Board Gamers Anonymous

This week we're turning to the voice of the gamers for a rundown of the games that we love that only got better through their digital implementations. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠ Our first Board Game Club will feature Terraforming Mars. Play the game and prepare to submit your comments, questions, and hot takes before June 13. Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Lightning Train Roll for Review: Kutna Hora: The City of Silver, Toy Battle, Murano Feature: Our Favorite Games Gone Digital If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠⁠⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Apologies for the audio! Anthony's microphone had an oopsie this week, so his audio is the backup). This week, we asked the gamers among you to tell us which games were made all-time greats because of their expansions. Not just better, but to the top of your list. Plus we chat Golden Geek winners Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠ Our first Board Game Club will feature Terraforming Mars. Play the game and prepare to submit your comments, questions, and hot takes before June 13. Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: 7 Wonders Dice, Slam Throne Roll for Review: Galileo Galilei Feature: Expansions that Fix Games You Now Love If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠⁠www.patreon.com/

This week we're looking at games that could use a revisit, revamp, or fancy, expensive redux on Kickstarter or Gamefound. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: SETI: Space Agencies Roll for Review: Shipyard (Second Edition) Feature: Games that Need a Crowdfunded Redux If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (⁠www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous),⁠ Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (⁠www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com⁠). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (⁠www.patreon.com/bga)⁠ or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This we take a deep dive into the BGG Hotness for April 2025, plus give an update on month four of the Fantasy Board Game Draft and review Stupor Mundi. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: https://boardgameacademics.com/register/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: The Great Library Roll for Review: Stupor Mundi Feature: April BGG Hotness and Fantasy Draft If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're looking at the most purchased or otherwise acquired games from March 2025 according to @MaaloxVoltaren (Andrea Bertani)'s Geek List on Board Game Geek. Link below. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: https://boardgameacademics.com/register/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Battle of Hoth Roll for Review: Beyond the Horizon Feature: 25 Most Acquired Games of March 2025 (https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/356200/most-acquired-games-march-2025) If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On episode 523, we take a deep dive into the top 100 strategy games as listed on Board Game Geek, discussing which we've played, and whether we think they should be higher or lower. Join us at Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: https://boardgameacademics.com/register/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Dragons of Etchinstone Roll for Review: Critter Kitchen Feature: Top 100 Strategy Games (on BGG) If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we take a deep dive into the ten set supplements and full sets that have been released or announced for Magic the Gathering, as the classic CCG digs into all the IPs. Nominate us for the Golden Geek! https://boardgamegeek.com/geekawards/boardgame Join us at Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: https://boardgameacademics.com/register/ Episode Notes: Roll for Preview: Æterna Roll for Review: Galactic Cruise Feature: Top Ten Magic The Gathering: Universes Beyond If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take a look at the BGG hotness and discuss the hottest upcoming games, plus provide an update of the 2025 Fantasy Board Game draft to see where everyone’s picks have landed so far. Patreon this week: No After Hours episode this week due to technical issues, but stay tuned for next week! Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Sanctuary Roll for Review: Biome Feature: Fantasy Draft update + BGG Hotness review If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're excited to welcome Geof Gambill to the show to help us wrap up the March Gamer Madness rundown of the best Civilization Games. Find out which game comes out on top as our pick for the all-time best Civ game. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's March, and you know what that means! We're back with another March Gamer Madness, running down the best of the best games in the Civilization genre. We start with 64 games this week and whittle the list down to 32. Be sure to join us next week when Geof Gambill, formerly of the Longview Podcast, joins us to narrow the list down to one and crown a champion. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're looking at a bunch of games that didn't work for us on a thematic level, but that were updated in a way that resolved those issues and became much more interesting games. Plus a rundown of the recently announced Origins Awards nominations. Patreon this week: BGA After Hours digs into some of the recent best (and worst) viewing in our lives. Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Manhattan Project: Energy Empire Roll for Review: Star Trek: Captain's Chair Feature: New Theme, Same Great Game! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more abou

We take a look at the BGG hotness and discuss the hottest upcoming games, plus provide an update of the 2025 Fantasy Board Game draft to see where everyone's picks have landed so far. Patreon this week: More BGA After Hours, with game discussions, what we’ve been watching and reading, and more. Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Agricola: Special Edition & Dead Harvest Roll for Review: Mesos Feature: Fantasy Draft update + BGG Hotness review If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we asked the listeners (yes you!) to tell us your favorite game companies. Here are the companies that got the most shoutouts, organized into a Top 10 list. Plus, more duel games! Patreon this week: More BGA After Hours, with game discussions, what we've been watching and reading, and more. Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Star Trek Ascendancy Final Frontier Roll for Review: Azul Duel Feature: Top Ten Game Companies If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the current trends driving the way games are being made and promoted? We take a look at 10 of the hottest and discuss why they're hot and whether we're ready to move on. What are your favorite (and least favorite) current game trends? ======== Check out the upcoming Catan Masterpiece Series, featuring dozens of carefully crafted upgrades for the all-time classic: https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com/catan. ======== After Hours (Patreon bonus) this week: Chris and Anthony chat about the Super Bowl, Captain America: Brave New World, Solo Leveling, and Invincible. Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Bullet Cubed Roll for Review: King of Tokyo Duel Feature: 10 Hottest Trends in Board Gaming If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.b

We take a look at the Board Game Geek inaugural Hall of Fame class, discussing the 25 games that made it and asking you all what games they missed and which ones would need to be removed to make room for them. ======== Check out the upcoming Catan Masterpiece Series, featuring dozens of carefully crafted upgrades for the all-time classic: https://www.boardgamersanonymous.com/catan. ======== Patreon this week: The first episode of BGAfter Hours drops tomorrow, featuring Anthony and Chris discussing their recent watches and reviews on movies and TV. Survey! Complete our audience survey for a chance to win a game: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nQUZ94QboaT7kgkJJFG0ZmPQLLlQJswf63R9B_WAs4o/viewform?ts=67a53138&edit_requested=true Roll for Preview: Massive Darkness: Dungeons of Shadowreach Roll for Review: Endeavor Deep Sea Feature: BGG Hall of Fame: Hits and Misses If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bgano

This week, we're diving into the first month's results for the Fantasy Board Game Draft, with a rundown of everyone's teams, how the draft went down, and the next steps as we track the winners each month. ======== Check out the upcoming Catan Masterpiece Series, featuring dozens of carefully crafted upgrades for the all-time classic: https://www.backerkit.com/call_to_action/a8493197-b77e-4ea3-9d28-cdd4c29c5774/landing?ref=bganon ======== Patreon this week: Don't miss Chris and Anthony's Top 10 lists from the last few weeks; next week, tune in for BGAfter Hours We rundown the games we played and enjoyed at Level Up Retreat last weekend Roll for Preview: The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship Roll for Review: Golden Cup Feature: Fantasy Board Game Draft Month 1 If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as w

This week we asked you all what games have an overabundance of 10 or 1 point ratings in Board Game Geek, and we explore why this happens, some of the funny things people have to say about these games, and how to navigate the crowdfundification of online board game ratings. Patreon this week: Backers check out Chris's top 20 TV shows of all time Join us at Level Up Retreat in Woodbridge, NJ this weekend Roll for Preview: Darwin's Journey Oceania Roll for Review: The Fellowship of the Ring Trick Taking Game Feature: Best or Worst Game Ever? If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as we explore answers from our community about whether it would be more fun to play a single epic, 4-hour game or four separate lighter games of an hour each. Patreon this week: Anthony's Top 10 Video Games of 2024 Roll for Preview: Master of Orion: Ad Astra Roll for Review: Black Forest Feature: Choose Your Table! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To kick off 2025 proper, we're launching a new format, featuring the voices of our listeners and community members. This week, we discuss the gifts that got us into gaming and had a big impact on our lives. Plus a review of SETI and more. Special thanks to new Patreon backer Emily for joining us at the table, and to all of our contributors for their input on the episode this week (names below). Patreon this Week: Chris's Top 10 Movies The State of Play: Join us at the Level Up Retreat 1/31-2/2 in Morristown, NJ Fantasy Board Game Draft: Full! Thanks to everyone who joined. Roll for Preview: Fishspan Roll for Review: SETI If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi

It's that time of year again - let's look at the most anticipated games of the year ahead, featuring more than 60 games, expansions, and rereleases that we're (mostly) excited to see and play in the coming year. Plus we announce the launch of the BGA Fantasy Board Game Draft League. Learn more about the league and how to signup as a Patreon backer (at any level). Spots are limited, and the competition is heating up! Do you have what it takes to create a company with so many hot games that it sets your Kallax on fire?! Join the BGA Fantasy Board Game Draft and prove it! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/bganonymous.bsky.social) and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link. NOTE: We had some recording platform issues this week so apologies in advance for any audio weirdness. Advertising Inquirie