Published by Board Game Hot Takes
We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.
Listen on Apple Podcasts1 hr 34 min
In Episode 311 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Contest Announcement 05:10 Underwater Cities 08:33 Tycoon India 1981 11:03 Luthier 16:00 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 19:50 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 22:31 Speakeasy 26:18 Blood Rage 29:05 The Expanse Board Game 32:45 Echoes of Time 35:55 Cthulhu: Death May Die 41:06 Blood Rage 42:02 Endeavor: Deep Sea 44:32 Darwin's Journey 47:12 Lords of Vegas 49:16 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 53:16 Lost Ruins of Arnak 56:53 Dune: War for Arrakis 58:40 La Granja 1:02:33 The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle Earth 1:05:26 Stockpile 1:08:21 Obsession 1:12:31 Wonderland's War 1:14:18 Baseball Highlights: 2045 1:16:47 Agricola 1:19:52 Terraforming Mars 1:21:24 Gaia Project 1:23:41 Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar 1:27:05 Tichu 1:29:54 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 1:31:21 Lost Ruins of Arnak If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 26 min
In Episode 310 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Le Havre 04:10 Shamans 07:02 Wonderland's War 09:22 Emberleaf 11:54 Tag Team 14:56 Azul 18:22 Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan 21:19 Emberleaf 23:44 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 27:28 Sea Salt & Paper 30:05 Frozen Frontier 33:36 Thurn & Taxis 37:00 Tapestry 40:22 Barrage 43:00 Reforest 45:50 Pirates of Maracaibo 48:10 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 50:47 Civolution 53:16 Moon Colony Bloodbath 55:36 Battle for Rokugan 58:07 Ark Nova 1:01:55 Scythe 1:05:41 Dune 1:08:20 Scythe 1:09:32 Endeavor: Deep Sea 1:11:58 Terraforming Mars 1:14:27 7 Wonders Duel 1:17:27 Revive 1:19:47 Fractal 1:22:41 Barrage If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 25 min
In Episode 309 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Reforest 03:42 Ada's Dream 05:53 Rats of Wistar 08:57 March of the Ants - Evolved Edition 11:33 Brass: Birmingham 14:26 Yokohama 17:36 Thunder Road: Vendetta 22:30 Reforest 23:28 Crokinole 25:52 Rebirth 27:37 Echoes of Time 29:07 A Feast for Odin 33:27 Rising Sun 35:00 Biohack 36:43 Revive 39:10 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 42:50 Soothsayers 46:02 Godspeed 49:16 Stupor Mundi 53:40 Robot Quest Arena 54:29 Splendor: Duel 58:22 Clans of Caledonia 1:02:18 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 1:03:45 Thunder Road: Vendetta 1:06:06 Boast or Nothing 1:08:11 Survive the Island 1:11:27 Outlive 1:15:44 Keyflower 1:18:54 SpaceCorp: 2025-2300AD 1:22:33 Clank! In! Space! If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 22 min
In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Anachrony 06:31 Spirit Island 09:44 Let's Go To Japan 13:56 Harmonies 16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 17:32 Maracaibo 20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game 24:19 Biohack 27:05 Azul 28:51 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 30:50 Cascadia 33:45 Woodcraft 36:10 Speakeasy 37:53 Emberleaf 42:39 The White Castles Duel 44:55 Revive 47:30 The Guild of Merchant Explorers 50:48 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game 53:51 Xenon Profiteer 55:08 Nemesis 1:00:16 Voidfall 1:02:41 Star Wars: Rebellion 1:03:59 Robot Quest Arena 1:06:41 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 1:11:39 High Society 1:12:49 Smartphone, Inc. 1:15:51 Tzolk'in The Mayan Calendar 1:17:54 Age of Galaxy 1:19:57 Cthulhu: Death May Die If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
50 min
In Episode 307 we reflect on the year of 2026 in board gaming at this mid point to talk about some of our favorite (and most disappointing) board games and experiences so far. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:30 Which game do you want to take on a 2nd date after your first play in 2026? (Speakeasy, Off With Their Heads, Ada's Dream) 4:33 Which games hit the table more than any other this year? (Azul, Darwin's Journey, Obsession, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Tapestry, Formaggio, Captain Flip, Sea Salt & Paper, The White Castle Duel, Boast or Nothing, Dune: War for Arrakis, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire, Unicorn Fever) 07:47 What game's production and art has impressed you the most over the last 6 months? (Echoes of Time, Speakeasy, Dune: War for Arrakis) 13:28 What was your biggest surprise and biggest disappointment? (Steam Power, Reforest, The Old King's Crown, Earthborne Rangers, Aquaria, Tag Team, Amalfi: Renaissance) 22:36 What has been your most reliable introductory board game? (Flip 7, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco, Azul, Subjective, Lords of Vegas, Manhattan Project: Energy Empire ) 28:50 Which 10+ years old title did you first discovery this year? (Thurn and Taxis, Parade, Medici: The Card Game, Biblios) 33:50 What's currently at the top of your wishlist? (Dawn of Madness, Everdell: Emerland, Entropy) 38:22 What's a creator, podcast, or channel that made your year better? (Punchboard Cathedral, Winner's Bias, Board Game Hangover) 45:00 What's your favorite episode you've created this year? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
47 min
In Episode 306 we give our hot take review on Amalfi: Renaissance covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on kingmaking and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Unicorn Fever and Parade and Chris covers his first impressions after unboxing Dawn of Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking Decision 07:56 Amalfi: Renaissance Description 09:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:27 Production and Theme 25:41 Final Thoughts 32:37 Unicorn Fever 39:10 Dawn of Madness Unboxing Thoughts 43:32 Parade If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 5 min
In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:28 For what game do you prefer the digital implementation? What game do you refuse to play digitally? 11:48 At what point do you decide to buy a game? 20:52 How often do you get nostalgia for games you haven't played in many years? 26:32 Are there any goals for the pod over the next 5 years? 33:34 Has having the podcast taught us anything we didn't know about ourselves? 36:41 What legacy game would we want to play next? 42:25 What are some tips for teaching a complex game without a 30 minutes rules explanation? 48:35 If there's a game that your fellow hosts need a head start on what would it be? 51:54 What is one board game you'd like to see made into a movie or show? 56:53 If you can invite one guest onto the podcast, who would it be and what would you ask them? 1:01:10 What's your favorite game mechanic written in the form of a haiku or limerick? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 12 min
In Episode 304 we give our hot take review on Emberleaf covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on anthropomorphic animals in board games and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Dune: War for Arrakis and Blueprints and Chris discusses his excitement about finally receiving (after 8 years) his crowdfunded Dawn of Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Anthromorphic Animals? 09:11 Emberleaf Description 11:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:27 Production and Theme 39:44 Final Thoughts 47:48 Dawn of Madness 50:56 Dune: War for Arrakis 1:04:27 Blueprints 1:11:25 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 10 min
In Episode 303 Tim discusses all of the games played during his recent weekend at BGGCon in Dallas. We also discuss a poll related to making friends at board game conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll Time: Have you ever made friends at a board game convention? 09:28 BGGCon Spring 12:42 Coming of Age 24:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era 28:23 The White Castle Duel 34:58 SETI: Space Agencies 39:02 Moon Colony Bloodbath 40:37 Encyclopedia 44:14 Lacrimosa 44:49 Vantage 46:46 Formaggio 50:01 Everdell: Silverfrost 57:01 The Gang 1:01:59 Lightning Train If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 6 min
In Episode 302 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also discuss a poll on how many games you get played in an average session. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regular game sessions? 07:55 Emberleaf 17:38 Off With Their Heads! 25:35 Tag Team 34:04 Postcards 41:30 Euphoria: Essential Edition 54:46 Soothsayers 1:03:44 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 11 min
In Episode 301 we feature two games by Vital Lacerda: Speakeasy and Kanban EV. We also discuss a poll on heavy games and include our final thoughts on heavy games in general and whether Vital Lacerda is a designer we want to revisit. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:53 Poll Time: How many board games do you own that are rated over 4.0 weight on Board Game Geek? 12:43 Speakeasy Description 14:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:55 Production and Theme 37:33 Kanban EV Description 39:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 51:56 Production and Theme 55:40 Final Thoughts 1:08:56 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
59 min
In Episode 300 we reflect on doing the show for so long and share tons of our favorite clips from the history of the show. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 33 min
In Episode 299 we discuss all of the games played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering in San Diego, California. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Stroganov 12:14 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 23:19 Boast or Nothing 29:15 Grand Austria Hotel 40:44 Mule: The Board Game 53:03 Echoes of Time 59:41 Nokosu Dice 1:07:03 Burn the Fort 1:14:35 River Rush 1:30:43 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
56 min
In Episode 298 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in San Diego, California. If you enjoy the show, please vote for Board Game Hot Takes for best podcast in the annual Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards here: BoardGameGeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:53 Ayar: Children of the Sun 14:40 Captain Flip 17:57 Lords of Vegas 28:15 Endeavor: Deep Sea 33:13 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 40:25 Origin Story 45:15 Civolution If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
55 min
In Episode 297 we discuss how board games trigger dopamine and name our top 5 games loaded with dopamine hits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Top 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games 05:57 Endeavor: Deep Sea 9:02 No Thanks 11:43 Champions of Midgard, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy, Arcs, Star Wars Rebellion 16:00 Nippon: Zaibatsu 19:48 Sol: Last Days of a Star 22:32 Kanban EV, Barrage, Tapestry 26:18 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 28:15 Tycoon: India 1981 30:53 Can't Stop, Quacks, Wonderland's War 35:35 Grand Austria Hotel 37:38 Dune, Fractal, Glory to Rome, Blood Rage 43:45 Rebirth 45:25 Brass: Birmingham, Steam Power 49:06 Motor City, Darwin's Journey, Rajas of the Ganges: The Dice Charmers, Cribbage If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 3 min
In Episode 296 we talk through our real-time nominations for the 2025 boardgamegeek.com Golden Geek Awards. If you enjoy our show and would like to support us by nominating us for Best Board Game Podcast you can do that here: https://boardgamegeek.com/goldengeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:05 Above and Below: Haunted 04:57 Ada's Dream 06:53 Ape Town 08:35 Aquaria 09:32 Ayar: Children of the Sun 11:03 Clank! Catacombs - Underworld 12:44 Dark Heists 14:26 Dewan 15:55 Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines 17:28 Echoes of Time 18:56 Eternal Decks 19:46 Etherstone 20:12 Everdell Duo 20:40 Finspan 22:08 Fliptoons 23:23 Galactic Cruise 25:47 Gems of Iridescia 27:11 Great Western Trail: El Paso 28:07 Hot Streak 30:15 Hyperspace 31:17 Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship 32:54 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: the Trick Taking Game 33:40 Luthier 34:50 No Loose Ends 35:50 Iliad 36:53 Lost Ruins of Arnak: Twisted Paths 37:44 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 39:36 Quorum 40:11 Scoville: 2nd Edition 41:32 SHASN: AZADI 42:36 Steam Power 43:52 Moon Colony Bloodbath 45:10 The Old King's Crown 46:33 Origin Story 47:23 Sea Salt & Paper: Extra Pepper 48:31 Speakeasy 50:28 Stupor Mundi 52:26 Toy Battle 53:02 Tycoon: India 1981 55:04 Vantage 57:30 Wroth 59:34 Best Board Game Podcast Category 59:58 Chris' News If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 3 min
In Episode 295 we give our hot take review on Endeavor: Deep Sea covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the games we'll be playing at our bi-annual (or semi-annual) BGHT Con and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Captain Flip, Endless Space 2, and Earthborne Rangers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 BGHT SandyCon Excitement Chat (M.U.L.E, Stroganov, Kanban E.V., Speakeasy, March of the Ants, Echoes of Time, Lords of Vegas, Civolution, Aquaria, Endeavor: Deep Sea, Beyond the Horizon) 7:50 Endeavor: Deep Sea Description 10:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:27 Production and Theme 37:21 Final Thoughts 41:23 Captain Flip 45:22 Endless Space 2 53:46 Earthborne Rangers If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 1 min
In Episode 294 we invite board game designer, Andy Schwarz, on to discuss his experience with self-publishing a game and he shares lessons learns, tips and tricks, and some real financial numbers. You can read Andy's blog post covering some of the discussed topics here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3215750/an-analysis-of-what-it-costs-to-self-publish-a-gam If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
1 hr 4 min
In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes. We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane. 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane 11:40 15 Great Animal Themed Games If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
47 min
In Episode 292 we give our hot take review on two board game expansions - Viticulture: Bordeaux and Revive: Call of the Abyss Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 0:35 Viticulture: Bordeaux 0:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 19:36 Production and Theme 21:29 Final Thoughts 28:03 Revive: Call of the Abyss 28:51 Gameplay and Mechanisms 39:04 Production and Theme 40:33 Final Thoughts 45:29 News and Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Norway
United States
United States
Apple Podcasts rankings supplied by Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed July 31, 2026.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.