10 Small Games You Should Know About

[@AhJong0]

“The game you’re playing is more fun than the one that’s sitting on your shelf.” Christ, have I ever heard a more impactful statement about not having too large a collection?! That is some proper Yoda level wisdom! These lists are such a gift, thank you Jon.

[@azzagee3690]

My favourite line was, "In order to win at this game you have to say the right thing before anyone else, which is also how you win at being sympathetic." That was a big oof moment, I'm sure there was some line crossed there 😂

[@Emperor045]

Does playing it means taking it out of the shrinkwrap? Brrrrr....

[@tmcd5049]

Sometimes it's less fun than the one on the shelf. Glass half full stuff.

[@devaldyjonathan]

timestamps: 0:39 Air, Land, Sea / Spies, Lies, Supplies 📍(2 player) 3:20 Order Overload* 📍(memory co-op) 5:56 Vaalbara 📍(compact libertaria) 9:04 My Favourite Things* 📍(ur chance to rank ur annoying friends) 12:00 Star Wars Deckbuilding Game 📍(self explanatory n i respectfully hate star wars) 14:57 The Number* 📍(seems like a fun gambling exp w fresh mechanism) 18:15 Phantom Ink* 📍(pov: ur amy adams in arrival) [stolen analogy] 21:21 Quickity Pickity 📍(flip it, slip it, set-collect complete it) 22:58 Noggin* 📍(word race challenges, anomia vibes) 25:27 No Mercy! 📍(push ur luck, lets- nvm) (*) games im interested to play ..don't u dare put "who ask" in the replies

[@ShadiKabbesh]

I asked

[@kosterix123]

thank you for this.

[@poofal1283]

who asked

[@poofal1283]

@@devaldyjonathan who askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho askedwho asked

[@revimfadli4666]

​@@poofal1283 why ask

[@reksilog]

I love this list. I have enough of the medium and heavy, crunchy games in my collection. What i need are these small, accessible games! Please make another list like this 😊

[@therizinosauruscheloniform2162]

"In a particularly upbeat funeral" is a wonderful way of putting a human sacrifice.

[@actualol]

😂😂 Don't get blood on your cards!

[@Tensho_C]

@@actualol im not that picky it's okay XD

[@themeepleschampion200]

Love the desk setup! It’s so relaxed and makes the entire set feel more at ease for a calm conversation about gaming.

[@MasterHigure]

Regarding the "Am I winning or am I losing" mechanic of Air Land and Sea, the only other game I can think of that really has such a mechanic is backgammon. If you're playing a series of games, each game is worth points (usually one point, but two if you win without the opponent getting a single stone home). There you have the doubling die, where you can say "I think I'm gonna win this game, it's now worth double points", and your opponent can either accept that, or give up the game immediately, before the doubling takes effect. So when your opponent wants to double the game, you have to decide: Given that your opponent currently thinks they can win this game, would you give up a point now, or play for double value and perhaps pull the game back in your favour?

[@blacklotus561]

There's also marvel snap which isn't a boardgame but seems to be heavily inspired by air, land and sea in its design.

[@Drew_D]

Good information all around!

[@revimfadli4666]

​@@blacklotus561 it started as a game designed around the doubling cube, then implemented with schotten totten and smash up mechanics, so no wonder it converged with another scotten totten descendant

[@sporknaut]

Dang, these all look fun! There's something really special about a small, well-designed game where you can see how it's playing different mechanisms against each other to create a big gray area the player's strategy has to fill. All of these seem to do that well. Thanks for sharing, Jon!

[@Silverback947]

I laughed way too hard at the Luke Skywalker Buzz Lightyear joke.

[@jeffthekillr99]

The amount of variability you added to this is insane, im adding every single game to my wishlist as im watching your video. Very much appreciated

[@ParkUna]

This is exactly the video I've been looking for. I recommend mentioning 'travel-friendly' in title as that was exactly the term I was looking for when I was looking for portable games that don't take up precious space in my luggage/car

[@truce11]

Dice Heist. The most accessible filler game even for non-board gamers: brain tired but got time for quickie, playing with both highly strategic and simple fun players, and just a quick and fast push your luck.

[@CurtRenz]

One of my late mother's favorite table games was Pit. She really got excited. The name refers to a tiny stepped arena at commodities exchanges where members call out proposed trades. Pit is an unusual type of rummy card game, in which multiple players announce proposals to trade hidden cards with each other, until one player assembles all nine of his cards into a single type of commodity, e.g. corn. He then rings the bell and yells out, "Corner on Corn" or whatever.

[@sharonlockwood1825]

This game is great! My kids (teens, young adults) pulled it out a couple of years ago and played for 3 evenings straight.. they were loud and laughing and just having a blast. We still quote some of the shenanigans that came from those games.

[@matthewcrawford4216]

Good memories playing that as a kid. Wild and loud game.

[@TeamCGS2005]

We don't just need small games to play at the end of an evening, we need ACTUALOL!! 💥

[@ambierona]

Thanks for this video, Jon! I love how you highlight games that I don't hear about much (or at all) elsewhere. I've added a few more games to my want to play list - Quickity Pickity was already on there, but I added Order Overload: Cafe and Noggin!

[@actualol]

That's my job! Glad I could introduce you to some new games :)

[@Tornroot]

Recently learnt about Vaalbara and have been playing it a lot of BGA, great game. I would definitely add some Oink games to this list as well, I always try to take either Scout or Startups with me.

[@udrevnavremena]

There is an Oink game on this list, on 21:21.

[@Tornroot]

@@udrevnavremena I'm aware, just emphasising that there are so many other Oink games also applicable on this list (and that I personally rank higher) 🙂

[@joe7176]

The one game I was disappointed to not see here is Coup. Absolutely amazing, small box, you can explain it in 5 minutes and play a round in 10. Best small-box game I've played, but several here are looking pretty enticing.

[@actualol]

This video is focused on newer small games.

[@gokupepper]

Love Letter is better

[@sooner811]

Best top 10 list I’ve seen in ages. I now want to play (and buy) every one of these games

[@SirKappy]

Another fantastic push your luck, card flipping game is Port Royal. I love that the cards double as gold that you use to hire people and gain victory points. It's such a clever way to make it so never actually know which cards are in the deck because they could be in someone's gold pile.

[@flakmagnetStudios]

Love Port Royal, great shout 😁

[@unlimitedrabbit]

I will never stop polluting board game video comment sections with recommendations for Bruxelles 1897. One day someone on this big blue marble will pick up Bruxelles 1897 on my recommendation and I'll be thanked for it. Until then, yeah.

[@tmcd5049]

Oh yeah, I did that! You can stop doing it now.

[@Randald]

Buying it on your rec. $11 on Amazon, not bad

[@arkoudanthrope]

I really enjoy the wittiness and humour in your scripts. You’ve got great delivery too.

[@actualol]

Thank you, I really appreciate that 🙂

[@xcpenguin9954]

Using "red shirt" to describe a Star Wars game is just /chef's kiss/ the greatest subtle dig.

[@Renzuo77]

Happy to hear My Favourite Things is coming to Kickstarter! Looking forward!

[@Song_In_Room]

I loved the number: it's simple but so much about it: you can even play it with just paper and pen and it's amazing.

[@codydavis3100]

My Favorite Things is right up my alley. Thanks for talking about it. Will definitely back it on kickstarter.

[@CocoDrawsGames]

So glad to hear that 'Eye My Favorite Things' is coming to kickstarter. It's true that your recommendation of this game has taunted me for years

[@dragonshadow1902]

Smallest game I carry with a lot of variety.... A deck of standard cards. From playing a solo game to games with up to 6-8 players. I can play with adults or children. No other game has that variety.

[@mattkutrik]

Gossip Girl and Rumor Man...solid writing and joke there, Jon! So many good looking small box games on this list! My Favorite Things and Noggin look like two games I may have to pick up for get-togethers! Thanks again!

[@actualol]

You have great taste in jokes ❤️

[@linkypete]

Just wanted to say, my wife and I bought the star wars deckbuilding game a month ago and it's quickly become our favorite game. We play it daily, maybe even multiple times a day. The only problem is that my wife refuses to not play the rebels!

[@actualol]

That's wonderful to hear! Glad you're getting so much play out of it.

[@Stevojay]

Along the lines of this list- would love to see your thoughts on the buttonshy collection- so many great pocket games!

[@NATOnova]

im on the move a lot and often occurrence ry to teach new games to non gamers, so this list was perfect. added vaalbara and noggin to my wishlist, although noggin seems to be unavailable. air land and sea is indeed a fantastic micro and gateway game that still has surprising amount of tactical depth. subscribed!

[@haloslippin6894]

Just want you to know that your videos bring me so much joy and information! What a combo.

[@actualol]

Thank you 🙏

[@wmcduff]

Color me shocked that you had a ten small games list without an Oink Game! Startups and Maskmen are probably my faves.

[@PatrickPawletko]

Quickity Pickity and Order Overload are Oink Games 😉

[@twitchster77]

I love small games. Not sure why, but there's something super appealing to me about a game in a super compact package.

[@robinett74]

Vaalbara is a game I've been looking out for for a while. Hope it gets released in my country someday soon. I recently bought Codex Naturalis as my latest small game. Box not bigger than my hand, but it packs 100 cards and tons of variability.

[@MrMaelstrom07]

Codex is such a beautiful game, too.

[@svetoforcolumb]

This month played Penguin Airlines. What a gem. There is a few similar app and pc games, but it is such a fun. It is spanish made and not so popular yet in english boardgaming

[@ahdemrn]

Nice video. Obviously this list needs many more games that are small, very good and entertaining games, among them I can recommend 100% Villages of Valeria Quests of Valeria Pearlands Tiny Epic Galaxies Blast Off Power Failure Germania Magna: Border in Flames Pocket Mars 300: Earth & Water Multiuniversum Card Game Saboteur: The Dark Cave One deck Dungeon, etc.

[@Paul-ro6py]

Thanks for pulling this together

[@photoben]

“Game you’re playing is always more fun than the one sitting on your shelf” Cries at my friend group who ONLY play Catan 😭

[@ParkUna]

I loved that line too.

[@blacknyancat5602]

I'm interested in knowing what are the most fun cooperative small games available in the market. My personal favourite is Hanabi.

[@ze333]

Amazing list John, thanks for posting! Keep up the good work!

[@virtualexamman6251]

Thanks for the list. Some interesting-sounding games. I also highly recommend the Spanish edition of No Mercy: “Pelusas”. Similar, but more fun artwork and the cards are spread face-down on the table. I like the additional choice you have of cards. People end up convincing themselves certain cards are good or bad, inevitably getting it wrong. Great game and incredibly cheap!

[@scottgerk7627]

The fact that Regicide isn't on this list is criminal. If you, or anyone else reading this, haven't played that game: please try it out as soon as possible.

[@Styrophoamicus]

Just a PSA that Air, Land and Sea has a variant called Critters At War, which is the same game but with a cartoony animal theme if you want something more colourful.

[@GaminUpWithTheJoneses]

I haven’t seen it yet but I’m calling Love Letter.

[@daveb1101]

I’ll follow that with cockroach poker!

[@daveb1101]

Happy to be wrong - all new games!

[@joostjonker7308]

Star Wars: Jabba's Palace is a nice version of a Love Letter game, IMO

[@matiasnl]

Me and my homies only play Princess Princess Love letters 😤

[@CoreyHardt]

Great video! Love the small box attention!

[@danithegirl86]

Thank you so much for this!!! We bought Air, Land & Sea: Spies, Lies & Supplies because of this video. We loved it so much!! Thank you for what you do!!

[@MrDanielWaters]

Great video. Bought Spies, Order Overload and Quickity Pickity this morning!

[@maskedmallard537]

I want to spout off a bunch of small games here, because I always travel to group meet-ups at cafes, restaurants and bars, so I carry a small bag that I fit about 10 or so small games in, but I don't know what you've covered in your other videos. I'm just going to venture one of those. It is one of the tiniest of small games. It's called iota, and it's a cross between scrabble and set. There are 64 unique, small square cards & two wild cards that come in tin with a hinged lid, like an old bandaid box but smaller. There is no set board so this thing could snake all over, so you want a large table, or play on the floor. It's 2-4 players and it takes as long as a scrabble game. Each card has a color, a shape & a number. Each person keeps 4 cards in their hand (after your turn, replenish your hand). You try to make 4 card lots; a lot is a group of 4 cards where each of the characteristics are either all the same or all different, ie all the cards are 1's on different colored circles, or each card could be a different number, color and shape. Most likely, you'll lay down 2 cards on your turn, because any two cards match, it's building up to 3 cards that's hard & achieving the lot of 4 can be very tricky or even impossible. There can never be more than 4 cards in a row. On each turn, you lay down 1-4 cards all along a horizontal or vertical line adjacent to 1 or more cards already on the table OR trade some (or all) of your cards with the draw pile. Keep score each turn like in scrabble. You score points based on each "word" created on your turn, ie if I play one card in an available corner, I've made two 2-letter "words". The score is just the numbers on the cards added up (wild cards are zero points), so a lot of all 4's gives you a higher score than a lot of all 1's. If you create or complete a lot, you double your score for that turn. If you use all cards in your hand on one turn, double score for that turn. Game is over when one player uses the last cards in their hand and the draw pile is empty; this last turn is double points. I absolutely love this game, but my experience is that other people don't get it (probably because they don't understand set) and tend to dislike it. So it's very hard to find people willing to play it with me.

[@williamburrows6215]

I love the line "The game you are playing is more fun than the game on your shelf" 👌👌

[@kubuz37]

Most of these games look very enticing but I don't seem to be able to order any of them in PL. I absolutely recommend both Air,Land,&Sea games. I take them everywhere with me. These two I managed to find abroad.

[@joeljohannesen8955]

More of these videos please, want all those games!

[@farshadfarokhi1992]

I Love the edit on your video , sectioned, ordered and well-cooked

[@drago939393]

Thank you for the fun and informative list! I wrote down a few of these, some didn't resonate, but others like The Number really interest me!

[@jksgameshelf3378]

Some great games on there, and I have only heard of the Star Wars one. Definitely looking some of those up. Great video!

[@owlxoggest6247]

Age of War is my go to for a small game that is easy to teach to new people, can accommodate a lot of players, and has a good balance between having enough strategic depth to be entertaining and being random enough for people who just want to throw dice around.

[@koz1138]

Tussie Mussie or GTFO! For serious, though, I got a demo of the Star Wars deckbuilder at the convention in London last month (from the designer!) and enjoyed it so much I lugged it back to the US in my suitcase. Played a lot of DBGs and it's one of my favorites. Really nailed it.

[@emileplante5595]

Amazing video as always, thanks a lot for the time you put in them, and of course the great recommendations as well!😄

[@jasonharrison1690]

Great list - very interested in Order Overload. I like the long form videos a lot keep it up!

[@Leron...]

Jon, as the person who introduced me to CrossTalk, I'm curious to hear your thoughts on CrossTalk vs Phantom Ink.

[@actualol]

I love them both. But I've finally made a decision and got rid of CrossTalk. And the reason is that CrossTalk is harder to understand for new players - that you always end up with a game or two of clues that are too obvious before they learn the rhythm of the game. I think that with the same group CrossTalk is probably more interesting - especially as a clue-giver. But I never find myself in those situations and Phantom Ink provides a good time much quicker.

[@Thungon]

Noggin looks hilarious. Particularly the bit about shouting Red when the word is actually Der!

[@lukassembol7542]

If you like the mechanism of Valbaara, you'll love "For sale", especially that new edition with nice graphics. Some people hate it because of that cheap paper money, but I don't mind, and I really apriciate the two part gameplay 😉

[@snarfdk]

Another great video! Makes me want to try all ten games! Well done!

[@ethangarofolo8170]

Had a 9-hour layover in Dubai once with a group of co-workers. Luckily, I had forgotten to remove the copy of Love Letter from my backpack before the trip.

[@actualol]

The perfect scenario for a gamer - captive opponents!

[@MisterMobius]

13:14 "Luke Skywalker, famously the son of Buzz Lightyear" I can't stop laughing 😂

[@IndianaGeologist]

When you post a new video, it's like Christmas

[@grimsladeleviathan3958]

So, one day, I bought a compact chess set to place in my car, just in case I'm out with friends and we get board (hehe) in traffic or waiting for something. And turns out it payed off big time when I had to bring my car in for repairs an hour and a half away from my house. Very specific circumstance, I know, but having to wait around 4 to 5 hours without anything but our phones is a lot more boring and draining than you'd expect. If we didn't have that chess set that is. Not only did I get to teach my friend how to play chess, we also had a surprising amount of fun with it. It showed me that having something else to do that doesn't rely on our phones is really good. And now I'm looking for more compact/small games to keep in my car, just in case we need to bust out some fun. With that, thank you for this video! Some of these games would most likely make us hate each other, I've already ordered them, and I can already see us laughing and cheering at some of the others. Thank you, my friend!

[@MarkRoemer2022]

I love compact games! There are great to cure boredom on a trip.

[@Whoopsteroids]

"Almost as hard as it is to be star wars fan." I felt that.

[@amandasupak]

I've been dying to play My favorite things since you teased it the first time! I'm so excited!

[@rolling.reggie]

Very unique list of games. I already love ALS: Critters at War but need to try the 'sequel'. I am most intrigued by Vaalbara and the Star Wars Games. Also, you remain the KING of metaphors keep up the great content.

[@Viragomp]

Another Actualol video, great!! And on a topic I love. 😍 Just wish you'd included some games that excelled at 2P.

[@actualol]

There are two games for 2 players in there! Spies, Lies and Supplies and Star Wars Deckbuilding Game.

[@Naeddyr]

No Mercy! is a reimplementation of Cheeky Monkey, but there's also another reimplementation of Cheeky Monkey called Family Inc. if you can't get No Mercy! using cardboard poker chips and consolation prize diamonds.

[@Guitarraboy890]

Air Land an Sea sounds a lot like Marvel Snap Game for Phones!

[@SoDamnMajestic]

Yup. I'm pretty sure Ben Brode referenced it in a video he did way back about the development of it.

[@blueshadesable]

Wow! Great video, as always. Thanks so much for talking about My Favourite Things. This sounds amazing!

[@barrettvelker198]

This is a very solid lineup

[@LukeSniper]

This is great! I can rarely get a group together that has the time to play the bigger games I like (such as Betrayal At House on the Hill) I more regularly get to play the little games I toss in my book bag when I go to the bar. These would certainly give me more hours of fun per dollar, just because I'd get to play them more!

[@CharlesHepburn2]

Great suggestions… I’ll probably buy half of these games due to your recommendation. Thanks so much. Subbed.

[@Twinkletail]

I just added half of these to my wishlist. Thanks!

[@LegendofZelderon]

One of your best videos! You have great board game opinions,haha

[@actualol]

Thank you!

[@jasonarispe5226]

Really, no-one caught the "red shirt" reference in the star wars game, classically hilarious and well done sir!

[@waltercardcollector]

"At the end of the day, the game you're playing is always more fun than the one sitting on your shelf." Now THAT made me think. Great recommendations!

[@FuncleChuck]

Oh wow those are small. I carry a deck of cards but this is close!

[@jameshayward1992]

Played Vaalbara on Tuesday and liked it instantly. Ended up buying it less than an hour later.

[@kobuseksteen411]

Cobra Paw! Quickest, funnest small game I've ever played

[@thegamesninja3119]

One needs to play Star Wars Deckbuilding with the unauthorized Star Realms expansion. Yes the games can play together.

[@amberryan7339]

The delivery of the words, “upbeat funeral” 😂😂😂

[@Randy-McRanderson]

I only just discovered your channel and absolutely love your videos and sense of humour. And thank you for the recommendations good Sir, just picked up Vaalbara!

[@tempdillen9823]

honestly i enjoy the drinks/snacks decreasing/increasing as we go through the video.

[@siddharthghodake9379]

Nice video i like your explaination want part 2

[@tuesdayjanuary18]

Hey Actualol, could you make a video covering top games for big groups like 10 people or so!

[@alexachen996]

“Famously the Sun of Buzz Lightyear.” Had me cackling. 😂😂😂

[@GerjanDeEerste]

Vaalbara looks awesome, great artwork!

[@kubas2136]

That starwars joke was brilliant

[@TabletopTurtle]

It's a little old now but Star Realms is another great one. Game is so small and so simple and yet so much fun.

[@unlimitedrabbit]

Life is still being breathed into Star Realms with new Kickstarter projects.

[@1nittmo]

No matter how much you love a big complex game there's just something about small games you can easily explain to almost anyone, play over and over without getting tired of them, and remember how to play without re reading the rules after a long time between plays. In the time it takes to finally understand a bigger game you could have played a small game 5 times.

[@monomundo]

Thank you John. Adding Quickity Pickity and No Mercy to my wishlist :)

[@jrave5353]

We love Actualol!

[@TheWindwall]

Good video. Well done!

[@seantilson8728]

Love the James acaster reference!

[@mikemueller99]

The Vaalbara game sounds like an evolution of Kingdomino, where you can go for something high value this turn but you could get stuck on the next. I'll have to check it out