonderful recreation, however not one I’d have anticipated to proceed to hunt out performs of a decade later.  But it’s grown on me; I see increasingly more attention-grabbing decisions within the recreation play, and it’s positively helped by being in one among my favourite genres (pickup and ship).  Though I’ll say – studying one of many books didn’t do something to boost my enjoyment of the sport.

#118 – Auf Achse, by Wolfgang Kramer

25+ performs

Change from 2023: up 7

First look: 2005

I used to be greater than a bit of stunned to seek out an Auf Achse iOS app throughout the previous yr.  It’s not dangerous, however like many apps not as a lot enjoyable because the precise recreation – although it has launched me to the newer launch, since I nonetheless have the 1987 version.  

I do surprise – would Auf Achse be in any respect remembered by this level if it hadn’t gained the Spiel des Jahres?  Lots of successful video games clearly would nonetheless be well-known, SdJ or no, and a few SdJ winners are nonetheless successfully forgotten.  But Auf Achse is properly sufficient remembered to get a model new app, however on the similar time has fewer performs recorded on BGG over all time than Ticket to Ride did in March (or February, or January…)

#117 – Food Chain Magnate, by Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiesinga

28 performs

Change from 2023: up 20

First look: 2017

This must be one of the vital pleasurable video games to see a plan come collectively in – and one of the vital irritating once you miss one thing essential, and plans disintegrate.  It additionally appears to foster among the wildest swings I see in any recreation – issues might be transferring alongside, pretty even, when abruptly they lurch in a single participant’s path, then again in one other participant’s path, till lastly the sport ends – usually with everybody very dizzy.  I’m at all times amused by the criticism this recreation receives of its art work, in no small half as a result of I discover the art work so pleasant – it’s extraordinarily evocative for me.

#116 – masKmen, by Jun Sasaki & Taiki Shinzawa

36 performs

Change from 2023: down 40

First look: 2015

The newer editions of masKmen (because it’s styled within the unique) have, as a substitute of 1 copy of every wrestler’s masks, three or 4 – however I a lot choose the unique.  When performed in a sure type, the connections of which wrestlers are higher than which others can seem like a messy household tree; I’m at all times a bit disenchanted when all of it dissolves all the way down to a easy totem pole.

#115 – Astron (designer unknown)

17 performs

Change from 2023: up 25

First look: 2013

I’ve lately been fascinated with the mathematics behind this recreation, and it’s fascinating.  Each airport touchdown is 12.5 factors on common; every hazard prices 7.5 factors.  But even the comparatively small variety of playing cards usually collected in the course of the recreation creates a relatively big selection of doable scores; three airport and three hazards could also be 15 factors on common, however it may rating zero – or 30.  Expecting the variety of airports minus the variety of hazards to be an approximation of the positions shouldn’t be almost so correct as one may count on. 

#114 – Whacky Wit, by Norman Sommer

24 performs

Change from 2023: up 20

First look: 2015

One factor that it appears like we see much less of as of late is the pop-up designer – somebody who has an concept or three, reveals up at Essen (presumably with a sales space, presumably with a backpack), after which disappears (both as a designer or as a writer; generally each).  Whacky Wit was such a case; Jenseits von Theben was as properly.  But it feels just like the Essen hidden gems aren’t what they was – there are nonetheless video games which are higher or worse than anticipated, however there aren’t actually many video games that fly totally below the radar till Spiel begins.  That’s probably higher for almost everybody – however I do miss the unknown gems of the previous.

#113 – Mr. President, by Jack Carmichael

24+ performs

Change from 2023: down 8

First look: 2005

Is there an higher restrict as to how lengthy a recreation can present pleasure?  I’ve seen plenty of of us who’ve burned out on gaming altogether, and it looks as if almost everybody (myself included) loses curiosity in some video games over time.  But I’ve been enjoying Mr. President for greater than 40 years, and nonetheless discover it fascinating, even because the election it represented has moved from one decade prior to now to 5.  I’ve modified the way in which I educate the sport lately; I’ve stopped explaining the fund elevating guidelines, since I can’t recall ever seeing them used.

#112 – Santa Fe, by Alan Moon

28+ performs

Change from 2023: up 21

First look: 2005

A + after the variety of performs signifies that I performed the sport previous to 1996, once I began recording my performs.  The variety of further performs varies fairly a bit, however one case the place I really know the quantity is Santa Fe, which I purchased at Games People Play in late December 1995, and performed it for the primary time simply earlier than the top of the yr.  We don’t actually see anybody doing what Alan did with White Wind as of late; I assume the closest trendy equal is a designer making a writer and beginning Kickstarter campaigns.  I’m having a tough time considering of any notable designer within the final decade who self-financed the publication of their recreation(s).

#111 – Morgan’s A’Comin’!, by Paul Rohrbaugh

26 performs

Change from 2023: up 15

First look: 2013

I do surprise, generally, if I’m not enjoying this recreation optimally.  I almost at all times find yourself enjoying the South, and produce my troops in from Indiana (aside from the Outriders), raid every city, and attempt to get to Columbus to seize the governor.  However, I’m wondering if it’s higher to go east shortly, sit by the Ohio, and be able to bolt.  However – I’ve simply found that there’s a definitive reply to my lengthy held query in regards to the recreation; it’s allowed to raid the identical metropolis a number of occasions.  I didn’t count on that; we’ve at all times allowed a single raid per metropolis.  But this adjustments the mathematics; possibly my strategy is okay given this.

#110 – Aeronautika, by Jean du Poël

12 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2015

Over time, I’ve modified the principles for what makes this record.  They began as all printed video games I price an 8.  Then I made a decision that I might embody video games about to be printed, then I made a decision that they needed to be video games really in my assortment, and eventually I made a decision that I would come with all video games in my assortment – however nothing else.

This is how Aeronautika made it onto my record in 2015, after which was dropped.  And, a while later, I gave up on ever discovering a duplicate.  But after an attention-grabbing journey involving the assistance of three pals, I managed to get a duplicate in late 2023, and I’ve been having fun with it ever since – even when it isn’t the simplest recreation to lug round.  Perhaps my favourite play, although, got here in April of 2024, when enjoying a six participant recreation (permitting planes to stack 4 excessive across the Eiffel Tower), three of us spontaneously broke out within the first two verses of Snoopy vs. the Red Baron earlier than we got here to our senses.  Games that may encourage singing even from of us like me who know they will’t sing are uncommon and great for it.

#109 – Don Q. und der Dreh mit den Windmühlen, by Matthias Schmitt

30 performs

Change from 2023: up 12

First look: 2011

Once upon a time there have been many video games I had performed greater than the full mixed recorded performs on BGG.  As BGG grows, that point has handed; there are nonetheless probably a number of video games the place I could make that declare, however not many.  But there are nonetheless many video games the place I can declare extra performs than anybody else has recorded there; my buddy Kevin Whitmore has probably the most recorded performs on BGG with six, which as you possibly can see is fewer than I’ve racked up.

But it’s even funnier when you hint performs again; plenty of the performs which were recorded are with me, and I had picked up an additional copy which I handed on to Kevin.  Near as I can inform, eight of the fourteen individuals who have recorded performs hint again a technique or one other to me.  Which I believe implies that as an evangelist for the sport, I’m doing a awful job – solely getting the phrase out to eight individuals?

#108 – Starship Catan, by Klaus Teuber

25 performs

Change from 2023: up 16

First look: 2005

The presence of plenty of two participant video games on this a part of my record shouldn’t be coincidental.  I’ve lengthy had a powerful choice for multiplayer video games; I’ve slowly whittled away the variety of two participant video games in my assortment in order that they take up a smaller proportion, however even those that stay are amongst my least favourite favorites.  Part of that is discovering the interactions of a multiplayer recreation to be of higher curiosity, however half is solely discovering a multiplayer recreation probably the most snug place to get social interplay.  I nonetheless get pleasure from two participant video games – simply not as a lot, on the entire.

#107 – Frank’s Zoo, by Doris Matthäus & Frank Nestel

61 performs

Change from 2023: up 16

First look: 2005

Of all of the odd issues, Frank’s Zoo – which I’ve been enjoying ever because it got here out – appears to actually be transferring up for me.  I’d notice that we don’t play by the principles as written – no partnerships, no lion scoring, no hedgehog scoring, simply pure shedding – however I’m having fun with the sport extra now than I ever have earlier than.  Some of it’s Doris’ great art work – I used to be considerably spoiled for decisions for her art work when Frank’s Zoo got here out, and miss that.  Some of it’s the abundance of latest trick-taking and shedding video games, which make me recognize previous favorites extra.  And a few of it has been latest memorable performs.

#106 – King of Tokyo, by Richard Garfield

52 performs

Change from 2023: up 11

First look: 2013

One of the good issues about King of Tokyo is that – win or lose – there’s nearly at all times a narrative to inform.  Some of the very best comebacks I’ve seen in any recreation have been in King of Tokyo, the place a participant who has a really gradual begin finally ends up surviving and both dashing to a win on fame or, even higher, taking out their final opponent simply earlier than they take the victory on fame.  Not each play is so dramatic, however they’re nice when they’re.

#105 – Spinball, by Aaron Weissblum

86 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2005

I’m typically not a giant fan of dexterity video games; I’m often glad to play them, however hardly ever am searching for repeated play.  I believe Spinball avoids this destiny for me as a result of (1) it’s on a scale I can work with and (2) it doesn’t contain fastidiously balancing something.  Even if I can’t rating persistently, I can get shut sufficient to really feel I’m doing moderately properly.

#104 – Clash of the Gladiators, by Reiner Knizia

28 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

While I’ve fond reminiscences of Circus Maximus, I believe they’re way more fond reminiscences of the probabilities of the sport, relatively than of the sport correct.  My fond reminiscences of Clash of the Gladiators, however, are of the sport itself.  There is an actual benefit, in a recreation about fight, to holding a quick tempo; Clash of the Gladiators (1) requires fight each flip, (2) resolves fight in, at most, three die roles, and (3) gladiators die regularly.  This makes for a recreation that for me one performs for the enjoyable of it, relatively than the promise of it.

#103 – Mare Mediteranneum, by Jean du Poël

17 performs

Change from 2023: down 39

First look: 2021

One factor I at all times attempt to notice in these lists is that adjustments – even giant adjustments – are usually not essentially the results of a change in opinion, however merely the results of creating the record from scratch annually.  We proceed to tinker with the principles for Mare Mediterranuem, significantly the occasions – there are some occasions which are simply devastating in follow, which could be tempered to make a greater recreation, whereas nonetheless leaving a sting.  For occasion, altering governments close to the top of the sport can merely remove a participant; we’re now permitting a participant to both (1) settle for the brand new authorities or (2) require an additional merchandise in a single class for every change in governments declined.

#102 – Lost Valley, by Roland Goslar & Tobias Goslar

19 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

My most up-to-date play of Lost Valley had one thing happen I’d by no means seen earlier than – the river took a pointy flip and as a substitute of working up and out from the buying and selling publish ran to 1 facet and out.  This made for an odd recreation – the participant with an early canoe had a big benefit, and made robust use of it.  But it’s good to nonetheless see issues I by no means had earlier than this far into my journey with the sport.

#101 – Sindbad, by Jean Vanaise, E. Duchatel & J.P. Postel

23 performs

Change from 2023: down 12

First look: 2005

Today was a really dangerous day.  At daybreak, my boat sank.  I made it to shore with my treasure, however thieves accosted me and ran off with my amber and ivory.  Walking by means of the jungle, a monkey hit me within the head with a coconut.  Deciding that using was higher than strolling, the elephant I discovered then threw me, knocking me out.  I lastly made it again to civilization, however was distracted by a panther and somebody stole my diamonds.  Then issues have been trying up; I discovered a ship searching for crew; whereas I used to be doing that my cash was stolen.  Then the ship I employed on to sprung a leak and we needed to abandon ship _again_.  I discovered some dancers, however nonetheless extra thieves stole my pearls whereas I watched them dance, after which somebody knocked me out.  Finally waking up after dusk, I bought in a struggle and suffered a concussion.  Hopefully tomorrow might be higher…

#100 – Old Town / Gads Hill 1874, by Stephan Riedel

30 performs

Change from 2023: up 18

First look: 2005

I’m not typically a fan of expansions.  And I’m typically a fan of the unique model of video games; it’s uncommon that I think about a later model superior.  But by some means Gads Hill 1874 breaks each of those guidelines for me.  The first growth – Railway Station – permits for extra prospects in creating proofs, making for a extra attention-grabbing recreation.  (I ought to notice that the second growth – Jesse James – is, like most expansions are for me, not value it.)  And as a lot as I like Old Town, Riedel improved the sport considerably over time and Gads Hill is clearly my favourite tackle the system.  It’s additionally one other recreation I’ve performed extra – even not counting my performs of Old Town – than anybody has recorded on BGG.

#99 – Little Town Builders, by Shun & Aya

31 performs

Change from 2023: down 25

First look: 2019

I lately performed the unique model for the primary time shortly – the iello reprint each retains the attraction of the unique and supplies elements in English, making it a better promote, however for as soon as solely the unique was out there.  And it was a pleasant reminder of how a lot the unique recreation charmed me and the way good a job was executed with the second version.  For a recreation with so few turns – with 4 gamers, every participant solely will get 12 turns for the entire recreation – there’s rather a lot happening, and in contrast to some very brief video games Little Town Builders doesn’t undergo from feeling prefer it’s over too quickly.

#98 –Traumfabrik, by Reiner Knizia

21 performs

Change from 2023: down 29

First look: 2011

For a while, it’s been my purpose, once I add a recreation to my assortment, to get it to 10 performs as shortly as doable.  The motive I do that is that it’s very efficient at removing video games which don’t want to remain in my assortment.  But on account of this, many of the video games in my assortment I’ve performed 10+ occasions in not less than one yr.  And, on the opposite finish, there are solely six which I’ve by no means performed greater than twice.  Of the six, the oddest of them is Traumfabrik – the opposite 5 are way more tough to get to the desk.  I’m undecided simply why I’ve by no means performed Traumfabrik greater than twice in a yr, but it surely hasn’t occurred; despite this, it does proceed to get performed, and each from time to time I really do moderately properly on the recreation, only for selection’s sake.

#97 – Findorff, by Friedemann Friese

22 performs

Change from 2023: down 10

First look: 2023

In spite of my issues in regards to the long-term replayability of Findorff, we hold enjoying and having fun with the sport.  I’m reaching the conclusion, nevertheless, that the tokens that go on the board for every of the 25 buildings is likely to be probably the most pointless element in any recreation; actually in any recreation in my assortment.  I ought to say – pointless however good; if we’re not in a rush I’ll at all times select to ensure they get positioned.  My largest concern with the sport at this level is that have issues an excessive amount of; probably the most lopsided video games of Findorff I’ve seen contain an skilled participant and new gamers.  Fortunately this doesn’t at all times occur, however – it’s not excellent when it does.

#96 – Nusfjord, by Uwe Rosenberg

24 performs

Change from 2023: down 15

First look: 2019

Nusfjord is an effective instance of how an growth could be worthwhile only for the higher elements.  The gold included with the unique is barely practical; it’s too small to simply use.  So the small cash of the growth make me very glad to personal it, even when I’m pretty sure I haven’t used the growth playing cards greater than twice.

I simply regarded up Nusfjord – to make sure there weren’t extra expansions – and naturally there are.  And a giant field.  Personally, I discover the unique field to be totally ample (supplemented by the cash that include the Plaice deck growth).  I’ve by no means fairly understood the proliferation of “big box” editions; to me, they appear to be much less handy to take round and embody extra pointless expansions and price extra.  But maybe that’s simply me.

#95 – Sheep & Thief, by Yuichi Sakashita

27 performs

Change from 2023: down 27

First look: 2019

I really like the sheep within the unique Japanese version of this recreation.  They might have been cubes or discs – however as a substitute they’re small cotton balls.  It’s laborious to think about a greater match to the sport, they usually positively make it extra enjoyable to play even when you do have to fret a few participant by chance doing a giant dangerous wolf impression and blowing the sheep in every single place.  This is one other recreation which, whereas fairly brief, feels the appropriate size for what it’s doing.

#94 – Löwenherz, by Klaus Teuber

29 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2005

I had the prospect to play this in April with three skilled gamers – and it was improbable.  One factor I really like in video games is exploring totally different points of a recreation, however with some video games I’ve a tough time not happening a tried and true route, such because the traitors in Löwenherz.  So having different gamers each emphasizing the political deck the place these playing cards lie and watching the traitors disappear nearly instantly.  I believe having different gamers power me into an alternate technique is likely to be one among my favourite gaming experiences.

#93 – Entdecker, by Klaus Teuber

39 performs

Change from 2023: up 6

First look: 2005

It’s at all times attention-grabbing to see how a recreation of Entdecker will develop – will there be any giant islands?  This considerably impacts how scoring will play out.  If there are solely smaller islands, then the bonus for having the best presence on these islands – and significantly the exploration chips – might be a giant think about figuring out who wins.  But if there’s a giant island – or perhaps a few massive islands – then scoring first place on these islands might be a a lot bigger issue.

#92 – Länder toppen!, by Matthias Jünemann

29 performs

Change from 2023: down 3

First look: 2017

One of the problems I’ve with the latest spate of trick taking (and associated) video games is similar one I’ve lengthy had.  Most trick taking video games are – for me – YATTCG (one more tick taking card recreation).  This shouldn’t be the fault of the video games, significantly; the important thing identifier for this label for me is {that a} recreation is barely value a number of performs.  But – almost 80% of video games don’t make it previous three performs for me.  Trick taking video games aren’t actually any totally different; they simply are prevalent and infrequently extra comparable feeling in nature.  But – they’re nonetheless enjoyable to strive, and each from time to time I’ll discover a recreation like Länder toppen!

#91 – Numeri, by Rudi Hoffman

77 performs

Change from 2023: up 3

First look: 2011

One factor I recognize in a recreation is the power to show it as you go.  Numeri is especially properly suited to this – initially, you solely must know one rule, and there’s loads of time to get by means of the remainder of the principles earlier than you want them.  There is numerous luck in Numeri – and on the similar time, sufficient management as to meaningfully influence your possibilities.

#90 – Carcassonne, by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede

99 performs

Change from 2023: down 15

First look: 2005

Bulbous bouffant blubber galoshes mukluks macadamia gazebo bamboozle igloo plethora beluga ploy spatula hullabaloo gabardine tuberculosis foible.  Analytic and algebraic topology of domestically Euclidean metrization of infinitely differentiable Riemannian manifold.  Aurora bungalow chatoyant denouement elixir felicity gossamer halcyon idyllic jocular kindred lullaby mellifluous nemesis opulence propinquity quintessence ripple sanguine tranquility umbrella vortex wistfulness xylophone yesteryear zenith.

#89 – Spacebeans, by Uwe Rosenberg

72 performs

Change from 2023: up 3

First look: 2005

How to make Spacebeans way more enjoyable IMHO:

1. The purpose is to complete the sport in 10 minutes.
2. As quickly as (1) you’ve been handed zero or extra playing cards and (2) the particular person going earlier than you has decided about drawing playing cards, you may make your choice.
   1. Let the particular person after you recognize when you’re not drawing playing cards.
3. There is nothing in Spacebeans value agonizing over.  Make a alternative, and act.
4. If you recognize whose flip it’s, you’re not enjoying shortly sufficient.
5. Whenever you rating, announce your rating.
6. The appropriate order of actions is draw (if drawing; if not announce), place playing cards (if planting a brand new face-down discipline, simply accomplish that), go playing cards, discard/rating your face up pile (asserting your new rating if related), flip your face down pile up.
   1. Unless, after all, you’re attending to 30+ factors, by which case – simply announce that.

#88 – Fine Sand, by Friedemann Friese

66 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2019

I lastly managed to fulfill my purpose of enjoying Fine Sand 10 occasions in a row and going by means of the entire non-starter playing cards.  I’d positively advocate this to any fan of the sport; there’s a circulate to enjoying a collection of video games like this {that a} single play simply doesn’t match.  And truthfully, among the later playing cards are fairly attention-grabbing, significantly among the doable interactions between the playing cards.  I nonetheless don’t understand how a deck-deconstruction recreation works so properly for somebody like me who simply doesn’t take care of deckbuilders, but it surely does.  I significantly just like the intelligent prospects the sport permits, even when they arrive on the expense of higher participant interplay.

#87 – Viva Pamplona!, by Wolfgang Kramer

35 performs

Change from 2023: down 21

First look: 2005

One factor I’ve skilled lately, drawing my consideration to the phenomenon, is an ideal play of a recreation.  Not a recreation the place you essentially did all the things appropriately, or the place each random ingredient got here out properly for you – although these could be parts – however merely one the place, afterwards, you can not think about issues understanding higher.

One of the video games that had me fascinated with this was Viva Pamplona!.  I lately performed a six participant recreation by which I didn’t have good rolls – I had a few double-arrows, however not an enormous quantity – however almost each non-arrow roll was useful, the bull selected precisely the appropriate moments to cost, and I used to be in a position to push opponents way more usually than I used to be pushed.  I completed the sport with 70 braveness, simply the best I’ve ever seen.  Perhaps oddly, this makes me stay up for my subsequent play, when issues will undoubtedly return to regular.  (I say oddly, as a result of one particular person in my recreation group will not play one recreation as a result of he had his good recreation of it.  I truthfully do not know which response is extra widespread…)

#86 – Guild, by Kenichi Tenabe

17 performs

Change from 2023: up 16

First look: 2013

While the construction of the sport is ready up for 3 wars, I’m undecided I’ve ever seen all three happen.  I’m pretty sure I’m partly in charge for this – my pure tendencies are at all times in direction of build up as a lot as doable earlier than changing to victory factors, which in Guild tends to push issues in direction of one giant warfare.  But on my most up-to-date play I attempted to push tougher for a number of wars (we had two relatively than one); I must strive going additional on this path, in order that I can higher see that side of the sport.

#85 –Troia, by Thomas Fackler

21 performs

Change from 2023: down 3

First look: 2005

After my publish-on-the-first-turn plan failed, I began searching for comparable choices which may work higher.  And – I’ve had good luck with publishing on the second flip.  The first flip I’ve simply taken three tiles and researched two, in order that I get some factors from my first publication, after which have targeted on following up with three good publications.  I’m under no circumstances satisfied it’s a perfect technique, but it surely not less than appears to be extra workable than publishing on flip one.

#85 – Outpost, by James Hlavaty & Tim Moore

78+ performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2005

One widespread perception, amongst Outpost gamers, is that it’s tough to beat a participant who manages to construct a water manufacturing facility and an individual on flip one.  I are inclined to agree with this, however my final two performs have me questioning.  (For context, the participant main the sport in Outpost receives the #1, and has to begin all auctions they wish to be certain happen earlier than passing that duty on to participant 2.  This has some unfavourable results for the chief, however not big ones; it may be an amazing boon to the participant in final place, although that participant can fall to date behind as for it to not influence their end result.)  In the primary of those performs, one participant managed the water/particular person first flip, and took the #1.  I averted being the fallaway trailer, however was by no means in a position to take the lead – till the final flip.  The participant with the quick begin was the chief on and off all through the sport, however fell to 3rd place in the long run (of 6).  The second recreation – additionally with six gamers – didn’t contain the winner by no means being first till the ultimate flip, however performed out in a lot the identical means in any other case; the participant with the quick begin remained aggressive all through, however truthfully so did every of the opposite 5 gamers.  I imagine the preliminary chief completed fourth on this recreation.

Which simply goes to indicate as soon as once more – any generally held perception a few recreation at a naked minimal has exceptions.  And, frankly, a few of them don’t maintain up in any respect.

#83 – Ursuppe, by Doris Matthäus & Frank Nestel

34 performs

Change from 2023: down 11

First look: 2005

All of the genes in Usruppe, from my favourite down by means of my least:

1. Ray Protection – as a result of it allows you to purchase extra genes safely
2. Streamlining – as a result of it saves you BPs
3. Movement 2 – as a result of it avoids rolling cube
4. Escape – as a result of – significantly with the above – it saves your amoeba from being ingested
5. Parasitism – as a result of you possibly can take BPs out of your opponents
6. Movement – as a result of not less than two cube is best than one
7. Intelligence – i.e. digital Ray Protection
8. Life Expectancy – as a result of it delays loss of life
9. Speed – as a result of it will increase your vary
10. Aggression – as a result of who doesn’t like yet one more probability to kill of an amoeba
11. Struggle for Survival – as a result of ingesting different participant’s amoeba is enjoyable
12. Spores – as a result of it simplifies discovering meals
13. Frugality – as a result of it simplifies discovering meals
14. Substitution – as a result of it simplifies discovering meals
15. Armor – as a result of it counts as two genes
16. Persistence – as a result of it counts as two genes
17. Holding – as a result of I undervalue it
18. Defense – as a result of why would I wish to convert an assault right into a struggle once I can simply run away?

#82 – Foppen, by Friedemann Friese

74 performs

Change from 2023: down 20

First look: 2005

I get pleasure from enjoying prototypes.  I’m in all probability least keen on enjoying them after they’re prepared for publication; not that that’s a nasty time to play them, however I discover it extra pleasurable when there’s room to assist the sport get higher.  So think about my delight when, final yr, Friedemann determined to carry between 25 and 30 prototypes alongside.  I didn’t get to play all of them – however did handle to get most of them in.  And, because of this, I’ve now performed greater than 100 of Friedemann’s designs.  

Including, after all, Foppen – even when I didn’t play it till after it was printed.  I actually recognize the 2018 re-release of the sport; earlier than that, we’d relegated the sport to solely come out after we had precisely 5 gamers.  But with the brand new version, it really works fantastically with 5-8 gamers.  (And, technically, higher with 4 – although I nonetheless don’t assume it’s a good selection for 4.  And having performed the unique as soon as with 3, I used to be glad to see that quantity faraway from the field.)

#81 – Domus Domini, by Heinz-Georg Thiemann

17 performs

Change from 2023: up 16

First look: 2017

One assertion a few recreation that tells me little or no about what I’ll consider it’s “tight economy”.  Sometimes it’s factor; generally it’s a nasty factor.  Domus Domini is a case the place it really works for me; if the financial system have been extra open, gamers wouldn’t need to make tough tradeoffs.  I’m not stunned by the combined rankings the sport receives – trying by means of BGG, many of the pals I’ve performed the sport with price it a 6 or so – however I stay stunned {that a} recreation from the designer of Planet Steam (with almost 3,000 rankings on BGG), which got here out later, would have 1/20^th as many rankings.  When I discover a recreation I get pleasure from, I hunt down extra video games from that designer; I suppose the lesson is that individuals pay much less consideration to the designer’s identify than I’d hope.

#80 – Grachtenpand, by Zach Hoekstra

24 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2025

There are some who imagine video games are continuously enhancing.  And maybe for them they’re; I don’t discover that to be the case.  I do assume that the assumption that the very best video games are these from once you began within the interest is truthful – maybe not true for everybody, however I’ve discovered only a few years that evaluate favorably with 1995-1997 once I first found German board video games.  But in contrast to some who appear to despair of issues ever being pretty much as good, I discover that there’s a cycle to the interest.  For me, 2004 and 2013 evaluate favorably with 1995-1997; however, 2019-2021 is an actual low level.  Unfortunately, 2024 was not yr for brand new video games for me, so that is one among solely 4 video games to hitch this record – although a part of that’s that indisputable fact that I’ve gotten higher at enjoying new-to-me video games sufficient to make an inexpensive judgement and a part of that’s that the bar to remain in my assortment retains going up.  

However, there are nonetheless exceptions.  My strategy to Spiel – whether or not on the few events once I’ve gone, or on the numerous extra occasions once I haven’t – is straightforward; I look by means of the preview on BGG, establish an extended (30-70) record of video games that I can’t instantly remove, after which divide them into these I’m keen to purchase blind to learn the way they’re, these I wish to attempt to discover a possibility to play, and people who I can reside with out.  Usually the video games I’m most inquisitive about are people who I’ve performed as prototypes and know I need – however about one title annually stands out as being of nice curiosity.  My hit price on these is barely about 50% – however they do embody plenty of video games on this record.  Including Grachtenpand, which actually caught my eye on the primary evaluation, and stood out much more strongly once I regarded extra critically into the sport.  If the thought of a recreation targeted on constructing canal homes in Amsterdam, incorporating simultaneous play, sounds attention-grabbing, this may additionally be a recreation for you.

#79 – Durch die Wüste, by Reiner Knizia

64 performs

Change from 2023: up 28

First look: 2005

Ah, good previous Through the Sausage.  A basic recreation, at all times enjoyable, at all times vibrant – it’s actually laborious to image the sport with out pastel camels – and a recreation the place I do know fairly properly what I’m good at (connecting to oases) and what I don’t pay sufficient consideration to (roping off areas).  I’d be actually curious if a beginning place (after everybody has positioned all of their riders) could be analyzed to find out a most definitely winner.  This looks as if an issue that AI might presently give a assured and but incorrect reply to. 

#78 – Free Ride, by Friedemann Friese

21 performs

Change from 2023: up 44

First look: 2023

I lately performed TransAmerica, and it made very clear to me why I choose Free Ride.  They each share the necessity to construct to explicit cities, whereas connecting up with different participant’s routes in order to scale back the variety of actions required to take action.  But right here, with monitor having possession, and with a number of gamers having – over the course of the sport – incentive to go to every metropolis, the entire idea comes collectively in a means TransAmerica by no means did for me.  I’m not satisfied I’m any higher at Free Ride than at TransAmerica, however not less than in Free Ride I really feel a stronger connection to my errors.

I additionally ought to notice – with the discharge of Free Ride USA (which I think about to be the identical recreation – my play whole contains performs of each variations), there appears to be a powerful choice amongst American avid gamers for the USA version, primarily due to higher familiarity with the geography but additionally due to the color-coding of cities and the change to how cash could be collected.  For me, although, the unique is the superior recreation; the board being rather less common really makes the sport extra attention-grabbing for me, and I really discover the colours barely distracting.  I additionally strongly dislike the way in which some individuals choose to play the sport (not less than with the unique), inserting cube or another markers on the board to indicate what the out there routes are.  In addition to discovering this horribly fiddly, I believe it’s distracting and pointless.  I notice I’m within the minority, however – I a lot choose the sport with out.

#77 – The Pillars of the Earth, by Michael Rieneck & Stefan Stadler

25 performs

Change from 2023: up 27

First look: 2007

I actually don’t like forcing video games on individuals – I’ll actually wish to play a recreation, however the expertise isn’t the identical if I really feel I’ve twisted anybody’s arm to play it.  So I’m actually happy to have discovered one other native fanatic of Pillars of the Earth – getting it performed extra usually abruptly appears extra sensible.

While I’m thrilled on the prospect of “more”, I’m additionally actually happy to be enjoying with somebody who makes decisions that power me into exploring totally different paths.  While I’ve by no means had an actual downside with getting caught on a single technique in Pillars, I do tend to worth sure actions fairly strongly, and never having the prospect to take them is refreshing.

#76 – Polterfass, by Andreas Schmidt

29 performs

Change from 2023: down 3

First look: 2021

Is Polterfass a dexterity recreation?  I’m actually undecided; there appears to be some ability in getting the barrels to face on finish, even when it’s not the emphasis of the sport.  I believe it’s telling that at a lately gameday I hosted, I used to be OK with letting a recreation of Polterfass go on with out me (permitting me to make amends for different issues); I _missed_ enjoying, however I get to play it sufficient that I didn’t remorse lacking the chance; I do know there might be one other quickly.  I nearly want the sport dealt with seven gamers – however I’m not satisfied it might accomplish that with out rising the quantity of beer on the cube, and going into double digits would have challenges.

#75 – Louis XIV, by Rüdiger Dorn

37 performs

Change from 2023: down 8

First look: 2005

Mark Johnson lately organized a Dornucopia at an area gaming occasion – however they skipped Louis XIV.  Were I native to the occasion, I actually would have introduced it – for me, the sport strikes a wonderful stability between permitting gamers to do the issues they need, with out making it too straightforward or letting gamers accomplish that with out problem.  There is layer after layer of “but wait”! – till a tile is resolved, there’s little confidence (not less than after the primary spherical) that there gained’t be late adjustments to the state.  I’m undecided simply the place or once I bought into the behavior of calling the items introduced in by crimson playing cards “paratroopers”, however I need to admit that I get pleasure from that anachronism.

#74 – Circus Grandioso, by Florian Racky

36 performs

Change from 2023: down 13

First look: 2013

I’m wondering what the phrase that can scare off probably the most avid gamers is.  I’m undecided, however I’m sure that “it’s a memory game” is within the working.  Now, Circus Grandioso isn’t a pure reminiscence recreation, however there’s a actual reminiscence ingredient to the sport – and it makes it laborious to persuade individuals to play.  To be truthful, even those that aren’t postpone by a reminiscence side may not be followers; it’s too easy a recreation for followers of the rules-complex video games fashionable at the moment.  But for me, it’s excellent – it might be easy in guidelines, however the problem of timing issues to exit because the circus grasp is tough.

#73 – Kardinal & König: Das Kartenspiel, by Michael Schacht

30 performs

Change from 2023: up 37

First look: 2005

To the very best of my reminiscence, the one time I’ve ever used Artscow was to print up full-sized playing cards for Kardinal & König: Das Kartenspiel.  If I have been good about it, I’d print out English tiles – or not less than a cheat sheet.  And possibly embody discs to make use of as reservation markers.  I’m not likely a type of who upgrades elements – I don’t have something in opposition to it; it’s simply not my factor.  But on this case, doing so may assist me to get the sport performed extra usually.

#72 – Mississippi Queen, by Walter Hodel

40 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

I bear in mind the frustration when Mississippi Queen was named Spiel des Jahres; coming after Die Siedler von Catan (which was nonetheless properly cherished at that time) and El Grande, Mississippi Queen was felt to be too easy.  To be truthful, as in comparison with the opposite 1995-2000 winners (Elfenland, Tikal, and Torres along with the above), Mississippi Queen is the least complicated.  But – it’s nonetheless one among my favorites among the many winners.  I believe the brief length helps me get previous the truth that it’s a racing recreation – that and the power to knock into different gamers.

#71 – Nauticus, by Wolfgang Kramer & Michael Kiesling

30 performs

Change from 2023: up 8

First look: 2017

I do surprise – how obscure has Nauticus grow to be?  I bear in mind its launch – amongst different issues, it got here out one of many 3 times I’ve been to Spiel.  And the design staff behind it’s well-known, not less than amongst those that take note of recreation authors.  It’s nonetheless getting performed, although I do surprise how a lot of that’s because of the implementation on Yucata.  But I can’t recall the final time I noticed another person carry it to a conference, and it positively doesn’t appear to indicate up on the “games everyone must have in their collection / play at least once” lists.  It appears to have made 5 prime N video games lists – however two of these are from 2015, and two are greater than 5 years previous, from of us who haven’t posted a geeklist since.  (The different one is mine.)  Nauticus may not be utterly forgotten, but it surely appears to be on its means there.

#70 – Elfenroads, by Alan Moon

40 performs

Change from 2023: up 38

First look: 2005

This is, I imagine, the primary recreation I paid a premium to get.  I didn’t discover out about it till 1995, by which level White Wind had bought out, however I managed to seek out somebody on rec.video games.board keen to promote it – and I’m glad I did; I’ve gotten good play from it since then.  I concern I play Elfenland (which I think about to be the identical recreation) extra usually as of late, just because it’s on Board Game Arena, however – I nonetheless choose the unique.

#69 – Big Boss, by Wolfgang Kramer

37 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2005

While I usually choose the unique version of a recreation – Elfenroads shouldn’t be an outlier – every so often I do discover {that a} later version, revision, or sequel really does enhance a recreation.  So I used to be glad to strive the brand new guidelines for Big Boss.  But, after enjoying them plenty of occasions, I’ve come to the conclusion that I choose the unique.  Not by miles, however by sufficient that I doubt I’ll be utilizing the brand new guidelines once more by alternative.

I’ll proceed, nevertheless, to play the brand new version.  Unlike primarily each different try and reprint the sport, Funko made positive it was doable to play with the unique guidelines, with none problem.  (I’m conversant in this as a result of when Alcazar got here out, I wrote up an outline of find out how to play one thing _close_ to the unique recreation utilizing the elements of Alcazar; that file nonetheless lives on BoardGameGeek.)  Keeping compatibility with the unique is, for my part, one thing publishers ought to intention for.

#68 – Machi Koro, however Masao Suganuma

47 performs

Change from 2023: up 45

First look: 2015

A buddy of mine doesn’t in any respect take care of Machi Koro as a result of for him it compares unfavorably to Die Siedler von Catan – there may be random assortment of sources with out the buying and selling that makes that recreation work.  While I can see his level, for me Machi Koro succeeds in its pace of play and ease; you are able to do many issues to take greatest benefit of each your rolls and different participant’s rolls, however there’s a restrict; the benefit here’s a far higher capacity to shift plans based mostly upon how your opponents are doing than one sees in Die Siedler.

#67 – Eggs of Ostrich, by Shimpei Sato

102 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2015

I lately had a outstanding play of Eggs of Ostrich, which resulted in a case I’d by no means seen earlier than – all 4 of my baggage broke.  However, I forgot about that rule – it hadn’t come up in ~100 performs, so why would I do not forget that? – and conveniently the fourth bag broke in spherical 9, and I nonetheless had my Skip card.

And, in reality, my opponents had _both_ performed their skip playing cards in spherical 9.  And the three playing cards we hadn’t seen (two playing cards aren’t used every recreation) included two amber.  And if an amber card had proven up, ignoring the truth that the principles said that I used to be formally eradicated, I’d have completed with two amber and eight factors – and tied for the win.

Now – the rule is important (had I damaged my last bag in spherical 8, I’d have had no authorized play in spherical 10), but it surely’s nonetheless attention-grabbing.  Even extra attention-grabbing was the truth that in my very subsequent play – instantly following the one beforehand described – I bumped into the state of affairs the place I _had_ to let a bag break.  I’d already misplaced my 5 bag, and my 2, 3, and seven baggage have been all full, and I’d simply performed my Skip card the earlier flip.

To me, it’s spectacular {that a} quite simple recreation can – 100 performs in – nonetheless have surprises.

#66 – Can’t Stop, by Sid Sackson

175 performs

Change from 2023: up 4

First look: 2005

Now 5 years in because the begin of Covid, my gaming _mostly_ is again to trying prefer it did in 2019.  But there are exceptions.  My 1846 performs – which weren’t significantly restricted even earlier than then – proceed at an elevated tempo because of on-line play.  (An apart, however – I do know almost everybody has shifted over to 18xx.video games, however for me it simply doesn’t hold me within the recreation sufficiently for asynchronous play.  I’m glad to play there reside, however for asynchronous play I do choose Board18.)  There are about 10 video games I play in rotation on Yucata with pals of mine from highschool, plus a steady collection of 1 recreation with pals in The Netherlands and North Carolina.  Oh, and my Bridge recreation is nearly solely on-line now, because it actually loses the least by enjoying that means.  But each couple of months or so, I play video games on Board Game Arena for a day – and Can’t Stop nearly inevitably is one among them, persevering with to extend my play depend.  Unlike Eggs of Ostrich, I’m not seeing new issues within the recreation – however I’m nonetheless very a lot persevering with to get pleasure from it.  It actually is solely a improbable cube recreation.

#65 – Nautilus, by Brigitte Ditt & Wolfgang Ditt

22 performs

Change from 2023: up 15

First look: 2005

In common, I’m a giant fan of exploration video games.  Not all of them, actually, however when executed properly I discover them significantly participating.  And I positively discover Nautilus to be properly executed.  Focusing on underwater exploration permits for the introduction of some enjoyable theming parts (significantly the Atlantis discoveries).  The mechanisms used then help this properly; about the one a part of the sport that feels extra mathematical than thematic is the scoring.  As I play the sport extra, I’ve come to understand the entire analysis parts within the recreation – for a very long time I assumed radar was a waste, however I’ve come to actually recognize it.

#64 – Tipperary, by Günter Burkhardt

21 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2025

As a lot as I get pleasure from this recreation, I’m undecided it has numerous upside for me; I actually choose extra interplay in a recreation than Tipperary supplies.  But aside from not offering numerous interplay, I believe Tipperary does all the things very properly.  It’s a really accessible recreation, with setting and mechanisms that help the setting.  There are many alternative paths to pursue within the recreation, however sufficient randomness that your capacity to completely pursue a specific path shouldn’t be assured.

#63 – Inotaizu, by Kenichi Tanabe

22 performs

Change from 2023: up 53

First look: 2011

The winner of the largest change from 2023 to 2025 for me.  I believe that’s extra as a result of I underrated the sport in 2023 than that it’s gotten higher for me – however I believe it has gotten not less than considerably higher for me.  There are few video games the place the combo of setting/theme and mechanisms match as properly for me, and there’s one thing inherently attention-grabbing and involving a few recreation tied to the mapping of the Japanese shoreline.  And, as I’ve talked about earlier than – having an early version with imperfect English really helps the sport for me – each within the problem initially of determining find out how to play and now within the attention-grabbing description of what gamers are doing.  There aren’t many video games the place I prefer to learn the sport description to gamers as a part of the educate, however right here I do.

#62 – Die Steven Seagal, by Stefan Dorra

79 performs

Change from 2023: down 6

First look: 2005

While a few of my favourite video games are trick-taking video games, I discover – significantly as I skinny out my assortment – that I actually don’t want _that_ many trick taking video games.  I’ve favorites for 3, 4, 5, and 6 gamers – so these clearly keep.  And I’ve a near-favorite for 3, which additionally stays.  But Die Steven Seagal, despite not being my favourite with anyone explicit variety of gamers, _is_ a recreation I fairly get pleasure from with 3, 4, or 5.  The must state what methods you’re going to win is a enjoyable problem, even when it’s inconceivable to say with any certainty.  And I discover that selecting Steven Seagal is a well-balanced choice; 

it’s often a three-point play, which is often solely higher than one different participant, but it surely does assist save an terrible hand.  I’ve really seen Steven not taken extra in latest video games, in recognition of this.

#61 – Fast Food Franchise, by Tom Lehmann

147+ performs

Change from 2023: down 6

First look: 2005

At one level, there have been a small handful of video games I’d performed 100 or extra occasions, and little or no that was shut.  (To be particular – on the finish of 2015, there have been 11 video games I’d performed 100 or extra occasions.  Today there are 24.  Fast Food Franchise was the uncommon recreation at that time near 100 performs however below, with 96 performs.)  But now – I’m starting to have a look at 100 performs as an inexpensive expectation for a recreation that sticks in my assortment.  The proportion of video games in my assortment I’ve performed 100+ occasions has greater than quadrupled, and continues to rise extra often.  Part of that is undoubtedly simply perspective – as extra time passes there are extra video games I’ve performed extra occasions – however I actually assume that an expectation of a recreation that it’s value enjoying 100 or extra occasions isn’t unreasonable.

#60 –Der Elefant im Porzellanladen, by Michael Schacht

37 performs

Change from 2023: up 23

First look: 2007

Even if the English idiom is “bull in a china shop”, there’s one thing that calls to me about an elephant in a porcelain store.  The recreation actually continues to attract me in – I are inclined to play it a number of occasions annually, and (re the 100 play dialogue above) I can see it will definitely getting there.  In explicit, each time I believe I’ve discovered one thing in regards to the recreation, a brand new counter-example comes as much as make me rethink issues. 

#59 – Unpublished Prototype

41 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2021

This is similar unpublished prototype I included in 2021 and 2023; it continues to be unpublished, and I proceed to like the sport.  And as a result of – because of each the designer and one other good buddy – I’ve a duplicate, it qualifies for this record for me.  I do know some individuals lump all unpublished video games into the “unpublished prototype” bucket, and simply monitor that – however from the beginning I’ve tracked my performs of every recreation (or issues I mix to name one recreation) individually, which suggests I’ve a personal report of unpublished video games I performed 20+ years in the past which is able to probably by no means see the sunshine of day and the place I’ve misplaced contact with the designer.  This additionally leads, each from time to time, to the invention {that a} recreation I performed lengthy earlier than as a prototype has been printed.  Easily probably the most excessive case for me is Winter Court, which I performed as a prototype in 2003 – after which not once more till it was printed, in 2024.  (The earlier report holder for me was Cowtown, which I performed as a prototype in 2002, after which in printed kind in 2012.)

#58 – Vikings, by Michael Kiesling

54 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2007

Is it higher to begin skilled avid gamers with the superior recreation, or the essential recreation?  I used to be taught the superior recreation of Vikings, and didn’t play the essential recreation till a few years later – and got here to comprehend that I a lot choose the superior recreation.  But there are numerous instances the place the superior recreation, for me, ruins an in any other case attention-grabbing expertise.  If you recognize the sport, it’s pretty straightforward to decide on, however studying a recreation blind – it’s usually laborious to know.  I are inclined to default to the essential, but when we get by means of these guidelines and one thing appears to be lacking, we glance additional.

Of course, it’s not that totally different from the query of educating with or with out an growth.  Which is, in flip, one of many issues I dislike about expansions – it may make this a query (or perhaps a disagreement), when with the growth there merely wouldn’t be a query.

#57 – Beyond the Sun, by Dennis Chan

54 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2021

I’m truthfully a bit amazed at how shortly Beyond the Sun has racked up performs for me.  Now, Board Game Arena provides to this – however almost half of my performs have been in particular person, so it’s actually solely accelerating one thing already going fairly quick.  I’ve performed sufficient now that I’m attempting issues for the sake of attempting them – pursuing extra colonization-focused and army methods, attempting for various balances between analysis and colonization, choosing totally different individuals/supplies manufacturing stability, and so forth.  It’s at all times a plus for me when a recreation affords the chance for such exploration, no matter the place it leads.

#56 – Zum Kuckuck, by Stefan Dorra

55 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2005

In a latest play of Zum Kuckuck, we had probably the most excessive hand I’ve ever seen.  It had no playing cards above a 42 (and no different card above a 36), and no playing cards under a 5.  Three of the 5 gamers scored 5 factors with the hand, by no means taking a single nest.  One participant was compelled to take a 12 nest with the 5, and “escaped” with a rating of zero.  The fifth participant (me) was fortune sufficient to have a excessive nest I took adopted by plenty of even greater nests, managing a few factors with the hand in the long run.  I’ve usually seen arms in Zum Kuckuck balanced on a cliff, however by no means one as precariously balanced as this one.

#55 – Wyatt Earp, by Mike Fitzgerald & Richard Borg

62 performs

Change from 2023: up 3

First look: 2005

While I’ve at all times had the chance to play Wyatt Earp an inexpensive quantity, for some motive I’ve been discovering extra possibilities of late, and I do recognize it.  I’m not satisfied I’m studying extra in regards to the recreation, and the outcomes recommend I’m positively not getting higher, however I’m at all times having fun with the expertise, and performs really feel totally different sufficient as to maintain drawing me again.  At the identical time, when issues do go horribly fallacious, the sport doesn’t final interminably lengthy.

#54 – The Great Dalmuti, by Richard Garfield

65+ performs

Change from 2023: up 3

First look: 2005

This recreation may contain probably the most twisting of arms for me to get performed.  I play with plenty of of us who get pleasure from it – but it surely looks as if in each crowd there’s somebody who doesn’t want to play it.  And whereas I’d be glad enjoying 10 arms or so, I can’t recall the final time I bought greater than 6 in.  And I don’t assume I’ll ever perceive why this recreation will get such a combined reception whereas everybody appears to get pleasure from Tichu.  Not that Tichu is a nasty recreation – however for me, Dalmuti does a much better job of extracting the enjoyable from the system.

#53 – House of Cats, by William Attia & Kristian Østby

32 performs

Change from 2023: n/a

First look: 2025

This is the sport with the best debut on this record for me, a mirrored image in a part of the alternatives I needed to play the sport throughout its improvement.  It’s considerably ironic that by the point House of Cats got here out – a recreation I’d been ready for for years – I’d mainly given up on roll-and-write video games.  But I nonetheless love this one, and so it’s the one such recreation that I’ve in my assortment; it’s laborious for me to think about one other roll-and-write making its means in.

I additionally assume the event path this recreation took – and the affect Østby had on the design – are attention-grabbing.  As a prototype it was very summary; attention-grabbing, and really pleasurable, however summary.  The introduction of the cat-and-mouse ingredient to the sport actually helped to raise the sport and broaden its enchantment.

#52 – Hawaii, by Greg Daigle

51 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2013

I reported two years in the past that I used to be not superb at Hawaii, however enjoying it considerably extra usually.  This – appears to be serving to; I believe I’ll have unlocked the “mediocre” stage.  (i.e., adequate to win when all the things goes proper for me and fallacious for others; not adequate to actually problem expert gamers below extra balanced circumstances).  It’s good to see that the sport is constant, post-pandemic, to see common play, and never simply on-line.

#51 – Breitseite, by Reinhold Wittig

33 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2017

I’m not a naturally dexterous particular person.  I usually don’t wing dexterity video games in opposition to expert opponents.  And I _never_ carry off inconceivable pictures or flicks or the like.

Except in a latest recreation or Breitseite – which simply goes to indicate that anybody can get fortunate generally.

We have been in the course of a recreation, going alongside pretty usually; I used to be doing pretty properly at managing to wreck my opponent’s ship barely greater than my very own.  I used to be attempting to take out the (from my perspective) proper hand help for my opponent’s center deck, shot, and – found that my cannonball had knocked out that help _and_ in the identical act changed it.  I’d by no means have thought this doable, and doubt I’ll ever handle it once more, however it’s going to probably forevermore be the very best shot I’ll ever handle at Breitseite.

#50 – Wings for the Baron, by Dave Townsend

31 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2019

As with Viva Pamplona, I lately skilled my good play of Wings for the Baron; sadly, because of the nature of the sport, it was a really imperfect expertise because of this.

After a gradual begin, I managed to get each single improve for my fighter aside from Better Engines IV.  But being pretty far alongside within the recreation, I simply performed a card that added two to my fighter effectiveness, after which drew one other such card, getting my fighter effectiveness to 34, simply the best I’ve seen.

But this then brought about the sport to disintegrate.  Because the allied fighters often enhance based mostly upon the very best German fighters, fairly quickly my mitspieleren have been in peril of not promoting planes any extra – and on the ultimate flip, none of them have been in reality in a position to.  The Germans gained the warfare – both the primary or second time I’ve seen that – however what regarded like a comeback changed into a rout, and – made issues much less enjoyable.  Fortunately, I believe this collection of occasions is unlikely to repeat any time quickly – I hadn’t seen something prefer it in 30 performs, so why ought to it? – but it surely did take away one thing.

#49 – Timbuktu, by Dirk Henn

38 performs

Change from 2023: down 14

First look: 2005

I’ve performed Timbuktu each single yr since I first performed it – in 1998 – by means of current, with the comprehensible exception of 2020.  (2020 was an exception in some ways, actually.)

But – there are many video games I play yearly – and that quantity is rising, as a result of as my assortment has shrunk I’ve performed each recreation in my assortment extra steadily.  I’ll often set challenges for myself, and I first set the problem of enjoying each recreation in my assortment in 2012.  Then once more in 2016.  Partway by means of 2019, I spotted it was doable, so I set the problem once more.  After 2020, I needed to ensure each recreation made it again to the desk, so I set the problem in 2021.  And by 2023, I assumed it simply made sense, so I attempted once more – and completed in early July.  In 2024, I completed on July 1st.  In 2025, I completed on April twenty third.

You see, whereas I’m good at finishing the challenges I set for myself, I’m not superb at pacing myself at them.  I set the problem – after which pursue it vigorously.  Which generally results in extra challenges; whereas I attempted to withstand the urge, having realized that it was doable to play each recreation in my assortment not less than twice in 2025, and with the variety of titles I hadn’t performed twice down to simply 32 at the start of August, I signed up for a brand new (to me) problem.  I _am_ attempting to tempo myself higher, however – the thought of enjoying each recreation in my assortment twice in a yr may be very interesting to me.

So what does this need to do with Timbuktu?  Well, Timbuktu was one of many final video games I performed for the primary time in 2025, with one fanatic of the sport and three of us who needed to hitch.  And – it didn’t go properly.  None of the oldsters who needed to hitch significantly loved their expertise, and because of this I didn’t benefit from the expertise almost as a lot as typical.  And – Timbuktu is likely one of the remaining video games I’ve solely performed as soon as this yr.  If I didn’t consider the sport as being a 5 participant recreation solely, possibly I’d have a better time discovering sufficient of us who actually wish to play – however IMHO the sport actually needs 5 gamers.  And whereas I discover myself one among 5 at a desk usually sufficient, there often somebody who doesn’t take care of Timbuktu amongst them.  I’m assured I’ll discover the appropriate crowd to play the sport with earlier than the yr is over, however I positively need my second play in 2025 to work out higher for _everyone_ than my first.

#48 – Too Many Cinderellas, by Nobutake Dogen & Nao Shimamura

74 performs

Change from 2023: down 7

First look: 2015

I believe the factor that Too Many Cinderellas has taught me is that Prince Charming simply isn’t all that discerning.  He’s keen to hearken to means too many advisors – “Don’t choose someone who drinks wine!”, “Don’t choose someone who wears glasses!”, “Don’t choose someone with blond hair!”, “Don’t choose a boy!” – relatively than going together with his personal instincts (assuming he has any).  While I’ll have thought shoe dimension an insufficient technique, it does sound higher than a collection of fashionable votes…

#47 – Planet Steam, by Heinz-Georg Thiemann

33 performs

Change from 2023: down 10

First look: 2009

Some years again, I made a decision to seek out one track from my music library for each recreation in my assortment.  For Planet Steam, there’s an apparent alternative – it runs by means of my head when enjoying the sport – The Theme for M.U.L.E., by Roy Glover.  Unfortunately, I can’t discover any industrial launch of the track, so I’ve to go together with Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye, as a substitute.

(Postscript – I discovered the track out there for obtain.  Spreadsheet up to date to symbolize the brand new alternative.)

#46 – Concordia, by Mac Gerdts

33 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2015

Once upon a time, my tastes and people of BoardGameGeek aligned moderately properly.  Not completely, by any stretch, however – I might depend on the video games close to the highest of the rankings _generally_ being ones that I get pleasure from, and not less than among the video games I get pleasure from being extremely ranked.  While that’s been much less and fewer true for a while, we’ve reached the purpose the place not solely do I not personal any video games within the prime 25 – I’ve solely beforehand owned two of them, and I’ve solely performed 5 of them.  Concordia simply misses the lower, being ranked #26 – although my choice for find out how to play the sport (the unique, no expansions) doesn’t line up properly with many different’s preferences, making it trickier to get to the desk generally.

#45 – Ricochet Robot, by Alex Randolph

76 performs

Change from 2023: up 4

First look: 2005

There are plenty of classes of video games I get pleasure from properly sufficient – however typically don’t wish to play, not less than no more than as soon as.  Cooperative video games are like that; there are a handful of exceptions, however typically I don’t wish to play cooperative video games time and again, and they also don’t stick round in my assortment.  Speed video games are one other such class.  Not as a result of I’m poor at them – I can often maintain my very own – however as a result of I don’t typically discover the method of enjoying them to be enjoyable.  The one exception right here is Ricochet Robot.  And I believe a key think about that is that the sport is extra laid again as pace video games go; you don’t have till somebody finds an answer, however a time period after that, in order that even those that don’t course of as shortly can do properly on the recreation.  I additionally actually recognize that the options are sometimes non-obvious – and generally the answer that wins on the desk _isn’t_ an optimum resolution.  About the one factor that may enhance Ricochet Robot for me could be if the share of actually attention-grabbing puzzles was greater – however given the constraints of random puzzle technology, I’m happy the share is as excessive as it’s.

#44 – Samarkand, by Sid Sackson

49 performs

Change from 2023: down 2

First look: 2005

While I’ve an enormous quantity of respect for Sid Sackson as a recreation designer, as a participant of his video games the one factor that retains them from being even higher for me is their summary nature.  Now, with out Sackson’s exploration of those abstractions, I’m sure it takes longer to get to the German video games of the 90s I do know and love, so I can’t actually complain about it.  But – I do want that, for instance, Samarkand felt much less summary to me.  There are designers whose video games really feel much more summary – Leo Colovini being instance, and a few of Knizia’s video games – however none of Sackson’s video games utterly keep away from that feeling for me.

#43 – Autoscooter, by Günter Cornett

33 performs

Change from 2023: down 7

First look: 2005

Does a recreation must have a winner to be enjoyable?  I’ve been exploring this lately, and one concept put forth is that if the exercise itself is sufficiently enjoyable, then a recreation can get away with not having a winner.  While that is the thought behind plenty of celebration video games – I’m not satisfied it’s a requirement.  Certainly video games with out a winner (or, hardly ever, a single loser) are unusual, that ones that do exist – or which often get performed that means – aren’t all celebration video games.  (The Great Dalmuti being one counter-example.)

Autoscooter actually has a victory situation – however I’m not satisfied it wants one, any greater than bumper automobiles themselves want one.  The purpose is to handle some vital hits; if one succeeds at that, who actually cares about the remainder?  Or one might need a purpose of by no means getting caught up / stopped.  Or one might need the purpose of going full pace as many occasions as doable.  Sure, there _are_ guidelines for who wins at Autoscooter – however do they actually matter?

#42 – King’s Breakfast, by Alan Moon & Aaron Weissblum

80 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2005

Can a filler recreation be a favourite?  I’m positive it may for some, however for me, I don’t assume it’s doable.  Well, not doable to be a top-of-the-scale all-time favourite, not less than.  This is nothing in opposition to fillers – I’ve plenty of them, together with King’s Breakfast, in my prime 50.  And I’ve performed them a _lot_ – among the many video games I’d think about to be fillers in my prime 50, I’ve performed King’s Breakfast the least – and 80 performs remains to be rather a lot.  What makes a filler nice for me tends to be a mix of (a) straightforward accessibility – I ought to be capable of clarify the principles in lower than 5 minutes to somebody who has by no means performed earlier than, and fewer than a minute to somebody who has, (b) repeatability – there ought to almost at all times be a temptation, on ending a filler, to play it once more [give or take folks who never want to play the same game twice in a row], and (c) mechanisms that match the length.  This final is probably the trickiest to elucidate – however there are video games which really feel like they’ve gone on too lengthy for what they do, and video games which really feel like they’ve ended too abruptly.  filler shouldn’t be in both of those classes – however actually is barely in peril of the latter.  Usually this occurs when there simply aren’t sufficient turns to perform what you want to accomplish.

#41 – Quacksalbe, by Volker Tietze

36 performs

Change from 2023: down 3

First look: 2005

How is it that so many good video games begin with the letter Q?  It’s the third or 4th least widespread letter English phrases begin with (although, to be truthful, one of many titles is in German, not that Qs are any extra frequent in that language).  And – I appear to be drawn to such video games; my common ranking for video games that begin with a Q is greater than for every other letter.  I’ve really performed fewer video games beginning with a Q than every other letter save for X and Y – I simply appear to have actually loved among the ones I’ve.  So what could be my fourth-favorite recreation starting with the letter Q?  Depending upon my temper, both Quartermaster General or Quartier Latin.

#40 – Lift Off, by Jeroen Vandersteen

38 performs

Change from 2023: down 10

First look: 2019

While there aren’t any publishers I can depend on to at all times publish video games which are proper for me, among the many publishers who aren’t intently tied to a single designer (or small design staff), I can most frequently depend on Hans im Glück to launch video games that curiosity me.  Many of them aren’t matches, nonetheless – I believe the lately launched Duel for Cardia is a particularly intelligent design, however I’ve solely simply managed to scale back the variety of two participant video games in my assortment to one thing manageable – however the video games are at all times attention-grabbing.  And after they do work for me, I belief the corporate to have examined the design sufficiently that the sport will work.  I’ve a buddy who buys numerous video games on Kickstarter, and being a buddy I do attempt to play a few of them – however almost each time my feeling is that, no matter how properly the sport matches me, they haven’t been sufficiently developed.  Which makes me all of the extra keen to check out video games from publishers like Hans im Glück.

#39 – Neos, by staff SAIEN

90 performs

Change from 2023: up 6

First look: 2015

While I do really feel that interplay is a key ingredient in video games, there are exceptions to each rule, and Neos is such an exception.  The recreation is actually multiplayer solitaire – what another person does has no influence on you, and there’s not even a race ingredient concerned.  Everyone begins collectively; everybody finishes collectively.  But the sport is brief sufficient that whereas this lack of interplay limits how far up my favorites the sport can climb, it doesn’t have an effect on my appreciation of it.

#38 – Dice Realms, by Tom Lehmann

109 performs

Change from 2023: down 6

First look: 2019

I’ve reached the purpose, lastly, that I’ve performed the printed recreation greater than the prototype.  Well – possibly not when you embody playtests of the lately launched growth.  Because of my enjoyment of playtesting, I’ll gather numerous performs of some video games previous to publication.  In the spreadsheet the place I monitor my performs, although, I can solely readily differentiate performs of not-yet-published recreation, versus pre-publication (which, admittedly, can grow to be actually difficult even for many who report the times of their performs, because of the query of precisely when a recreation was first launched; I performed a broadcast copy of Dice Realms earlier than it was “published” within the US, as an illustration).  But – I’ve recorded over 1500 playtests of video games which haven’t – to the very best of my information – been launched but.

Only a number of such video games, like Dice Realms, actually rack up a major variety of performs although.  Among different issues, there are only a few video games the place I’ve had a playtest copy to check out, so enjoying it often includes being with the designer.  And they’re usually seeking to get recent enter and/or present the sport to publishers, so there are solely so many alternatives.  But I took benefit of each probability I needed to play Dice Realms – and revel in it each bit as a lot now as I did when playtesting.

#37 – A Brief History of the World, by Steve Kendall & Gary Dicken

38+ performs

Change from 2023: down 12

First look: 2011

I’m thrilled to see this recreation proceed to get republished – even when I believe this version is the top for the sport.  For me, the six epochs on this version really feel probably the most logical traditionally; it doesn’t really feel like very totally different societies are being crammed collectively right into a single epoch to make issues match.  And the empires really feel proper each from a historic and from a gameplay sense – they aren’t _balanced_, however they aren’t actually meant to be balanced, and it’s almost at all times higher to be forward than to get a better option of empire.  The restriction that just one occasion could be in play at a time additionally does a pleasant job of holding the chaos manageable.

#36 – Rails of New England, by Walter Hunt and Gregory Pozerski

41 performs

From from 2021: down 12

First look: 2011

We have began to easily randomize the states totally, in order that Rhode Island (and to a lesser extent Maine) are within the recreation a extra cheap proportion of the time.  And, frankly – this works simply wonderful.  And it’s much more enjoyable having a 20% probability of enjoying Rhode Island in each recreation of Rails of New England relatively than a 20% probability when enjoying with 5, and a 0% probability in any other case.  I do assume that it’s lucky for me, being a fan of this recreation, that I reside in New England; the map (and the writing on the map) make it extra of a problem to get performed elsewhere.

#35 – Indonesia, by Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga

47 performs

Change from 2023: down 6

First look: 2005

I’m actually trying ahead to the brand new version of Indonesia.  While it’s often doable to get previous the opaqueness of the sport with new gamers, the map – is at all times a tougher promote.  Which is unlucky, as a result of it truly is a pleasant recreation; for me, the truth that I can’t determine it out after almost 50 performs is certainly a function.  And a motive to maintain attempting new issues – a part of me actually needs to strive maxing out the bid flip order multiplier.  And I believe I’ll…

#34 – Geschenkt, by Thorsten Gimmler

210 performs

Change from 2023: up 12

First look: 2005

While there are numerous issues I’m open to, I’m not very open to guidelines adjustments in video games.  I used to be lately at an occasion the place somebody had the brand new version of Geschenkt, which features a small growth, and – after listening to the principles I instantly vetoed the growth.  I’m hardly ever a fan of expansions anyway, however for me upsetting the sensible simplicity of Geschenkt is simply not proper.  Nor, I concern, is the German version having converted to an English title – I used to be greater than a bit of shocked to find simply now that Geschenkt hasn’t been used because the title because the 2011 printing.

#33 – La Città, by Gerd Fenchel

50 performs

Change from 2023: down 13

First look: 2005

La Città is likely one of the only a few video games I used to price a ten, however not do.  Re-rating video games is, in reality, one of many causes I record out my favourite video games annually – making comparisons helps me to comprehend when a recreation has slipped a notch for me.

Not an entire lot greater than a notch, although.  I nonetheless like each recreation I’ve ever rated a ten, and would play them.  I simply – am not pushed to in the identical means I’m video games that also have that ranking.  Of the video games which have slipped, La Città is the closest to nonetheless being a ten ranking for me, and is certainly a recreation I’m nonetheless very a lot having fun with enjoying often.

#32 – Factory Manager, by Friedemann Friese

51 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2009

I actually want I understood why this recreation isn’t extra fashionable with my gaming teams.  We play numerous financial video games, and for me Factory Manager hits the candy spot of being an financial recreation of some depth playable in below an hour.  I’d assume this could be excellent, and would lead to it hitting the desk each couple of months.  But as a substitute, it will get vetoed nearly all of the time once I recommend it.  Which is okay – I’m nonetheless getting the sport to the desk – however I simply want I might play it extra.

#31 – Mamma Mia, by Uwe Rosenberg

87 performs

Change from 2023: up 9

First look: 2005

In a latest play, I bought to see one thing I’d by no means seen earlier than – a Minimale made precisely with the substances on the desk.  I’ve seen one made with out assist earlier than, however by no means utilizing up all the things on the desk within the course of.

There’s an elevated curiosity in trick taking video games as of late, however what I haven’t seen is a corresponding enhance within the demand for non-trick taking (or trick taking adjoining) card video games.  This was, for me, what put Uwe Rosenberg on the map; his card video games like Mamma Mia have been revolutionary and interesting.  We nonetheless see some filler card video games from time to time, however it might be very nice to see a bit of bit extra concerned video games equivalent to Mamma Mia as properly.

#30 – For Sale, by Stefan Dorra

284 performs

Change from 2023: up 9

First look: 2005

You know, I by no means thought of it earlier than, however For Sale manages to show one of the vital disagreeable issues I’ve ever executed – shopping for and promoting actual property – into one of the vital pleasurable video games round.  As essential as theme and setting are to me, I ought to naturally dislike For Sale fairly a bit.  But in follow, I adore it.  Actually, it has a second strike in opposition to it – I don’t thoughts auctions in a recreation, however I typically don’t like a recreation to be all about auctions.  Or, for that matter, blind bidding.  But nevertheless a lot For Sale logically shouldn’t be a favourite of mine – it’s.  Since the sport was launched in 1997, I’ve performed it not less than twice yearly – even together with 2020, which broke numerous my play patterns.

#29 – Jambo, by Rüdiger Dorn

176 performs

Change from 2023: up 18

First look: 2005

I lately realized that my ongoing efforts to chop again the 2 participant video games in my assortment to an inexpensive quantity had lastly succeeded.  I now personal solely 10 two participant (solely) video games, about 1/fifteenth of my assortment.  I nonetheless don’t play two participant video games very often sufficient to justify that proportion, however – it’s shut.  And I’m undecided what I’d eliminate, if I needed to.  You can see all of them on this record, and when you go searching you’ll discover that it’s an eclectic combine.

I’ve beforehand ranked particular person card and utilities, so clearly a rating of animals is so as (least favourite to most)…

8) Parrot – I’m not likely positive why this within the recreation; it’s actually laborious for me to think about a case the place it’s value enjoying a guard to cease it.

7) Elephant – once more, mucking with wares shouldn’t be usually of nice worth within the recreation, however not less than that is – often – extra bang for the buck than a parrot.

6) Hyena – whereas wares are probably the most beneficial ingredient within the recreation, the subsequent most valuable useful resource is playing cards.  At greatest it is a card improve, which doesn’t usually make a giant distinction.

5) Snake – could be helpful when your opponent has each extra and higher utilities, however nonetheless not of large worth.

4) Ape – in contrast to the hyena, this cannot solely _improve_ your hand, however enhance the variety of playing cards in it.  Handy card to have once you’re caught with a small, weak hand.

3) Cheetah – I’m undecided, at any time aside from close to the top of the sport, I’ve ever seen somebody enable 2 playing cards to be drawn as a substitute of two gold taken.  But 2 gold for one card is a reasonably good change.

2) Lion – given the significance of sure utilities, this could be a very highly effective card; simply because the ape is clearly higher than the hyena, the lion is clearly superior to the snake.

1) Crocodile – there’s a motive there are way more of those within the deck than every other animal.  Both forcing your opponent to discard a utility they probably had plans for _and_ getting a last use out of that utility are highly effective.  This card is the explanation I worth having a guard readily available if I’ve a utility of curiosity.

#28 – Battle Cry, by Richard Borg

46 performs

Change from 2023: up 15

First look: 2005

I believe the jumps for Jambo and Battle Cry are a recognition that I considerably underrated them each as a result of they solely deal with two gamers.  I do assume that’s a good knock in opposition to a recreation – I discover that multiplayer video games have extra use for me – and I do have a choice for taking part in a multiplayer recreation, however I believe I used to be penalizing them an excessive amount of.  Battle Cry stays, for me, the perfect implemention of Richard’s Command & Colors system; most of my pals produce other preferences, however I believe the US Civil War is ideally suited.  And, as an added bonus – a buddy of mine handed away almost 4 years in the past now, and I now have his superbly painted copy, so I get to recollect my buddy once I play.

#27 – Canal Mania, by Steve Kendall, Phil Kendall & Gary Dicken

40 performs

Change from 2023: down 4

First look: 2007

I’ve at all times been intrigued by the “play games in the places they represent” concept – however I don’t journey sufficient to make {that a} sensible risk for many video games.  And once I do journey, it’s most frequently with my spouse, who isn’t a gamer; asking her to play Hawaii in Hawaii wouldn’t have improved the holiday.  But I’ve performed Canal Mania within the UK.  Now, technically the city the place I performed it isn’t on the map, however the practice I took to get there departed London and handed by means of Tonbridge, which appears shut sufficient to me.  It positively felt acceptable to play there, in any occasion.

#26 – Glass Road, by Uwe Rosenberg

53 performs

Change from 2023: up 5

First look: 2015

I do know there are of us who hunt down video games which are just like video games they already get pleasure from; I can perceive this, however – I’m an excessive amount of of a fan of innovation and originality to usually accomplish that myself.  But I used to be intrigued by Black Forest, famous for reusing what I think about to be the very best innovation of Glass Road, the useful resource wheel.  And I like Black Forest, and it isn’t by any stretch a Glass Road clone.  But – I simply discovered myself wishing I used to be enjoying Glass Road as a substitute.  The size was positively a part of this; I believe the most effective options of Glass Road, in comparison with Rosenberg’s different “big” board video games, is the modest size.  And Black Forest not solely advertises itself as longer, however whereas Glass Road claims to be 20-80 minutes and often takes 45, Black Forest claims to be 60-120 minutes and often took round 100.  And – it doesn’t _feel_ like there’s way more happening.  If the sport felt prefer it wanted the additional time, I believe I’d have been wonderful, however as is I’ll play Glass Road twice as a substitute.

#25 – Macao, by Stefan Feld

67 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2011

The indisputable fact that just one Feld recreation has survived for me shouldn’t be a shock.  The indisputable fact that Macao is the one to make it continues to astound me.  I care deeply about theme and setting; Macao doesn’t.  From the products that teleport onto your ship to the Waterworld version of Europe, there’s actually nothing in regards to the recreation that offers any impression of Macao.  And, in reality, I’d relatively prefer to see a recreation about Macao that’s really about Macao.  But – this recreation nonetheless works for me, sufficient in order that in contrast to many of the video games in my assortment that help simply two gamers, I’ve really performed it with two.  I actually recognize the implementation on Yucata, which has allowed me to discover the sport extra, and simply added to my appreciation.

#24 – Showmanager, by Dirk Henn

69 performs

Change from 2023: up 4

First look: 2005

I discussed, two years in the past, the behavior I’d fallen into of placing on a nasty Wolf in Troisdorf early.  I don’t prefer to get into ruts in video games, and I’m glad to say that in most of the video games since I’ve averted this lure.  Oddly, in a single, I placed on the Ballet in Troisdorf as a substitute – that felt very odd, even to have the prospect to try this.  But getting previous that rut has heightened my appreciation of Showmanager, which stays an impressive recreation.  And I nonetheless love the primary Queen version, significantly Frankenactor.

#23 – Flaschenteufel, by Günter Cornett

76 performs

Change from 2023: up 10

First look: 2005

I used to be amused to find that after dropping Flaschenteufel 10 locations final yr I raised it 10 this yr, placing it again to the place it was in 2021.  Regardless of any adjustments in the place I rank the sport, it’s a improbable three participant trick taking recreation and strong 4 participant trick taking recreation.  It’s the one trick taking recreation I consider as being on the identical tier as my favourite three participant trick taking recreation, my favourite for 4, my favourite for 5, and my favourite for six (all nonetheless to return).  Having gamers place one card below the bottle imp is a improbable mechanism, as a result of it breaks card counting.  I depend playing cards; it’s not one thing I do voluntarily, however actually simply an automated reflex.  And because of this, I discover that any which foils card counters in an attention-grabbing means is a giant plus – I don’t wish to know exactly how issues stand.

#22 – Africa, by Reiner Knizia

93 performs

Change from 2023: up 4

First look: 2005

How are you continue to studying this?  I’m over 18,000 phrases in, and exhausted simply penning this a lot.  And I actually don’t assume I’ve something helpful to say in regards to the recreation Africa that I haven’t already mentioned.  For that matter, I’ve by no means been to Africa.  I do have a buddy from Togo, whose ardour for studying I discover very inspiring.  I simply regarded – the closest I’ve ever been to Africa was nonetheless 300+ km away.  Which – isn’t all that far, actually; one factor I’ve discovered from rising up within the Midwest is that the distances I’m snug with driving to get someplace are longer than for many who grew up on the coasts of the US – and for much longer than for many who grew up in Europe.  The solely different video games in my assortment which embody any portion of Africa that I can consider are Mare Mediterraneum and one I haven’t bought to but on this record.  You know, for the entire mockery of video games about buying and selling within the Mediterranean, I believe Mare Meditteraneum is the one one I’ve in my assortment.  I’d prefer to see extra video games about buying and selling within the Mediterranean, really – could be a step up for me from the fantasy themes.  I actually favored the highlight BGG placed on video games from Africa a number of years again; possibly they’ll do a follow-up someday.  It appears to me that the bottom camps in Africa aren’t significantly properly designed for tenting.  It’s been a very long time since I’ve been tenting; I by no means actually appreciated the exercise.  I’m wondering if the final time was once I went with the Cub Scouts and we camped on the outfield in McCoy Stadium.  Was unhappy to listen to that the stadium was torn down this yr – if amused to listen to in regards to the time capsule from the 33 inning recreation.  OK, if that doesn’t cease individuals from studying this, nothing will.

#21 – The King of Frontier, by Shun

91 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2015

I’m actually curious to see what Shun & Aya provide you with subsequent.  As is commonly the case, it’s their earliest designs which have most resonated with me, however – all of their video games have provided one thing of curiosity.  Dangerous Mining might be my least favourite, and it was nonetheless value a second play.  And, for that matter, I’d nonetheless be keen to play it once more.  But – The King of Frontier stays their magnum opus – whereas the mechanisms might really feel borrowed, relatively than unique, the mix feels unique, and the sport affords an amazing mixture of some depth and fast enjoying time.

#20 – Mü, by Doris Matthäus & Frank Nestel

326 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

In my opinion, that is the trick taking recreation to play with 5 gamers.  There are different trick taking video games which are pleasurable with 5 – Die Steven Seagal leaps to thoughts – however that is the very best.  I’d notice that we at all times play 5 arms, with every participant dealing as soon as, relatively than enjoying to a specific rating.  I lately found that I even have extra copies of Mü in my home than every other recreation – and I don’t have the most recent version.  I believe we even tried enjoying three participant as soon as, quickly after getting the sport.  It was – properly, higher than Foppen with three, I’ll give it that.

#19 – Acquire, by Sid Sackson

109+ performs

Change from 2023: down 2

First look: 2005

I lately streamed a play of this for Heavy Cardboard, which was enjoyable.  I ought to have misplaced the sport – I in all probability ought to have completed third – however I used to be lucky that I had way more expertise with the sport.  During the stream in all probability wasn’t the time to take action, however I at all times surprise in such a state of affairs if I needs to be providing extra recommendation – or if I’m already providing an excessive amount of.  I actually don’t wish to play anybody else’s place, however on the similar time I’m glad to assist others enhance their play.  I concern generally that I err on the facet of providing too many recommendations, and so I attempt to bear in mind to ask first – however I fail to take action extra usually than I would love.

#18 – Grand Austria Hotel, by VIrginio Gigli & Simone Luciani

134 performs

Change from 2023: up 4

First look: 2017

The steady collection of on-line Grand Austria Hotel performs continues, and the sport has held up admirably to this barrage.  I’ve discovered that I’m making small adjustments in my play, most notably inserting extra emphasis on endgame scoring employees as opposed to in-game benefits.  I’m undecided it’s making a distinction, but it surely appears like a better option to me.  I haven’t reached the purpose of taking _any_ endgame scoring over _any_ in-game benefits, however I’m getting nearer and nearer to attempting that.

#17 – Sextet, by Ralph Peterson

104 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2005

In my opinion, that is the trick taking recreation to play with six gamers.  I’m undecided how a lot it’s appreciated as of late simply how ubiquitous Bridge was within the United States in the course of the 20th century.  Charles Schulz used to have a second comedian to associate with Peanuts, targeted on Bridge, for instance.  But whereas many of us – my dad and mom included – bought along with an excellent variety of {couples}, what have been you to do when you had three or 5 {couples}?  Sextet, after all!  There are Sextet tallys which embody actions for 10 gamers, with one desk of Bridge and one among Sextet.

Given this, I’ve little doubt that when the sport was launched within the Sixties, it was performed, probably an inexpensive quantity.  But then the sport disappeared; once I regarded on BGG in 2010, the one one that had performed who I didn’t introduce the sport to was Eamon Bloomfield.  And there may be, even at the moment, I imagine there’s just one one that has recorded a play who I haven’t performed Sextet with.

#16 – Bohnanza, by Uwe Rosenberg

112 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2005

I’m undecided simply why, however after being a simple recreation to get performed for greater than 20 years, Bohnanza appears to be getting vetoed extra of late.  I do know I’m extra keen on buying and selling video games than most, however nonetheless – the sport appears to have misplaced some spark for a lot of.  Not for me, nevertheless – I nonetheless love the sport, and could be glad to play extra.

#15 – Russian Railroads, by Helmut Ohley & Leonhard Orgler

83 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2013

It’s attention-grabbing – for me, the affect of 18xx on Russian Railroads may be very clear.  It’s nonetheless a clearly totally different recreation, however – you’re constructing and enhancing routes, scoring based mostly upon how properly you’ve executed simply that.  Now, it avoids each the funding side of 18xx and the practice rusting, and provides a employee placement ingredient – however I nonetheless really feel like I’m doing one thing similar to in 18xx, even when the yellow/inexperienced/brown/gray colours have been changed by black/gray/brown/impartial/white.

#14 – Thebes, by Peter Prinz

50 performs

Change from 2023: down 2

First look: 2005

One of the issues I actually like about Thebes is the distinction between totally different cultures within the treasures they cover.  I’m undecided I’ve ever seen a participant deliberately select information in a specific tradition in order to intention for the excessive (Palestine) or low (Mesopotamia) variance technique; it might be an attention-grabbing alternative.  I’ve seen – in my most up-to-date recreation – a method of investing in information for 4 totally different cultures win out over nice information and improbable luck in only a couple.  Which was actually reassuring – it felt, on the desk, like the good luck made it a race for second, but it surely wasn’t.

#13 – Euphrat & Tigris, by Reiner Knizia

65 performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2005

I’m wondering why the order of those rivers is totally different in German and English.  In some ways, for western tradition the German model makes extra sense, because the Euphrates is to the west of the Tigris.

But whatever the motive for the distinction, I’ll as at all times use the identify by which I discovered to benefit from the recreation – which is almost at all times additionally the identify of the model in my assortment.  Even when I’ve to take a German field and an English version to take action – my copies of Foppen, Timbuktu, and Die Quacksalber von Quedlinberg are English copies in German bins, in order that they’ve the identify I choose.  Euphrat and Tigris has way more substantial variations between editions, so I merely have the German version.

Well, two copies of the German version.  I’m within the behavior of buying backup copies of video games.  This has come in useful – I’ve worn out a number of copies of Race for the Galaxy and one copy of Merchant of Venus, and having one other one able to go was actually useful.  I overdo this, although – I’ve backup copies of about half of the video games in my assortment, and at this level have extra backup copies in whole than totally different video games in my assortment.  The solely video games I intention to have backup copies of are the video games I price a ten; I simply find yourself amassing extra.

#12 – Ticket to Ride, by Alan Moon

60 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2005

I’m very happy that Ticket to Ride has managed to interrupt into my h-index.  If you haven’t heard the time period, it means the biggest worth “h” for which you’ve performed “h” totally different video games a minimal of “h” occasions every.  For me, h is presently 60 – you could find many of the 60 on this record, however not all of them.  I made a giant push into getting my h-index to 50 earlier than I turned 50 – which I succeeded in – and figured my age would quickly go my h-index, however plenty of video games (together with Ticket to Ride) have managed to get performed sufficient to catch up.  (I don’t flip 60 till 2027.)  The good thing is – every of these video games has both been a brand new recreation I needed to play rather a lot _or_, as right here, an previous favourite I used to be happy to be enjoying extra usually.

#11 – Race for the Galaxy, by Tom Lehman 

1480 performs

Change from 2023: down 2

First look: 2005

I proceed to actually get pleasure from Race, and proceed to play it rather a lot, if by no means almost as a lot as I did in 2008.  It’s attention-grabbing – as a result of I performed Race a lot in 2008, my knowledge from that yr is a serious outlier, and I steadily will hit some milestone or one other that’s “a record for me except for the Year of Race”.  For instance, I bought in 1177 performs of video games final yr, which is definitely probably the most performs I’ve accomplished in a yr – aside from the Year of Race, once I had 1683 performs, almost 2/3 of them of Race.  It’s nonetheless racking up performs, although – simply at extra of a one monthly price.

#10 – Schnäppchen Jagd, by Uwe Rosenberg 

169 performs

Change from 2023: down 2

First look: 2005

In my opinion, that is the trick taking recreation to play with three gamers.  It claims to help 4 gamers – and it does.  The downside is that as a 4 participant recreation, it’s wonderful; as a 3 participant recreation, it’s glorious.  It can also be my very favourite of Rosenberg’s many designs – I concern that being a trick-taking recreation it has by no means gotten the acclaim of even his different intelligent card video games, however for me that is the very best recreation he’s produced.  How properly it handles three gamers is a giant plus, as is the brief play time (20 minutes, no matter what it says on the field) and the good, foolish art work.  I’ve by no means executed so, however I can think about sitting round enjoying ten video games in a row of Schnäppchen Jagd very fortunately.

#9 – Saint Petersburg, by Michael Tummelhofer 

221 performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2005

While I’ve talked about earlier than how undervalued I discover buildings typically to be, I haven’t but tried a totally building-focused technique.  Now that I point out it, I’m going to need to strive it.  What I imply particularly – I’ve gone with combined methods earlier than, the place I attempt to earn many extra factors from buildings than my opponents whereas staying moderately shut on aristocrats.  But I’ve by no means tried ignoring aristocrats utterly (or almost so), specializing in buildings whereas holding sufficient cash round to gather a lot of staff, and seeing the place issues go from there.  It would require some luck – particularly, constructing upgrades, together with some reasonably priced ones.  But I believe it may very well be aggressive.

#8 – Frisch Fisch, by Friedemann Friese 

66 performs

Change from 2023: up 3

First look: 2005

I’m undecided there’s ever been a recreation rule so easy within the stating and but so tough for gamers to visualise because the appropriation rule in Frisch Fisch.  As a lot as I choose the unique, I generally must play the newer version of the sport to accommodate gamers who can’t visualize the rule.  Fortunately, the sport remains to be numerous enjoyable with the newer version.

Oh, and for many who have been questioning what occurred to Eloise and Timmy, they managed to get, Firesign Theater-like, to the B-side of They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!.  A number of seconds of !aaaH-aH ,yawA eM ekaT oT gnimoC er’yehT, they usually ran off, by no means to be seen once more.

#7 – Res Publica, by Reiner Knizia 

102 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

I’m undecided I’ve bought something new to say about Res Publica – it’s nonetheless nice, a number of newer editions have added adjustments that hurt the sport much more than gamers who gained’t commerce, and that’s about it.

So, as a substitute, I’ll use this chance to say that – after 20 years of persistently placing collectively these lists each two years, I’m going to retire from this.  Not essentially perpetually, however – as I’ve executed increasingly more of them with a listing of video games that simply doesn’t change very a lot, I discover I’ve much less and fewer to say in regards to the video games themselves.  And I’m not missing for different writing initiatives, so – I _may_ put collectively one other prime N record sooner or later sooner or later, however don’t depend on one in 2027.  It will occur when (and solely when) I’ve issues I wish to say.

#6 – Merchant of Venus

125 performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

It’s actually restricted knowledge, and will merely be an outlier, however – the previous couple of video games the place somebody discovered the yellow drive relic they didn’t win.  I’ve at all times checked out it as an automated pickup, however maybe I’m overvaluing it.  (Or, extra probably, appropriately valuing my capacity to roll poorly.)  I did have an amazing recreation lately by which any of the three gamers might have gained; everybody was inside $100 of the purpose we’d set for not less than one flip earlier than one participant lastly made it over.

#5 – 1846, by Tom Lehmann 

526 performs

Change from 2023: up 2

First look: 2005

Another 100 performs, one other set of latest discoveries and insights.  I’m presently attempting a path of working a nasty firm, paying out no matter I can, promoting down to simply the presidency, and investing.  And – it’s working usually sufficient that I’m now moving into variations on this theme.  And, after all, mixing in performs with different methods, in order that I don’t grow to be too predictable.  This did result in a state of affairs in a latest recreation the place one other participant might have stolen an organization from me or I might have dumped the corporate, however neither occurred; the corporate was simply mediocre sufficient for neither of us to behave for a few occasions by means of within the inventory spherical.

#4 – Advanced Civilization, by Francis Tresham

33+ performs

Change from 2023: down 1

First look: 2005

One of the basic arguments in gaming is the Civilization vs. Advanced Civilization debate.  I’ve pals who’re clearly on one facet or the opposite, and as for myself – I’m clearly on the Advanced Civilization facet.  I can perceive those that just like the 11 Civilization card restrict of the unique, and restricted numbers of every kind of card, however – I’m almost at all times on the facet of much less restricted play.  (It’s the explanation 1880 China isn’t wherever close to this record; I discover being restricted to constructing monitor in sure eras makes for an disagreeable recreation.)  I additionally discover that there’s a higher alternative to rein within the chief in Advanced Civilization because of the tradeable calamities and the secondary results.  I’d nonetheless play Civilization if a gaggle actually needed to – I’m not going to go up a possibility to play on this case just because it’s not my most popular model – but it surely’s video games of Advanced Civilization that I’ll manage.

#3 – 2038, by Tom Lehmann & James Hlavaty 

89+ performs

Change from 2023: up 1

First look: 2005

One benefit of enjoying 2038 as a lot as I – and my native group – has is that we’ve whittled the play time down; with the appropriate gamers, we will comfortably end in below 4 hours.  This tremendously will increase the alternatives to play the sport, which I recognize.  I’ve additionally been experimenting with working to gather wherever from zero to 4 independents (haven’t managed 4 but), and that’s been fairly enjoyable to mess around with.  We’ve additionally, because of some random probability, been having numerous video games of late the place TSI finds a great deal of uncommon mines and finally ends up doing Venus’ job, simply with out the $10 bonus.  Random probability suggests this may occur generally, however I’m undecided why we’ve seen it so usually in a small variety of performs.

#2 – Bridge, by Harold Vanderbilt

3151+ performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2005

In my opinion, that is the trick taking recreation to play with 4 gamers.  Probably the ingredient I most search for in video games is the chance to be taught; it’s not shocking, then, that Bridge – a recreation you possibly can simply find out about to your entire life – is such a favourite of mine.  This bought me fascinated with who all I’ve discovered probably the most about Bridge from.  Growing up, it was my dad and mom and my grandmother; my grandmother would indulge me by enjoying “Bridge” the place we every bought to have a look at two arms.  The subsequent particular person to show me was Larry Kaplan, who developed the Bridge cartridge for the Atari 2600.  It nonetheless wasn’t actual Bridge, however not less than it gave me the chance to play solitaire again when that was much more tough to handle.  When I found the Bridge recreation at work, I used to be much more reckless a participant than I’m at the moment (I’ll always remember one participant declaring “all doubles of Joe are for penalty”), and I discovered from all of them however in all probability probably the most from Dave Gross and Steve Root.  Around this time I found attention-grabbing books on Bridge – not simply quizzes, however Bridge fiction with characters.  Among the authors I discovered probably the most from have been David Bird, Ron Klinger, Victor Mollo, Terence Reese, Alfred Sheinwold, Frank Stewart (who taught me the worth of sometimes complicated kings and jacks), and Ernst Theimer.

And – for all of this studying, I’m nonetheless not a very good Bridge participant.  Hopefully a _better_ one, however nowhere close to the extent of many of us I do know.  And, truthfully, wonderful with this; I nonetheless haven’t performed duplicate Bridge greater than about 10 occasions, and I’ve by no means cared for it almost as a lot as celebration Bridge.

#1 – Die Siedler von Catan, by Klaus Teuber

133+ performs

Change from 2023: none

First look: 2005

Yup.  No change.  Boring.  I’m conscious.  And I’m wonderful with it.  I noticed a thread on BGG lately that recommended somebody who lists Settlers as their favourite recreation / most performed recreation is a mean gamer.  I’m not satisfied of that, however I do assume I’ve about as a lot overlap with an “average gamer” as I do with extra severe avid gamers – as I do with anybody who enjoys video games, actually; there are video games we’ll each get pleasure from.

And usually that recreation might be Settlers.

THOUGHTS FROM OTHER OPINIONATED GAMERS

Mark Jackson: I really learn right through Joe’s intensive War-and-Peace-ish size rumination on his favourite video games circa 2025. I do a prime 100 video games record most even numbered years (we’re out of sync on this, evidently)… and I discovered 33 of Joe’s video games which have additionally appeared on my lists during the last 20 years or so:

• #146 – Die Schlacht der Dinosaurier
• #143 – Klunker
• #142 – Diamant
• #138 – Industrial Waste
• #137 – Codenames
• #127 – Kardinal & König
• #124 – Die Quacksalber von Quedlinburg
• #120 – Entenrallye
• #108 – Starship Catan
• #104 – Clash of the Gladiators
• #102 – Lost Valley
• #101 – Sindbad
• #98 –Traumfabrik
• #93 – Entdecker
• #89 – Spacebeans
• #87 – Viva Pamplona!
• #72 – Mississippi Queen
• #66 – Can’t Stop
• #61 – Fast Food Franchise
• #55 – Wyatt Earp
• #38 – Dice Realms
• #37 – A Brief History of the World
• #31 – Mamma Mia
• #30 – For Sale
• #28 – Battle Cry
• #24 – Showmanager
• #22 – Africa
• #16 – Bohnanza
• #14 – Thebes
• #12 – Ticket to Ride
• #11 – Race for the Galaxy
• #10 – Schnäppchen Jagd
• #1 – Die Siedler von Catan

All however Battle Cry are nonetheless in my assortment (I’ve a ridiculous quantity of Memoir ‘44, which is a parallel transfer.)

I additionally listed the video games that Joe himself taught me/inspired me to seek out (which ought to embody Entenrallye, Spacebeans, and Fast Food Franchise, btw.)

• #131 – Blöde Kuh
• #121 – Auf Fotosafari in Ombagassa (Joe really gifted me with a duplicate of Topfgucker, the HABA model of this recreation)
• #39 – Neos
• #7 – Res Publica

Finally, no response to Joe’s favorites record could be full if I didn’t point out a few of my favourite experiences of enjoying board video games with Joe:

• An epic recreation of Battle Cattle the place Cowthulu appeared and turned us in opposition to one another.
• A recreation of Ricochet Robot the place Joe was discovering the shortest resolution so shortly that he started calculating the longest resolution whereas the remainder of us tried to seek out ANY reply.
• A Gathering of Friends recreation of Fast Food Franchise with 4 gamers the place we managed to nearly utterly fill the board with franchises… a lot to Dan Blum’s dismay.
• Joe & I enjoying Kapitan Wackelpudding and managing to get nearly all of the items on the boat – and transfer it!
• Being schooled by Joe in Africa (the sport, not the continent) – thus making me a a lot better Africa (once more, recreation not continent) participant.

Man, when you managed to learn all the things Joe wrote then waded your means by means of my footnotes, shade me impressed. Or involved. Or each. 🙂 

Larry:  There are 135 video games I presently classify as “Great” on the OG scale, a listing which I’m glad to report grows by a number of video games yearly.  26 of them are additionally in Joe’s record.  Here they’re, with the video games I most get pleasure from listed first:

Games in my prime 10

Top 25

• Bridge
• Jambo
• Grand Austria Hotel
• Spyrium

Top 50

• Schnappchen Jagd
• Flaschenteufel/Bottle Imp
• Louis XVI
• Russian Railroads
• Hare & Tortoise
• Macao
• Hawaii
• Concordia

All the remainder

• Traumfabrik
• Codenames
• Beyond the Sun
• Tigris & Euphrates
• Bohnanza
• Can’t Stop
• Ricochet Robot
• For Sale
• Planet Steam
• Geschenkt/No Thanks
• Fresh Fish
• Civilization
• The Green Fivura/Fives

One different notice.  I wasn’t uncovered to Bridge till my late 20’s, a lot later than Joe was.  But, like him, I used a Bridge cartridge on my Nintendo to assist me learn to play (or not less than find out how to bid; I appear to recall this system was fairly terrible when it got here to enjoying out the arms).  For all I do know, it was the identical program.  Quite a bizarre coincidence!