Best Pun Included Podcasts (2024)

1
All the Games We Played at Essen Spiel RANKED 1:37:47

1M ago1:37:47

1:37:47

One thousand five hundred plus games released over four days is a HOT WEEKEND in board games and the Elaines and Efkas of this world were in attendance. Did we play all 1500 games? No. Did we play the hot ones? Yes. Did we play the weird ones? Yes. Did we play the good ones? Oh my yes yes yes. So grab a warm beverage, plonk yourself into a comfy ch…

1
Kronologic, Nucleum (+Australia), Cities 1:27:54

2M ago1:27:54

1:27:54

Folks, folks and folks, please come join us for a marvelous carboard celebration through time, energy and cities. Gaze your eyes to Paris in 1920 and marvel at the deductive action of Kronologic. Now turn those eyeballs further east towards Germany and amaze yourself with the fantabulous power of Nucleum and finally, fly up and up and up and then l…

1
Joyride, Invincible, Wilmot’s Warehouse 1:11:53

2M ago1:11:53

1:11:53

Vroom vroom it’s time to kaboom! Or something along those lines because today’s feature game is all about smashing cars into other cars. It feels like we’ve seen this type of game over and over through time, from Rock’n’Roll Racing to Mario Kart to Twisted Metal to Carmaggedon - the world is full of games that let you cause car accidents on purpose…

1
Harvest, War Story: Occupied France, Dorfromantik: The Duel 1:02:18

3M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Cute, but deadly! We used to dance under that name but you could also use those three words to describe today’s selection of games.Harvest is a farming worker placement game so cloyingly sweet you could squeeze condensed milk out of it. Is it good? Jury’s still out.War Stories: Occupied France is the unlikely combination of Sherlock Holmes: Consult…

1
Leviathan Wilds, Through the Desert (Bazaar), Spectral 1:35:23

5M ago1:35:23

1:35:23

Hello boardgamers and boardgamees, how are your MEEPLES? Do they need feeding? Watering? Some TLC? Or do they just need a good dose of the Talk Cardboard podcast to refresh that wooden noggin? Well worry not young meeple trainer, we’ve got a new episode digitally bumbling its way to you right now.A real smorgasboard of delights this week as we take…

1
Two Player Special: Run, Haggis, Harrow County 1:07:26

6M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

I don’t know about you, but I think there’s something special about the momentum of two player games. The tension, the back and forth. The sensation of making a clever move is so much more palpable than in any other player count. Today we’ll take a look at three two player games, each interesting in its own way, and also two more on our bonus episo…

1
Agemonia, Terra Nova 1:13:38

6M ago1:13:38

1:13:38

Dear listeners, it’s never been clearer to us that board games have entered into a new era - the era of the size race. Each month publishers are competing to release a bigger campaign game than the one before and in terms of scope, Agemonia is definitely in the running for the lead. In terms of box size it’s no slouch either, looking eerily similar…

1
Salton Sea, Arcs 1:17:09

7M ago1:17:09

1:17:09

There is a duality in first time plays, at least when you’re playing with a mind to reviewing. One path leads to potential, the other to the bin. A first time play can reveal quirks and kinks that promise an interesting second or third or fourth and beyond plays; exploration and indulgence. It can equally reveal a design you never wish to revisit. …

1
7th Citadel, Wyrmspan 1:07:19

8M ago1:07:19

1:07:19

This episode we only cover two games, but we had so much to say it ended up being a full length episode anyway. Which isn’t a surprise really when you end up with two follow ups for two massively succesful games. It’s the follow-up episode! And if you strain your thinking really hard, you could even argue that this very episode is a follow up to pr…

1
Unmatched Adventures: Tales to Amaze, Witchcraft!, Revive 58:30

9M ago58:30

58:30

“What’s good?” you might ask me. Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. Just board games. Three specific board games that are, in fact, good and COINCIDENTALLY are all featured on this episode of Talk Cardboard. What a treat! A threefer. A co-op boss battler that’s good, a solo deck-builder that’s good and, wait for it, a EUROGAME that is very good! It’s goo…

1
Age of Innovation, Raising Robots, Sidereal Confluence: Bifurcation 1:17:01

9M ago1:17:01

1:17:01

A remake, a new take and an expansion walk into a bar. The barman says, “what’ll it be?” They all reply “something fresh.”Was that too mean? I think that was too mean, especially since at least (and also at most) two of the games discussed in this episode are pretty great. And one of them is okay. We revisit the classic Terra Mystica in it’s new mo…

1
Dune: War for Arrakis, Daybreak, Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the West 1:16:26

10M ago1:16:26

1:16:26

More and more board games are adopting eco themes! Whether it’s Daybreak and it’s simulation of climate change or Dune: War for Arrakis and Dune’s enviromental themes and… uh… one or two plastic miniatures or Ticket to Ride Legacy and… um… all the railroad constru…. You know what nevermind, welcome to board games! It’s board games everyone, aren’t …

1
Dune: Imperium - Uprising, Most Anticipated 2024 1:13:02

11M ago1:13:02

1:13:02

Can you believe it’s been a whole year of Talk Cardboard? Incredible! What’s a better way to celebrate the end of the year than by revisiting where we began? On the very first episode Efka talked about his most anticipated games for 2023, so today we’ll take a look at how those panned out and also take a peek at his most anticipated games for 2024.…

1
Sail, Trolls and Princesses, Evacuation 1:25:34

12M ago1:25:34

1:25:34

Winter months are here and a deep chill is setting over the world. A chill that can represent only one thing - Elaine and Efka’s disappointing week of board games. That’s right, it’s one of those episodes - where no one game is a standout and all of them feel like they’re missing just a little warmth. So grab a cup of hot cocoa and settle in for a …

1
Rob Daviau Talks Legacy, Empire’s End, Ready Set Bet, Mind Space 59:15

1y ago59:15

59:15

It’s a new episode of the Talk Cardboard podcast and I feel great! Rejuvenated even because today’s games are light, breezy, quirky and fun. And what’s a breezier topic than the collapse of an empire? Just the thought of that warmed something inside of me, like a cozy blanket gently touching the fireplace and setting aflame. If you too would like t…

1
Earthborne Rangers, Forest Shuffle, Planta Nubo, Sonny Liew and 1819: Singapore 1:50:42

1y ago1:50:42

1:50:42

Every year in board games there’s a new fad. Legacy, polyominoes, roll and writes and trick takers. This year’s fad seems to be less genre based and more societally concious. Here at NPI every week we encounter more and more board games that reduce their use of wasteful material such as plastics. On this episode alone two of the three games discuss…

1
The Best of Spiel Essen 2023 1:23:45

1y ago1:23:45

1:23:45

What’s the biggest event of the year? That’s right, it’s the DFS Winter Mega Sale! But right after that comes Essen Spiel, or as it is now known: Spiel Essen. Every year, just under two hundred thousand board gamers flock to an industrial city in Germany to partake in a mass consumption event where over a thousand board game titles are released ove…

1
Pickaxe Week Special 2023! 1:21:49

1y ago1:21:49

1:21:49

We are joined by Lewis and Daf from The Yogscast for a very special episode which was originally streamed live on Twitch as part of Pickaxe Week! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Kinfire Chronicles: Night’s Fall, Fit to Print, Vindication 1:38:23

1y ago1:38:23

1:38:23

Tell me something, which other board game podcast episode can claim to contain the entire gamut of board games in one episode? Antropomorphic animals? Check. Weirdly themed euro? Check. Fantasy campaign game? Check. Real time? Check. Randomness? Check. Strategy, tactics, abstractification? Check check and check.In this episode we’ll take a long ove…

1
Kieron Gillen, Great Western Trail: New Zealand, Schadenfreude, Freelancers 1:39:57

1y ago1:39:57

1:39:57

Are games even real? According to Kieron Gillen, they certainly bleed into reality and reality bleeds into them. According to Great Western Trail, New Zealand isn’t even real. So who’s to say?On this episode of Talk Cardboard we review Schadenfreude, the little trick taking game that could, chat about the absurd comedy that is Freelancers, take an …

1
Earth, Lacuna, Voidfall 1:36:28

1y ago1:36:28

1:36:28

From Earth to Space to the abstract void in between, this episode has a little bit of everything, including a game that made Efka feel like he had to give a rating. That’s right, a bona fide numerical value asigned to the perceived quality of a game. What will they think of next? Verdicts? Comparisons? In the future, anything will be possible.On th…

1
Sustainable Games with Andrew Navaro, Dorfromantik, Ancient Realm, Aeon’s End: Legacy of Gravehold 1:51:42

1+ y ago1:51:42

1:51:42

What if we don’t make games that last forever is the question Andrew Navaro, head of Earthborne Games is asking us. His answer is Earthborne Rangers, a game that will perish, but not before it lands on our doorsteps. On this episode of Talk Cardboard we interview Andrew about Earthborne Rangers and his vision for a more eco-responsible board game s…

1
Season 3 Wrap Up 1:06:10

1+ y ago1:06:10

1:06:10

Dicky's brought a game, we wax lyrical about games that didn't get recommended and crown the new *Titan of Board Games* (ooooo-aaaaah) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Zoe Bee, Race to the Raft, Ra, Obsession 1:41:24

1+ y ago1:41:24

1:41:24

It’s time to get schooled! Always wanted to say that and finally I have a good reason because today’s guest on the show is none other than Zoe Bee who’ll teach us about board games as educational tools.Oh but wait, there’s also board game reviews. A hot new release that asks us to save cats (again) - Race to the Raft, a hot old classic that’s got a…

1
Games for Thrones (With Shea Parker - RTFM) 1:04:25

1+ y ago1:04:25

1:04:25

Shea Parker's (RTFM) whisked back to the middle ages, but what board game can get him into the lord's good graces? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Well Made Lasagne (With Heinze - Semi Coop) 56:41

1+ y ago56:41

56:41

Heinze (@semicoop) is training volunteers to meet the underpeople, but is it force or first contact? What will the team suggest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Trailblazers, Isle of Trains: All Aboard, Beast 1:30:12

1+ y ago1:30:12

1:30:12

Everybody always says, “Talk Cardboard is paving the way in board game podcasting!” and this episode it’s certainly true. We have biking, hiking, kayaking, train-ing, and hunting (along routes), which is the most path in any board game podcast ever.On today’s episode we’ll cover the cute but deadly Trailblazers, the old fashioned but sleek Isle of …

1
The Bare Necessities (With No Pun Included) 56:21

1+ y ago56:21

56:21

Efka and Elaine (@nopunincluded) are gaming in a tree, can the team find a game that won't wake the bear below? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Gaming in the Rain (With Ray - CGE) 49:27

1+ y ago49:27

49:27

Ray's (@_raybird_) 'old money' in-laws ignore commoner's convention and insist on playing in the rain, can the team find a game to weather the storm? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Undaunted: Battle of Britain, Hamlet, Autobahn 1:14:24

1+ y ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Sometimes you sit down to play some board games for a future podcast episode and you find yourself not particularly digging any of them? It happens. It’s a thing. It could happen to you. This week it happened to us.Whilst we weren’t especially jazzed about Hamlet, didn’t find Undaunted: Battle of Britain worth the trouble and at least one of us rea…

1
UKGE 2023 - Rookie numbers 1:08:07

1+ y ago1:08:07

1:08:07

The team fights FOMO, the heat and hordes of board game enthusiasts to bring you our top takeaways from the UKGE 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
First Dates 1:05:30

1+ y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Jenn Ellis and Keith Baker (Twogether Studios) need a date worthy game, can the team be the ultimate wingman? Dicky: Once Upon a Time [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/1234/once-upon-time-storytelling-card-game] Ben: Fantasy Realms [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/223040/fantasy-realms] Rich: So Clover! [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3…

1
Next Station: London, Skymines, Maquis 1:26:50

1+ y ago1:26:50

1:26:50

Welcome back, welcome back, it’s like we’ve never been gone. After a brief interruption Talk Cardboard returns to your ears and consequentially to your brains to deliver all the board game that it needs. Today’s brain ticklers include drawing a map of the London Underground in Next Station: London, a dose of helium 3 in Skymines and some good ol’ f…

1
Meet the Parents 58:11

1+ y ago58:11

58:11

Paul Grogan's (Gaming Rules!) first contact with the in-laws takes a twist, what game will avoid alienating them? Russ: JamSumo [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/165595/jamsumo] Ben: Fire in the Hole [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/357963/fire-hole] Rich: Kluster [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/277458/kluster] Learn more about your ad …

1
Wings of Peace 44:43

1+ y ago44:43

44:43

Jamey Stegmaier (Stonemaier Games) sets out to create world peace with a tournament on a global scale, but will our hosts manage to solve what the world's experts haven't been able to? Russ: Challengers! [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/359970/challengers] Ben: War of the Ring [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/362944/war-ring-card-game] Rich…

1
Sadly, an Interruption 2:19

1+ y ago2:19

2:19

Oh dear, oh dear, it looks like this week's episode is missing. We'll resume our schedule next week. Until then!By No Pun Included

1
Distilled, Worldbreakers, Res Arcana 1:32:48

1+ y ago1:32:48

1:32:48

Every Talk Cardboard episode is a journey, and in this episode that journey is competitive card games, competitive card games with engine building and destroying the engine with hard alcohol (not necessarily in that order).Today we’re taking a look at Distilled, an aspirational game about being a small time distillerer in a world of big alcohol, Wo…

1
Adrian Tchaikovsky, Horseless Carriage, Rolling Heights, Ginkgopolis 1:48:33

1+ y ago1:48:33

1:48:33

Building building building. If you like building (or buildings) you will enjoy at least one of the board games covered in this episode in which you build buildings, buildings and also cars. How's that for a build up? No? Let me construct some clarity.Today we'll talk about Ginkgopolis, a tile laying city building classic hidden gem, Rolling Heights…

1
Carnegie, Whaler Riders, Wir Sind Das Volk! 1:21:28

1+ y ago1:21:28

1:21:28

Has it been two weeks already? Time flies when you’re reviewing board games. Or when you’re riding whales for that matter. In real life and also in the game! Does it fly when you’re under Soviet occupation or working for Mr. Carnegie? Who’s to say, but we can at least tell you whether the games based on these events and/or entities are any good and…

1
Paul Dean, Wind the Film!, That Time you Killed me, Koi Koi 1:54:00

1+ y ago1:54:00

1:54:00

There are many famous Paul Deans in the world, but today we’re only interviewing one of them. Maybe one day we’ll get a chance to talk to some of the others, but honestly, why bother, we already got the best one. We got a chance to talk to Paul about what it’s like having left the board game industry and how he feels about board games right now.Thi…

1
Aeon Trespass: Odyssey, GWT: Argentina, Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, Yokai Septet 1:47:17

1+ y ago1:47:17

1:47:17

This episode is jam packed with exciting board games and has a reference to clotted cream - that's right - it's the scone episode! A tasty delicious dessert for your ears full of rich indulgent cardboard. What's especially exciting is that we've got a little bit of everything for everyone - from very light to very heavy, all pretty great in their o…

1
Jessie Gender, Heat, Votes For Women, Turncoats, Canvas 1:43:58

1+ y ago1:43:58

1:43:58

Every day people stop us on the street and say “But, Elaine and Efka, why did you rename the podcast?” What an excellent question real person on the street - we renamed it because Talk Cardboard is all about talking to OTHER PEOPLE about cardboard. All kinds of cardboard. Flat, corrugated and even board game. So we talk to you, dear listeners, espe…

1
GOTY Runner Ups, Resist!, Knight Fall And Lands Of Galzyr 1:43:21

1+ y ago1:43:21

1:43:21

It’s so great to be behind the microphone again talking about something you love! Especially when the thing you love is pancakes. But we also spend a good amount of time talking about what’s fresh in board games, including a sleeper solo hit Resist! from the people that brought you Undaunted, the little asymmetric arena battler Knight Fall and the …

1
Most Anticipated Games 2023, Scout, Evergreen, Artisans Of Splendent Vale, Ostia 1:31:18

2y ago1:31:18

1:31:18

Welcome back to the newly named board game podcast from the duo at No Pun Included! In this new iteration we're starting small and building up each episode, so if you've enjoyed this - there's more to come every second Friday. Today we're taking you through Efka's most anticipated board games of 2023, four board game reviews and lots of words from …

1
Season Two Roundtable 57:49

2y ago57:49

57:49

The end of season round up, Rich & Ben are joined by guest gurus Russell & Dicky to talk guests, games, crown the Titan of Board Games (Part Deux) and season 3?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
I'm Not Racist But... - with Matt Thrower 1:06:02

2y ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Matt Thrower's (https://twitter.com/mattthr) fictional racist uncle comes to town, what board game can avoid family friction? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Overcoming Elevatophobia - with Matt Edmondson 1:14:05

2y ago1:14:05

1:14:05

Matt Edmondson (https://twitter.com/mattedmondson) is stuck in an elevator with his boss, and in order to avoid dreaded small talk he needs a board game recommendation to see the peril out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Board Games To Prevent Bear Attacks? - with Jon Purkis (Actualol) 1:02:29

2y ago1:02:29

1:02:29

Jon Purkis (https://www.youtube.com/c/actualol) leads an intrepid gang into the woods, fall asleep and a bear eats you, board games to the rescue obviously! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

1
Limbo - with Christopher John Eggetts 1:25:06

2y ago1:25:06

1:25:06

Christopher John Eggett's (@CJEggett) taken a leaf from the Pharaoh's of old, taking his best board game into the afterlife, but which one can withstand an eternity of play? Christopher John Eggett is the editor of Tabletop Gaming (https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/) Tabletop Gaming Live is happening on the 17th-18th September in Manchester. Get 10%…

1
Alien vs Shakespeare? - With Alex the Rambler 1:00:32

2y ago1:00:32

1:00:32

It's a Battle of Britain, but there's no CAS for alien Alex (https://www.twitch.tv/therambler146) when he's duking it out with Shakespeare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Pickaxe

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Pun Included Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide