Top 10 Gateway Games for New Gamers

[@rileyw.4640]

Hey, you should do a list called 'top ten cheap games' covering games which are less than $20 or $30 on amazon (or even better, in shops!) for those of us who are building collections on a budget.

[@0Regnier]

+Riley W. Can't expect anything with huge boards or a lot of miniatures. But off the top of my head, you should look up King of Tokyo $26~, Survive: Escape From Atlantis $28~, Castle Panic $24~, Smash Up $18~, Forbidden Desert $18~, and Pandemic $30~. There are a lot of lite games out there for cheaper, but they're often small card or dice games, which I generally don't have interest in. It's also worth noting that, if you don't mind buying board games in $100 dollar bulks(free shipping deals), some of the niche-focused online retailers, like Coolstuffinc, sometimes offer much better pricing. They often have games that Amazon doesn't have, or at least not as reasonably priced.

[@0Regnier]

+Riley W. I definitely get what you mean by cheap games though. Like half of the games these guys mention look cool as hell, but end up being 40+ dollars. Rough time being a nerd with a smaller budget.

[@dorpth]

Top 10 overpriced games Cthulhu Wars, Kingdom Death (I get WHY they're expensive, but there's no reason those games HAVE to include all those miniatures).

[@revimfadli4666]

Cheap games with acceptable components, or ones with low-quality components as well

[@BenHale]

Kid vs Grandparent vs friends --- My introduction path for my 4 year old: 1) Hey, that's my Fish! 2) Splendor 3) Forbidden Island 4) Age of War 5) Lotus 6) Perudo Introduction path for my parents (60s): 1) Ticket to ride 2) Evolution 3) No thanks 4) Airlines europe 5) Lotus 6) Dixit Introduction path for my mates: 1) Citadels 2) Resistance 3) King of Tokyo 4) Among the Stars 5) Smash Up 6) bang! The Dice Game

[@geneinkc]

I prefer using Sushi Go instead of 7 Wonders to introduce people to drafting games.

[@AgentKuo]

In regards to Party games, I think The Resistance and Dixit might give people that "I've never played anything like this" realization. So I feel like some party games could work for this.

[@Francesc_Lopez]

Carl Frodge I totally agree with you. I used them a few times. Resistance and Dixit are not what some people imagines as party games. I preferred to use them instead of some of the game mentioned in the video that I consider that would leave "meh" impression.

[@then8mac]

Carl Frodge I have used Dixit as a gateway but I don't think it's a game for everyone. Some people don't think that way or would view that as fun depending on their personality, unlike Ticket to Ride which is always my first gateway choice.

[@AgentKuo]

Yeah, Ticket to Ride is usually a good choice

[@Nightsorrow1]

then8mac Not onyl that, a lot of people i have teach DIXIT and Resistance, only still play games like DIXIT and Resistance. They didn't make the cross to designers games, even to more simple games like TtR. Thats why i agree when they did'nt put party games.

[@ionas82]

Carl Frodge Yes for Dixit, rather no for The Resistance. I’d start with something like citadels or Spyfall.

[@leshrac369]

I am seriously suprised that no one had Sushi Go or Machi Koro on their lists. They are SOOO easy to teach.

[@darbymiller5289]

I've found party games (I know, I know, dirty words...) like The Resistance, Say Anything, Dixit...etc to be a good way to show there are things much more fun than Monopoly out there. They're easy to play, easy to teach and good quick fun that makes people curious about what else might be out there. Or, you know - we could just say "Ticket to Ride" and call it a day. =)

[@myerklamb8529]

I don't think I've ever met someone who disliked Dixit (and I've taught it to many people) It's such a beautiful game with a clever and interesting gimmick.

[@ZakiJeppe]

Some games, that was not mentioned, but worth mentioning: Jamaica Memoir '44(BASE GAME!) The Adventurers: The Temple of Chac Star Realms River Dragons Madame Ching Libertalia Takenoko

[@DM-ud7je]

10: BANG! The Dice Game (2013) / Cloud 9 (1999) / Quicksand (2003) 09: For Sale (1997) / That's Life! (2005) / Eruption (2011) 08: Keltis (2008) / For Sale (1997) / Survive! (1982) 07: Pyramix (2014) / Flash Point: Fire Rescue (2011) / Dice Town (2009) 06: 10 Days in the USA (2002) / Revolution! (2009) / Las Vegas (2012) 05: 7 Wonders (2010) / Forbidden Island (2010) / Shadows over Camelot (2005) 04: Catan Geographies: Germany (2008) / Medieval Academy (2014) / Hey, That's My Fish! (2003) 03: Sheriff of Nottingham (2014) / Ticket to Ride (2004) / No Thanks! (2004) 02: Alhambra (2003) / Incan Gold (2006) / King of Tokyo (2011) 01: King of Tokyo (2011) / Ticket to Ride (2004) / Mission: Red Planet (2005)

[@surajdave]

you are an angel

[@kustomkure]

Mines are Yggdrasil, Ghost Stories, Descent and Twilight Imperium 3. And then we get to the big ones.

[@dorpth]

Twilight Imperium 3 is a gateway game...to Twilight Imperium 4 O_O

[@chantelnightingale3084]

Catan was my gateway game I quickly went out purchased seafarers with cities & knights and play them all together and I have gone on to introduce these to many different people, I still think its a really good gateway game(s).

[@deanofcool]

I experienced pandemic as a gateway, and it revitalised my gaming experience . So I'd say that's missing.

[@stevef3663]

Wow. Great job on this one all of you. Usually I don't tend to go toward Sam's game choices. For me Sam nailed this one. The way he created his list and the games he chose. Interestingly, my wife (high school) and I (elementary) are teachers and liked how Sam explained his choices. Both of us tend to approach our students as smart; we'd rather aim high instead of aiming low. Thanks for this Top Ten.

[@MisanthropicPrime]

I had a bad experience teaching 7 wonders base only to new gamers. I would not recommend it as a gateway game.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

Mel Primus Same here. It was the wife of a gamer and she got totally overwhelmed. I wasn't the one teaching but I was in the game and yes it was taught very well. It's just over most people who are non gamer. There is just nothing familiar about the game coming from the likes of Milton Bradley. Its all new concepts layered on top of each other.

[@commandershepherd3467]

I restated “the cost to build is at the top left” every round the first time I taught 7 wonders.

[@revimfadli4666]

Sushi Go sounds like a better gateway

[@j.c.davault8170]

Here are my top 5 I think are great gateway games. 1. Smash up 2.Coup 3. King of Tokyo 4.Citadels 5. Guillotine

[@Jammonstrald]

I personally liked Sam's approach. In my opinion a gateway game doesn't have to be simple per se (although it definitely helps), but rather it just needs to showcase the best qualities about boardgaming in order to convince a non-believer that there is merit to the hobby. My most successful gateway games are Jamaica, Shadows Over Camelot, Jamaica again, Ticket To Ride: Europe, and Dungeon Fighter.

[@RoboStuk]

I like the other guys approach better. I appreciate the games that look simple and random on the surface, but turn out to be complex and not that random once you get beated a couple of times.

[@BenThorp]

You appear to have credited Flash Point: Fire Rescue to Faidutti and Cathala, rather than Kevin Lanzing.... (and put 2005, rather than 2011)

[@Mawdryn67]

Oh my goodness guys. I just realized you are the Top Gear of the board gaming world...great job keeping us entertained!

[@hardbathsalts3143]

Mawdryn67 very appropriate avatar for someone commenting on this channel. Tom loves all types of hats.

[@jpotter2086]

Wow, "disclude". Not a word that sees much play in this modern age.

[@davekoehnlein4575]

Out if all of your top tens, this one had me laughing the most :) love you guys

[@jejouejeuxpartageolivier8867]

great video ! my top ten for beginners : 1. dixit 2. les aventuriers du rail 3. love letter 4. battlesheep 5. splendor 6. las vegas 7. hanabi 8. génial 9. tokaido 10. augustus

[@kustomkure]

I second this list

[@Urpichachacha]

For me, in no particular order, would be: Dixit, Cammel Up, Mascarade, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Takenoko, Century: Spice Road, Survive (or The island), Dungeon Raiders, Jaipur

[@bartburcham4992]

"Why does Zee think I'm stupid?" -New Gamer

[@seymourglass26]

Because new gamers are. Even when they're your grad school friends who have brains, they want to hold conversations, get drunk, or generally not pay attention. Simple games are what make long-term gaming friends.

[@MarceloBinda]

I'm with Sam here. A good gateway game depends a lot on the people you're teaching, their skills and interests, so I don't think the order in the list matter. I just had an amazing example of a friend who got introduced to the hobby through BSG (which is already incredibly complicated, in my opinion) and then played TI 3 two weeks later... and she won the game. So, it really depends on the players.

[@zephy64]

Tom, your look when Sam is explaining his Top 10 order was hilarious.

[@frankblack5931]

For folks watching this video in the future, Sam's list is a huge miss. Gateway games shouldn't just be jugdged by whether it's technically playable or not. A large part of being a good gateway game is getting a non-gamer hooked & wanting to play more games. Most of the games on Sam Healey's list might be playable but will be a turnoff to a majority of new gamers because the barrier to entry is unnecessarily high. Zee Garcia understood the concept of this list the best.

[@12thLevelSithLord]

Shut Up and Sit Down has a series called The Opener that is precisely for these kinds of games. I suggest giving it a look.

[@erikrunnels8836]

No idea if you guys ever go back and look through these comments, but ... as someone who's just VERY recently thrown myself into this gaming thing (I'll soon be sidelined, convalescing, from a fourth kidney transplant, with my donor - and fairly frequent visitors - for three months and thought this'd be a fun distraction), I find your vids ridiculously informative, entertaining, and useful. So. THANKS!

[@hardbathsalts3143]

Erik Runnels hey, just dropping in to see how you're doing, and ask if you're still playing these types of board games? I'm fairly new to the hobby and I'm having a ball, although Im spending way too much money.

[@ricksleurink5064]

Is a gateway game not ment to bridge the gap between super easy games everyone can play and the more heavy ones? Did not expect fillers to be on this list. I tried to guess your picks and most games I got right were from Zee's list :) But overall I missed games like: Zooloretto, Rise of Augustus, Stone age, The Resistance, Wasabi, Perudo, Camel Up, Colt Express, Takenoko, Splendor, Machi Koro, Ingenious, Sushi Go!, Steam Park, Jamaica, Hanabi, Dominion, etc.

[@jexman100]

Rick Sleurink Gateway games are so-called for being the "gateway drugs" of board gaming. They don't have to be heavier than super easy mainstream ones, they just have to be more INTERESTING and get the person to consider gaming beyond what they're used to.

[@dannys_78]

Rick Sleurink Ooh dammit I left Machi Koro off my list

[@MarioEnriqueAg]

I agree with you. If I want to introduce a friend to a more deeper games, I never would think to use a filler. My games for that purposes are Union Pacific, Tobago, Giganten

[@HeadCannonPrime]

Rick Sleurink Its not really the gateway for complexity its the gateway between mainstream and designer. Sometimes that adds complexity but sometimes its just adding pretty components and flashy cards. Tokyo is practically yatzee but cool looking.

[@Ziraffo]

bkLEGION3000 yeah exactly. you want to make people realize board games are not only monopoly and sorry

[@JohnSmithAprilMay]

Carcassonne was my gateway, but I didn't like it that much. Citadels, on the other hand, hooked me.

[@FrazerPayne]

Yay! The first time I've seen a summary at the end! SO USEFUL! Please keep that feature! :)

[@batdoguk]

Flash Point: Fire Rescue is designed by Kevin Lanzing, not by the two Brunos (Faidutti and Cathala)

[@nickhayes1626]

I had luck with Lords of Waterdeep, Carcassonne, Colt Express, Ticket to Ride, and Cash & Guns. These are the only hobby board games that my family will play. My wife generally only likes the classics like Monopoly and Sorry, but she really likes Lords of Waterdeep, which really surprised me.

[@stevewithington1787]

My top ten (the simpler the game the higher the placement): 10. Small World 9. Stone Age 8. Forbidden Island 7. Takenoko 6. Ticket to Ride 5. Carcassonne 4. Machi Koro 3. Hey That's My Fish 2. Tsuro 1. No Thanks!

[@MarioFlores-ki1ly]

Can you do it again this list?

[@ceowulf69]

I love your friendly banters, that's what makes me watch your top ten (Y)

[@mooseagian]

Sam i agree you have to anticipate what will work with your audience

[@PredicadorLC]

In order to introduce people to modern games I had success with Saboteur, Citadels, Sushi Go, Machi Koro, Rise of Augustus and Smallworld.

[@Vidager]

Games I would add to the list of gateway games: Castle Panic, Black Gold, Dominion (base game), Machi Koro, Pandemic The Cure, San Juan, Wasabi, and Star Realms.

[@gordachi]

Dominion - I taught my parents to play, and we play it every time we get together. I even taught my Grandpa to play it. Even the more complex cards really aren't that bad, especially because you can watch someone else use it to understand how it all works.

[@johnm.withersiv4352]

I was really disappointed that Sam's list was presented in an order instead of with random numbers.

[@randym5824]

Next on Dice Tower: "Tom Vasel's top 100,000 games of all time!"

[@TheMrE]

Sushi Go! is the quintessential drafting gateway game. No brainer. 7 Wonders has a huge chance of not working with new players. Also, I LOVE Revolution! but would only use it with non gamers in special cases.

[@PlanetHugger]

You guy s rock. Enjoyed it a lot!

[@ryanphgaara]

Love your videos guys especially your top 10s, I'm a new board gamer and learning alot, keep it up guys

[@skyblazeeterno]

anyone else feel that gateway games are simply the best of both worlds, simplistic enough for easy learning plus just enough quirks to keep them interesting - why do people assume that newcomers are going to play gateway game sthen suddenly become intersted in heavy long games?

[@mikaelhauk]

Stone age is a really great intro game. Then follow up with Agricola! :D

[@anttirask7877]

Love Letter.

[@Kurkimilis]

Antti Rask my first game and still one of my favorites. I love microgames that have simple appeal; Love Letter is in my pocket for any party/Get-together, gamers or not, and always goes well.

[@Darthvegeta8000]

Not with me. Hate that game. But to each his own. ;)

[@TenArashi]

Honestly I feel like they're all wayyy underestimating non gamers here. Basically the first real tabletop game my family ever actually played was Dead of Winter, with no experienced gamers to guide us (my brother had played one or two other tabletops but that's it), and though we were pretty slow and made a few big screw-ups, it wasn't frustrating at all and we really enjoyed ourselves - even managed to reach the main objective! I mean, a shorter game is probably better if you're dealing with people who don't know if they're interested in games and don't want to commit to sitting down for three+ hours for one, but just because someone hasn't played many/any games before doesn't mean they can't understand complicated or detailed rules. (Not that Dead of Winter is THE most complicated game, but it's a hell of a lot more complicated than 'yahtzee plus a couple other rules' which they seem to be going for.)

[@nickhayes1626]

My family like games but they are not hobby gamers at all. This list would be perfect for them with a couple of exceptions. There's no way in the world that I'd ever get them to play something like Dead Of Winter. However, Catan, Carcassonne, Ticket To Ride, King of Tokyo, & Telestrations have been huge hits.

[@faramirtheranger]

My new neighbour was intrigued by playing boardgames (although he still calls it, nurturing his inner child) and wanted to start playing them. So far I introduced him to: - Tokaido - Flash Point Fire Rescue - Animals on Board - Stone Age - Isle of Skye (Would have been smart to do a first play round and redo the first turn) Still on the to play list: - Robo Rally - King of Tokyo - Ticket to Ride - The Grizzled - Shadows over Camelot or Battlestar Galactica Still looking for a simple war game (I don't tend to like those games myself)

[@mgk2020]

How simple? Small World is a good gateway I-won't-say-war-game-so-people-won't-start-whining game.

[@gameintros8542]

I'm on the fence with 7 Wonders. It's always worked as a gateway game to me but I've only tried with certain people (people who play video games or IT people who are sort of used to figuring out complicated systems). I don't know that I'd try it with a random family or anything like that. There's SO much to explain. This is what a card looks like, with what it does here and the prerequisites here (sometimes running into trouble explaining that you're not spending the resource, you just need to have it and can use it once per turn), here's the difference between brown and gray cards, here's what a yellow card is and how you can buy stuff from your neighbor, here's what blue cards/victory points are, here's how science works, here's what military does, oh and on top of all of this, here's how you make wonders. None of those things, by themselves, are difficult to grasp for people which is why I think it usually ends up working out, but sometimes I feel myself losing people when I'm explaining the 5th or 6th concept. And sometimes people don't like it when I say "eh, you'll understand how it all works together at the end of the first game."

[@Chaaber]

No Pandemic on Zee's list, that's a new one :D

[@Zuwal]

17:44 I'm considering making it into a message sound.

[@TheRealRobeh]

Great job guys! Every night i come home from work and watch a video or two (or five) and mark down all the titles of the games after i hear each person's explanations for their selections. Zee, Tom and Sam are definitely the pinnacle of gaming intelligentsia and i have gotten to the point where i can almost follow their recommendations blindly ......almost :)

[@silverfang6668]

Vinhos, Agricola, Through The Ages... and then we move up to the heavier ones.

[@Thebrewgeek1]

100% agree with Sam "Dice Town" is a GREAT gateway game.

[@Popcornio]

I'm with Tom on Catan, I love the game and think it's a good gateway game but I cannot stand teaching it anymore.

[@XacXado]

I always use Dixit, but I'm guessing you are considering that a "party game?" I guess Love Letter was not mentioned because it is a "card game?"

[@evgenidimitrov7790]

Guys i DO believe that you should do this list again, as you did with Essensials list.

[@typoko]

The Dice Bang is really excellent way to get people in to the good vibe for a game night even if they aren't gamers. Works from four to eight players too! It's played so often that i actually didn't take it with me last time we had a game night so that we would play something else at the start. :)

[@DeanOfDVD]

My Top 10 for new gamers: Letters from Whitechappel Codenames Sheriff of Nottingham CV Small World Pandemic Coup Bang! The Dice Game King of Tokyo Ticket to Ride

[@JTsilver-hm9qn]

For whatever reason "Boss Monster: The Dungeon Building Card Game" was my gateway game. And I still love it.

[@RickKoeppen]

I actually have a tough time measuring up people when determining what game to play with them for their first 'designer' board game outing. I'll have friends heavy into computer programming and intelligent beyond my comprehension simply not have the attention span to learn the rules for games like Small World or Agricola. They'd much rather play Munchkin three times in a row maybe separated by a game(?) of LCR. I've found it takes people with special personalities who are willing to put the time into learning a heavier game like Fields of Arle or Runewars.

[@timdonald4092]

Rick Koeppen Maybe because they want to relax or wind-down. My brother is a software engineer and there are times when he just wants to play quick and simple games.

[@RickKoeppen]

tim donald I'm sure that is what it is, though I wish they'd give them a shot. My FLGS hosts fun game nights, but sometimes I'd just rather game at home with friends. I'm pretty much the only one in my personal circle who enjoys 'designer' games.

[@timdonald4092]

Rick Koeppen That is unfortunate. :[ I'm kinda stuck in the same position except its more of a scheduling issue. Trying to get everyone together for a game day/night can be difficult. Sometimes, I wonder why I even bother buying tabletop games. I play with my family and occasionally friends. Its one of the reasons why I got into tabletop gaming. I could play with strangers. But I'd rather play computer/video games for that.

[@marcoschaub8978]

Rick Koeppen To be honest, I'm heavily into board games and I wouldn't want to learn the rules for Runewars... I generally shy away from games that take 3+ hours to play and a long time to learn, so I can definitely see why a new gamer wouldn't want to get involved. However, I think there are games in between the gateway category and those behemoths that you could all enjoy. But Munchkin?! I have no empathy for them...

[@sarahlanger2605]

Rick Koeppen I think I get your point, in that it does not depend upon the intelligence of people but their willingness to learn when deciding what to teach them. But your examples are way out of any gateway-terretory, except for Small World, where I think the argument could be made. But the only Rosenberg to make it on any gateway-list is Bohnanza...

[@jarethking1]

Alhambra is what hooked me into 'proper' games. 😁

[@kalel8869]

I am shocked that Splendor didn't make this list.

[@SamHealey6]

Robert Lee Horribly boring game, imo...that's why it didn't make my list.

[@jonofpdx]

Sam Healey Eh--I'm gonna have to agree to disagree with you on that one :) It hits a sweet spot for me where it's mechanically interesting enough for me to enjoy the light engine-building puzzle of it while also being short enough that the lack of theme doesn't bother me. Doesn't see light TOO often but when I want something quick and there are non-gamers about I think it's a solid choice. I do have to give you props though as you are one of the only people I've ever heard talk about one of my favorite "second game" gateways--Isla Dorada. Works so well after someone learns Ticket to Ride. Think you mentioned it on your top 100?

[@kalel8869]

Jonathan Grant Exactly! You put down my thoughts on this game!

[@SamHealey6]

Well, that's totally okay to disagree. I simply do not see what the rave is all about, and I've played and watched the game played MANY times.

[@jonofpdx]

Sam Healey fair enough :) I actually agree that the rave seems a bit much but I DO think it does really well in the right situation. But I get it. There are a lot of games that everybody seems to like that I just DON'T GET what the fuss is all about. Catan being the huge example.

[@spiderfingers86]

you massively underestimate the intelligence of your non gamers. My 6 year old plays Flash Point: Fire Rescue with the special roles with no problem. He plays Forbidden Desert over Forbidden Island.

[@thedicetower]

Oh yeah, we'll my six year old plays Advanced Squad Leader! ;) Really, one data point doesn't prove anything, and I'm not saying non gamers are not intelligent. But in my experience, they want light, easy games - and Flash Point is that way.

[@spiderfingers86]

+The Dice Tower point being, I've never had an issue with some of the concerns Zee brought up with some of the games. I think you have to know your audience, but the roles in Flash Point are no more difficult to understand than those of Pandemic or the Forbidden games. If I'm teaching the game, then I am also helping them understand the roles, which can be separated into basic and more advanced. Generalist, Imaging Technician, Hazmat Specialist, Captain are more basic and can be used on someone's first play through.

[@SG-ru1gu]

Thank's for the video, as always some interesting new ideas for our collection. I want to add CACAO as an idea. It is a tile placement game, easy to teach, some nice mechanics, gorgeous artwork and with much less frustration potential than Carcassonne. That's the reason why I think, that this is a nice gateway game for this kind of genre.

[@michaelhastriter3299]

Terra Mystica! Best gateway game ever. The only one better is Ghost Stories!!!

[@ghostlightx9005]

Michael Hastriter The absolute thrashing new gamers will likely receive from Ghost Stories will put them off for life. Or were you being sarcastic?

[@michaelhastriter3299]

Gary Bradley sarcasm there. Do you really think Terra Mystica would be good? Its not the thrashing, but the complexity. But just a word on Ghost stories: despite dice rolls, you can win every time.

[@ghostlightx9005]

Michael Hastriter I know nothing of Terra Mystica, which is why I asked...

[@michaelhastriter3299]

Gotcha. Yeah. Both games would put a new gamer off for life

[@spiderfingers86]

my gateway game that brought me into the genre was Citadels

[@adamchristensen2648]

"Grok isn't hipster!" Says man in suspenders wearing boardgame podcast teeshirt.... Lol just teasing ;-) good vid

[@dorpth]

Not to mention wearing fedoras in most videos.

[@egoszmotyike]

Small World? I thought it's a good gateway maybe im wrong

[@mgk2020]

You aren't wrong. Truth be told, there are way more than ten possible games, so something is always left off. Sam recommends it all the time for new gamers. The latest essential games list includes it.

[@danielhahn8674]

This was the most aggressive top 10 ever.

[@geographist2000]

Tom... I also love the 10 Days games... (albeit I have only played the USA one)... it is easy to teach and the likeliness of winning off of the draw is slim to none... it also teaches people where places are and a gain of geographical skill... I have taught my kids this one at an early age and it works great... I am glad you put this one on the list!

[@WinterWizard7]

My List.... #1 Ticket To Ride (USA then move on to Europe) #2 Forbidden Island #3 King Of Tokyo #4 Sheriff Of Nottingham #5 Diamant #6 Camel Up #7 Small World #8 Century Spice Road #9 For Sale #10 Sushi Go!

[@BentWookie89]

I'm quite surprised that Tom did not include Jamaica. He's always touting how it's the game he likes to introduce new gamers to first, and then move onto something more complex.

[@D6Damager]

When I think of gateway games I think of games that get non “gamers” to go out and start buying the games rather than what is easy to teach. A lot of these games are definitely easy to play and/or are quick time-wise, but seem to be lacking the “wow” factor that draws people into the hobby as enthusiasts themselves. I also have had terrible luck drawing people in with player elimination games like King of Tokyo (exception being 2 player games). I usually break it down to how many people are playing in that my go to games are: 2-Player = Star Wars X-Wing or Star Realms 3-Player = Takenoko 4-Player = Ticket to Ride or Pandemic 5-Player = Marvel Legendary 6-Player = Colt Express 7-Player = Shadows over Camelot 8-Player = Bang! or Citadels 9-Players or more = Werewolf

[@HeadCannonPrime]

D6Damager There is no way a 90 minute long tabletop miniature game is a 'gateway' game unless they already play Warhammer. Nearly everything on your list is way too advanced. And technically Werewolf is a party game/activity so it doesn't count.

[@owlblocksdavid4955]

What... Why isn't Twilight Imperium 3 on your list?

[@avisian8063]

+bkLEGION3000 90 minutes: still shorter than many games of Pictionary, Risk, and Monopoly. If they like Star Wars a lot then this is a good choice. I have introduced 'geeky' friends to table top gaming/board gaming who weren't interested using Battlestar. That ain't a short game, but it was actually a really good 'in' to get people who weren't interested in gaming to reassess. We had a 3 hour game of that at Uni with people who had no interest in gaming. They are now avid gamers.

[@purabarrios5888]

I am just starting as a gamer and I do not own half of those games XD But Takenoko and Pandemic leave people always wanting more... Also Betrayal at the House on the Hill, Munchkin, and Sushi Go. By the way, would you say DC has the same effect as Marvel Legendary? Or sentinels of the Multiverse?

[@williamkirk1352]

I think this list doubles as a Top Ten Games for Non-Gamer Wives. I've been waiting for something like this.

[@gaz2863]

can you do this video but with for old gamers?

[@p4wel1sko]

Gaz I agree I'm almost 76 and I'm looking forward to such a list.

[@non-alphagamer3618]

I would love to see that list from someone. I doubt they would because they always seem to think the world began with Magic, except for Cosmic Encounters. When they had the Top Ten list for games prior to 1993? (I think it was 1993), they seemed to have a hard time coming up with them. There were a gazillion great games before Magic. A number of them were "big box store" games, so they are forbidden to be spoken of by modern gamers.

[@non-alphagamer3618]

@@p4wel1sko I agree with you. I'm 54 and I would love to see this list!

[@kingofnothing4208]

I'm surprised that Quirkle, Tsuro, and Zombie dice were not on the lists. All so simple and easy to teach.

[@joshuaschulz3897]

"What if they're French?" That cracked me up. Good joke Tom.

[@dboussios8694]

I played Bang the Dice Game for the first time today! Amazing! :) I completely agree, Sam!

[@dddmmm21]

It is great to have a longer list, but if you have one and only shot, TICKET TO RIDE should always be your go to game to try with new players. It is the perfect gateway game, it NEVER goes wrong in such setting. Other games may be good too, but they have a greater chance of falling flat... SPLENDOR and CARCASSONNE would be tied at a distant 2nd. KING OF TOKYO is a much riskier option than most people here think, not because it is difficult, but because a lot of people find the theme stupid (my wife wanted to hit me with the board on the head when I tried playing this with her).

[@TheOriginalSqueezel]

Can someone help me solve a riddle? In which game the blue player sends out a dog to get some meat?

[@Straddllw]

My top 10 gateway games: 10. Catan - the original trading euro. 09. Splendor - easy to learn, hard to master strategy. 08. Dominion - the original deck builder. 07. The Resistance - excellent if it doesn't lose you friends. 06. Carcassone - simple tile laying game. 05. Lords of Waterdeep - intro to worker placement, my gateway game. 04. King of Tokyo - worked amazingly well as a drinking game. 03. Ticket to Ride - so easy that even my parents got it. 02. Pandemic - intro and the gold standard for co-op. 01. Codenames - worked well with every large group I've ever introduced to. Hence my #1.

[@Phildiculous]

Aren't these all just incredibly obvious games that have sold a bajillion copies and everyone already knows about?

[@Straddllw]

Phil D Where does it say that gateway games can't be incredibly obvious? You know why they sold a bajilion copies? Because they have a wider audience reach and therefore works well as a gateway game.

[@kustomkure]

Man, I have been playing for about 7 years now. And since the very beginning I was amazed by Catan being accepted as a gateway game. It perplexes me to no extend. How can a game be a gateway game when 50% of the game happens during the first turn? By definition it's the worst gateway game in the world. In order to play even remotely well you need to play at least twice. And it's not a short game either. Also dice rolling and open resource exchange. This game has to go. also Lords of Waterdeep is not gateway.

[@Phildiculous]

Straddllw Sorry, I just meant your comment didn't seem very useful.

[@Phildiculous]

Again, I didn't say it was a bad list, I said it wasn't useful. If I were to list the top 10 games you'll find in every store that sells (hobby) games in the US, or top 10 games you've already heard of, I would have the same list.

[@johnpopper5202]

What was the review they mentioned at around 36:34?

[@Rb-hm5ml]

I wanna know too!!

[@typedeaf]

28 minutes in and (most) all these games sound soooo boring. Maybe boring is fun to some people, but boring is why I don't like playing the "Classics" from Parker Bros et all. I was hoping to get turned on to a new game that could ramp me up to something like Scythe or Terraforming Mars. BTW, would have been much more interesting to hear the best gateway game per genere. I personally have no idea what any of these games would be a pre-cursor for...so how do I know which one to play?

[@samiamagainagain]

With new gamers I usually bring out: Ticket to Ride, Alhambra, Catan, Incan Gold, Flash Point, Sheriff of Nottingham, Splendor, Zombie Dice, Poison (from Korea), No Thanks, Bang the Dice Game, Love Letter, King of Tokyo, Kingdom Builder, Revolution, and Carcassonne (not using farmers for the first round). All have worked well.

[@thecaryou]

TImeline, Resistance, Coup, Forbidden Island, Flashpoint, Pandemic, Ticket to Ride, Evolution, Dominion, and Axis and Allies because if I get someone to play this I can get them to play any game.

[@jherrenor]

no Love Letter or Splendor or Hare and Tortoise? i would have included The Resistance also. even the Avalon version while takes practice at being Merlin is only one extra twist. Love Letter takes like less than 1 minute to teach properly and less than 5 minutes to be a decent player. i applaud Tom for choosing Survive though. very underated, overlooked game. the original 3d version is the best not the crappy one shown with flat land tiles.

[@jonofpdx]

jherrenor I would go Lost Legacy before Love Letter, but I feel you here. I think they were maybe trying to go for things a little meatier though for this list. Those are more filler games (which is not to say they're BAD in any way--they're great--but you want people to have time to sink their teeth in a bit). Maybe 3 or four hands of Lost legacy using rotating decks? The powers aren't complicated enough that it would throw players off and it would add more variety. I've never been a fan of just kit-bashing the sets together personally. I think they work best within their own sets.

[@joeyt.8009]

Only one Abstract game in the list "Hey! That's my Fish!" (the theme is pasted on) but I think Ingenious, Qwirkle or Gemblo should have made it in any of the lists. I haven't played most of the games on the lists. I'm more of an abstract strategy gamer and getting myself and my non-gaming friends interested in more thematic and euro games. I totally agree with some of the comments. If you have to explain the rules in more than 5 minutes, then your non-gaming friend will get confused. If you have to layout the board with many components, then that would be intimidating to them. If the game plays 45 or more minutes, they'll get turned off. DT teaches Shadows Over Camelot on KZbin for over 16 minutes! If the rules seem complicated and overwhelming as I watch them reviewed on YT, then I don't think they are gateway games so 7 Wonders is out. One has to assume that non-gamers have not played Risk and have only played games with simple mechanics like Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Boggle, Trivial Pursuit, and Sorry. Dixit, TTR, KoT, Love Letter, Roll For It! and Crokinole I have taught to non-gamers and they all enjoyed them that we played them at least twice in one sitting and have played them again in our next get togethers.

[@jonofpdx]

Wow--this is a weird list. A lot of disagreements both between you guys and in the comments--way more than I thought there would be. Interesting. For me I try to strike a balance between simplicity and good opportunity for those "ah ha!" moments. My list would probably skew a little bit more complex than the median here but not by much. This list is especially hard because it really does all come down to the attention span of the people you are trying to teach that first game to. For me I see Pandemic (or The Cure or Forbidden Island depending on the players), Smash Up, Elder Sign, The Adventurers, Avalon, Jaipur, Lords of Waterdeep, Libertalia--that kind of weight come up most often, again depending on the kind of person/people I'm playing with. Splendor or Machi Koro too if I need something a little lighter. Ticket to Ride is of course the big one but I don't personally like the game that much. I can have fun playing it with the right group but more often than not I'm bored when it comes out. I still keep Europe around though because it works as a PERFECT intro to one of my favorite "second games" of all time--Isla Dorada. It's super easy to teach if someone just learned Ticket to Ride and it has a lot more opportunity for interaction around the table and a lot more interesting decisions. 7 Wonders is an interesting pick but I would probably go there AFTER something like a Sushi Go or Fairy Tale. Even then, I think Among the Stars works better unless your players are turned off by the Sci-Fi theme. It just runs a LITTLE smoother and in my experience new players can keep scoring in mind just a little better. Rise of Augustus will sometimes hit the table for new gamers too since it's just bingo with an interesting scoring mechanic, but that's more of a filler than a gateway. What do we think of Roll for the Galaxy as a gateway? I've only played it three times so far and it's really a very simple game with a lot of opportunity for naturally evolving strategy but I feel like it would be hard to EXPLAIN to a non-gamer. Once you get your head around it it's dirt-simple but seeing the whole picture might be difficult... What do you guys think?

[@Tysto]

This was great information. As a non-gamer myself, i appreciate Zee's list especially, but what a wealth of juicy choices!

[@brandonpickett770]

For whatever reason, 7 Wonders has eluded my understanding. I have played games that, I think, are more difficult than 7 Wonders (MTG, for example) but I just don't get the aim of the game, the icons, and don't like the lack of interaction.

[@javierper3z]

I was thinking about gateway games just this week, this is perfect. Now, do a beer and pretzels list!

[@hardbathsalts3143]

Javier Perez best beer: 1554 best pretzels: the ones in the freezer section at the store, that you cook in the oven (add mustard or cheese)

[@touche1545]

2:38 I understand what you're saying, Sam, and I think that's cool :) Don't listen to Zee. He's weird. Oh, wait, I'm sorry, he's "esoteric." XD

[@rubendekemp4752]

As much as I think everyone should try it, I'd probably shy away from using Shadows Over Camelot as a FIRST game simply because of the fact that players can be eliminated. Speaking from experience there's nothing worse than having someone you really want to get into the game "die" after three turns and then have to watch everyone else for an hour. To scratch that medieval itch I'd probably have gone with Castle Panic instead.

[@HeadCannonPrime]

I'm totally with Zee on this one. No way is 7 wonders OR Mission Red Planet a gateway game. You don't go from Sorry and Monopoly to 7 wonders with non gamers. 7 wonders took some gamers in our group at least one play through to grok the rules. Mission Red Planet is cool, but there may be too much going on and the theme itself isn't for everyone. We always teach Shadows without the traitor because the game is hard enough without it for new people. Other gateways we use are Tsuro, Resistance or Carc. And I agree with King of Tokyo and TTR.

[@danddjacko]

Cloud 9, is now out under the name of Celestia. ;)

[@Scott3387]

Maybe it's because I play with graduates and students who have played video games for years but I never got the concept of teaching them anything less complicated than Catan/ticket to ride. Sometimes even started with power grid level. Some on Zee's list would see me never playing again due to boredom.

[@cursivecurses]

If the point of the list is to suggest games we can buy to get gamers in the hobby so that then they can buy the game and start playing games.... these very old OOP games probably defeat the purpose

[@lastemp3ror]

They need to create an updated list for this. Not only to include newer games, but they also need to steer clear of games that are out of print OR expensive games. New gamers aren't going to spend $100 on a game to try it out. A lot of the games on this list, in their own words, are hard to get, which kinda defeats the purpose of this video.