Best Analog Gamers Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 487 - Going Analog! Translating Video Games to Cardboard 1:05:57

6d ago1:05:57

1:05:57

This week we're looking at the factors that make a transition from digital to analog work well - from the design aesthetics to the mechanics that stick best. Question of the Week - What's a video game mechanic do you think makes (or would make) the best transition to tabletop? Acquisition Disorders - Comic Hunters, Speakeasy At the Table Reviews - …

1
Episode 489 - Our 11th Anniversary! 1:26:21

2h ago1:26:21

1:26:21

This week we're celebrating 11 years of BGA! As is our annual tradition, we're taking a deep dive into the last year of episodes (and gaming) to look at the acquisition disorders, reviews, and features we loved most, and how we feel about gaming in 2024. Question of the Week: What's your number one game experience of the last 12 months (game played…

1
Episode 488 - Our Instant Buy, Play, Dodge, Burn! 1:56:56

43m ago1:56:56

1:56:56

This week we're looking at the games that are instant buys, plays, dodges or burns on our list. What mechanic, designer, theme, or other element automatically puts a game in a category before we even get it to the table (fairly or not)? Before diving in, we talk about the Dice Tower Award winners, as well as the numbers from this year's Gen Con. Ac…

1
Episode 486 - 2024 Board Game Olympics: Paris 1:26:27

13d ago1:26:27

1:26:27

This week, we're looking at the best games that feature the city of Paris, where the 2024 Olympic Games are taking place. Which Parisian games stand tall for this year's board game Olympics? We also do a deep dive into the recent announcements out of San Diego Comic-Con, plus a discussion of the recently announced Spiel des Jahres winners. Acquisit…

1
Episode 485 - The Most Anticipated Summer and Fall Games 1:32:10

20d ago1:32:10

1:32:10

This week we're looking at the 20 games and expansions we're most excited to see and play through the end of 2024. There's a lot of good stuff on the horizon. Let's dig in! Acquisition Disorders - Everdell Duo, BOOM Patrol - Arcade-style Tank Battling Action! At the Table Reviews - Star Wars Shatterpoint, Dune: Imperium - Uprising, Munchkin: Cleric…

1
Episode 484 - Our Friends' Favorite Games w/ Dave Eng 1:01:30

28d ago1:01:30

1:01:30

This week we're joined by Dave Eng, host of the Experience Points podcast, leader of the Games-Based Learning Alliance, and founder of Banditos Gaming. He joins us to chat about recent plays, his work in the gaming community, and his own favorite game. Find out more at www.davengdesign.com Acquisition Disorders - River Glassworks, DC Heroes United,…

1
Episode 483 - Big Stupid Boxes! 1:36:40

2M ago1:36:40

1:36:40

All the components in one place! What could go wrong. Join us as we explore the monkey's paw situation that is the "big box." Why we wanted them, why we regret buying them, and just how big and dumb these things have become. Acquisition Disorders: Saltfjord, Defenders of the Wild At the Table Reviews: Digsaw, Arcs, Self Careless, Twilight Inscripti…

1
Episode 482 - Dice Tower Award Nominations & Orgins Awards 1:39:02

1M ago1:39:02

1:39:02

This week, Chris from Board Games for the Better joins Chris one more time to discuss another wave of award nominations from The Dice Tower, and the winners of the Origins Awards. ======= The Board Game Academics Conference for 2024 is taking place on July 4 at Dex Lite in Morristown, NJ. Join us live or in person by registering at https://boardgam…

1
Episode 481 - Gen Con 2024 Preview 1:40:44

2M ago1:40:44

1:40:44

Chris is joined this week once again by Chris from Board Games For the Better, to discuss Gen Con 2024 and the preview of new games being released or shown at the convention. They discuss the upcoming Board Game Academics conference plus the recent filing for a trademark of the word "meeple." ======= The Board Game Academics Conference for 2024 is …

1
Episode 480 - Origins & Spiel de Jahres Awards Nominations 1:24:01

2M ago1:24:01

1:24:01

Anthony's away this week, so Chris from Board Games for the Better joins the podcast to discuss the award nominations for Origins Game Fair and the Spiel des Jahres, both recently announced. Question of the Week: Anthony’s away, so what did YOU play this week? And how would YOU rate it? Acquisition Disorders: Sovereign: Fall of Wormwood, Ada's Drea…

1
Episode 479 - No More Expansions! 1:43:48

2M ago1:43:48

1:43:48

Last week we talked about games that need more expansions. This week? Which ones have gone too far? We list off 10 games that have too many expansions and need to stop. Question of the Week: What is the most complex game you know how to play without looking at the rules? Acquisition Disorders: Nucleum: Court of Progress, Star Trek Captain Chair, Ki…

1
Episode 478 - Games that Need an Expansion 1:30:09

2M ago1:30:09

1:30:09

We revisit our original games that need an expansion list from 2018 to see which games eventually got expansions and which we're still waiting on, plus we add 10 more games to the list - so many games that need more content! Acquisition Disorders: Oath New Foundations, Star Trek: Star Realms At the Table Reviews: Cat in the Box Deluxe, Mini Rogue I…

1
Episode 477 - Top 10 Reiner Knizia Games 1:29:41

3M ago1:29:41

1:29:41

This week we're looking at the best of the best from one of the best: Reiner Knizia. We whittle down our selection of the ten best of his more than 600 game designs from the last 30 years, plus some previews and reviews of what's coming out soon. Question of the Week: What is the most challenging aspect of the board gaming hobby? (e.g. finding play…

1
Episode 476 - Origins Game Fair Preview 1:14:40

3M ago1:14:40

1:14:40

Summer is almost upon us and that means convention season! This week we're diving in a bit earlier to look at the games we're expecting to see at Origins Game Fair in June. We also talk about the Golden Geek Award winners at the top of the show, plus give our thoughts on X-Men '97 and the newly announced Lord of the Rings movie coming in 2 (!) year…

1
Episode 475 - Best of Splotter Spellen 1:15:45

3M ago1:15:45

1:15:45

This week, we're looking at the best of the best from Splotter; the heavy, crunchy, kind of mean, and not always pretty (but frequently brilliant) euro games from Jeroen Doumen and Joris Wiersinga. Question of the Week: What game makes you saltier than any other game? Do you avoid playing it? Acquisition Disorders: Dune: War for Arrakis - Desert Wa…

1
Episode 474 - BGG Award Nominations 1:33:20

4M ago1:33:20

1:33:20

This week, we take a deep dive into the recently announced BBG award nominations to discuss what we like for the awards and which games we want to track down and play before voting. Question of the Week - What's a game for which the retail edition is just as good as the crowdfunded version (or close enough)? Let's talk about games that didn't need …

1
Episode 473 - BGG Hotness April 2024 1:28:08

4M ago1:28:08

1:28:08

This week, we're joined by special guest Chris Rodriguez from Board Games for the Better to discuss the hottest games on the April 2024 Board Game Geek hotness list. Acquisition Disorders: Vantage, Slay the Spire: The Board Game, 2025 Board Game Mosaic Calendar, Earth Abundance Expansion At the Table Reviews: Trailblazers, Expeditions: Around the W…

1
Episode 472 - Top Selling Board Games for 2023 1:35:01

4M ago1:35:01

1:35:01

This week we look at data from several sources outlining some of the best selling games from 2023, and what we think of how well they sold. What games hit the most tables last year, which expansions did we all hoard? We take a deep dive to find out. Question of the Week: What's the most complex game you'd comfortable recommend for people new(ish) t…

1
Episode 471 - Golden Geek Awards - Nominations Picks 1:29:52

4M ago1:29:52

1:29:52

This week we're revisiting the best of the best games of 2023 to discuss what games we will be nominating for the Golden Geek Awards (and why). Check out all of our picks for the last year's best games, plus previews of DC Heroes United and Bebop. * Acquisition Disorders: DC Heroes United, Bebop === Nominate us for a Golden Geek Award! The nominati…

1
Episode 470 - Epic Tabletop Gaming Odyssey: Star Wars and Star Trek 1:16:44

4M ago1:16:44

1:16:44

This week we take you on an epic tabletop odyssey into the worlds of Star Wars and Star Trek board games and RPGs. Find out how to string together some of the best experiences from both IPs at your table. === Nominate us for a Golden Geek Award! The nominations are now open here: https://boardgamegeek.com/geekawards/boardgame We'd appreciate your s…

1
Episode 469 - March Gamer Madness Round 2 1:22:42

4M ago1:22:42

1:22:42

Part two of March Gamer Madness is now! Enjoy our rundown of the 32 best-remaining games from the top non-IP-based themes in board games. Find out which one comes out on top in this year's bracket showdown. This year, we're looking at the most popular non-IP-based themes, meaning the best games featuring: Cats Zombies Aliens Robots Samurai Knights …

1
Episode 468 - March Gamer Madness Round 1 1:25:31

5M ago1:25:31

1:25:31

It's time again for March Gamer Madness! Our annual bracket face off challenge pitting 64 board games against each other to find the very best of a very particular set of requirements. This year, we're looking at the most popular non-IP based themes, meaning the best games featuring: Cats Zombies Aliens Robots Samurai Knights Vikings Cowboys === If…

1
Episode 467 - Top 10 Digital Card Games 1:22:21

5M ago1:22:21

1:22:21

We're going digital this week with a look at some of the best all-digital deck builders, card flippers, and more. === If you're attending Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo, be sure to stop by and say hi, or attend one of our two panels over the weekend: Long Island Tabletop: Level Up Your Teach & Your Mental Health === CONTEST! Our annual March Game…

1
Episode 466 - ChatGPT Pitches Board Games! 1:20:41

5M ago1:20:41

1:20:41

This week, we give ChatGPT a series of prompts and pitches board games based on those prompts. Chris guesses what input led to the description written by the AI. Can we guess the direction of the generative AI or will it outsmart us with clever designs? * Question of the Week: What's the best thing you've ever purchased for your board game collecti…

1
Roll S2E3 - Sessions, Ethics and Etcetera ft. Doc Papa Bear 1:39:07

6M ago1:39:07

1:39:07

You have your concept for a character, you spent hours on customizing them, and finalizing everything --- now what? We have invited Doc Francis Allanigue aka Doc Papa Bear, Mr. Bear Fahrenheit 2020 on inclusivity in videogames and DnD in generally but ultimately to give us some tips on ethics on joining (or being absent ) on a campaign. --- Follow …

1
Episode 465 - Better than the Board Game... 1:25:03

6M ago1:25:03

1:25:03

We're looking at games that spin off from and are often better than the board game they are based on (dice games, card games, and everything in between). What are some of your favorites that fit this? Acquisition Disorders: Puerto Rico Special Edition, Star Trek Ascendancy on Game Found, Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition Reprint, Cascadia Rollin…

1
BGA Episode 464 - Big Box Store Games, Now with Crunch! 1:17:40

6M ago1:17:40

1:17:40

This week, Anthony and Chris are looking at some of the many games to hit big box stores as exclusives or limited time releases (or streamlined versions of long time classics), in particular, Target and its long run of hobby games. Question of the Week: What's the best designer/publisher combo? Acquisition Disorders: King of Tokyo: Origins, Fled, F…

1
Roll S2E2 - Me, My Character and the Meeplings! - ft Dan and Angela of Hey Meeplings! 1:28:17

6M ago1:28:17

1:28:17

Now you know the game, time to create your own personal character or PC! This episode, we welcome Dan and Angela of Hey Meepling! as they provide their insight on how do someone go about creating a character of your own plus the tools to do it with! --- coupon codes below *winks*. --- Hey Meepling! is a duo from the Philippines who write about tabl…

1
Episode 463 - Top 10 Vladimir Suchy Games 1:27:28

6M ago1:27:28

1:27:28

We're looking at the best of the best from Vladimir Suchy this week, running down our top 10 of his very diverse ludography. Question of the Week: What's a game you think should be in the upper pantheon of board games that everyone stopped talking about? Acquisition Disorders: Inferno Deluxe Edition, Dante: Inferno At the Table Reviews: Flamecraft,…

1
Episode 462 - Stonemaier Games Tier List 1:40:28

6M ago1:40:28

1:40:28

Anthony and Chris run through the catalog of Stonemaier Games and put them on a tier list using our review rating scale. Plus: Question of the Week: What do you do in support of tabletop gaming? Organize? Design? Publish? Media? Events? DM? Teach games? Acquisition Disorders: Speakeasy, Stefan Feld City Collection Nassau & Kathmandu, Kemet Blood an…

1
Roll S2E1 - Back To The Table 45:47

7M ago45:47

45:47

Join Kenny as he goes back to the table together with his new co-host Franco! In this episode we discuss the inspiration *wink wink* behind the decision of creating a Dungeons and Dragons season and the references that we make on this legendary game on it's transition from a simple (yet controversial) tabletop game to being an inspiration to mainst…

1
Episode 461 - BGG Hotness for February 2024 1:15:49

6M ago1:15:49

1:15:49

It's that time again; we take a deep dive into the best games currently listed on BoardGameGeek's hotness list, plus we have fresh new reviews and previews: Question of the Week: Let's talk expansions: what new elements added to a game have the best chance to wow you and enter rotation? (e.g. asymmetry, new cards, the dreaded 5th player) Acquisitio…

1
Episode 460 - BGG's Top 100 Thematic Games 1:35:43

7M ago1:35:43

1:35:43

This week, we're looking at the top 100 thematic games as listed on BoardGameGeek.com. Which ones deserve to be ranked so high and which would we drop lower? Find out in a full rundown of the top 100 listing on BGG. Question of the Week: What's your favorite thematic game and why? Acquisition Disorder: Steam Power, EVE: War for New Eden, Conan by M…

1
Roll S2E0 - Hiatus End 8:50

7M ago8:50

8:50

We are back! After a long thing away, Kenny decided to just jump back on the mic and enter a new world of adventure and... battle?? This episode contains the ramblings of Kenny and his obvious nervousness as he explains the up and down of the podcast and why it was on a hiatus. Discussing future episodes and a brand-new co-host! ... this episode is…

1
BGA Episode 459 - The Dreaded Burn! 1:39:28

7M ago1:39:28

1:39:28

Over the last 10+ years, we've reviewed a lot of games. Hundreds of experiences, many of which we really enjoyed. But every now and then, a game hits just wrong, and we can't help but give it our dreaded "burn" rating. This week, we're taking a look back at some of these duds, and discussing why they fell flat for us. For those eager to hear more n…

1
BGA Episode 458 - BGA Awards and Top 10 Games of 2023 1:24:37

7M ago1:24:37

1:24:37

We run through our favorite games of 2023, with our top 10 games of the year and awards for: Best Digital Implementation Best Family Game Best Strategic Gameplay Overlooked Gem Best Kickstarter Best 2.0 Release Best Solo Game Best Expansion If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (…

1
BGA Episode 457 - Most Anticipated Games of 2024 1:15:56

7M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

The new year is here and we have a list of the 50 (give or take) most anticipated games of the upcoming year. It's our supersized, mega-acquisition disorder! If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com).…

1
BGA Episode 456 - 2023 Year in Review 1:11:21

8M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

This week, we're taking a look back at the year that was 2023, with a rundown of the games we played, the ones that didn't come out (and some that will never come out), and our overall thoughts of the year as a whole. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgap…

1
BGA Episode 455 - Bad Games That I Like Too Much 1:32:57

8M ago1:32:57

1:32:57

We're back with another episode of hot takes, looking at the games that people may not be as generally positive on but that we love. Plus reviews of Horrified: Greek Monsters and Hexarchy. Acquisition Disorders: Fief England - Alliances, Treachery, And Power, Stormgate At the Table Reviews: Horrified: Greek Monsters, Hexarchy If you haven’t yet, be…

1
BGA Episode 454 - Great Games We Wished We Liked More 1:47:44

8M ago1:47:44

1:47:44

This week we're looking at some of the truly great games out there that just don't click for us and discuss what about them doesn't work (and if either of us disagrees). Question of the Week: What's a game that completely upended your expectations (good or bad)? How so? Acquisition Disorders: Nucleum: Australia, Star Realms Deluxe Colonial Collecti…

1
BGA Episode 453 - PAX Unplugged Hotness 54:13

8M ago54:13

54:13

Another PAX Unplugged has come and gone, and we're discussing all the cool things we saw, did, and played over the three-day gaming weekend in Philadelphia. Games discussed: - Defenders of the Realm 2.0 - Dune Imperium: Uprising - Undergrove - Cascadia Flip and Roll and Write Games - Evacuation - Nucleum - Star Wars Unlimited - Evil Corp. - Nautilu…

1
BGA Episode 452 - Listeners' Top Games of 2023 1:21:46

9M ago1:21:46

1:21:46

We asked and you answered! This week we've constructed the top 10 games of 2023 according to the listeners. Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey and congratulations to Omar, who won a game as part of that contest. Join us for a rundown of these ten, plus a bit of a rant from Anthony on the spiraling of crowdfunding for classic games, and…

1
BGA Episode 451 - Holiday Gift Guide 1:12:12

9M ago1:12:12

1:12:12

It's that time of year again. Games and gifts and gifts that are games! Check out our 2023 holiday gift guide, complete with 20 different games, accessories, and apps that you can gift to yourself or a gamer friend for the holiday season. Additionally, we chat about the direction of crowdfunded upgrades to classic games and what it will take to mak…

1
Episode 450 - Board Game Mechanics: Meeples 1:05:39

9M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

This week, we're looking at another collection of mechanics based on a single component: the meeple! Check out 15+ unique uses of meeples and how they represent the hobby as a whole. * Acquisition Disorders: Cargo Empire, Calimala * At the Table Reviews: Raiders of the North Sea, Evolution If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook …

1
BGA Episode 449 - Board Game Mechanics: Dice 1:13:05

9M ago1:13:05

1:13:05

Thanks to Ryan for the suggestion on this week's topic! We're looking at different ways dice have been used as a mechanic in board games with 15 different takes (and representative games) from the hobby. * Question of the Week: Ouija is a _______ game * Acquisition Disorders: Cities, Star Trek: Into the Unknown * At the Table: Tichu, Terraforming M…

1
BGA Episode 448 - Trick (not Treat) Taking Games 1:11:08

10M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

This week, we're looking at the best trick (not treat) taking games for the Halloween season. Which small box, quick fun games should you bring to the table (or hand out) on Halloween this year? Question of the Week: What game is sneaky in its complexity, offering a lot more depth (or barriers) than you'd expect based on the artwork, presentation, …

1
BGA Episode 447 - Higher Ranked Sequels of Older Games (BGG) 1:17:21

10M ago1:17:21

1:17:21

This week, we take a look at the sequel games that have launched their way up the BoardGameGeek Top 100 list, becoming, at least numerically, better versions. It's not a top 10, because there are 11. Find out how they iterated and changed their own formula and became more popular games. Question of the Week: What's your favorite board game producti…

1
BGA Episode 446 - Top Ten Games with Board Games for the Better 1:27:50

10M ago1:27:50

1:27:50

This week, Chris welcomes special guests Chris from Board Games for the Better and Game Master Dave to talk games, the upcoming Tabletop Charity Game Day on November 4, and much more! Acquisition Disorders: Metal Gear Solid The Board Game, Twilight Imperium 4th Edition (BGA), The Night Cage: Shrieking Hollow At the Table Reviews: Tokaido Duo, Advan…

1
BGA Episode 445 - Essen Hotness 1:23:39

10M ago1:23:39

1:23:39

This week, we look from afar at the hotness from Essen Spiel 2023, talking about the games that sold out, the games that hit the BGG hotness, and all the things we're interested in tracking down for ourselves in a few months when they reach the US. Question of the Week: What should be a mandatory addition to the side of game boxes (along with playe…

1
BGA Episode 444 - Last 10 (Best) Games of the Year 1:31:23

11M ago1:31:23

1:31:23

We take a look back at the last 10 years and the games we named "best of the year" in each of those years, then discuss if those selections have changed since then. Some years remain strong, others change substantially. Find out which games we're still playing. Acquisition disorders: Haggis, Mycelia | The Strategic Mushroom Game At the Table review…

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