10 - Insider / Marvel United / 7 Wonders (Architects) 9- Dice Throne (S1 Rerolled) / Yinsh / Forbidden Island 8- Codenames / Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters / Planted 7- Marvel United / 7 Wonders (Architects) / Butterfly 6- Love Letter / Archaeology / Point Salad 5- Trekking Through History / Codenames (pictures) / Downforce 4- The Quest for El Dorado / Cascadia / Onitama 3- Dixit / Junkart / Codenames 2- For Sale / Trekking Through History / Ticket to Ride 1- Can't Stop / King of Tokyo / Just One Also, I would like to remember that Heat and Earth now exist, so this list has been outdated
🤣🤣1:35-1:55 definitely has to go on best moments of the year video. Zee was hilarious. Every convention Tom is at someone needs to go up to him and ask for 10 games to put in their home with the weird eyed face 😜
Guys... Its been how many years. Who does your sound? For real? Talking should NOT peak your input meter. Not trying to be a smart alec, just a very frustrated sound engineer over here, lol.
The sound is horrible. I actually checked if it was an old video, as some are not that bad. Will not continue watching it, the sound is really frustrating, especially if they speak loudly.
I think it's fine having 1 or 2 games, out of the 10, be a little heavier weight than entry level. I mean if you are giving a family 10 games and they are all basic/easy...they'll just get bored of them quick. Having like 5 entry level, 3 slightly heavier, but not much, and a couple that aren't difficult, but brings a little punch is just fine. Most families will want to give weightier games a try...and I'm not talking super heavy, but 2.5ish/5 type weight.
@@RhinoViper my point was missed - my point is that light games, casual games , gateway games are not considerred as REAL games to gamers. To non gamers they are simply games and the heavy convoluted monstrosities beloved of gamers are incomprehensible messes. The video is about EVERY home and as NON gamers far far outweigh gamers its should be almost entirely light games. I like Zee in this respect as he seems to understand where non gamers are coming from whenevere expereinced gamers refer to medium weight games as light
@@keithparker1346 I didn't suggest they recommend the heavy games....i pointed out specifically that i didn't suggest anything higher than a 2.5/5...using the BGG scale. That's a mid weight game, like Settlers is like a 2.3 I think....Lords of Waterdeep is like 2.45 or something...so not heavy games.
I know Mike hasn't been gone for very long, but, man, it's good to have him back! This was lightning in a bottle. Everyone brought their "A" game here. I laughed out loud so many times. That said, I'm shocked - SHOCKED, I tell you! - that Tom and Zee didn't put Dixit on their lists.
@34:40 maybe thats an old version of coup? But I picked it up recently and it definitely says what your card does on the actual card and you always have a reference card for bluffing purposes.
We had Can't Stop in our home growing up but I never played it until i was in my late 20s and was getting into the world of board games. My wife and I had a blast! Now we love games with a push your luck element in the game. Made me wish I had played it as a kid. Great pick!
My pick in no particular order: - dixit - sagrada - project l - ticket to ride - camel up (2nd edition) - king of tokyo - hive - coup - the resistance - jaipur
Used to love King of Tokyo, but hate the player elimination. Can't stand continuing to play the game while the first time player is standing by watching.
Mike got me thinking of a video idea at the beginning. Tom, Zee and Mike all find 10 random games by using the "random game" feature on BGG. They have to say something good about the games and give reasons why to play the games, even if they end up with games they dislike 🤣🤣
Ghost fighting treasure hunters is a blast! Great pick Zee. I would also include Forbidden Island, Azul, Carcassone, Stone Age, sushi Go Party, Wingspan, Catan, Ticket to Ride. Funny enough about 8 years ago my intro game was Bohnanza that led me to this hobby...and dont knock me for Wingspan its really easy to learn and very informative as well.
I love planted! You can’t buy it here in Canada and I’d never heard of it, but we just went to visit my brother in America and I bought it on a whim, loving the theme. It was great and I am so glad.
I tried teaching Dice Thrown to my kids they have played Machi Koro, Flamecraft, King of Tokyo, and Marvel Splendor. After about ten minutes of going over the instructions their eyes were glassed over and they pretty much said they were done. I really think this game's weight is underestimated due to its themes and colorful cartoon graphics.
You can teach Dice Throne without even going over all of the rules beforehand. However, it IS important to play with the low complexity heroes, like Barbarian and Moon Elf. It's also worth playing with the cards FACE UP the first few times you play, so that you can explain how the cards work as the game goes along. I definitely agree with you that if you get into the minutia of the rules before you start playing, it's going to feel like a lot. I'd also suggest only playing in a 1v1, rather than playing a 3+ player game for someone's first time playing. I've absolutely taught Dice Throne to non-gamers this way, and had great results.
@@danacoleman4007 It's possible to dislike a game and not think it's garbage. It's a very well-liked game with lots of well designed, tightly balanced characters, unique but accessible.. it's one thing to say it's not for you. But if your opinion is that the game is garbage, I'm sorry, but your opinion is a bad opinion. Bad opinions exist.
Can confirm that as a non-American, learning that Barnes & Noble is a bookstore was useful 😁 I mean I had already guessed it was not your FLGS, but now I'm like "it's Whitcouls!"
I'd have to base my list on the games that my wife likes to play (as she is a non-gamer and finds learning new games hard): 1. Splendor - and she'll beat me at it too! 2. Patchwork 3. Sagrada 4. Lost Cities (the card game) 5. Quest for El Dorado 6. Cockroach Poker/Coup 7. Bananagrams/Scrabble 8. Quacks of Quedlinburg 9. Snake Oil/Balderdash 10. Codenames
LOVE Mike List, agree with 80 % of it (I just didn't play the other 20%). Love the games on Tom and Zee list as well, I just haven't played many of those yet. GReat list, great job always a pleasure to watch. Thanks guys!
Great Top-10 list! I agree with several of these picks as well: Ticket to Ride, Marvel United, Trekking Through History, For Sale, Archaeology: The New Expedition, King of Tokyo, and Point Salad.
Great lists all of them. To make the suggested collection ages better, I prefer these changes : 7 Wonders (any of them) -> Sushi Go Party , For sale -> Century (2+) or Jaipur (2) , Codenames -> Decrypto (Everybody has the chance to give hints and not limited to a single word or even words in general) , Junk art -> Tuki, Downforce -> Camel up or Bad Company. plus, four additions: + An easy sth and write game such as trails of Tucana or even maybe Capitan Sonar + Azul (OG) + A simpler non-consequential co-op game such as Hanabi (you don't want a group of non-gamers feel lost all together because of a game. You will dump such a game as soon as you can) + a good simple deduction game for the moments your guest feels pretty smart such as Deception of Cryptid
Great lists, gents! King of Tokyo is my go-to game in the classroom and with new gamers, and almost every friend and family member I have introduced it to purchased it the night after we played it. Fabulous picks all around!
IMO you nee to House Rule KOT so that people dont just amass cubes - maybe a rule where you have to be in Tokyo - apart from that I think its a good game
I'd add one of those variety boxes that include boards and pieces for playing checkers and chess and usually at least one more like Chinese checkers or backgammon. They are cheap, and those games are generally known well enough that anyone in the house will find something in there to play.
Great lists all around. Mike probably had my favorite list though. But Tom had the most approachable list. I'm surprised Carcassonne didn't make the cut on any of the lists.
I think Carcassonne has sort of been surpassed as a gateway game and is starting to show its age. I think it is too long for what it does and it feels like it frequently outstays its welcome. I also don't love teaching it to newer players, the Farmer scoring in particular is difficult for them to understand.
@@josiahleis6574My girlfriend and I recently picked up carcassone as our first entry back into board games together, and we honestly can't put it down. Many of our family members very easily, but we found that sometimes it's easier just not to play with farmers or introduce them right away. I was also surprised ot didn't make the lists
@rbtorelli1994 I am glad you guys enjoyed it! It is not for me, I don't find the game enjoyable and I think it is too complex for newer players for how simple the game is in the end. You should check out Kingdom Builder or Through the Desert (it is being reprinted this year) for games that I think are similar but I enjoy more.
So...to make a humor to boxing comparison. Mike set me up with the "You don't remember the Scooby-Doo episode where he fought orcs." Then they all three followed up with the Jedediah, Jeremiah, Jebidiah combo and I was in tears. There are times when I don't even care what game they're talking about, it's just fantastic entertainment.
Trekking through History is great. I personally could replace that in a list like this with the Timeline series. I can teach it in two sentences, and it appeals at some level to almost every group I'm in (the more seasoned groups use it as a filler, the casual groups love it as a fun easy experience).
@Zee: so happy you mentioned Archeology. Such a great game that nobody in my circle seem to know or appreciate enough. Another pick that would have fitted you list is Latice. I distinctly remember your review of it after which I purchased it. Still a good breezy game for a Sunday afternoon.
i would argue for santorini as well. i usually teach the first game without the god powers. then on the second game i just break it out and go " if you liked that, NOW here's the cool part..."
I really enjoyed this top 10 list. This is the first time I’ve watched one all the way through. The pics were interesting, and your banter was really fun and engaging. Great job everyone.
I don't think "being at Barnes and Noble" is the point Mike thinks it is because I've also seen the old Dune board game there. In the "family game night" section, no less.
Thanks! Happy to hear. We also have our "12 Games of Christmas" video series coming up every day next week where we'll share 12 games recommendations in different categories.
I have 4 of the games Tom listed. Two that Mike listed. And two that Zee listed. I've played a number of others mentioned, but do not own them (though I probably should pick up For Sale). My #1 is an incredibly old game, but one that still gets played quite a lot in my area, and that is "Pit!" I will also mention, in case you guys didn't know, Codenames Disney has both the pictures and the words, so you can do either or both in the same game.
Love this and the explanation and the chemistry you guys have together, but a 20minute one i think would be great for a christmas wishlist or friends looking for a next game to try out while being more digestible
I think Bang! could've been on this list. Played this plenty back in my uni days with non-gamer friends around some beers and western-style soundtracks, and they loved it. It was an enjoyable time-sink, and quite simple. Maybe not an amazing game, but it fits the bill for biggish groups, both for family and house guests, and is fun enough for gamers and non-gamers alike imo.
I used to love King of Tokyo but once I played Bang the Dice Game, that replaced King of Tokyo for me. I usually don’t like social deduction games, but I actually really love that one and prefer it over King of Tokyo with regards to the “Yahtzee” combat feel because of the added social deduction aspect.
I've been binging the Top 10 lists again these past couple of weeks. Love them! ... Have y'all ever done a Top 10 Ameritrash (alternately Euro) list? ... Even if, I wanted to say I appreciate y'alls experience, knowledge, and diverse gaming tastes. Truly a hobby with something for EVERYONE.
These guys don't seem to use those labels, almost at all, when describing games. I think they have decided they are not useful descriptions anymore because of the way a lot of games blend both sides. I seem to remember Scythe being used as an example. Is it an ameritrash game? Nope it's a Euro resource manager with some area control, according to some. Long story short - You might be best served by watching the Christmas top 10's. There was a thematic games list more likely to be ameritrash style, then the strategy/advanced strategy games are more likely to lean into Euro style
@klawless That's a fair point and good take, so makes sense. During my binge, I was watching older lists also. (To see what I could add to my collection. I'm trying to be pickier about what I add instead of just going on a buying spree.) The group has a good variety of tastes & preferences.
Whoohoo Can't Stop! Also, the German version of Forbidden Island ("Die Verbotene Insell") is in a cardboard box and comes with little plastic figures instead of player pawns.
My Top 10 for this in no order but numbered to keep up with. 1. King of Tokyo 2. Just One! 3. CodeNames (regular or pictures) 4. Love Letter 5. Marvel United (either base game) 6. Camel Up 7. Dixit (Mysterium would prolly work) 8. Onitami 9. Azul 10. Splendor I think out of the games I have those go over well with the most people.
my top 10 with no specific order : -Just One -Detective Club -Kites -Flipships (Or) Men at Work -Alice's Garden (or) Loco Momo (or) Cascadia -Mow -Mysterium Park -Codenames Duo (or Images) -Quest for El Dorado (or) DownForce using the familly rules variant) -Little Town (or) Parks
I recently realized that Dice Throne will seem simple to any person who has already played games: Mtg, any fighting (because of the duel part, and the asymmetric fighter thing) or rpg game (talking attacks and upgrades, status effect and others). Because to those people, the concepts that come from these games are simplified and mixed up in Dice Throne. To any other person who doesn’t play much these types of games, Dice Throne is full of alien concepts and can seem overwhelming, I managed to teach it to three persons, all reactions were different depending on how much of the core concepts could resonate with people’s gaming experience. But I could teach this game to a friend without having the game in front of us, because he has played a lot in his life. Simply put, Dice Throne looks like an easy game, but in geeks’ eyes only.
I think there are a lot of tricks for teaching the game to new gamers. Sticking to the lowest complexity heroes, and playing with cards face-up is my number one suggestion (this lets you explain the cards they play, and the cards you are thinking about playing, as you play, rather than trying to explain them before the game has begun). Also *only* playing 1v1 matches so there are no targeting rules, and matches are faster. I also think it's important to get them rolling the dice and playing a turn AS you teach the game, rather than trying to explain it all first and have them remember it. Also, point at the reference card as they go through each phase, so they can follow along on their own on subsequent turns.
I'm a grandma. Zee cracked me up with the re-explaining the rules. I do tend to ask questions over and over. lol For a while, my name was changed on Discord to Alzheimer's Accountant.
Marvel United gets a lot of love from the Dice Tower guys but it fell super flat with my friends who aren't big gamers. It just feels like Pandemic with a Marvel theme. And I'd argue it's more complicated than Pandemic. And For Sale is one of my biggest letdowns. Played it with different people and it fell flat with everyone.
Jikes... I only own 2 of these (Ticket to Ride & Quest for El Dorado). I can bump it up to 3 since I only culled Codenames because my gaming club has it and that's the only place I get enough players together for it anyway...
Just One was the first party game I bought and it’s super popular with my family. Most the the time we don’t even keep score. We just play until we get bored of it.
Thank you! Here was my top 10 with a variety of difficulties... Settlers of Catan Quixx (fun roll and write) Formula D over Downforce because some people don't like betting, more straightforward than Heat. Ticket to Ride (Classic) Pandemic Iberia (Cooperative) Cascadia (it is just fun) Trekking through History over the Crew (you convinced me) 7 Wonders (you convinced me 7 Wonders Architects) Earth (replaces some other games) Water Proof Deck of Cards
We got forbidden island when we started to play games and I very quickly grew out of it after like 3 plays, we still keep it because my kids like to play it
There's a very good reason the actions of the roles aren't on the cards in Coup like they are in love letter. People have to bluff they have cards they don't have so would still need to read the actions off the player aid.
Strong strong agree with El Dorado and Junk Art. El Dorado slightly more complex than a lot of others on the list. However, when I saw this "every home" title it made me think of that neglected cupboard where you might find games in an Air B&B, and what I would find in there, vs. what I wish was in there. For me, El Dorado (Deckbuilding notwithstanding) feels like a classic that's been around for decades. It feels like it SHOULD be in that cupboard. It just has that classic move-a-little-person-around-a-map feeling of so many older games, bit without their flaws. Plus you can always remove the caves module which always trips people up! Even though there are slightly more rules, its the FAMILIARITY of all the concepts that makes it easy to get people into. Playing cards? Yep, we've done that before. Moving a figure on a board - yes. Racing to the finish line - makes sense. It's when you have unfamiliar systems AND extra rules that people struggle - which is why I think you're dead right to exclude 7 Wonders from this list. Chopsticks in Sushi Go is too much for a lot of people, never mind done strange 3rd age purple card! Junk art is a great pick, and would also be a contender if I were to make a version of the "games that aren't in the BGG top 10 but should be" list you guys did a while back. It's not only a fantastic dexterity game, it's also pretty much perfect in terms of versatility. Like Zee says, there are so many ways to play in the box. You like trick taking? We've got that. You want a speed game? Let's use the Monaco card. You want co-op? Let's go to Pisa. Plus it plays well at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (like point salad!). You can also teach it in less than two minutes. If I was stuck in an air b&b in the middle of nowhere, and I open that dusy cupboard, Junk Art is what I want to be in there.
I would like to see an episode where you could suggest board game progression such as starer, medium and advanced game that would be great for people building a collection.
I've never played Forbidden Island, but Survive! is a super-big hit at all my game nights. And with family and other folks who don't game. Great game that's more visual and appeals to casual and hardcore alike. And much more visually appealing than what I'm seeing from Forbidden Island
My grandson loved Dice Throne. I think it is easy enough for kids to learn. I see it as a gateway game. He never played anything like this, but he likes Yahtzee so he was excited to play it with me. Won me every damn time with Krampus. Krampus is way too powerful over Santa.
Looking back to this top 10, and I have to say, great list gentleman. In random order I would put in my top 10: 7 wonders archtects, Onitama, For Sale, point salad (eevee edition), Forbidden island, King of Tokyo and Marvel united with Carcassonne, Star realms and Splendor (united)
I’m a little surprised no one said Catan. That’s one game I’ve never had to buy a copy of because everyone I’ve ever played games with has their own copy.
Catan is maybe a little more dry theme wise than something like Ticket to Ride. As great as it is it doesn't exactly scream "fun" at first glance. Even the people who hate Ticket to Ride love Ticket to Ride.
My top 10: 10: Acquire or Suburbia--replaces Monopoly 9: Alien Frontiers or Kingsburg--dice placement. I think most people can figure that out. 8: Wingspan--there are many mechanisms that players can understand AND they learn about birds (which are all over the place. 7: Puerto Rico--I want to teach that to everyone interested in game board games. Simple, direct and intriguing. 6: Azul 5: Cosmic Encounter--The base game rules are simple, with limited powers. So many will love this very dynamic and negotiation type game. 4: Dominion/Star Realms--A great, simple, deck building game. This should be in everyone's library! 3: Carcassonne--a definitive tile laying game, it was one of the first ones to introduce gamers to the hobby. It is still definitive today. 2: Onitama--Simple chess like game that all can connect to. 1: Ticket to Ride--This game represents the connection between simplicity and complexity to the n-th degree. It is simple in the idea of collecting routes and tricks, but complex in determining when to collect those route and tricks. Every home should have this game or a game like it.
I had trouble with this list in that it's not a gateway game list, nor family games nor party games. Disclaimer: I believe ever home should have Chess, Go and a couple decks of cards, but I did not put these on my list as they are very common games for people to have, but you can see where my heads at. Chess and Go are not simple games to play--but we teach them none-the-less because they are part of our collective culture. I tried to pick 10 games that may become part of our cultural identity. Monopoly isn't on here because it could be lumped into the Chess, Go and card games category, but I think there are better games (Acquire, Suburbia etc.) This is just my opinion--I think there are a hundred ways to approach this list.
Mike I am usually right with you, but I gotta say, I would have went with KOT over Dice Thrones. I love some heavier games like KDM, SW Rebellion, and TMB, but my wife and I had such a hard time understanding how to play this and make our characters work (had Marvel retail box), which shocked and frustrated us. I really wanted to like the game, but it was a pretty sour experience. For sure think Tokyo is the better pick for average people. I hope to one day be taught this again at a convention, because I really want to like it, but won't try it on my own because of the confusion in brought.
KoT was my favourite game for a few years. Then I played Dice Throne. I have played KoT about twice since that time, because I like Dice Throne so much better. Now, I will say, I think KoT is better for a big group, as Dice Throne turns are a lot longer, especially for people learning the game. AND it's also true that there is a lot more going on in Dice Throne as well. BUT, a 1v1 game with the Barbarian and Moon Elf is actually VERY accessible, even to total non-gamers. But you should play with cards face-up the first few times so that everyone can talk about the decisions they're making, and make sure everyone gets how they work WHILE playing (explaining how cards work before someone has played the game will make non-gamers eyes glaze over for sure). This video still has the old graphics, which have since been updated, but I still think it's the absolute *best* how-to-play video: th-cam.com/video/xl5oN9M_Zbc/w-d-xo.html
Just One is the absolute #1 choice. Always goes down well with anyone. Other ones I thought of (before I watched the video): Can’t Stop Cursed Court Catan (I don’t even love the game, but it belongs here) 6 Nimmt
"Werewords is too geeky for the average home" has the same energy as "It's a banana, how much could it cost? $10 dolllars?" but instead of money it's game complexity
To back my point up, I played the game with "I loved Monopoly as a kid" and "so you guys never grew up huh" people, and they both were completely into it and screaming for another round at the end.
When you’re thinking of buying a house, you’ll visit an open house. In that open house these are ten games that you’ll see sitting on a shelf. Then when you buy a new house these are ten games that will come with your new house. 10. 7 wonders architects 9. Forbidden island 8. Planted 7. Marvel United 6. Point salad 5. Codenames 4. Cascadia 3. Junk art 2. Ticket to ride 1. Just one
@@theoldman2821 there comments in the beginning of the video were like if you don’t have these 10 games you must be evicted from your house. So I came up with another idea, these 10 games should come with a brand new house.
“10 GAMES THAT SHOULD BE IN EVERY AIR BNB.” Think about it, all types of people travel. They travel in different group sizes. They have different interests. You need something for everyone and anyone. Cheers!
10 - Insider / Marvel United / 7 Wonders (Architects)
9- Dice Throne (S1 Rerolled) / Yinsh / Forbidden Island
8- Codenames / Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters / Planted
7- Marvel United / 7 Wonders (Architects) / Butterfly
6- Love Letter / Archaeology / Point Salad
5- Trekking Through History / Codenames (pictures) / Downforce
4- The Quest for El Dorado / Cascadia / Onitama
3- Dixit / Junkart / Codenames
2- For Sale / Trekking Through History / Ticket to Ride
1- Can't Stop / King of Tokyo / Just One
Also, I would like to remember that Heat and Earth now exist, so this list has been outdated
Would love to see a top 10 list: Games that only i seem to like. It would show us some other games that dont get talked about as much.
If you look in the archive they actually made that list I think. 😊
There is a "Top 10 games that only WE like", but it is from 7 years ago, unless I am missing a more recent one. Maybe time to revisit.
They've done one like that before several years ago, but an updated one would be interesting, considering how many games are released every year
Isn't that every list MIke produces, ever?
@@gwaptivalol
🤣🤣1:35-1:55 definitely has to go on best moments of the year video. Zee was hilarious. Every convention Tom is at someone needs to go up to him and ask for 10 games to put in their home with the weird eyed face 😜
That was some Gold from Zee!
We need to start a committee, a petition and a task force to make sure this happens. 😂
LOL
For me (not in any particular order):
- Carcassone
- Catan
- Ticket to Ride
- Kingdomino
- Just One
- Dixit
- Cascadia
- 7 Wonders
- Skull
Skull is fantastic! Definitely on a must have list
Guys... Its been how many years. Who does your sound? For real? Talking should NOT peak your input meter. Not trying to be a smart alec, just a very frustrated sound engineer over here, lol.
For real. It's been forever.
finally i found someone that mentioned this,,no.2 i find the old soundtracks too old now, they should try and experiment more :)
The sound is horrible. I actually checked if it was an old video, as some are not that bad. Will not continue watching it, the sound is really frustrating, especially if they speak loudly.
Ppp@@TpDgreat
Guess I’m not a sound engineer, but it sounds totally fine to me 😕
I think it's fine having 1 or 2 games, out of the 10, be a little heavier weight than entry level. I mean if you are giving a family 10 games and they are all basic/easy...they'll just get bored of them quick. Having like 5 entry level, 3 slightly heavier, but not much, and a couple that aren't difficult, but brings a little punch is just fine. Most families will want to give weightier games a try...and I'm not talking super heavy, but 2.5ish/5 type weight.
That's what I liked about Mike's list! Good variety and not all super-basic.
That makes an assumption that people that light games/gateway games ONLY appeal is to be a stepping stone to the "real" games
@@keithparker1346 it’s also an assumption that people only want a list of 10 light games with no variety past that.
@@RhinoViper my point was missed - my point is that light games, casual games , gateway games are not considerred as REAL games to gamers. To non gamers they are simply games and the heavy convoluted monstrosities beloved of gamers are incomprehensible messes.
The video is about EVERY home and as NON gamers far far outweigh gamers its should be almost entirely light games. I like Zee in this respect as he seems to understand where non gamers are coming from whenevere expereinced gamers refer to medium weight games as light
@@keithparker1346 I didn't suggest they recommend the heavy games....i pointed out specifically that i didn't suggest anything higher than a 2.5/5...using the BGG scale. That's a mid weight game, like Settlers is like a 2.3 I think....Lords of Waterdeep is like 2.45 or something...so not heavy games.
I know Mike hasn't been gone for very long, but, man, it's good to have him back! This was lightning in a bottle. Everyone brought their "A" game here. I laughed out loud so many times. That said, I'm shocked - SHOCKED, I tell you! - that Tom and Zee didn't put Dixit on their lists.
@34:40 maybe thats an old version of coup? But I picked it up recently and it definitely says what your card does on the actual card and you always have a reference card for bluffing purposes.
We had Can't Stop in our home growing up but I never played it until i was in my late 20s and was getting into the world of board games. My wife and I had a blast! Now we love games with a push your luck element in the game. Made me wish I had played it as a kid. Great pick!
My pick in no particular order:
- dixit
- sagrada
- project l
- ticket to ride
- camel up (2nd edition)
- king of tokyo
- hive
- coup
- the resistance
- jaipur
1. Codenames
2. Ticket to Ride
3. For Sale
4. Las Vegas
5. Scout
6. Skull and Roses
7. Santorini
8. Fantasy Realms
9. 6 Nimmt
10. Akropolis
11. Broom Service/Dimension/Zendo
Used to love King of Tokyo, but hate the player elimination. Can't stand continuing to play the game while the first time player is standing by watching.
Mike got me thinking of a video idea at the beginning. Tom, Zee and Mike all find 10 random games by using the "random game" feature on BGG. They have to say something good about the games and give reasons why to play the games, even if they end up with games they dislike 🤣🤣
That actually does sound like it could be really cool! Maybe they even discover a game they didn't know about before
A few weeks ago I had a games night with my parents in law. We played Downforce, Trekking Through History, and Dixit. So good picks everyone!
A few weeks ago I had a games night with my parents in law. We played Downforce, Trekking Through History, and Dixit. So good picks everyone!
Ghost fighting treasure hunters is a blast! Great pick Zee. I would also include Forbidden Island, Azul, Carcassone, Stone Age, sushi Go Party, Wingspan, Catan, Ticket to Ride. Funny enough about 8 years ago my intro game was Bohnanza that led me to this hobby...and dont knock me for Wingspan its really easy to learn and very informative as well.
I love planted! You can’t buy it here in Canada and I’d never heard of it, but we just went to visit my brother in America and I bought it on a whim, loving the theme. It was great and I am so glad.
Tom: When you say grandpa knows who Iron Man is, do you mean you know who Iron Man is?
OMG Zee's "wild-eyed guy" has got to be one of the top 10 funniest things on the internet
I'm surprised that my (admittedly small and new) collection lines up best with Mike owning 4 of them. Loving the content!
I tried teaching Dice Thrown to my kids they have played Machi Koro, Flamecraft, King of Tokyo, and Marvel Splendor. After about ten minutes of going over the instructions their eyes were glassed over and they pretty much said they were done.
I really think this game's weight is underestimated due to its themes and colorful cartoon graphics.
You can teach Dice Throne without even going over all of the rules beforehand. However, it IS important to play with the low complexity heroes, like Barbarian and Moon Elf. It's also worth playing with the cards FACE UP the first few times you play, so that you can explain how the cards work as the game goes along. I definitely agree with you that if you get into the minutia of the rules before you start playing, it's going to feel like a lot. I'd also suggest only playing in a 1v1, rather than playing a 3+ player game for someone's first time playing. I've absolutely taught Dice Throne to non-gamers this way, and had great results.
Additionally, it's a garbage game, IMO
@@danacoleman4007 Poor take.
@@joelface not really. Just an opinion based on my experiences.
@@danacoleman4007 It's possible to dislike a game and not think it's garbage. It's a very well-liked game with lots of well designed, tightly balanced characters, unique but accessible.. it's one thing to say it's not for you. But if your opinion is that the game is garbage, I'm sorry, but your opinion is a bad opinion. Bad opinions exist.
Can confirm that as a non-American, learning that Barnes & Noble is a bookstore was useful 😁
I mean I had already guessed it was not your FLGS, but now I'm like "it's Whitcouls!"
Haha yeah, I assumed it was a Target/Walmart equivalent haha
I would add Camel Up to the must have list. Easy to learn, fun for all ages and larger player count.
totally agree! some of my favourite party game nights have been from hilarious Camel Up moments that had everyone yelling and laughing at the table.
I'd have to base my list on the games that my wife likes to play (as she is a non-gamer and finds learning new games hard):
1. Splendor - and she'll beat me at it too!
2. Patchwork
3. Sagrada
4. Lost Cities (the card game)
5. Quest for El Dorado
6. Cockroach Poker/Coup
7. Bananagrams/Scrabble
8. Quacks of Quedlinburg
9. Snake Oil/Balderdash
10. Codenames
Should also have included Mysterium somewhere in this
I love like Zee can go from absolute chill to crazy in milliseconds 😅
LOVE Mike List, agree with 80 % of it (I just didn't play the other 20%). Love the games on Tom and Zee list as well, I just haven't played many of those yet. GReat list, great job always a pleasure to watch. Thanks guys!
Great Top-10 list! I agree with several of these picks as well: Ticket to Ride, Marvel United, Trekking Through History, For Sale, Archaeology: The New Expedition, King of Tokyo, and Point Salad.
This was great fun to watch. I’m sorry I missed it live. So nice seeing the three of you together.
Great lists all of them.
To make the suggested collection ages better, I prefer these changes : 7 Wonders (any of them) -> Sushi Go Party , For sale -> Century (2+) or Jaipur (2) , Codenames -> Decrypto (Everybody has the chance to give hints and not limited to a single word or even words in general) , Junk art -> Tuki, Downforce -> Camel up or Bad Company.
plus, four additions:
+ An easy sth and write game such as trails of Tucana or even maybe Capitan Sonar
+ Azul (OG)
+ A simpler non-consequential co-op game such as Hanabi (you don't want a group of non-gamers feel lost all together because of a game. You will dump such a game as soon as you can)
+ a good simple deduction game for the moments your guest feels pretty smart such as Deception of Cryptid
Great lists, gents! King of Tokyo is my go-to game in the classroom and with new gamers, and almost every friend and family member I have introduced it to purchased it the night after we played it. Fabulous picks all around!
IMO you nee to House Rule KOT so that people dont just amass cubes - maybe a rule where you have to be in Tokyo - apart from that I think its a good game
I think King of Tokyo is kind of geeky. The battling aspect and ticking down hit points and such might not really be for everyone.
I'd add one of those variety boxes that include boards and pieces for playing checkers and chess and usually at least one more like Chinese checkers or backgammon. They are cheap, and those games are generally known well enough that anyone in the house will find something in there to play.
Agreed
Great lists all around. Mike probably had my favorite list though. But Tom had the most approachable list. I'm surprised Carcassonne didn't make the cut on any of the lists.
I think Carcassonne has sort of been surpassed as a gateway game and is starting to show its age. I think it is too long for what it does and it feels like it frequently outstays its welcome. I also don't love teaching it to newer players, the Farmer scoring in particular is difficult for them to understand.
@@josiahleis6574My girlfriend and I recently picked up carcassone as our first entry back into board games together, and we honestly can't put it down. Many of our family members very easily, but we found that sometimes it's easier just not to play with farmers or introduce them right away. I was also surprised ot didn't make the lists
@rbtorelli1994 I am glad you guys enjoyed it! It is not for me, I don't find the game enjoyable and I think it is too complex for newer players for how simple the game is in the end.
You should check out Kingdom Builder or Through the Desert (it is being reprinted this year) for games that I think are similar but I enjoy more.
So...to make a humor to boxing comparison. Mike set me up with the "You don't remember the Scooby-Doo episode where he fought orcs." Then they all three followed up with the Jedediah, Jeremiah, Jebidiah combo and I was in tears. There are times when I don't even care what game they're talking about, it's just fantastic entertainment.
This is one of my favourite top 10 lists. Funny but very informative. Great stuff.
I laughed out loud and learned a lot. Thanks guys!!!
Trekking through History is great. I personally could replace that in a list like this with the Timeline series. I can teach it in two sentences, and it appeals at some level to almost every group I'm in (the more seasoned groups use it as a filler, the casual groups love it as a fun easy experience).
Timeline makes you feel clever. I love Trekking through history, but I rarely remember a single card I pick outside the number and the rewards.
@@harryofgo That's a great point about feeling clever.
I am surprised that Canvas is not on this list. I have taught it to many people and they all loved it.
AGREED!!!!!!!
“Even grandpa knows about Ironman.” I resemble that remark! This grandpa knows a lot about a lot. (Of course he’s forgotten a lot about a lot, too.)
I know nothing about Ironman.
The less you know . . .
@@icex4055 ... with the world the way it is the better off I am.
@@theoldman2821wow, how old ARE you?
@Zee: so happy you mentioned Archeology. Such a great game that nobody in my circle seem to know or appreciate enough. Another pick that would have fitted you list is Latice. I distinctly remember your review of it after which I purchased it. Still a good breezy game for a Sunday afternoon.
i would argue for santorini as well. i usually teach the first game without the god powers. then on the second game i just break it out and go " if you liked that, NOW here's the cool part..."
Mike was ON FIRE this top 10! I love this!
I really enjoyed this top 10 list. This is the first time I’ve watched one all the way through. The pics were interesting, and your banter was really fun and engaging. Great job everyone.
I don't think "being at Barnes and Noble" is the point Mike thinks it is because I've also seen the old Dune board game there. In the "family game night" section, no less.
12:16 if you like rolling dice either go long shot or las vegas royale or stone age.. agree dice throne is complex
This was really helpful as I shop for Christmas. Thank you!
Thanks! Happy to hear. We also have our "12 Games of Christmas" video series coming up every day next week where we'll share 12 games recommendations in different categories.
Yes, if I ever get to play Pandemic Legacy, I'll be sure to name one of the viruses, "Monopoly."
I have 4 of the games Tom listed. Two that Mike listed. And two that Zee listed. I've played a number of others mentioned, but do not own them (though I probably should pick up For Sale). My #1 is an incredibly old game, but one that still gets played quite a lot in my area, and that is "Pit!"
I will also mention, in case you guys didn't know, Codenames Disney has both the pictures and the words, so you can do either or both in the same game.
Love this and the explanation and the chemistry you guys have together, but a 20minute one i think would be great for a christmas wishlist or friends looking for a next game to try out while being more digestible
Thanks for the content! You guys always crack me up, really feels like I'm hanging out with buddies
You all are so funny together. Great video!
I think Bang! could've been on this list. Played this plenty back in my uni days with non-gamer friends around some beers and western-style soundtracks, and they loved it. It was an enjoyable time-sink, and quite simple. Maybe not an amazing game, but it fits the bill for biggish groups, both for family and house guests, and is fun enough for gamers and non-gamers alike imo.
If Sam was still around, I can guarantee that Bang! The Dice Game would be on the list.
I agree, except that it is really a huge hurdle to teach.
I used to love King of Tokyo but once I played Bang the Dice Game, that replaced King of Tokyo for me. I usually don’t like social deduction games, but I actually really love that one and prefer it over King of Tokyo with regards to the “Yahtzee” combat feel because of the added social deduction aspect.
El Dorado hands down! And if everybody has it you get to play with all of the terrain tiles combined!
I agree! I love this game!!!
I've been binging the Top 10 lists again these past couple of weeks. Love them! ... Have y'all ever done a Top 10 Ameritrash (alternately Euro) list? ... Even if, I wanted to say I appreciate y'alls experience, knowledge, and diverse gaming tastes. Truly a hobby with something for EVERYONE.
These guys don't seem to use those labels, almost at all, when describing games. I think they have decided they are not useful descriptions anymore because of the way a lot of games blend both sides. I seem to remember Scythe being used as an example. Is it an ameritrash game? Nope it's a Euro resource manager with some area control, according to some.
Long story short - You might be best served by watching the Christmas top 10's. There was a thematic games list more likely to be ameritrash style, then the strategy/advanced strategy games are more likely to lean into Euro style
@klawless That's a fair point and good take, so makes sense. During my binge, I was watching older lists also. (To see what I could add to my collection. I'm trying to be pickier about what I add instead of just going on a buying spree.) The group has a good variety of tastes & preferences.
Whoohoo Can't Stop! Also, the German version of Forbidden Island ("Die Verbotene Insell") is in a cardboard box and comes with little plastic figures instead of player pawns.
My problem with Zee's #9 pick is that if you give someone a Yinsch, they take a mile...
So barnes and noble is the US Waterstones of the UK then?
I am nearly there…9 games from the list in my home. Just need one more…probably Trekking through History will be the new addition.
My Top 10 for this in no order but numbered to keep up with.
1. King of Tokyo
2. Just One!
3. CodeNames (regular or pictures)
4. Love Letter
5. Marvel United (either base game)
6. Camel Up
7. Dixit (Mysterium would prolly work)
8. Onitami
9. Azul
10. Splendor
I think out of the games I have those go over well with the most people.
What about Hive?
Decent list though!
my top 10 with no specific order :
-Just One
-Detective Club
-Kites
-Flipships (Or) Men at Work
-Alice's Garden (or) Loco Momo (or) Cascadia
-Mow
-Mysterium Park
-Codenames Duo (or Images)
-Quest for El Dorado (or) DownForce using the familly rules variant)
-Little Town (or) Parks
I recently realized that Dice Throne will seem simple to any person who has already played games: Mtg, any fighting (because of the duel part, and the asymmetric fighter thing) or rpg game (talking attacks and upgrades, status effect and others).
Because to those people, the concepts that come from these games are simplified and mixed up in Dice Throne.
To any other person who doesn’t play much these types of games, Dice Throne is full of alien concepts and can seem overwhelming, I managed to teach it to three persons, all reactions were different depending on how much of the core concepts could resonate with people’s gaming experience. But I could teach this game to a friend without having the game in front of us, because he has played a lot in his life. Simply put, Dice Throne looks like an easy game, but in geeks’ eyes only.
I think there are a lot of tricks for teaching the game to new gamers. Sticking to the lowest complexity heroes, and playing with cards face-up is my number one suggestion (this lets you explain the cards they play, and the cards you are thinking about playing, as you play, rather than trying to explain them before the game has begun). Also *only* playing 1v1 matches so there are no targeting rules, and matches are faster. I also think it's important to get them rolling the dice and playing a turn AS you teach the game, rather than trying to explain it all first and have them remember it. Also, point at the reference card as they go through each phase, so they can follow along on their own on subsequent turns.
bahahahahah ZEE..... people will FOREVER BE ASKING YOU TO DO WILD EYED MAN! :D
I was glad to see you included ticket to ride in the list (surprised no carcassone). But I’ve learnt so many new ones to try.
I'm a grandma. Zee cracked me up with the re-explaining the rules. I do tend to ask questions over and over. lol For a while, my name was changed on Discord to Alzheimer's Accountant.
I never get enough of Zee Garcia 😆
Marvel United gets a lot of love from the Dice Tower guys but it fell super flat with my friends who aren't big gamers.
It just feels like Pandemic with a Marvel theme. And I'd argue it's more complicated than Pandemic.
And For Sale is one of my biggest letdowns. Played it with different people and it fell flat with everyone.
In that list, my fav bg are: Ticket to ride, can't stop and maybe "for sale".
Quick, simple, and keep you interested even when it is not your turn.
Love El Dorado, easy to teach, not stressful to play, and everyone I’ve played with so far, has really liked it as well!
The audio of this video is rather low quality and scratchy. Issue with the mics?
Jikes... I only own 2 of these (Ticket to Ride & Quest for El Dorado). I can bump it up to 3 since I only culled Codenames because my gaming club has it and that's the only place I get enough players together for it anyway...
Just One was the first party game I bought and it’s super popular with my family. Most the the time we don’t even keep score. We just play until we get bored of it.
My family loves it too!
Thank you! Here was my top 10 with a variety of difficulties...
Settlers of Catan
Quixx (fun roll and write)
Formula D over Downforce because some people don't like betting, more straightforward than Heat.
Ticket to Ride (Classic)
Pandemic Iberia (Cooperative)
Cascadia (it is just fun)
Trekking through History over the Crew (you convinced me)
7 Wonders (you convinced me 7 Wonders Architects)
Earth (replaces some other games)
Water Proof Deck of Cards
Agree with Quest for El Dorado for a week ago I taught my mom and aunt and they both loved it. Plus my mom won.
A fun, basic, and very very pretty thus draws new people to it... CANVAS !!!
I think I'm gonna name my goblin Plushie from the DT Kickstarter Jedediah 😂
We got forbidden island when we started to play games and I very quickly grew out of it after like 3 plays, we still keep it because my kids like to play it
It is a good game to get excited about the hobby; however, I had a similar experience.
Yeah, I'd rather play Pandemic but if I was going to play some games with some kids, I'd definitely break out "Forbidden Island".
Yeah it’s a good kids game.
I like Forbidden Desert best of the three games!
@@BoardGamesBricksHobbies I like Forbidden Sky best 💀 don't hate me, have you tried the different maps for forbidden island? Using the same tiles
There's a very good reason the actions of the roles aren't on the cards in Coup like they are in love letter. People have to bluff they have cards they don't have so would still need to read the actions off the player aid.
Strong strong agree with El Dorado and Junk Art. El Dorado slightly more complex than a lot of others on the list. However, when I saw this "every home" title it made me think of that neglected cupboard where you might find games in an Air B&B, and what I would find in there, vs. what I wish was in there. For me, El Dorado (Deckbuilding notwithstanding) feels like a classic that's been around for decades. It feels like it SHOULD be in that cupboard. It just has that classic move-a-little-person-around-a-map feeling of so many older games, bit without their flaws. Plus you can always remove the caves module which always trips people up! Even though there are slightly more rules, its the FAMILIARITY of all the concepts that makes it easy to get people into. Playing cards? Yep, we've done that before. Moving a figure on a board - yes. Racing to the finish line - makes sense. It's when you have unfamiliar systems AND extra rules that people struggle - which is why I think you're dead right to exclude 7 Wonders from this list. Chopsticks in Sushi Go is too much for a lot of people, never mind done strange 3rd age purple card!
Junk art is a great pick, and would also be a contender if I were to make a version of the "games that aren't in the BGG top 10 but should be" list you guys did a while back. It's not only a fantastic dexterity game, it's also pretty much perfect in terms of versatility. Like Zee says, there are so many ways to play in the box. You like trick taking? We've got that. You want a speed game? Let's use the Monaco card. You want co-op? Let's go to Pisa. Plus it plays well at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (like point salad!). You can also teach it in less than two minutes. If I was stuck in an air b&b in the middle of nowhere, and I open that dusy cupboard, Junk Art is what I want to be in there.
I would like to see an episode where you could suggest board game progression such as starer, medium and advanced game that would be great for people building a collection.
Split up by various genres or main mechanic yeah that'd great
They did this for 2 player games.
1. Ticket To Ride
2. Carcassonne
3. Jamaica
4. Azul
5. Las Vegas
6. Megaland
7. Horrified
8. For Sale
9. Point Salad
10. Sushi Go
Yeah, I feel like Dice Throne is a little heavier than Mike's giving it credit for. I would have put King of Tokyo in this slot.
I've never played Forbidden Island, but Survive! is a super-big hit at all my game nights. And with family and other folks who don't game. Great game that's more visual and appeals to casual and hardcore alike. And much more visually appealing than what I'm seeing from Forbidden Island
I like Tom's comparison of Monopoly and disease
My grandson loved Dice Throne. I think it is easy enough for kids to learn. I see it as a gateway game. He never played anything like this, but he likes Yahtzee so he was excited to play it with me. Won me every damn time with Krampus. Krampus is way too powerful over Santa.
43:40 and Zee calling out Road Kill Rally! I love that game.
Looking back to this top 10, and I have to say, great list gentleman. In random order I would put in my top 10: 7 wonders archtects, Onitama, For Sale, point salad (eevee edition), Forbidden island, King of Tokyo and Marvel united with Carcassonne, Star realms and Splendor (united)
"Paddles don't paddle water! People paddle water!" 😂😂
I’m a little surprised no one said Catan. That’s one game I’ve never had to buy a copy of because everyone I’ve ever played games with has their own copy.
Catan is maybe a little more dry theme wise than something like Ticket to Ride. As great as it is it doesn't exactly scream "fun" at first glance. Even the people who hate Ticket to Ride love Ticket to Ride.
Agree with Zee for the #1 spot. Everyone loves that game
My top 10:
10: Acquire or Suburbia--replaces Monopoly
9: Alien Frontiers or Kingsburg--dice placement. I think most people can figure that out.
8: Wingspan--there are many mechanisms that players can understand AND they learn about birds (which are all over the place.
7: Puerto Rico--I want to teach that to everyone interested in game board games. Simple, direct and intriguing.
6: Azul
5: Cosmic Encounter--The base game rules are simple, with limited powers. So many will love this very dynamic and negotiation type game.
4: Dominion/Star Realms--A great, simple, deck building game. This should be in everyone's library!
3: Carcassonne--a definitive tile laying game, it was one of the first ones to introduce gamers to the hobby. It is still definitive today.
2: Onitama--Simple chess like game that all can connect to.
1: Ticket to Ride--This game represents the connection between simplicity and complexity to the n-th degree. It is simple in the idea of collecting routes and tricks, but complex in determining when to collect those route and tricks. Every home should have this game or a game like it.
Those are games for everyone?
I mean, people can learn to play any game, but those are not the games for every household.
I had trouble with this list in that it's not a gateway game list, nor family games nor party games. Disclaimer: I believe ever home should have Chess, Go and a couple decks of cards, but I did not put these on my list as they are very common games for people to have, but you can see where my heads at. Chess and Go are not simple games to play--but we teach them none-the-less because they are part of our collective culture. I tried to pick 10 games that may become part of our cultural identity. Monopoly isn't on here because it could be lumped into the Chess, Go and card games category, but I think there are better games (Acquire, Suburbia etc.) This is just my opinion--I think there are a hundred ways to approach this list.
Mike I am usually right with you, but I gotta say, I would have went with KOT over Dice Thrones. I love some heavier games like KDM, SW Rebellion, and TMB, but my wife and I had such a hard time understanding how to play this and make our characters work (had Marvel retail box), which shocked and frustrated us. I really wanted to like the game, but it was a pretty sour experience. For sure think Tokyo is the better pick for average people. I hope to one day be taught this again at a convention, because I really want to like it, but won't try it on my own because of the confusion in brought.
KoT was my favourite game for a few years. Then I played Dice Throne. I have played KoT about twice since that time, because I like Dice Throne so much better. Now, I will say, I think KoT is better for a big group, as Dice Throne turns are a lot longer, especially for people learning the game. AND it's also true that there is a lot more going on in Dice Throne as well. BUT, a 1v1 game with the Barbarian and Moon Elf is actually VERY accessible, even to total non-gamers. But you should play with cards face-up the first few times so that everyone can talk about the decisions they're making, and make sure everyone gets how they work WHILE playing (explaining how cards work before someone has played the game will make non-gamers eyes glaze over for sure).
This video still has the old graphics, which have since been updated, but I still think it's the absolute *best* how-to-play video: th-cam.com/video/xl5oN9M_Zbc/w-d-xo.html
Just One is the absolute #1 choice. Always goes down well with anyone.
Other ones I thought of (before I watched the video):
Can’t Stop
Cursed Court
Catan (I don’t even love the game, but it belongs here)
6 Nimmt
"Werewords is too geeky for the average home" has the same energy as "It's a banana, how much could it cost? $10 dolllars?" but instead of money it's game complexity
To back my point up, I played the game with "I loved Monopoly as a kid" and "so you guys never grew up huh" people, and they both were completely into it and screaming for another round at the end.
When you’re thinking of buying a house, you’ll visit an open house. In that open house these are ten games that you’ll see sitting on a shelf. Then when you buy a new house these are ten games that will come with your new house.
10. 7 wonders architects
9. Forbidden island
8. Planted
7. Marvel United
6. Point salad
5. Codenames
4. Cascadia
3. Junk art
2. Ticket to ride
1. Just one
Huh?
@@theoldman2821 there comments in the beginning of the video were like if you don’t have these 10 games you must be evicted from your house. So I came up with another idea, these 10 games should come with a brand new house.
Thats great, if the heating doesn't work when you move in you can simply burn Ticket to ride and stay warm.
Great episode!
“10 GAMES THAT SHOULD BE IN EVERY AIR BNB.” Think about it, all types of people travel. They travel in different group sizes. They have different interests. You need something for everyone and anyone.
Cheers!
Just one is an amazinggame, we've played it for hours. But most of the time is SOOO SIMPLE to guess the word.
These videos brighten my day
Zee's impression. Oh my god. I laughed.
For Mike's defense, not only is Dice Throne at Barnes and Nobles, the Marvel version is at Target!