Top 10 Board Games That Look Stupid (but are Actually Fun)

Tom Vasel, Sam Healey, and Zee Garcia take a look at ten board games that look pretty stupid, but are actually quite fun!
00:00 - Introduction
11:02 - #10
12:39 - #9
15:07 - #8
16:49 - #7
18:43 - #6
21:41 - #5
23:25 - #4
26:24 - #3
29:13 - #2
31:29 - #1
Buy great games at www.funagain.com
Find more reviews and videos at www.dicetower.com

[@badradish2116]

"three lists so far, but more soon" man he wasnt kidding!

[@bloominoctober]

I realize this video is more than 3 years old, but I just saw it for the first time, and it is easily one of my favorite Dice Tower vids. I laughed so hard more than once at the interactions between the three of you. Great stuff, guys!

[@xm287]

This was awesome. Really love the format and theme. Looking forward to the next one! Thanks for doing what you do!

[@sebastienzander5593]

I was hoping that Zee would say that he uses Igloo Pop to 'break the ice'

[@rorudomex]

Love the top 10 format. Basically I'd love any format that has Tom, Sam, and Zee talking it out. it's always great to see the banter between the three of you.

[@Dungyfan007]

We need one of these every week instead of every two weeks! great video!

[@billybobbills]

You guys are a lot of fun to watch. Thanks for the ideas

[@Greifingi]

I'd love to see a "Top ten compact games" - games that are physically small, but are still fun and have reasonable depth - games like Condottiere, Masques/Intrigo, and so on...

[@suekuku]

Zee, I have ordered Mr. Jack Pocket from my FLGS because of your suggestion. I found a father and daughter on BGG that showed how to play it. Portland, Oregon has free movies and concerts in the park in the summer. Everyone gets there early, brings food and some of us play games. This one sounds perfect, and I'm sure I'll find some times to play it during the winter. Thanks!SueKuKu

[@briantykelley7617]

Wow I'm so glad you guys got better at these videos.

[@viper22husky]

I love these top 10 videos!!!! Keep it up! You guys are hilarious!!!

[@Liuhuayue]

You should leave shortcuts in the description so that we know what's in what order; that could help people get an overview of good games without randomly skipping around or have to watch all 30 min of your video.

[@TheJaredBleu]

Watching the video, even if they are almost 2 years old, is the best part and point of the videos. If you want just a list go to their website and look at the printed list

[@67kingdedede]

jared gilbert But they ramble on so much

[@JohnDoe-ki6fm]

I had several good laughs watching this - you guys look like you have loads of fun together. Thanks so much for sharing the fun with all of us out here in viewerland. Where are you guys? (i.e., geographically?)

[@dabearz27]

Hope you guys do a top 10 for the best solitaire (solo) games soon. I usually don't get to game with more than one or two other people, and I'm interested to see what you guys think about those types of games.

[@stephenheninger8498]

I kind of want an updated top 10 list of this :)

[@ZekeRomsdahl]

I've been looking for a game where I need to sanitize the components after every play. Do you guys have any recommendations :)

[@turks1966]

It would be fun to see you play some of these game during the next gaming marathon.

[@Butterface67]

You guys might want to reconsider putting the microphone for everyone on Tom's shirt. He really likes to react to EVERYTHING.

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

I'm pretty sure this video used to be titled something like "Top 10 Games That Are Better Than They Sound." (I keep a list of most of the Top 10s, and I have it under "Better than they sound.")

[@Jighm]

I don't know if someone else much much earlier in the comments said this already, but the blowy thing that's a party favor is called a Blow Tickler. Great video!

[@danielgoyens126]

I feel like buying a plane ticket to Florida to come and game with you three! It must be a blast. Thanks for the vids, I'm still laughing!

[@NerdIncorrect]

Both Mr. Jack's are incredible, we've been playing pocket non-stop since it came out!

[@0LoneTech]

The first I thought of is an old favourite - Ricochet Robots. The theme is cool enough, and when you know what's going on the game is great, but the way the it looks... Half a dozen people sit and stare intently at a nearly featureless board with four or five plain but brightly colored pieces on it. Sometimes they yell numbers, and after a while one of them moves a couple of the pieces around. Repeat. I love it (:

[@ricksleurink5064]

You guys crack me up every time. :-D Thanks for the evotion for games...

[@DameEdithDivine]

I watched all 30+ minutes. You guys are great!

[@derezzFTW]

I have Mr Jack Pocket. Best quick filler for 2 players! You can play Holmes detective team or Jack the Ripper so your role isn't always the same

[@TheChrysalis83]

Props to Zee for Mr. Jack Pocket- it really is quite good for a quick little coffeehouse duel.

[@tofuninja5489]

The flow and fun of this video was great. The korean comment THEN the reasoning because I was like "oh man, did he just say that?" Then the ducks in a row comment and the reaction to that was hilarious.

[@MMODoubter]

I want to see a video of Sam actually having fun playing a game.

[@ultimateninjaboi]

Top 10 most ridiculous "who goes first" rules

[@Hieronymus-Pseudonymous]

Here are some interesting ones to choose from: The player who goes first is the player who... Has "the most compelling reason to go first." Was born furthest to the North. Is having the worst day. Has the longest [known, presumably] line of ancestors. Will next have their birthday. Is the best cook. Has the pointiest ears. Grew up in the smallest town. Is wearing the most colorful clothing. Has the most money on their person. Can do the best monster impression. Is hungriest. Has the squarest head. Loses a game of rock-paper-scissors to the other player. Is the most experienced traveler. (In the sequel, it's the player who has visited the most European countries.) Starts on the board near the highest-populated city. Looks most like a pirate. Is playing the character with the closest birthday to the current day. Has the longest beard [alternative to rolling dice]. Woke up earliest. Is thirstiest. Has the closest birthday to February 12. Owns the game. Is tallest. Has the least hair. Can hold their breath underwater longest. Has the biggest nose. Most recently... Was sick. Was on an island. Ate nuts. Brewed something. Visited a zoo. Read a Bible. Planted a tree [or something like that]. Went swimming. Slew a dragon (real or fictional). Had a haircut. Went on a date. Visited a cave or went into a cellar. Was bitten [or stung?] by an insect. Did a good deed. Sacrificed something. Visited Hamburg. Ate cake. Sailed on a ship. Told a lie. Visited another city. Finished a book. Stood on a balcony. Flew in a plane. Saw a horse. Used a needle. Visited a forest. I am willing to provide the sources upon request.

[@jukka-pekkatuominen4540]

In Small World they have a similar rule. The player with the most pointy ears will go first.

[@AlexSem6]

Now, dear KZbinrs, try to guess which one was taken from which game

[@dapperghastmeowregard]

Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards. The name and general style reeks of trying way too hard, but it's actually pretty fun, albeit chaotic.

[@philheaton1619]

The best thing about Battleground: Fantasy Warfare is that you can invest 10 bucks to buy one deck and you can play the game to see how you would like it. They list two armies that can be built from the one deck for that purpose (get the basic deck). If you don't like it, you are out $10, less than the cost of most miniature game rule books.

[@madsceinceproduction]

i love these top ten lists can you make a playlist ?

[@mbabitt]

Dungeon Fighters is one of those games where you can try cheating but still fail so incredibly easily.

[@Beckikaze]

More episodes! So great! :D

[@dtigertron]

I love this video. I laughed, almost as much as the reviewers!

[@SamHealey6]

Any game that is "talking-centric"...as opposed to a game that you can just sit there and not have to speak at all. And always try to infuse talking into the game where it would not necessarily be so among native speakers. One of my main goals as an ESL teacher was conversation...being able to hold conversations in English. The more often they practice conversing in English the better. For example, if you're playing Catan, have them explain what they're doing in their turn as they do it.

[@MakazitheHyena]

So what's the song you guys use on your intros? That's a really catchy tune!

[@nicknakpaddyman]

Tom's favorite line, "It's not horrible artwork". Were you thinking, 'Stop picking on my games.'?

[@jimgould7098]

I really enjoyed the episode although I am still not sure if there are any of these I want to purchase ;) To be fair though it made me laugh several times.

[@PhilHenDrums]

On my list: Kingsburg. When I first saw the artwork, the "advisors" on the board looked goofy. I thought the play would be silly. But, of course, T.V. gave it a very strong review, so we gave it a chance. After playing the game, it has become one of our family favorites.

[@chrisparker8283]

Good idea for a drinking game - take a swig every time Sam thumps his arms on the desk!

[@FFontes]

Sam, for Fairy Tale, I believe the term you were looking for is "Fantasy Kitchen Sink".

[@yourebelscum9662]

I love Sam's completely wrong description of how to play Fauxcabulary

[@BlackbeerSD]

Thanks guys, hadn't heard of a single one of these.

[@MrJenssen]

Just bought Mr. Jack Pocket on Ebay. That game looks great! I just can't get enough thematic quality 2-player games. Thanks, Zee!

[@MegaSovietRussian]

I think you guys need a playthrough series, like maybe we get to pick a game out of a few options that you provide us with, and then you record yourselves playing. anyone agree?:)

[@drowningin]

its called the Pit of your arm 3:50 different than the arm pit though

[@Keshihead]

I've got a strange game called TORU that looks like it would be a stupid game but might turn out to be fun. It involves having a rack of plastic coins with symbols on. All the players pass coins to their left all at the same time while chanting "Toru, Toru, Toru...". When one person has a 4 of a kind and a 3 of a kind, they grab one of 4 dragon statues in the middle of the table, prompting the others to try and grab one too. Whoever doesn't have a statue is out

[@JDalkinn]

What is the music after they finish #10? That's a catchy tune.

[@WelcomeToZomboCom]

more of this!! PS: see you in Dice Tower con Tom :D

[@dbzfan16]

I've played it a couple times; it can be good fun, although it's better as a drinking game imo. When I was a kid we used to play a game (called Spoons) with a standard deck of cards and a bunch of spoons which was basically the same game; you have a set of cards for each person playing, eg all the Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces for 4 players. Gameplay is the same as Toru, with the advantage of being effectively free and also can support much larger number of players.

[@dorpth]

Unicornus Knights- It looks like some kiddie anime crap, but it's actually a good logistical/strategic co-op wargame where you have to puzzle out how to take on different randomized enemy generals before defeating the head honcho within the time limit.

[@EveeLover]

A list in the description would be nice :)

[@ezezezezujh3EARHG]

I am in game stores every week. Been into metal snce early 80's. Games of all kinds are metal.

[@finalboss3641]

I love Smash Up! Pirate Ninjas? C'mon that's awesome! I would love to try catacombs

[@tommiboy500]

For the next episode: Worker placement. (Duck and cover!)

[@AgentFoiliage]

Fun video, Guys. I don't think I laughed as hard as I have in a while once Tom started describing the intricacies of "Duck Duck Go."

[@psbauman]

Sam Healey @2:03: "Did he just chuck that box? Ook then."

[@RandallPeek]

Gulp Gulo is a good candidate for this list. Loop in' Louie, as well. An older Moon/Weissblum game, Wongar, is a fantastic area control game with some of the weirdest physical design choices ever.

[@valreznic]

OK Trotofant - funniest thing I have seen on the Dice Tower! Z you da man!

[@ShaneMaesenko]

"Did I go into the game store or Michael's?" Funniest line in this video, hands down. Seriously though, Dungeon Fighter looks pretty cool and fun. I have a feeling I would thoroughly enjoy it.

[@pfaprado]

"Really bad Toys R Us reject look", I was laughing hard with that one!

[@Chozal]

Smiley Face was originally themed as a king's court game by Faidutti ! But the publisher made it smiley face and even Bruno never understood ... But his games usually are worth playing ;)

[@Cranilla13]

What song is that?! They use it as the theme for Plummer's Crack. Does it have a name?

[@Keshihead]

I actually didn't pay much for my copy of Toru, it was £2 in a charity shop :) Although your Spoons game sounds like fun too and can be played on the cheap as most households will probably have a deck of cards lying around somewhere.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

A game that looks stupid but is really fun is 'Tall Bird, Short Bird'. It's a very simple game that's surprisingly high in strategy.

[@Tycon]

+1 for the inclusion of fairy tale, my absolute favorite card game. Its so good and its frustrating that people never give it a chance because of the flamboyant and dainty art work and children story style title. The drafting system is awesome. Side note- I've played 7 wonders also and that game is great too, sorry you don't feel the same way Sam XD

[@benjaminpercival6143]

I"m sure that Aslan would be strongly in favour of Yarnia.

[@salmonblox]

kitty likes his yarn

[@williamcooper4471]

On the Fairy Tale game - there is a version by Z-man and one by What's Your Game. Are these two games identical?

[@2000Kalidor]

Zee, you're the man. Great job on this one; you crushed it!

[@vicbaez]

Which is the song you used 12:30?

[@sweatt4237]

YOU GUYS LIVE IN FLORIDA! sweet.

[@Cyborgsgaming]

Another one I would vote for is Hotel Samoa. Pretty good list over all.

[@malachi1616]

I met one of the creators of Battlegrounds at a gaming convention and he taught me how to play it personally. Pretty decent game. My problem with it was that the armies aren't balanced out of the box. Newer expansion armies are clearly better than the older armies.

[@jjsb921]

Sam is a major BUZZKILL !!!

[@AhimsaKerp]

No Love Letter though?

[@TheeMcDonger]

ha! when i saw it i said " im going to go over there and play bling bling gemstone". great vid.

[@ascii211]

Love the intro

[@dominogodisnumber1]

What do you think of Curses?

[@mlcarter815]

Dammit, I was drinking soda when Sam made the duck joke.

[@T4C00C4T]

Great idea. I like the recommendations on good games that we may not notice. But what about the ones that stand out, look awesome, but totally are not.

[@mandradon]

I'm not them. But my top 10 of solitaire games: 1.) Thunderbolt Apache Leader 2.) Field Commander Napoleon 3.) Gears of War 4.) Labyrinth: The War on Terror 5.) DnD Adventure System 6.) At the Gates of Loyang 7.) Friday 8.) Mage Knight 9.) Dungeon Twister 2 10.) Archipelago Honorable mentions: Fading Glory Star Trek: Expeditions Race for the Galaxy (with all 3 expansions. at least just the first one) Mice and Mystics

[@gaycheckml]

Which battle station? Can you send me a link?

[@What-Did-I-Just-Play]

The anatomical name for the crook of your arm is the Antecubital space.

[@WesternEchidna]

for me my favorite is Apples to Apples that game might seem stupid cause its just cards with words. but once you play it, my god it is so much fun

[@kirbymaster5]

Zee's remarks made me bust out laughing three times in this vid. He's great.

[@MassEffectFan113]

Does Sam recommend Faux-Cabulary for every game category???

[@Arenque36]

I am missing King of Tokyo in the list. I've not been buying this game for 2 years as I thought, the cover looks somehow weird. Now I own the game and it is really fun.

[@iamjanejones]

You guys should make a top ten wierdest train games

[@bikeguy75]

Just got Igloo Pop, what a fun game!

[@TimmyTheNerd]

Grown men having fun with board games. YOU GUYS ARE MY IDOLS!

[@PeterSchott]

I think there are a couple of these types of lists over at thedicetower [dot] com. If not, there are definitely lists for "Gateway" or possibly "Family" games on boardgamegeek. My go to there is still Ticket to Ride. It's familiar enough that you don't lose anyone, but different enough to be interesting. Lords of Waterdeep works well for gateway Worker Placement-type games.

[@JayChampagne]

Awww, no nomination for Bohnanza? Me: Okay, I've got this game. You: What's it about? Me: Cartoon beans! You: Uh-huh. Me: It was designed by the guy who made Agricola! You: ... Me: Where did you go? Okay, I guess it's not as weird as a game about shaking igloos full of Inuit children.

[@cadavison]

Its called the elbow pit.

[@KRWoods1]

Did anyone else think "I play miniature war games for the painting and models" sounds a little like "I read playboy for the articles"?

[@CYB3RP0TAT0]

quelf is a game that looked dumb but it was a blast. Great for parties or a board game night.

[@scream835]

Killer Bunnies. My wife had to buy it and I was pleasantly surprised.

[@AgentKuo]

Duck Duck Go sounded great from the description.

[@SamHealey6]

I call it an ARMY OF ONE, thank you very much!