While the cat's away... Chris is traveling the globe this episode, so Jason has free reign over the game selections. Will his recent streak of mediocre contributions to the gem lineup continue? Or will digging deep into the library produce some new favorites? Join Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and newcomer Ken Cantrell as they investigate 3 more pos…

Fantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:0…

What is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:33…

Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are to be had on thi…

We're approaching the end of another year, and that means it's time for a little Christmas cheer! Have a holly jolly, merry little Christmas with the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out 3 stocking stuffer-sized games. Will they be gems or lumps of coal? Find out on this, our final…

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2012! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:27:19…

Scares are aplenty in this year's special Halloween edition of Hidden Gems! Will poor Dean survive a night at the Kurtz's? Will Jason and Cameron do better on Chris' torturous Halloween-themed trivia game show? And, most importantly, will we find any more gems? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bri…

Castle building in the Scottish highlands, spicy peppers and a game about, well... Watch out for the smelly stuff on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they step around three poo-tential gems from publisher Zoch Verlag. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:30:03 Kalimambo 00:49:04 Scharfe Schoten 01:1…

Words with sheep, network building in the islands (also with sheep) and a vicious abstract (not so much about sheep). This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff take on the good and the baa-aa-ahd of three titles by designer Marcel-André Casasola Merkle. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:29:51 Attribute 00:48:55 San…

We all know and love this prolific designer of the Catan series, but what lesser known (or just less talked about) gems might be hiding in his repertoire? This week, join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at three games by the late Klaus Teuber. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:39:29 Wacky Wacky W…

In this special episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey review three Roman-themed games including one requested by one of our Patreon Gem Miners. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:22:35 Sylla 00:51:31 Ave Caesar 01:21:39 Constantinopolis MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Sylla: "Conspirac…

It only took us fifty episodes to finally get serious about how hidden our gems are! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney dig up three games from Chris's beneath the floor boards of Chris's game room so hidden, BGG doesn't even know about them. Tune in to find out what they are. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & …

We're FINALLY back! On this special 50th episode of Hidden Gems, all your hosts, Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey gather to celebrate the occasion by reviewing three games chosen by our incredible audience, finally give away a copy of Strasbourg, and talk more than you've ever wanted about our favorite video games. FEAT…

TL>DL: Episode 50 is going to be delayed for a while due to some recent and upcoming host vacation schedules. Stay tuned for our next episode coming sometime in May. In the meantime, go to https://forms.gle/jWSGLAju547spScY8 and leave your review for one of the games: Northern Pacific, Quo Vadis?, and Santiago! FOLLOW US: Email: hiddengemsboardgame…

In this episode, Chris (finally) takes a break, and your hosts Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey dig into three more games designed by the same guy who brought us Potato Man and Kupferkessel Co., which each brought respectively very low, and very high marks. Is there more to Mr. Burkhardt's repertoire? Tune in to find out! FEATURED G…

There was fairly gushing praise from all the HG crew for 2 out 3 games from designer Stefan Dorra going way back to our 7th episode -- where Chris even gave out a notable two 6-ratings! And then there was Tonga Bonga ... at least Bill liked it! What will the guys think of another triumvirate of games from the same esteemed designer? Join your hosts…

"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered...doom was near at hand" In this episode of Hidden Gems, fantasy lovers and hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey take on games with a beloved theme: Lord of the Rings. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:24:13 King's Gate…

Need a bit of sun and sand to kick off the new year this cold January? Also, who knew there were so many board games with the Easter Island moai as a theme? Catch some rays and find out more about these mysterious statues in this episode with your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out three new promising gems with Easter Island-t…

It's that time of year again! Christmas cheer abounds in this final episode of 2022 where the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff get in the Christmas spirit with 3 new potential gems. Will any of them make the cut? How will the guys do on Chris's latest holiday-themed trivia? Will Cameron treat us…

The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2013! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:20:31…

What's happening on Hidden Gems? A review for a game in the top 200, almost 100?! With Cameron and Bill out, have Chris and Jason finally lost their minds and reverted to reviewing the hotness? Find out on this latest episode when the guys check out one title far down the rankings and another not quite so much -- are there gems to be found? FEATURE…

It's time for another SPOOKY edition of Hidden Gems! Get ready to enjoy more audio theatre, a Halloween-themed trivia game show, and more spooky stories. Your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey also bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2022 episode of Hidden G…

Hold your breath and stick your tongue out just right, because in this episode, taking your turn is gonna require some concentration. This time, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey literally try their hands at three under-appreciated dexterity games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 18:04 Riff Raff 40:06 Arch Rival 55:16 Hiba…

We're back with another trio of games from the renowned Reiner Knizia on this 40th episode of Hidden Gems with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney. Is the third time the charm for discovering even more gems from the prolific doctor? Or will we stumble across some duds? Tune in to find out! Featured Games: Rondo (00:18:20) Beowul…

This week we explore two new possible hidden gems handpicked by YouTuber and board game content creator, Jon Gets Games! Join Jon, along with your regular hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they look at a route-building Euro from Queen Games and a zany auction game from Japan! Check out Jon's work here: https://www.youtube.co…

Travel the globe with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney through the colorful streets of Buenos Aires, a French medieval stronghold and the highlands of Guatemala in this latest episode shining our familiar designer spotlight on husband and wife designer duo Inka and Markus Brand. Featured Games: La Boca (00:20:27) Saint Malo (…

You've heard his name in the credits and interacted with him on the BGG guild, hear from the man himself! HG Guild manager and BGG user Gidorah joins your regular hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they dive into three titles by esteemed designer Leo Colovini. Featured Games: Fae (00:18:43) The Bridges of Shangri-La (00:43:30…

What do SpongeBob SquarePants, Humpty Dumpty and Animal Farm all have in common? Why anthropomorphism of course! This week your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney take a look at three games that employ this technique for theming. Tune in to find out if it takes these three potential hidden gems to another level! Featured Games: Bea…

In the spirit of continuing the time travel theme we explored last time, this week your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey return to the history books and examine three games that were nominated for the Spiel Des Jahres in 2014, but did not win. Did the Spiel judges make the right choice? Did these games wrongly fall into obscu…

Roads! Where we're going, we don't need roads! Crank up the DeLorean and do some time-traveling with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney as they explore three potential past hidden gem games with a time-traveling theme! Featured Games: Legacy: Gears of Time (00:23:32) Chrononauts (00:44:15) Khronos (01:01:29) Hidden Gems Geek Li…

Tom Vasel of The Dice Tower has had an immense impact in the world of board game reviews. He also has a reputation for occasionally ripping a game to shreds and, sometimes literally, tossing a game into the trash. In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey take a look at some of Tom's most infamous game reviews to…

Come on down! Is there more than meets the eye to our next three candidate gems? Or are they better off in the bargain bin? This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arnie and Jason Yanchuleff take a look at some titles that by all appearances look like mass market games, but are they really? Featured Games: Blockers! (00:20:39) The Game of 49 (00:40…

This episode, we are joined by honored guest host Mitch Resk of Neat & Nerdy. We'll be rolling dice to seek out juicy termites, then trying our best to not be suspicious in a game of monks, murder, and manipulation. See if these two titles by renowned designer Stefan Feld deserve to be called hidden gems! Also, check out Mitch's awesome game review…

Take it easy, relax to the soothing sounds of muzak and paint some happy little trees on this episode of Hidden Gems. This time, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arnie dive into some lesser known titles from esteemed publisher Eagle Gryphon Games. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Take It Easy! (00:22:42) Cubist (00:39:38)…

There's no time for analysis paralysis this week on Hidden Gems! In fact, an extra cup of coffee might serve better than this episode's featured cocktail when playing the games we look at in this episode. This time your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey explore three time-sensitive real-time games. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Bant…

Come explore a novel and exciting new theme never before seen in the board game hobby -- transporting stuff on ships! Which is saltier, the water and wind in your face sailing the saline seas of this trio of shipping games, or the thoughts of your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arnie? Join us and find out on this sailing-themed episo…

It's time to celebrate! After rounding out the first full year of the show, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff take a look back at two previously reviewed games -- but with a twist! Then they take on one controversial new game. See if they can dig up some more gems in this special anniversary episode! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:…

The three O.G. musketeers are finally back together! This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Jason Yanchuleff explore three games well suited for three players. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Seikatsu (00:20:27) Haggis (00:42:27) Three Kingdoms Redux (01:03:08) MUSIC (courtesy of http://epidemicsound.com) Seikatsu Theme, “…

Strap on your headlamp and delve deeper into the mine this week as the guys, along with guest host Ben Anderson, attempt to unearth more gems from the world of cube rails games and explore the work of designer John Bohrer. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Iberian Railways (00:22:19) Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (00:42:40) Samarkand: Routes to Riche…

It's the epic battle of wits we've all been waiting for! In this episode, the rivalry between your hosts Chris and Bill reaches its pinnacle as the two gamers face each other in the two player episode of the new year! FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Epigo (00:17:53) Victory & Glory: Napoleon (00:35:50) MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemics…

Christmas time's a-coming! This time your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Bill Arney celebrate the Christmas holiday by digging into three Christmas, or at least Christmas-adjacent themed board games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:25:36 12 Days of Christmas 00:45::21 Gingerbread House 01:05:09 Santa's Workshop MUSIC (courtesy of…

The Doctor we all love is back in the house! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey continue their journey through the vast library of games designed by Dr. Reiner Knizia. Featured Games: Relationship Tightrope (00:30:09) Rheinlander (00:48:50) Orongo (01:14:11) Hidden Gems Geek List: https://boardgamegeek.com…

Irk those hedgehogs, gear up the space thrusters, and ... pray? meditate? as you prepare to race forward on the search for gems. In this episode, your hosts Chris and Jason along with guest host Bill Arnie go on the hunt for the checkered flag in three lesser-known racing games. Featured Games: Igel Ärgern (00:20:21) Powerships (00:40:20) Sator Are…

What other hobby allows you to taste some stew, build an ancient wonder and commit financial fraud all in the same evening ... or episode? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they delve into 3 lesser known titles by the prolific but endangered Tasty Minstrel Games. Featured Games: Burgoo (00:27:39) Architects of the …

Be prepared to be freaked this Friday, for this formation of fearful game reviews will freeze your blood and furrow your brow! It's Halloween, and your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey are excited to present a spooky take on gaming with three Halloween-themed board game reviews! Chapters: "The House of the Hidden (Gems)" (Ske…

In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Jason Yanchuleff let the choo-choo trains pass by and take some time to explore two of renown board game designer Martin Wallace's lesser known titles. Hidden Gems Geek List: https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/289922/hidden-gems-podcast-game-ratings Featured Games: La Strad…

We've covered plenty of under-appreciated and forgotten games, now it's time to journey into the unusual. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff, along with guest host Bill Arnie explore three potential gems with unusual mechanics. Featured Games: Time 'n' Space (00:22:17) Sidibaba (00:41:17) Code of Nine (00:59…

Battle for kingdoms, sail the high seas and explore the world in this episode of Hidden Gems. This time your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff, along with guest host Dan Smith dive into three lesser known games designed by the renowned Wolfgang Kramer. Featured Games: Saga (00:20:45) El Capitan (00:40:07) Expedition: Famous Explorers (01:01:51…

In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey put their big boy pants on to stack, dance (?) and fence their way through three abrasive abstract board games. Post Avatar Chat Spoilers: 00:11:35 Chris & Cameron chat about Avatar: The Last Air Bender for a bit starting at 00:05:16. Skip ahead if you don'…

To the moon this week as your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff explore three lesser know games from prolific designer Alan R. Moon. Also tune in for a few new exciting developments in the life of the podcast! Featured Games: Oasis (00:18:42) King's Breakfast (00:42:45) Andromeda (00:55:39) Follow us online: Email: hiddengemsbo…