Interesting list. I haven’t played Catan enough to give it a thorough assessment. I do like it. But currently, I would lean on the side of it being below the 500 ranking on BGG, probably about where it is currently. Have you tried any of its expansions? I figured your #6 would be on this list from the way you gave it a high rating in your top 100. One game that I think is underrated is Xi’an. Its rulebook is not as good as it should be, so that holds it back. Also, it must not have had a wide release, so it only has 725 ratings which lowers it too. Currently it is rated at 7.209, but I think it deserves to move closer to an 8, for a fun strategy game that takes less than an hour to set up and play once the rules are learned. It is one of those games that typically you wish you had just one or two more turns.
I have played 3 Catan expansions. Seafarers, Cities and Knights, and Traders and Barbarians. Seafarers doesn't change the game too much, so if you like Catan how it is you get catan where you have water tiles. Cities and Knights changes the game tremendously. You get rid of development cards, and get 3 different decks of cards, that are like development cards. It also gets rid of the knight cards, because now the knights are something you actually place on the board, for a cost of ore and wool. There is too much to say in just a comment, but there is a lot more to Cities and Knights. A lot of people like the expansion, or will only play Catan with this expansion. It makes the game longer, and more complex. So its for people that like heavier games. Traders and Barbarians adds a bunch of minor modules that you can add whichever ones you want to the game. One is a deck of fish cards, which adds the fish resource, and another one is Welfare, which adds a catchup mechanic. There are a lot more in the box, but I haven't tried them all yet. Xi'an is one I am down to learn one of these days. - Michael
Snow tails is very underrated. It's one of the best racing games. It's very tactical while remaining fun. I think the thematic card play is confusing for first time players though.
Interesting choice of games, mostly older games, and even classics so I feel that rating has nothing to do with the game quality it is rather to do with novelty, these games you listed I played 10 years ago so much I totally burned it out ... for example, I am not sure I will ever play another game of Catan even tough 10 years ago I absulutly loved it ... I burned it out ... but yeah I agree with what you are saying!
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses It's normal every game I ever loved I eventually get bored with and don't feel like playing anymore ... but that does not mean they are becoming bad games ... after doing the same thing over and over we all eventually need something new and different ... and that may explain ranking ... I wish I could see rating for these games when they were new and fresh ...
I agree 100% with Thunder Alley, the mechanisms in that game are so clever and puzzly. Even with 2 players this is a tense game. I also love Formula Racing. This is Knizia at his best, presenting a lot of fun with simple and elegant rules. Hilarious moments guaranteed. Heat i also love, however I don't consider that a 10 out of 10, more 8 out of 10.
I'm sorry, but how on earth is a game in the BGG top 100 even close to underrated (let alone 4 or 5 if we count the honourable mention)? If we were to make the argument that the difference between our own personal rating and the BGG average made a game underrated, then pretty much all our own personal favourites would be underrated by that logic. It feels very misleading to put the most popular game by one of the most popular designers out there on a list for underrated games (and yeah, I agree with you that Le Havre is an excellent game and I too prefer it to Feast - but the fact that it's still in the top 100 despite being 15 years old is a testament to how highly regarded it is). Generally, when people say underrated they are thinking about games that people don't talk about, games that got overlooked or unfairly critisized. At least if you're going to go by BGG standard, then maybe filter out the first couple of hundred rankings? And even then, keep age into consideration. Heat came out just last year and is one of only two games from 2022 to break the top 100. It takes time for them to rise up. As for what I would consider underrated: Atheneum: Mystic Library - I would make the case that it's mainly overlooked (though my rating is certainly significantly higher than the average), as it's ranked in the mid 3000s (only roughly 700 people have even given it a rating, making its geek rating vastly lower), such an excellent card drafting/tile laying game with a fun whimsical setting. I never hear anyone talk about it, and it's one of my go-to end of the game night games. It's fast and smooth and really deserves more attention from people.
I see your point. And thats fair, I guess next time I do this I will consider your way and see if I can make a list like that. It would definitely have different games. Would you agree at least Black Fleet is Underrated?
I haven't played Black Fleet, so have no opinion on it as a game. But yeah, just because I found the 4-5 games from the top 100 to be ineligible for an underrated list doesn't mean every pick was. It's 10 years old and it's below the top 1000. I would even accept games below top 500 for a list like this. It's just a matter of understanding the BGG top 100, it takes a significant amount of people rating a game for it to stand the chance to break into the top 100 (nearly all of them have more than 10k ratings), and in addition a significant portion of those people has to give it a 10.
@@mkitten13 I think I realized how it should be. To be underrated it needs to be low on the bgg and to be overrated it needs to be like top 200-300 minimum, instead of average rating.
My kids love splendor. Gosh, more than all the other board games. A lot of these games are high frequency in high rated lists and I would attribute a lot of the low points that bring the averages down to how many people rank it. As for Catan... who decided to make the highest frequency number the activator for the thief? Too much thievin'! Coup, with the variant rules and called assassinations, is an amazing game. I liked Eminent Domain with the expansions better than Dominion.
Underrated means The people rate the game lower than I do. If a game is rated 7/10 on average and I rate it 9/10, then it is underrated by 2 whole points. Every game on my list is by 1 point or more if I remember right.
I can't figure out the rules to this game. I've taught literally hundreds of board games. Thunder Alley is one of 11 shelf of shame games because I just don't understand the rules.
Personally I'd consider anything in the top 1000 to be pretty well respected. Here are 10 that are all ranked well under 1000 that i think should be higher 1 Bridges of Shangri-la 2 Via Nebula 3 Theseus: The Dark Orbit 4 Java (Reprinted as Cuzco) 5 Alien Artifacts 6 Council of 4 7 Axio 8 Ekö 9 Uchronia 10 Meduris
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses to quote you "I rank them both 8 out of them". Moreover, the red-box version you pictured is ranked even higher at 8.5. So, not really sure what you mean.
What game do you think is underrted?
Relic Runners, Ra, and the most is Lords of Vegas
These are games that many gamers may never have even heard of
You know all three?
I agree those are all underrated for sure
true
Interesting list. I haven’t played Catan enough to give it a thorough assessment. I do like it. But currently, I would lean on the side of it being below the 500 ranking on BGG, probably about where it is currently. Have you tried any of its expansions? I figured your #6 would be on this list from the way you gave it a high rating in your top 100. One game that I think is underrated is Xi’an. Its rulebook is not as good as it should be, so that holds it back. Also, it must not have had a wide release, so it only has 725 ratings which lowers it too. Currently it is rated at 7.209, but I think it deserves to move closer to an 8, for a fun strategy game that takes less than an hour to set up and play once the rules are learned. It is one of those games that typically you wish you had just one or two more turns.
I have played 3 Catan expansions. Seafarers, Cities and Knights, and Traders and Barbarians.
Seafarers doesn't change the game too much, so if you like Catan how it is you get catan where you have water tiles.
Cities and Knights changes the game tremendously. You get rid of development cards, and get 3 different decks of cards, that are like development cards. It also gets rid of the knight cards, because now the knights are something you actually place on the board, for a cost of ore and wool. There is too much to say in just a comment, but there is a lot more to Cities and Knights. A lot of people like the expansion, or will only play Catan with this expansion. It makes the game longer, and more complex. So its for people that like heavier games.
Traders and Barbarians adds a bunch of minor modules that you can add whichever ones you want to the game. One is a deck of fish cards, which adds the fish resource, and another one is Welfare, which adds a catchup mechanic. There are a lot more in the box, but I haven't tried them all yet.
Xi'an is one I am down to learn one of these days. - Michael
Snow tails is very underrated. It's one of the best racing games. It's very tactical while remaining fun. I think the thematic card play is confusing for first time players though.
Looked it up. This game looks fun. Hopefully we will get to check it out some time
Bro got a game to add to your list: mille bornes.
I haven't heard of it. What is it about?
Interesting choice of games, mostly older games, and even classics so I feel that rating has nothing to do with the game quality it is rather to do with novelty, these games you listed I played 10 years ago so much I totally burned it out ... for example, I am not sure I will ever play another game of Catan even tough 10 years ago I absulutly loved it ... I burned it out ... but yeah I agree with what you are saying!
That’s a very fair point. I think I’m finally starting to cool on Catan a little lol.
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses It's normal every game I ever loved I eventually get bored with and don't feel like playing anymore ... but that does not mean they are becoming bad games ... after doing the same thing over and over we all eventually need something new and different ... and that may explain ranking ... I wish I could see rating for these games when they were new and fresh ...
@Berndr that’s true. I think that’s why new games get rated really highly at first.
Merchants and Muraders is amazing! One of my favorite games ever, needs more love
I agree. I just wish they’d make a more streamlined second edition
I agree 100% with Thunder Alley, the mechanisms in that game are so clever and puzzly. Even with 2 players this is a tense game. I also love Formula Racing. This is Knizia at his best, presenting a lot of fun with simple and elegant rules. Hilarious moments guaranteed. Heat i also love, however I don't consider that a 10 out of 10, more 8 out of 10.
That’s fair. Heat was an 8/10 for me too until I played it over 20 times. Then it grew on me haha.
I'm sorry, but how on earth is a game in the BGG top 100 even close to underrated (let alone 4 or 5 if we count the honourable mention)? If we were to make the argument that the difference between our own personal rating and the BGG average made a game underrated, then pretty much all our own personal favourites would be underrated by that logic.
It feels very misleading to put the most popular game by one of the most popular designers out there on a list for underrated games (and yeah, I agree with you that Le Havre is an excellent game and I too prefer it to Feast - but the fact that it's still in the top 100 despite being 15 years old is a testament to how highly regarded it is). Generally, when people say underrated they are thinking about games that people don't talk about, games that got overlooked or unfairly critisized. At least if you're going to go by BGG standard, then maybe filter out the first couple of hundred rankings? And even then, keep age into consideration. Heat came out just last year and is one of only two games from 2022 to break the top 100. It takes time for them to rise up.
As for what I would consider underrated:
Atheneum: Mystic Library - I would make the case that it's mainly overlooked (though my rating is certainly significantly higher than the average), as it's ranked in the mid 3000s (only roughly 700 people have even given it a rating, making its geek rating vastly lower), such an excellent card drafting/tile laying game with a fun whimsical setting. I never hear anyone talk about it, and it's one of my go-to end of the game night games. It's fast and smooth and really deserves more attention from people.
I see your point. And thats fair, I guess next time I do this I will consider your way and see if I can make a list like that. It would definitely have different games. Would you agree at least Black Fleet is Underrated?
I haven't played Black Fleet, so have no opinion on it as a game. But yeah, just because I found the 4-5 games from the top 100 to be ineligible for an underrated list doesn't mean every pick was. It's 10 years old and it's below the top 1000. I would even accept games below top 500 for a list like this.
It's just a matter of understanding the BGG top 100, it takes a significant amount of people rating a game for it to stand the chance to break into the top 100 (nearly all of them have more than 10k ratings), and in addition a significant portion of those people has to give it a 10.
@@mkitten13 I think I realized how it should be. To be underrated it needs to be low on the bgg and to be overrated it needs to be like top 200-300 minimum, instead of average rating.
My kids love splendor. Gosh, more than all the other board games. A lot of these games are high frequency in high rated lists and I would attribute a lot of the low points that bring the averages down to how many people rank it. As for Catan... who decided to make the highest frequency number the activator for the thief? Too much thievin'! Coup, with the variant rules and called assassinations, is an amazing game. I liked Eminent Domain with the expansions better than Dominion.
The robber is definitely annoying in Catan. We have never heard of Eminent Domain. I’m assuming it’s a deck builder?
Formula Motor Racing is out of print
Dang that sucks. I thought it might be.
Underrated Games, starts with Splendor and Carcassone....
Yeah so they are barely underrated
Some of those game are in the bgg top 50 … feast for odin might be top 25 to … not very underrated
I know, next time I do this list I think I'll go by bgg rank instead of average rating
Abyss is the nr 1 most underrated game for me... and sorry but Heat definitly the most overrated 😊
Abyss is one really want to try. Idk though I really like Heat haha
Abyss is great!
Heat I’d say is accurately rated as a lot of ppl love/like it, a few don’t and a few are “meh”
Yeah but I like Heat too much haha@@axétério I really want to try Abyss I like Bruno Cathala Games
agree with black fleet. i have fun everytime. dont understand why nobody cares about it.
Same. We’ve taught it to a lot of people and they loved it.
My family liked it a lot so I painted all the ships. Looks awesome!
Oh that’s a good idea I bet that’s really cool
i dont think you know what underrated means. All of these games are rated as as some of the best games ever made
Underrated means The people rate the game lower than I do. If a game is rated 7/10 on average and I rate it 9/10, then it is underrated by 2 whole points. Every game on my list is by 1 point or more if I remember right.
I have thunder ally
Sweet It's really an underrated game if you like racing
I can't figure out the rules to this game. I've taught literally hundreds of board games. Thunder Alley is one of 11 shelf of shame games because I just don't understand the rules.
Maybe I should make a Rules video. It is such a different game so it is harder to learn imo at first.
I think you meant to say top 5 underrated games.
😂 fair enough haha
Personally I'd consider anything in the top 1000 to be pretty well respected. Here are 10 that are all ranked well under 1000 that i think should be higher
1 Bridges of Shangri-la
2 Via Nebula
3 Theseus: The Dark Orbit
4 Java (Reprinted as Cuzco)
5 Alien Artifacts
6 Council of 4
7 Axio
8 Ekö
9 Uchronia
10 Meduris
I don’t think I’ve heard of any of those games except for Cuzco. If you’re talking about the one from Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Keisling.
@GaminUpWithTheJoneses That's the one! I love the entire Mask series. Maybe I'm old, and old school but they don't feel dated to me
I’ll have to check it all out
you rate CoB 8 and BGG rates it 8.1 . how exactly is it underrated? not to mention it's ranked 17
Probably because my version is the red box, not the first edition. Also I give it a 9/10 so 8 is underrating it a little bit imo.
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses to quote you "I rank them both 8 out of them". Moreover, the red-box version you pictured is ranked even higher at 8.5. So, not really sure what you mean.
@SAUPAYANMAZUMDAR sorry I must have misspoke. I rate The Castles of Burgundy a 9 and that’s why it was an honorable mention.
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses and I agree it deserves to be a 9. Did you get the deluxe huge box one?
What are your other 9s?
@SAUPAYANMAZUMDAR no we got the Red anniversary one. It came with some expansions though, but we haven’t tried them yet.
BGG score are by leftist and hardcore euro player
There are some very highly rated Ameritrash games too though. Star Wars Rebelion, TI 4, Gloomhaven
You are making a list of the hottest board games ever?
These are just my list of games I think are underrated. What games do you think are underrated?
@@GaminUpWithTheJoneses Just keep the videos coming (-;
Will do
Uhhhhhh
Ooohhhh
Xi’an.
I really want to try Xi'an. I barely heard about it like last week - Michael