My Top 5 Games From Button Shy - with Zee Garcia

Zee discusses his favorite discoveries from publisher Button Shy, maker of tiny and adorable wallet-sized games.
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[@odditie]

It’d be really neat to see a day of button sky games where Zee and the rest of the Dice Tower played through a bunch of the games. Since they are so small and short you could probably get 6+ done in just a couple hours.

[@ifnyou]

The one that I really like and don't see mentioned often is Seasons of Rice. The unusual geometry of it makes it unlike any other tile-laying game, very interesting.

[@MichaelM-ev9ek]

Great list. Buttonshy gets overlooked, but they're quite innovative and very PNP-friendly.

[@CamObscura88]

At the Helm is highly recommended! It’s a tiny little solo deck-builder with a surprising amount of variety and strategy. Super tightly made and a blast.

[@asasprunger]

Love this kind of video. Appreciate Zee’s takes as well as Buttonshy’s brand!

[@TheRASDEL83]

Missing... - Ragemore - Liberation (this is mini StarWars Rebellion... I would love a mini Fury of Dracula as well) Totally agree with Death Valley... it is an amazing game and also one of my favorites!

[@stefc309]

So far Skulls of Sedlec is the only one I have but I love it and own all the expansions. I literally played the solo mode last night!

[@THEMarkWelty]

I like Ragemore quite a bit. It's one I can play multiple times in a row.

[@troacctid]

My top 5: 1. Skulls of Sedlec 2. Universal Rule 3. Liberation 4. Sprawlopolis 5. Battlecrest Honorable Mention: I Guess This Is It

[@mikaeki5245]

I'm really surprised for the lack of general love for Circle the Wagons. I think it's such an amazing design, quick and every decision counts. Pure 10 for me, but for some reason others don't see it the same way.

[@uxjared]

Love circle the wagons.

[@speedandstyletony]

It is my #2 after Skulls of Sedlec

[@c.w.2000]

I haven't played it, but I remember Rahdo talking very enthusiastically about it, and Tom did give it a seal of approval.

[@gamesbymanuel]

I like it, but I feel like in most sessions I spend more time adding up the score than playing the game itself, so it's not as high on my list.

[@SirThecos]

Death Valley is also one if my absolute favorites! I actually like all the game in your list, except for Unsurmountable that didn't really click for me.

[@r.l.jeffries1091]

Food Chain Island is my favorite. Has such a small footprint, and can be as brain burning or as quick as you want it to be.

[@jonflis79]

Ugly Gryphon Inn is my favorite Button Shy Game. I like ROVE too but that one is such a brain burner. But I just got all the modular expansions for Ugly Gryphon Inn and can’t wait to try those combos.

[@wonky_willa]

It’d be nice to get a full list of what ButtonShy games Zee has played as well.

[@deedd4401]

also Holiday Hijinks #6 - The Groundhog Day - is a super crazy concept i love

[@calebbaldwin33]

I personally ove liberation. Star wrs rebellion in an 18 card deck and 15 minute playtime? sounds great.

[@Steve-zl5om]

One of my mates played Liberation for the first (and only) time a few days ago. He picked the Dynasty and hated every minute of it. He said it was impossible to win. Made me laugh, to be honest 🤣

[@BenThorp]

I love Liberation too. Quite surprised it didn't make the list, as I thought it would be right up Zee's alley.

[@NKAYWHY]

I like SpaceShipped, Ugly Gryphon Inn, and Food Chain Island.

[@ImaginEric]

Have yet to play Death Valley or Unsurmountable. My top 5, in no particular order, would be Skulls of Sedlec, Tussie Mussie, Revolver Noir, Wonder Tales and Mint Julep, with ROVE being an honorable mention for solo play.

[@bushibayushi]

Sprrawlopolis/Agropolis/Naturopolis + Circle the Wagons for me ;)

[@l0rdbulb]

I've been really enjoying Hierarchy lately. It's super portable (as all of their games), it doesn't take that much table space and it takes less than 5 minutes to play, but it still feels like a tense head to head battle.

[@KabukiKid]

The ones I enjoyed most were Sprawlopolis, Circle the Wagons, and Tussie Mussie. Granted, there are many I have not played yet, but those have been the ones I enjoyed. :-)

[@wjhuff65]

Food Chain Island - I love it!

[@BlueGiantMedia]

I really like sprawlopolis, and Naturopolis may be even better. Also really like ROVE and Sedlec. Looking to get Numsters

[@_imhe_]

Numbsters is on Button Shy's site again

[@MrMaelstrom07]

Numsters is fun. Haven't figured out the trick yet to win.

[@brenig]

Started off building PNP copies of ROVE and Spaceshipped, then got Naturopolis from the kickstarter, and Skulls/Numbsters from UK Games Expo. Numbsters was just a bonus purchase because it stood out so well against the darker wallets (BRIGHT pink wallet!). It's become a firm favourite for a quick game to play with so little space needed. Just need space for 2 card stacks.

[@oslohund]

I really like Skulls of Sedlec and ROVE, Food-Chain Island is also a great one!

[@tracieperez2629]

Thanks, Zee for sharing your current top Buttonshy picks. I have heard of Tussie Mussie for a while and have almost purchased it so many times. Rove and Death Valley are definitely in my top Buttonshy games. I'm curious to know where Food Chain Island ranks with you. I also have been enjoying Wonder Tales and Numbsters.

[@preymantisss]

Fun watch! Any chance Zee will ever revisit this?

[@jameskirk4692]

Thank you for these recommendations!

[@samlauver]

Thanks for the nudge to pull Death Valley off of the shelf of opportunity! Tried solo when I first picked it up, and it didn't hit. Look forward to trying today with 2! My father doesn't remember the names of many games, but Tussie Mussie is one he always requests, and he really likes the expansion cards. I don't know if I could pick a favorite. Learning and playing a Button Shy game is always a most excellent experience! I'm looking forward to the next Scott Almes Simply Solo game, The Royal Limited. I'm curious to see that 1960s train setting and how it comes across the 18 cards.

[@snickyoda]

Love Button Shy Games.

[@James-sq7hr]

I love: Circle the Wagons; Skulls of Sedlec; Antinomy; Avignon; Banned Books; & Food Chain Island; Area Z isn't bad, too. They've got other good ones, too, of course, these are just some of my favorites of theirs so far. I haven't tried some of the ones in this review; I'll have to check them out.

[@monicap.2188]

Thanks Zee I like all of these too. Food Chain Island is fun too but I don’t know that I would put it ahead of any of these.

[@BDrisco1982]

Skulls of Sedlec and ROVE are fantastic games. I would also suggest you try Stew and Ugly Gryphon Inn.

[@aorakis5795]

Hi Zee ! My top for those i played (not many) 5) Predator Island (not sure about the name ^^) 4) Rove (Currently in testing - Only 2 games) 3) Sprawpolis 2) Circle the Wagoon (this one should be in all top five in my opinion) 1) Crypt of sedlec (but only at Two players) (i put it 1st just coz it is the easiest to play and works great at two) And i hope and wish we will have Naturopolis translated in French, coz i'm sure it could replace Sprawpolis for me ! Shame that our Tussie Mussie French version is not in a wallet format but in a bigger box.. if wasn't the case i would try it Still intrigued by Unsurmontable. will have to try this one out as i'm a Hiking adept myself Cheers from Belgium

[@egreenlaw09]

Zee - your voice/delivery reminds me of Oscar Isaac and your descriptions paint mental pictures like Bob Ross; I don’t feel I need to see the artwork or layout of the game to picture it once i’ve heard you describe it. You’d absolutely kill it in Enterprise Tech Sales - $350-500k easy.

[@sperkins89]

After buying 26 games from Zee’s A-Z series, happy to say that this one needs only a couple of tiny games that aren’t already in the collection!

[@vladycavret2886]

Try spaceshiped, it is a lot in only 18 cards

[@crocko33]

Sprawlopolis and Fishing Lessons would come in as my top 2, but I enjoyed your picks.

[@Izinaima]

I really like spaceshipped, it’s kind of hard but fun and easily resettable! 👍🏻

[@kipkelley8658]

Love the video, love button shy games. I am always curious about what is on peoples shelves. If you don’t mind me asking, what is on your shelf beside your left arm? Cool looking boxes.

[@selfthinker]

I always thought that Zee would especially enjoy 'Smoke & Mirrors' as it's somewhat similar to Liar's Dice (which he seems to like a lot). It's an older Button Shy game, which is probably why it's often overlooked.

[@100vampires4]

Food Chain Island Z. One of the best solitaire games I've played.

[@tobymeaney7545]

A solid 5, i would say missing Food Chain island, Fishing Lessons is also worth a look.

[@Reverie42]

I found Fishing Lessons far too easy. It's generally not that hard to create a stable program that makes winning trivial. I think the expansions have some promise.

[@deedd4401]

Oh it's Zee -- i'm gonna make a prediction at the start of the video ..i really hope it's not a missed shot .. but R.O.V.E. - i think would perfectly fit right up his alley :)

[@BenThorp]

How about In Vino Morte? I mean - its just the game from Princess Bride, but it plays more than any other Buttonshy game and is great when you're waiting at a restaurant....

[@biznesstime83]

I’m a big fan of LIBERATION. It scratches the itch for Star Wars rebellion when my friend and I only have 15 to 20 minutes to bc play. Other games that weren’t mentioned : UGLY GRYPHON INN VINO MORTE FOOD CHAIN ISLAND and as of late I’ve been enjoying FISHING LESSONS. Button shy games are so easy to carry around and pull out, teach, and play.

[@odditie]

Hey Zee, have you tried Numbsters? I’ve been enjoying it a lot lately. Really clever and great artwork too

[@redmageviewer]

The only Buttonshy game I have is Sprawlopolis. I want to get the other two, Agropolis and Naturopolis. I mostly play it solo, but I've had a friend play with me a few times and he wants to get his own copy.

[@nicole_w_s]

Ordered from buttonshy for the first time as I have a trip coming up and thought they may work on the plane etc. I ordered naturopolis, skulls of sedlec and moving pictures. I was surprised for such small items the shipping is so high and still waiting on an update they're sent. Don't get me wrong I'm excited to try them just think their site needs some work- they still have things as preorder saying they'll ship in September etc meanwhile it's November now

[@PandoraStratos]

I like In Vino Mort and Turbo Drift, but not many people share that with me.

[@LD-kd7yr]

I love Skulls of Sedlec.

[@superkrmlalalalala]

Love ButtonShy I think Liberation should be in your top 5, great two player game of cat and mouse. Handsome is a fun portable Scrabble game that goes up to six.

[@samlauver]

Handsome is great!

[@montyfarris]

1) Tussie Mussie 2) Moving Pictures/Moving Pictures: Outbreak 3) Revolver Noir Hoping to try Sprawlopolis, Forest Sky, Circle the Wagon, & Rove Did not enjoy Season of Rice

[@speedandstyletony]

My list would be 1-Skulls of Sedlec, 2-Circle the wagons, 3-Tussie Mussie, 4-Death Valley and 5-Sprawlopolis and expansions. I have a love/hate thing for Rove! It is all Zee said but I find it a little too difficult, almost impossible to beat and thus can get frustrating. I have to be in just the right mood for it. I have not tried the expansions and maybe they make it better?

[@TobiasNatale_CG]

Really love Death Valley

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

Wow no Sprawlopolis? 1. Tussie Mussie 2. Sprawlopolis/Agropolis 3. Rove 4. Death Valley I have not played Forest Sky or Circle the Wagons yet

[@deedd4401]

Can't believe i forgot to mention Spaceshipped and Space Privateer Command

[@sebastianmoller]

Battlecrest is the only Buttonshy game I have played and I like it!

[@Reverie42]

I love the game. Hate the manual. If you add in the solo rules, you need to juggle 4 separate leaflets to play. I really wish Button Shy would just make proper full page PDF rules for games like this and Wildtails.

[@daneerickson8796]

@@Reverie42 agree completely. rules are so tiny and frustrating due to the miniscule page they limited themselves to. But the game is my favorite buttonshy one as well.

[@andrewstewart7078]

Tbh only Food Chain Island and Rove have really clicked for me. Sprawlopolis was something that I expected to love but thought it was just fine. Did not like Unsurmountable. Felt like the powers were underwhelming and didn't make as big an impact as the luck factor.

[@samanrahemi2199]

I would've moved Forest Sky up to the main 5

[@kumarsalib722]

I don't understand why Tussie is popular. It feels like none of my decisions matter and I'm just along for the ride.

[@darbyl3872]

7. Seasons Of Rice - I don't know if I like this, meh. 6. Numbsters - I haven't won yet, it's o.k. 5. Tides - not bad, not great, nice artwork. 4. At The Helm / Smoke And Mirrors / Fishing Lessons - all solid games. 3. Spaceshipped - a nice economy manager, and if you do well, luck may still ruin your plan, so it's not predictable. 2. Rove - a brain burner, you MUST optimize towards the next mission. 1. Naturopolis - all around great game.

[@Erginartesia]

Hard to get these games ;; … even Button Shy is sold out of a lot of them

[@Kojimalosophy]

numbsters isn't here ! ! ! 😬

[@mabos555]

Nah man only Spaceshipped is the best game they ever created