20 Small Games for a Shoe Box Collection

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I fit an entire board game collection into a shoe box. 20 small games, covering 20 genres, to create the smallest, complete collection possible.
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🛒 Links to buy:
1. High Society - geni.us/highso...
2. Tinderblox - geni.us/tinder...
3. Tempels Des Schreckens - geni.us/tempel...
4. Star Realms - geni.us/starre...
5. Death Valley - buttonshygames...
6. Cockroach Poker - geni.us/cockro...
7. Codex Naturalis - geni.us/codexn...
8. Burgle Bros - geni.us/burgle...
9. Knarr - geni.us/knarr
10. Bohnanza - geni.us/bohnanza
11. Push - geni.us/PUSH
12. Fugitive - www.fowers.gam...
13. Unsurmountable - buttonshygames...
14. Hive Pocket - geni.us/hivepo...
15. Fake Artist Goes to New York - geni.us/fakear...
16. Qwinto - geni.us/qwinto
17. Love Letter - geni.us/lovele...
18. Coloretto - geni.us/coloretto
19. Voyages - www.postmarkga...
20.Order Overload Cafe - geni.us/ordero...
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CREDITS:
Editor: Joaquín Reinoso
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[@actualol]

Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉 Get up to 60% OFF your subscription ➡ Here: go.babbel.com/t?bsc=usa-influ-eg-dt-1m&btp=default&KZbin&Influencer..Jun-2024..USA-TATAM..1200m60-yt-actualol-jun-2024

[@ML-sb7mu]

As a German speaker it was a great joy to listen to you talking German 😊

[@ariashowron]

Get yourself a Japanese copy of High Society --it's even smaller. And the money is measured in billions, which is objectively, hilarious.

[@Noobwater]

But then you don't get the beautiful art from Medusa Dollmaker :D

[@MarceldeJong]

@@Noobwateryeah but the fun density is much higher

[@actualol]

Ooh, that is tempting. Any way to downsize my collection gets me hot under the collar.

[@KelniusTV]

​@actualol you said the fun density measures at "446", but you didn't give it a unit. Since you invented the term, surely you're the namesake. So, is fun-density measured in "purkis", or perhaps in "actualols"?

[@tyrroo]

@@KelniusTV 'Since you invented the term, surely you're the namesake. So, is fun-density measured in "purkis", or perhaps in "actualols"?' Wouldn't it be purkises? 🤔

[@pseudofenton]

The measuring the volume of hive by the amount of water it displaces is pure gold! Also, I own a great many of these already, but the few I don't will certainly be looked into now.

[@LarryJohnVA]

Eureka!

[@MoonduckPsy]

@@LarryJohnVA”That’s Ephebian- it means ‘Give me a towel.’” -Sir Terry Pratchett

[@ThatJaymsWisdom]

"Everyone will be trying to saddle you with a hate rainbow" is maybe my favourite description of a game mechanic that I have heard. 😂

[@MoonduckPsy]

Is that one colored entirely in Eeyore shades?

[@tomgp]

I think fun density should probably be on a logarithmic scale

[@actualol]

Don't try to improve on greatness

[@stella.excite]

I wonder if it makes sense to have the BGG score use a logistic growth model. The difference between a 5 and a 6 is probably bigger than that between a 1 and a 2 or a 9 and a 10.

[@MoonduckPsy]

@@actualolWhy do hard math when there’s Fun Density math available courtesy of @actualol?

[@coocoo3336]

​@@stella.excitethat would be a bell curve function

[@TheDrawnator]

I went and did it because I fount it to be an interesting ideia (base 10): high society: 2.65 ticket to ride: 1.52 gloomhaven: 1.04 tinderblox: 2.98 tempel des schreckens: 2.85 star realms: 2.77 death valley: 3.54 cockroach poker: 2.73 codex naturalis: 2.51 burgle brothers: 2.15 knarr: 2.36 bohnanza: 2.76 push:2.63 fugitive: 2.76 unsurmountable: 3.54 hive pocket: 3.16 AFAGTNY: 2.90 qwinto: 2.94 love letter: 3.02 coloretto: 2.94 voyages: 4.23 Order Overload Cafe: 2.89

[@Gateway_Games]

A Shoebox Collection! What a great idea!

[@WerseVarsity-jk9bh]

Print and play games can also be put into plastic sleeves with whiteboard markers: this way the paper doesn't get worn and markings can be easily erased.

[@matthewireland5195]

Actualol videos have real high fun density

[@zoeziebee]

5:22 What a brutal way to tell Wolfgang you don’t want to be friends with him anymore

[@MoonduckPsy]

“You bent my cards” is killing lingo in Magic or Pokemon. I’d say Wolfgang got off easy.😂

[@alexderosa791]

My absolute favorite thing is when you speak about Qwinto! Top ten game for me and my favorite roll and write!

[@actualol]

I'm glad we agree!

[@hugocruz2439]

I recently bought Harvest based on your collection video and recommendation and has been a MASSIVE hit with my gaming group and non gaming friends alike. It has a very high fundensity

[@charlieallum4782]

I think this is also especially good for those of us with limited funds who want to build a robust collection of board games! I’ll absolutely be coming back to see which one I should buy next 👀

[@EinfachLosspielen]

Densest big game: The white castle.. it's almost a game itself to get all the stuff back in :D

[@Ogrecrusher]

Another one like that is Tokyo Metro, box size like a filler game.

[@MoonduckPsy]

Also makes terrible American burgers.

[@MrTheBigNoze]

Wow, very interesting idea and great picks. I too am offended by the size of game boxes these days. Love me some small box games

[@boardgameaddiction7081]

This isn't just a problem for newer games. Most of the worst offenders on my shelf are older games. I think the difference is that these days publishers know that board game enthusiasts value fun density. Also, the environmental impact of wasted resources is well-understood.

[@5ammy13]

For push your luck I highly recommend Port Royal. I would even just remove the packaging and just carry the cards in a ziploc. Highly replayable and terrific fun.

[@nessahux3487]

I'm going on a long journey soon, and I can fit Love Letter, Mission Deep Sea and High Society all within the one Mission Deep Sea box! An instant 3-in-1.

[@jimicapone]

Saboteur (1&2) & Qwirkle pocket/travel are two great small games.

[@jerrymeo1137]

I am shocked to know this video is not doing well with the platform. It's such a wonderful, informational video. I just want to let you know I'm enjoying every minute of it and will definitely support the channel in ways I'm able to! Keep up with the great work!

[@Big_Dai]

Timestamps, boy... timestamps.

[@toanoradian]

Here you go! 0:24 Definition of fun density 1:05 Auction 2:11 Dexterity 3:41 Hidden traitor 6:58 Deckbuilding 9:05 Tableau builder 11:01 Bluffing 12:20 Tile-laying 13:22 Co-operative 14:50 Engine builder 16:30 Negotiation 17:48 Push your luck 19:18 Hidden movement 20:28 Solo 21:40 Abstract 23:15 Party 24:30 Roll and write 26:04 Deduction 27:26 Set collection 29:08 Pick up and deliver 31:15 Memory

[@kotobm1148]

Thank you!

[@saw516]

Love this idea for a video, the brothers murph did a similar concept where they tried to get as good a collection as possible into a ticket to ride size box although in that they ditched the boxes and just put components in allowing the air filled boxes. I like this idea of actual small box games.

[@Jmdeleeuw-]

These videos are so well written. Funny, informative, to the point, witty. Really well done.

[@correnconj]

FunDensity = GENIUS

[@El_Nombas]

Yay! New Actualol vid is a good day 🎉

[@BaracFuentes-q3t]

He finally got a sponsor!!!🎉🎉

[@Pork-Pie-Pete81]

My family loved this. We have started our own travel gaming kit based on the majority of these games.

[@alexandyrj2503]

This is THE video to watch for a new board game collector. I wish I'd based my early purchases on what would neatly fit in a shoebox, instead I have a collection that barely fits in an entire apartment. Fun density is such a crucial metric for a collector.

[@jasonsmen5533]

One of the best videos I’ve watched on board gaming. Love the fun density scale. Genius! Well done, sir!

[@actualol]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it 🙂

[@benhoff901]

This is an awesome video! When I travel I want to bring games with me to friends and family but usually can only bring a few because of all those components. This list is perfect for the next time I go on a cruise with my family!

[@WerseVarsity-jk9bh]

Dale of Merchants is another deck builder in a small box that supports up to 4 players. It's also got an element of tableau building and it's a race, where you build a deck to then use up its cards to first get 8 points.

[@VincenteIL]

0:15 "But it's not just the size that's important, it's about how much fun we can cram into this box" 😮

[@dieselboy.7637]

Wow it's so funny

[@5192aaron]

Phrasing!

[@feyza1831]

I actually ordered used copies of two of these games before the video was even over, excellent video!

[@thomas_bellotto]

Amazing picks and video! I have recently started to appreciate more what smaller (air free) boxes do and a lot of the games here entered my collection :)

[@furisfluffy]

The writing and production value is magnificent!!!!

[@deusex3124]

That segue into the ad was impressive stuff.

[@schmalanko]

When you poured the pieces into the measuring cup, i laughed so hard!! Your videos are are funny as they are informative!!

[@lordpalle1]

"Cockroach Poker is like your friendship group.There are no winners, just one loser: you". Pure gold.

[@callumsidley7041]

I’ve been doing something very similar to this recently and have subconsciously selected games with high ‘fun density’ without realising it. There are some great recommendations in here and I’m definitely going to have a look at some. You can get a broader range of games if you’re willing to forgo the boxes in some instances as some will fit into regular deck boxes (hive pocket). My ‘shoebox’ of choice is a Gamegenic lair 600 because the box lid turns into a dice tray / game mat. Games I’ve managed to cram into this box: - Skull - (Deduction/party, 3-6P) - The Mind - (Cards, 2-4P) - Vaalbara - (Hand management, 2-5P) - Microbrew x2 - (Micro-Viticulture, 2-4p) - Tinderblox - (Dexterity, 2-6P) - Rafter Five - (Dexterity, 2-5P) - Odin - (Trick taking, 2-6P) - Trio - (Trick Taking, 3-6P) - Insider - (Deduction party, 4-9P) - Qwinto - (Push your luck, 4P) - Ganz Schon Clever! - (Dice drafting, 4P) - Next Station London - (Drawing, 4P) - Sumo - (Trick Taking, 2P) - Peruke One - (Chess-like, 1P) - Splendor Duel - (Set collection, 2P) - UNO Mini - (Trick Taking, 2-4P) - Kiri-ai - (Battle, 2P) - Hobbit Love Letter - (Hand management, 4P) - Playing Cards - Tiny tin of teeny dice We also have a Dragonshield Magic carpet for much the same reason but smaller.

[@gnolo]

Just worth mentioning the Tiny Tins collection published by 999 in the Netherlands, packing entire games (among which Love Letter - currently unavailable - and Pickomino) in a mints tin.

[@barrywelling3868]

The Shoebox Idea is neat because it offers space for a few larger options as opposed to the Photo organizer case variant (games that fit in a 4x6x1 plastic box, 16 of which in turn fit in a larger case. Ps I LOVE your humor.

[@dennisklueting8197]

I love small games that pack a punch. I call them "Tardis Games". Examples include Belratti, Red7, Werewords or Kodachi.

[@actualol]

Nice nickname

[@themaster408]

I feel like Red7 should be in everyone's collection like Uno is.

[@ghoti6668]

I think this list is really lacking "Scout" Its fameplay loop is perfect and easy enough for anyone to get but is so fun to learn to master. Turns are quick and satisfying. Shut and sit down puts it best in their review but i think its the must own for anyones collection. And you will have a hard time finding someone who wouldnt enjoy it.

[@vanessastoffer1874]

I love the game so much that I even named my dog Scout!

[@XCM666]

Well, it's alright, but I don't love it. And that has also been the reaction of everyone I've showed it to.

[@Juraturn]

The Internet: Check out my shelves crammed full of board games! Actualol: Check out my mini little shoebox - Woop woop! xD

[@BoardExplored]

A truly exceptional video! Also, we need more John Vs Wolfgang moments! It's a disgruntled/unrequited friendship I never knew I needed!

[@actualol]

I can barely stand to be in the room with him again

[@MoonduckPsy]

@@actualolThat statement is either one with such deep psychological inroads as to constitute an exam of existential gaming, or is an absolute load of sauerkraut.

[@5ammy13]

For Tile Laying game I would recommend Trailblazers. It had the small pocket travel case that holds a game for 4 easily so highly recommend it.

[@nellier2155]

Mind blown!!! Please please make a video on boardgames that you can play with kids. May be ones that have a quick play! Your recommendations are bomb! Your videos are creative and funny

[@SheikYoboddi]

I know there was a reason I liked you Jon. Left handers are just better people

[@ES-yc1tp]

I personally own Bohnanza and High Society. Great games!

[@ajpenrose1]

Great video! Some of my favorite small-ish games (not sure the FD scores): - Fungi - The Mind - Coup - Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

[@gadzooks2763]

This video was so for me. I've used a Gamegenic Cards Lair 600+ to store what I've called my "Big Box of Little Games." To free up shelf space and store so many of my little games that either were in a box thats unnecessarily big or otherwise just a terrible box. I do have High Society and Bohnanza in there (the versions of both that I own came in boxes too large)

[@stefanopaolini1345]

"Imagine Damien Horst with the right amount of selfdoubt"😂😂😂

[@qvinnyc]

This is awesome inspiration! My husband and I are now making our own shoebox collection. Fun density is such a useful metric 😊

[@EinfachLosspielen]

A nice game you might like is Fika. On my channel I compared it to "air land and sea" which is more or less the same.. but the war zone is a street with two cafés. look it up and I'd bet it might be in one of your future videos!

[@Darklava144]

Justice for Wolfgang!

[@actualol]

Card bending apologist

[@MoonduckPsy]

You want justice? Not mercy? Ok: We’ll bend him exactly as much as he bent the cards. BACKWARDS. You don’t bend people’s cards. That’s a cardinal gaming sin, and absolution comes at a VERY high price…I’m talking Starfarers of Catan-level steep!

[@QuietDuckOfBronzeTower]

I got Knarr after seeing it in this video and I love it. I think I've played it 9 times over a few weeks with varying people, player count, and strategies and it's been fun each time. Thank you!

[@mikehall9240]

Unique and fun video! Your short descriptions of every game makes me want to get them all!

[@octavus4858]

Knarr is so good and beautiful!

[@prufrock1977]

It’s really tempting me to

[@negativespace6218]

Can I suggest "Best Print & Play Accessible Games" as a video idea? I'm new to the hobby, quickly realized how ridiculously pricy it can get and just now learned that some people/publishers share printable kits to DIY their Games for Playtest. It's perfect for learning to stop yourself before an impulse buy or to have some options if your low on money :) For example "Hive" was a really easy one to print and test out that way. PS: Thanks for the many videos that helped me get an amazing overview over the market/genres!

[@lukassembol7542]

If you'd like some ideas for more shoebox-worthy games, here is my incomplete and unsorted small games collection: 1) Kluster 2) Seven dragons 3) Virus! 4) Armadillo 5) Saboteur 6) Bang! 7) Splito 8) Deep sea adventure 9) 3 sind eine zu viel! 10) Tiny Epic Dungeons 11) Panic lab 12) Sosig 13) Sea Salt & Paper 14) Bananagrams 15) Hanabi 16) Sprawlopolis 17) Bandido 18) Tranquility 19) MEOW 20) Startups 21) Similo

[@Zorave-qi6fs]

A lot of (great) games come in boxes that are larger than they need to be. This is especially true for games that are card/tile based. Plastic dividers/organizers might also take up a lot of space. You should do a video on board games that you can downsize to smaller boxes--e.g. Magic Maze.

[@ObsidianKnight90]

Some great games to round out that collection (and their genre that is absent) would be Age of Galaxy (4X), Deck Box Dungeon (Dungeon Crawler), Bury Me in the Rift (Tower Defense), and Lux Aeterna (Timed Puzzle). Also, I made myself a pocket version of Quantum (Area Control).

[@_Sebastiaan]

Nice little collection, i like games like 1655 Habemus Papam, Gloom, Tiny Epic Dungeons, Dungeon Mayhem, Friday, Jaipur, Doodle City, also 7 Wonders Duel and Great Plains. People do not see the last 2 games as tiny games, but i consider them for my shoebox collection. Overal a great video

[@boardgaimz]

Love some of these and a few more we need to try now! Have been gravitating towards small box games a lot recently while we're short on time and space!

[@Divercitylife]

This is golden! I need downsize so bad, but this concept is amazing

[@biffoski847]

Just in time for the summer holidays! I'm inspired to only take games that will fit in a small box.

[@SvenBrekhofEriksson]

I would probably choose For Northwood! for my solo pick. Such a good game! And THIS was such a good video! Genious!

[@fuadfatani6054]

shoutout tiny epic galaxy. One of my favorite games that happens to be in a very small box. That game packs an absolute punch. Crazy value!

[@naughtscrossstitches]

Then Ultra Tiny Epic Galaxy is even smaller! Same game but made tinier. It fits in a card box.

[@MoonduckPsy]

@@naughtscrossstitchesYes but if you sneeze it’s called Ultra All Over The Carpet!

[@Dizzula]

Just found your channel, and I've got to say this is some of the best board game content out there. I live in a tiny flat, so it's important to know the size of a game before I buy it! There's a few here I've never heard of that I'll be giving a whirl. Thank you!

[@vanteacher4134]

This is brilliant. Love it. Such original videos!

[@actualol]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@definitelynotcarrie]

I absolutely love smaller games so this was a fun video!

[@SkyLi_2114]

His humors are underrated

[@tobygreenwood5036]

I could've gone with 100% Button Shy!

[@tyrroo]

Those would fit in a shoe box for babies! [or perhaps ants]

[@ryandstone]

I dream of the day we get more frequent uploads. 🔥🔥

[@actualol]

Support on Patreon is the only way I can make that happen. I'm only one person at the moment, every other big channel has more than one.

[@TheJuicyTangerine]

My suggestions for small board games: 1. Scout - It's a pretty simple card game from Oink Games. The better version you'd have to buy from Japan, but a card only version is sold at Target now. It's a hit almost every time at the table. 2. Innovation - It's a tableau builder in a tiny box. It actually has a ton of replayability 3. Bandido - It's a co-op tiling game where your goal is to "close off" the maze. Very light and replayable fun. 4. Sea Salt And Paper - A set collection game that a lot of people say is very good in terms of "fun-density" 5. Just One - A coop word guessing game in a relatively small box that is a lighter hit at parties. There is a bit of air in the box though, even though it is small! 6. Hardback - A word/spelling deckbuilder, which is quite unique. It's a bit bigger than the other ones in the list, but there is no space for air in the box at all.

[@remitheriault6622]

When I saw your Hidden Traitor game, I instantly thought of Saboteur which is another game with a high count of players, and always has been a blast playing it, with a lot of hollering and pointing fingers and more yelling, ah yes, good times.

[@generalqwetch]

We are looking for games to take on vacation, this list has a few things that we didn't have on our radar. Great video 🎉

[@thosemountains]

Great idea for a video. I've been planning something in a plastic 'really useful box' for camping trips/ holidays. Need to rebox games like Lost Cities to go inside too.

[@bkiddo9284]

this is really neat idea and lovely presentation, thank you

[@belg4mit]

Besides the obvious deck of cards, another omission is iota. It's essentially Qwirkle with cards, but you can also use it to play a variant of Set.That's 12.6 in something like four cubic inches.

[@ras105]

Well now I have lots more games to buy! I love the sound of these? Also I’m starting to think a collab between @actualol and @emmacruises would be such a good idea. Board games on a cruise… yes please!! Take me to the observation deck!

[@MoonduckPsy]

So long as @emmacruises picks up Jon’s cheque…or rather, his bill.

[@General_153]

One of my problems with board games is that I simply do not have enough space to store all of them. Yet I love them and still buy them. This is amazing! finally a recommendation for a set of games which won't take up all the space I have!!! Thank you!

[@Spanky1995]

What a neat idea! There are a few games in this video I have never heard of and would love to buy! Great video!

[@martinfechter3348]

Hero Realms is a multiplayer adaptation of Star Realms and it still fits in a small box. Not a bad option Incase you like the concept but want to include more players.

[@itskelvinn]

I ACTUALLY do watch your KZbin channel all the time though

[@varovaro1967]

love these videos. i ve bought so many thanks to you. My friends are impressed. thank you

[@slipperynickels]

i really enjoy star realms because if you forget how to play, there’s a free digital version you can use to brush back up. that was the primary reason i went for it when looking for something magic-ish without a collectable element. i would also recommend any version of flux. it strikes a great balance between being fun, feeling fair, and being simple enough that your mom can play it. and there are a million versions, so there’s a theme for everyone.

[@hotcyder]

Love this video's concept and execution. Thanks for the awesome reccomendations too!

[@eltrowel]

I recently went on a cruise and wished that I had more small games that are easy to travel with. This video has some great suggestions, and, thanks to this list, next time I will be much better prepared!

[@rollthembones4399]

Thanks for featuring Voyages, Jon! Such a good collection of games - Rory

[@sh41]

Maybe I was unknowingly obsessed by fun density, and that's why I collect mint tin games. Of this list I already have Tinderbox, Hive, Love Letter and Star Realms. I'm surprised to not see Air, Land and Sea, or Sprawlopolis in the list.

[@tallmansweden]

Great video, as always. I bet you could fit every game from Oink games in your box. 😅

[@zacdredge3859]

It's been a while since I watched anything boardgame related, just thought I'd drop by. Actualol continues to provide some of the most well produced, quality and humorous content on youtube. I'd have to weigh John to get a clear calibration but the fundensity is certainly high with this product.

[@carolineritchie9642]

I love small box games so this is perfect. Have added about 8 games to my wishlist…

[@QuietDuckOfBronzeTower]

Just needs Hanabi! Radlands is also a great small dueling game with a lot of replayability.

[@eddybruin4413]

What a great video and content. When travelling light is a necessity this comes into play. My picks for an other shoe box would be: Innovation (Civilisation game wasn't picked yet right?) Spicy (higher fun density than cockroach poker) Illusion (Party game from the beloved Wolfgang Warsch)

[@partymeeple5633]

What a fabulous selection of little games.

[@TheFruityKiwi]

Another fun small game is Ecosystem. Its not the smallest but its a multi-player puzzle game thats fun!

[@igloboy]

Really like the idea of a box with a lot o games in. A couple of them not my cop o tea but I like the idea of having a couple smaller games. And it was fun to watch :) Have a great weekend

[@PepsiPepe]

Your channel is so Goated. So many game recommendations-although negotiation games don’t really mesh with my play group. My wishlist keeps growing

[@redrover2370]

These small games are straight to my Christmas gift buying list, thanks for sharing

[@MoonduckPsy]

19:16 I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jon singing “The Schadenfreude Polka” from Pinky & The Brain.