This week, we do a deep dive on the games that use deckbuilding most effectively in 2025, plus reflect on our original 2017 list of top 10 deckbuilders (episode 155), and review the expansion materials for Energy Empire. Magic the Gathering Universes Beyond reveals Roll for Preview: Dogs of War, Slay the Spire: Downfall Roll for Review: Manhattan P…

This week, Anthony and Chris revisit a popular topic and update their 2018 list of top 10 heavy euros. See which one stick around and which new games have entered the discussion. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Roll for Pr…

Episode 545 is up featuring our rundown of the most funded games of all time on Gamefound, which hold up, and how many we've gotten to the table, plus a rundown of the BGG Hotness for September. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

This week, Anthony and Chris do a deep dive into the games that rank highest on Board Game Geek in each year of the podcast dating back to 2013. Find out if Chris can guess them all, and which games rank highly for us as well. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.…

This week, Chris is joined by special guest Erin from Board Games for the Better to talk about her favorite thematic board games. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Board Games for the Better: https://boardgamesfor…

This week, Chris is joined by special guest Erin from Board Games for the Better to talk about her favorite games designed by women and what makes them work so well. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about Board Games for…

Episode 541 features our friend and guest, Ian Gauger, co-founder of The Adventure Nexus. We've partnered with Ian and his company to support the upcoming Board Game Academics Conference, plus he was at Gen Con and can give us the rundown on what was hot and what was most interesting at the show. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at th…

Anthony and Chris do a deep dive into the last year of the podcast, with a stroll down memory lane with their picks of the best previews, reviews, and features from the last 52 episodes. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Notes: …

This week, we're looking at games that stand up and push back against the status quo, putting players in a position to fight the power, whether against real-world oppression or evil space wizards. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode…

This week, we're taking a deep dive into the new games that will be available at Gen Con later this week, which we'd like to play and track down. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Notes: Roll for Review: The Anarchy Feature: Gen Con…

This week, we're tapping into the Voice of the Gamers to discuss games that would be interesting with coop modes (or coop games that would be interesting with competitive modes). Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode Notes: Roll for Previ…

This week, we take a look at the games that have the most buck associated with a whole lot of bang—e.g. the big, expensive, massive, sprawling games that live on the top shelf of our game rooms but are still somehow worth it. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/regis…

It's that time again - let's take a deep dive into the BGG Hotness for June and into July and discuss what games everyone is getting psyched for going into the convention season. Plus, an update on the status of the BGA draft. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/regi…

This week we're pitting two heavy weights of recent gaming against one another, both with a similar design and common designer: Andromeda's Edge and Dwellings of Eldervale. Which is worth tracking down? Find out in our newest VS. episode. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademic…

This week, we asked all the listeners for the games they own that offer the best bang for their buck - the games you play a lot, were inexpensive, or have additional value outside of just playing them. We got a ton of great answers! Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/r…

This week, Anthony and Chris do a deep dive into all things Terraforming Mars, along with the listeners, in our first Board Game Club presentation. We rereview each of the games and expansions, hear your stories and feedback, share a few of our own hot takes and generally talk all things Terraforming Mars for much of the episode: Join us at the Boa…

Anthony is back this week with a big update on the BGG hotness, our board game draft, and all the amazing stuff on Gamefound that's calling for his wallet. Plus a review of Nova Era from Chris and previous discussion of Hobbit: There and Back Again (roll and write for the win!) Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of …

Chris is joined again this week by Chris Rodriguez from Board Games for the Better to discuss the top "owned" games on BoardGameGeek, what makes these games so lasting and sought after. Join us at the Board Game Academics Conference at the Strong Museum of Play: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://boardgameacademics.com/register/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our first Board Game Club will featu…

Chris is joined this week by Chris Rodriguez from Board Games for the Better to talk about the top 10 dexterity games. 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 commen…

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…

(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 t…

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: Ga…

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 Mund…

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…

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 Etchinston…

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://boardgameac…

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 …

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…

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 crow…

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 o…

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 w…

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 chan…

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 f…

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://w…

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.ba…

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 Joi…

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 su…

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 thei…

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 …

We take a look back at the best games of 2024, with rundowns of 10 categories, plus a first time inclusion of the Listeners' Choice picks for each category. Listen for our picks in: Best Digital Implementation Best Family Game Best Strategy Game Best Overlooked Gem Best Crowdfunding Campaign Best Cooperative Game Best 2.0 Release Best Solo Game Bes…

We look back at all the many games we were most excited about at the start of the year to see if they were good, if we had a chance to play them, and overall what our impression of the year was in 2024. Question of the Week: If your local library could only shelve three board games, which three would you recommend they start with to reach as many p…

We're thrilled to have Geof Gambill back on the show, who previously hosted The Long View, to discuss game design quantity vs. quality. Join us for a lengthy discussion about how games have evolved, where they can sometimes go wrong, and what successful decision spaces look like for us in 2024. ===== Check out Victory Points: First Article is up fr…

This week, we're looking at 12 games that fit the theme of the season. That is, counting down from 12! Enjoy twelve games with numbers in their titles, plus a rundown of some of the games we've been playing lately, and our recap of PAX Unplugged 2024. Question of the Week: Acquisition Disorders: War of the Ring: Two Decades Limited Edition, Board &…

It's that time of year again - we're headed to PAX. Chris drives down and Anthony rolls out of bed to head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for three big ol' days of gaming. Find out what games we're most looking forward to playing this year. Join us on our new Blue Sky accounts: @bganonymous and @bgacademics Acquisition Disorders: Urbion (Sec…

Tis the season! To buy a bunch of games, and we're here to help you find the right ones for the gamers in your life. 2-4 selections from each of 10 categories with ideas and suggestions for this year's holiday gift giving season. Plus acquisition disorder discussions of Hands in the Sea and Defenders of the Realm: Legendary Edition (before it was c…

We're excited to welcome longtime friends and listeners Corey and Harrison from Adamantly Analog to the show this week to discuss their favorite games, and all the good stuff that's been coming out lately. Question of the Week: It's been a bit! What are some of your favorite games (new to you or new in general) from the last 3 months? Acquisition D…

We've shared our favorite games of all time. Now it's time to bring in the listeners' to tell us what they think. Drawn from over 250 submissions from listeners, we've collated more than 1,000 unique game entries and present the definitive top 100 list, courtesy of you! Congratulations to our contest winners as well. Each them will receive a game f…

We made it! This is our 500th episode and we go big with a live stream and a rundown of our top 10 games of all time. Find out which games we picked, what our new #1s are (including only the second ever #1 from Anthony), and make sure to enter our contest to help determine the Top 100 listeners' games. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us…

Over the next 10 weeks, we’re counting down our top 100 games of all time, in anticipation of Episode 500 in November. Join us as we discuss ten games from our list each week, with deep dives into what made the list and why. This week we’re looking at games from 20-11. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boa…

Over the next 10 weeks, we’re counting down our top 100 games of all time, in anticipation of Episode 500 in November. Join us as we discuss ten games from our list each week, with deep dives into what made the list and why. This week we’re looking at games from 30-21. If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boa…