Top 10 Board Games That Just. Don't. Miss.

[@TheBrothersMurph]

The best part about this video is how the pink light is barely hitting Nick at all. Every sub we get on this video we'll turn up the pink light...

[@jareduxr]

Hmm.. what happens if I unsubscribe.. then subscribe.. 100 times.

[@mikaeki5245]

You look a little like Two-Face from that 90's Batman-movie.

[@TheDavidPhillips]

Didn't even notice this until you pointed it out - now I can't unsee it. On the bright side (get it?) - ain't enough pink light in the world to pull focus from his beautiful money maker.

[@ChrisJensen-se9rj]

Guys, your boardgame preferences are so "family" category! Terrible! Not a single title from Avalon Hill? SPI? GMT? Victory Games? Como Games? Decision Games? Man, your taste in boardgames is so ONE DIMENSIONAL. Not a single "conflict simulation"?

[@ChrisJensen-se9rj]

Como Should de "Compass" "We try to make this list pretty diverse..." No you don't. They are all "family" category. Nothing "diverse" about it

[@oneysnyder2116]

No Thanks always, always hits. My dad is a grumpy old man who doesn’t like anything and he had a blast playing No Thanks.

[@Preasured_Andy]

I've always wanted to try Project L, but haven't seen chatter about it in a while. Glad to see it holds up!

[@djbobilicious4730]

Just One hits every time. So simple yet so satisfying.

[@christopherhullott2541]

I disagree I don't like it

[@Kojimalosophy]

​​@@christopherhullott2541 I disagree with your disagreement cuz I do like it

[@BartBlackbeard]

My son recently returned from a trip to Japan with a copy of nana. I fully agree this one does not miss. Everyone that has played it has thoroughly enjoyed the game.

[@benleague3115]

This is so hilarious. We love it! I can't think of any games that don't ever miss except Carcassonne. I've had so much success with everybody I've introduced this game to and it's very inviting for my coworkers to play with me over lunch break.

[@BanterandBoards]

Coup and Cockroach Poker has always been hits for any group I've played with!

[@tuntemon]

One game that everytime and everyone thought was a good time is the Quacks of Quedlinburg. Quick turns, simultaneous play and silly chaos with what's drawn!

[@ConDar2417]

One of our favorites is Quacks. We've upgraded the heck out of it, and everyone loves it when we introduce it to them!

[@mercury187]

What upgrades can you get for it?

[@rahdo]

only 3 hits here for me and 7 misses. what's wrong with my brain???

[@bensonliou]

sameee i am surprised too 😂

[@TheDavidPhillips]

I know we don't usually align on game picks, but real talk - your Top 3 are probably my Top 3 for this same category. THEY. DON'T. MISS.

[@susanoerter1419]

Paint the Roses is " Pain of Roses" for me. I just hate when there are no cards that will allow me to tell people what I have. It is a thorn in my side.

[@Drumox]

Crokinole and PitchCar are also very good for pretty much everyone (but unfortunately very expensive)

[@alanarcher5320]

Totally agree about Crokinole! Every time I show someone this game we end up playing multiple rounds. Expensive, but worth every penny.

[@teejleague3838]

I would LOVE to play PitchCar but I really want to try it before investing so much. My hope is one day to go to a convention where folk are playing it 'cause it looks so cool!

[@evannadeau3938]

I just bought the Quest for El Dorado to introduce to very new gamers and I was hoping to see it on this list…eeek!

[@JonnyTenebrous]

Let us know how it goes (or went!) - I play heavy euros, but am always looking out for good introductory games that my non-gaming friends might enjoy, and which I will enjoy as well. Quest for El Dorado is definitely on my radar as a candidate! I'll tell you my biggest successes with new/non-gamers so far: "High Society" for a group of 4 (also by Reiner Knizia!) , and "Jaipur" for two players. Both are card games, though - another reason why Quest for El Dorado looks tempting.

[@TheTrueMaddox]

Great video guys! I'd love to see an "Is it with the learn" video for some BGA games. So many of them look like it's a bit of an investment to learn the bigger games so I'd love your opinion on the ones that are worth it.

[@terrygudmundson2060]

Cascadia and Scout are sure things each and every time.

[@andyn2854]

One more amazing mark for Cascadia: it’s totally playable by as young as 4-years-old, since the function is entirely playable by a child, they can begin to pursue some of the strategy, and you only score at the end of the game so only one chance for tears. 😂

[@paulinatolak5128]

Haven’t watched the Patreon vid yet so maybe it’s mentioned there but for me and my gaming group So Clover never misses. I’m constantly lending this game to my friends of all ages and they all enjoy it

[@wl5609]

Why is it you guys just make me wanna come over and hang out with y'all all night!!?..😂

[@Sl1vers]

As always, solid list!!! Objectively, 2-10 are all incorrect but at least you nailed the #1 !!!!

[@StuartHetzler]

Strangely enough, we've found that Eldritch Horror hits really well as long as everyone is aware it's an all night affair. The rules are pretty straightforward and me and my fiance do all the admin, so when we play with people, even non-gamers, everyone seems to really enjoy the experience.

[@teejleague3838]

LOVE the Bro Banter!!! I am jealous of how awake you both seem. XD XD XD (I'm actually super SUPER lucky because Ril will sleep anywhere from 4-6 hours without waking at night!!!!). Anyhow! I don't think I've ever had a bad experience introducing Happy City by Gamewright. I do always try to let my audience know hacks I know (strategies, really), because I don't ever want to wind up with a lot more points than them. If we are not tied or I lose, I didn't teach well enough and I tell them so! :) Anyhow that's such a fun happy game and it's easy to explain. I've also had tons of happiness playing Kim-Joy's Magic Bakery. It is such a HAPPY HAPPY cooperative game!!!! It's a game you can invite anyone & everyone to play, and I think that's exactly what Kim-Joy wanted! You can invite a friend with cognitive disability, an elderly friend who's hardly ever played a game, a 4-year-old who wants to participate....it's a very easy game to include everybody, because you're all making decisions together and it's just dang fun. Everything in the plot is about making happy animals happier. I can't wait for Ril to play it. Like, instead of chasing off the "bad fox" who is stealing your ingredients, you befriend the fox and help it become a regular at the bakery. It's just awesome. Other honorable mentions that I think fit well: Atlantis by Elf Creek, Dice Miner, Forbidden Island, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Okey Dokey, Truffle Shuffle, & Pass the Pigs. There's even a giant version of Pass the Pigs now. I feel like some gamers think you can't love games like that and be a "real gamer", but I disagree!!!

[@privatevendetta]

Time's Up never misses for me. Even for players who seem sceptical at first.

[@JimPAX70]

Watching you talk about Cacao, it strikes me that you might enjoy El Caballero, a long-lost "sequel" to El Grande that has similar Tile Workers for area control. If you can find a copy, check it out. It's one of my favorite 3-player games of all time.

[@teejleague3838]

Looking that one up right now!

[@davidhughes595]

Junk Art, as a filler or playing right after a heavy game, has always been a hit. Such a fun title and criminally overlooked in my opinion.

[@susanoerter1419]

Games that work with anyone for me are Bandido, Skyjo and A Gentle Rain. They go everywhere with me.

[@elizabethdoney6025]

Great list! Quacks definitely belongs on there! No pushback from me! There's several on there I need to try. 🙂

[@wiblick]

I held out my whole first year in the hobby - not buying Cascadia - but then I got it as an add-on when backing the roll and writes (I love me a roll and write).. then I was all pffft during my first game... and now it's a go-to comfort game.

[@AndreasBolor]

I got Cascadia from the library twice and its on my flea market list, but I also got Azul already so I cant convince myself to buy Cascadia at full price.

[@wiblick]

I haven't really investigated the second hand market here in Ireland, it feels like it's all Facebook marketplace and math trades at small conventions - something for me to investigate. I think though Cascadia is one of those games that if you have a good second hand market you will pick it up soon enough.

[@damaddestgamer]

Some of my cant miss games - Above and Below, Bonanza, Cartographers, Clans of Caledonia, Grand Austria Hotel, Castles of Burgundy, Last Will, Raccoon Tycoon, Scout, Village.

[@pgaboury]

Dice Town has not missed yet

[@joelabram]

For sale, Ethnos, Azul, and quest for El Dorado are my picks.

[@joshbain8032]

Modern art would be one on my list. Everyone always has a blast, and even if they aren't winning, lean into the theme, and its full of laughs.

[@olivertremel9869]

Games we always have a great time with are: Love Letter, Spicy, and Skyjo

[@seanmolloy4636]

Our families always hits, and never misses in Love Letter. As long as you can read the card this game is the perfect filler. Everyone we teach it to immediately ask's us to purchase it for them. Great list as always fella's. While I don't agree with half the list as you said it is very subjective and no one can argue with.

[@teejleague3838]

That's a great one!!! I forgot about L.L. That one helped bring us into the hobby.

[@seanmolloy4636]

@@teejleague3838 It is one I got into a little while after I was in the hobby, but I feel that it helps bring people into the hobby. Such a simple teach, one action per turn and the card tells you exactly what to do haha. So it is a game that is mindless yet complex/strategic at the same time.

[@teejleague3838]

@@seanmolloy4636 Awesome, thank you!!!!!

[@zvnetzley9209]

Couldn't agree more about Project L! The only one I would put ahead of it would be Planet Unknown. It works at all counts and is so simple and satisying.

[@corinnajuras-tabletopsavants]

Qwixx, Riff Raff, Fyfe, Just One and So Clover always seem to do well with people we show them too. Unfortunately we have had a few people cheat with Quacks so it doesn't always get played with people we're skeptical of

[@CrystalDax]

Riff Raff is SUCH FUN. I wish it would get a reprint so it would be easier to get ahold of.

[@paulvieira9773]

I love lost ruins of arnak, I don’t see it talked about enough. Even at 2 players my wife and I love this game. Also did a great job on the expansion.

[@aarontyeryar8108]

Two that I found always hit for me are Dice Forge & Transmissions. Neither are super intense but have depth for those that want to min-max. And both have insanely beautiful art.

[@Candyflames123]

Quacks always hits with our group I love it have all the expansions and upgraded bits will be playing soon on our spooky games day! Also love paint the roses the look on peoples faces when they work out the right combination! Splendor, Into the blue Reiner Knizia so simple yet addictive. Love watching you both 💕

[@hooshyarkarimi9524]

Brothers Murph, you mentioned a game you played many many times in a row and played with the designers that's about assymetric kids in a library trying to avoid the librarian, but I couldn't find the game on BGG or in your videos again. I think it was programmable or possibly simultaneous action? Thanks

[@hooshyarkarimi9524]

Do you know the name of the game? I was really interested in it.

[@TheBrothersMurph]

Mythic Mischief!

[@hooshyarkarimi9524]

@@TheBrothersMurph thanks so much!! 🥳🙌

[@FredzGreen]

Go brothers Murph! Good list!

[@eduwoodentoys]

Thank you for sharing!

[@vince8155]

I have lost count of how many copies of Quacks I have caused to be bought by teaching this. I have never met a person that didn’t like this game.

[@TheFamilyCrocker]

Taught a friend of mine while on vacation, who then bought my copy. I used that as an excuse to get the big box

[@nancylaplace8393]

Same! And Project L. I should get a commission!

[@jdesigns3713]

Hues and Cues, always goes over well with any groups we have played with. Another one would be Camel Up.

[@nancylaplace8393]

I love the Ghost expansion for Project L. Have you guys played the Finesse exp?

[@susanoerter1419]

I like playing Rococo. The board and cards just make me smile.

[@AhJong0]

Very neat list - Patchwork is a certain shout for me...and when I check out the extra Patreon list I bet it's there 😅

[@ratmforthewin]

I have only played Paint the Roses out of these and only once, but I definitely understand why it never misses. The games that in my experience never miss: - Dead Man's Draw - Cat Lady - Discworld: Ankh-Morpork

[@brucekaplan5544]

Great list. I would also add Wondering Towers, Dune Imperium (for heavier gamers), Wits & wagers, Just One, Spellbook, Ra, Horrified, Camel Up, Abyss, So Clover, Spots, & Canvas.

[@citizenmono]

my always hits list would be dont llama, deep sea adventure, yura yura penguin mini, and fleet the dice game. i want to love trio but it is 3+ players and i rarely ever have more than one person to play with. one day i will get trio to the table.

[@GameWeekendChalbie]

Like these games, your lists never miss

[@dankelly]

Quacks don't crack! But, Lost Ruins... That's another story.

[@thedoctor1325]

PHW is always a good inclusion. Cacao used to make my list but has since been replaced by Barenpark. Cacao is unique and I love it for that though. Unfortunately the ones I have played from the rest of the list has missed for me, that being Quacks, Arnak, Nana and Cascadia. I do still enjoy Quacks and would be willing to give the others another play. My list would include Barenpark, Don't L.L.A.M.A, Gudetama, Spirits of the Forest, Azul and El Grande for sure.

[@DanaParedes]

No Thanks was a miss with every group I tried it with. I’ll have to try Cacao and Rococco. Can’t miss with my groups has been Lost Cities roll and write, Azul, Splendor, Project L, Cascadia, Sagrada, Skyjo, and Spit and Malice.

[@kenferguson9292]

Agreed. I ask," You want to play again?". Everyone's response, "No Thanks."

[@erobbins1653]

Just One- is a winner every time. I have played with my HS students, co workers and my family. We played it for four hours once. The great part is people could drop out and new people could join. Every time I introduce it at least one person buys it before they leave the table.

[@FabianSandovalElbianfas]

behind blood rage , arnak is my second favorite board game , and indeed is goes so smooth , I try 51 state and dune Imperium (booth which I believe are better games) but damn maybe it is the way the game looks , the "simplicity" compared to the other two , it is always a hit even with "non-board gamers".

[@jamesbrazeal3847]

Praise Be! I thought this was going to be a top 10 PWh list, with a cheeky title.

[@keithbarry29]

No thanks has been a big hit lately. Good call!

[@markbeaulieu411]

Great list Games that have worked well for me are: 7 Wonders Duel (and the one introduction of the LotR version was a winner too) Vale of Eternity For a heavy game Wayfarers of the South Tigris has been my biggest hit. I’ve been asked to borrow it to others buying it One ti consider is Invincible: the Hero Building Game. A push your luck co-op that’s been a huge hit with everyone I’ve introduced it to. A little bit of Quacks in there. Really cool game

[@AndreasBolor]

Im also a fan of No Thanks, Cascadia and Arnak, but Arnak is a bit long for some people. Our no miss game is "Cabo". Simple and great at 2-5 players.

[@samdanmas]

Does anyone know when that new expansion might come for Lost Ruins of Arnak? Will it be on Kickstarter?

[@barry_t]

Wits and wagers! Werewords. Orleans. Sides. Colt Express. 5 more games that never miss in my game groups...

[@mkcrowder2257]

Splendor never misses with anyone I introduce it to. The biggest problem is getting them to learn anything else - they just keep wanting to play Splendor!

[@aowoodworks2408]

Thunder road vendetta never misses

[@montyfarris]

Quacks is ok, dont hate it, dont love it. A few that hit, Point Salad, Just One, Picture Perfect, Fit to Print & Flash Point Fire Rescue

[@amieamie6268]

On the topic of cascadia: I've only played it once but we were very unsure on the rules of what to do if you have to take an animal token that cannot go on any of your tiles. Do you just keep the token, for whenever you get a tile? Do you then HAVE to put it on the tile when you get one matching or Can you pick when to put it on a tile? Do you miss your turn (which I'm pretty sure is not it)? What excatly is the rule?

[@thatwantoncat]

What I do, and think it's also the rule, is discard the animal token but play the tile.

[@samdanmas]

You cannot keep the animal tile, you put it back in the bag. You place the habitat tile normally.

[@sharefaerber5268]

35 is biggest card in no thanks….get it right! Great game I always carry.

[@landscaperben]

I love how the set looks like a dodgy massage salon...

[@TheBrothersMurph]

It’s really the vibe we’re going for

[@JamesD2957]

Cacao: chocolotl is a great expansion

[@dddmmm21]

I think Arnak can really miss with some people... as it completely missed with me. It is just Five Tribes, it very AP inducing and it may makes you quite anxious you are not taking the most optimal turn. You dont something basic and they your opponent takes this massive combo turn, so next turn you over-analise but still u r not sure... I just dont have fun playing it all.

[@kungpow108]

I do not like quacks in games that I feel I'm slowly falling behind each round, and I know I won't be able to catch up with too much of a gap. Basically where it seem like you're knocked out of the game and have to watch everyone else play for the last few rounds to see who the winner is.

[@MendoNinja]

Call to Adventure. Win or lose you get a fantasy novel.

[@shelfhelpgaming]

Great list. Hard disagree with Paint the Roses, though. I have tried it with several different game groups at different player counts trying to find the magic, and it never goes over well. I don't think there are enough interesting choices and hate the beat your own score aspect. I'm told the Escape the Castle Expansion Modules help shake up the gameplay and make it more interesting, so I kept it around for a while intending to try it out and give it a fair shot, but I never could get it back to the table. I sold my copy after realizeg that I had no interest in really playing it again since we did not enjoy the main gameplay loop.

[@ChrisLowResDream]

Azul,Spicy,Just One

[@BoardAllTheTime]

I'm of two minds on this. There's some real bangers on here (Rococo and No Thanks). Lost Ruins is a disappointment every time I play it. But Quacks has to have one of the worst experiences I've ever had with a game on top of being one that despite repeated plays I utterly hate. I'll never play Quacks again.

[@330nate]

Oof paint the roses is hard miss for me. I LOVE deduction games and I understand it’s difficult to make a good cooperative deduction game but this one just isn’t good. I played originally on BGA and was meh on it but playing in person was catastrophically worse. I tried really hard to like this one too…

[@CrystalDax]

No Strike?!?! I'm somehow personally offended by its omission loooooool

[@Bipolar-secret]

Cascadia is just not created for me 😂😂

[@ratmforthewin]

I have tried to listen to the first two seconds 15 times, but I am just as clueless as the auto-generated subtitles

[@bibleboardgames]

Others... Green Team Wins, Azul, Sagrada.

[@jerodicus]

No thanks, Can’t stop, Trio, The Crew, all amazing games.

[@nuomation]

Project L for 2 is great but has anyone else come upon the problem of playing with 4 people and have pieces becoming scarce? I know you are supposed to take the one in the next level but i really broke the game for us (or we just read the rules wrong lol)

[@JamesD2957]

"still juxtaposition" LOL

[@axétério]

My disagreements are with Paint the Roses and Lost Ruins of Arnak. PtR was too obscure for me to figure out the logic / steps to resolution, even with co-op, to make the game enjoyable. We had multiple playthroughs and it missed every time. Presently, I’d replace that with Sky Team for co-op deduction. Lost Ruins of Arnak I feel the decisions are too tight for light gamers and only hit 50% for mid weight gamers as the balance for where to play and how to build doesn’t resonate with all. Missteps in gameplay like that create too much separation between the leaders and others trying to understand that it can be demoralizing.

[@nicolascastelli4439]

Arnak is a massive miss for me ngl.

[@grog3514]

Same here. Arnak bombed so hard I traded it. The deck building is clearly tacked on. It doesn't function well. It's super abstract, why even bother with a theme? The game is mostly just a race up a tech track or getting tiles. It's completely ok but reviewers go crazy for it. I don't get it.

[@darbyl3872]

The hook is the increasing number of combinations you can take in one turn. And the artwork on the cards. I think the deck building is pretty good, too, but not the main attraction.

[@kenjisugawara1260]

Project L missed big time for me. It had potential but action points just bore me too much.

[@MrSuperHappyPants]

Nice hat tip to Satan.

[@Kojimalosophy]

what the heck are you talking about? at which minute does he even do that?

[@GenXMoose]

Cascadia is the WORST! Not really. But I can't get it to hit, so I culled it. (I don't think it's the worst, just trying to get the comments section going!!!)

[@Piffelyrion]

Love you guys, love these kind of videos. I have saved a lot of these on my wishlist 🫶🏼