Top 10 Collection Starter Board Games | Board Game Recommendations When Starting Out in the Hobby!

[@rolling.reggie]

As someone who is currently, starting my collection I loved this. My personal recs: Racing/Deckbuilder: Summer Camp Tile Placement: Kingdomino Dice Rolling/Hidden Role: Bang! The Dice Game (huge hit and the first game to get me into the hobby) Co-op/Party: Just One

[@brianstever2146]

Kingdomino is phenomenal.

[@FostertheMeeple]

We LOVE king domino but we wanted to put something on the list with a little more pizzazz to it!! Can’t go wrong with KD though!

[@lindsayvlogslife]

Oooh haven’t played the dice version of Bang, but the regular version is such a fun party game!

[@rolling.reggie]

@@lindsayvlogslife I promise the dice version is an absolute blast. Think Mafia combined with Yahtzee :)

[@davidkiss835]

Clank! is a great recommendation, it was one of our first modern board games and we still love it!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Agreed!! Same with us! :)

[@johngendron946]

An excellent list of the introductory/family games. I’ll suggest 3 games to add to your list. The Crew: the Quest for Planet Nine - a cooperative trick taking game requiring the group to complete tasks. There are 50 levels of tasks that increase in difficulty. My family loves playing this game. Tom Vasel of The Dice Tower ranked it a 10 on 10 (super rare occurrence). Looking forward to the follow up version being released to Canada. Takenoko - players are trying to cultivate a Japanese bamboo garden. Action points and pattern building are the main mechanics. It has table presence with the various coloured towers of bamboo and tiles. People enjoy manipulating the board with the gardener and the panda. Has always gone over extremely well with new gamers. Any of the Azul series - an abstract mainly revolving around drafting, tile placement and set collection. More strategic at 2 players than with 4 players.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thanks for the list!! Great games here for sure!

[@yournostroleeoleeolees.]

Gracious!!! Gracias!! Much much Grace !!! Top 10s More Please !!!

[@Alex-mf8qm]

Love El Dorado. It's one of our go-to games for new people and never had a miss (and many have since gone out to buy it). We love it as a 2 player game more than 4, but it works with either. Such a well designed game. Good list overall.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thank you!!

[@joey_evans]

Finally some love for Overboss! Glad to find someone else that enjoyed it as much as we did!

[@FostertheMeeple]

We LOVE overboss, such a great game!

[@IamJFD]

The first two games that came into my mind after the intro are Clank and Horrified. Im just happy those two are in your list. 😁 The Crew is the third game, though it needs the right group and mindset to play that game, its not for everyone in short. Also try just one as a party game, everyone I played it with really loved it.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Nice!!! Thank you!!

[@fain0077]

Just stumbled onto your channel. Love your content. You two are great hosts. Thank you!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yay!! Welcome! Thank you so much, and thank you a ton for joining our little community!

[@dennisdonetti1675]

I took your advice. I took it slow and eased into the hobby. I only backed 10 games in the first 12 months. It was a great exercise in self restraint.

[@FostertheMeeple]

That’s awesome and a really great strategy for sure!

[@darbyl3872]

Quest For El Dorado and Lost Ruins Of Arnak are both essential to a collection. The former is simpler, but so clean and well-designed. The latter has more scope, with combination of actions, and the artwork and card abilities make it my favorite game, especially with Expedition Leaders. Space Base is fun, but it seems like the most skillful players always win. Machi Koro Bright Lights is more swingy, I think, giving more players a chance to win, maybe. I just like it more, but both are good collection starters. Some other good ones that rarely get mentioned are Werewords Deluxe and Night Of The Ninja, for social deduction. For word games, So Clover is just as good as Just One, so don't buy just one. For party games, try not to crack a smile while playing Telestrations and Camel Up. For one deck of cards, Arboretum and Love Letter are great. Three classics to make a collection of 15 are Orleans, Age Of War, and Castles Of Mad King Ludwig.

[@ransombaggins9301]

Hey! My name is Dan! Between Jeff being my best friend in college's doppelgänger (looks and personality), he's even friends with Dans! :)

[@FostertheMeeple]

I have so many friends with the name Dan! It’s crazy!

[@MrJmarzetti]

Great list! Clank, Space Base, Arcadia Quest, and Silver Bullet are all on my wishlist..... first, have to play through the shelf of opportunity.

[@FostertheMeeple]

I hear that!! Something to reward yourself with at the end!

[@christopherleary7934]

I’d start with the Century trilogy (either Spice Road or Golem edition) since the core games have different mechanics but also a lot of consistencies. The ability to combine the games is another plus. Others I’d consider are - Fantasy Realms - Ticket to Ride Nordic - It’s a Wonderful World or 7 Wonders - Viscounts of the West Kingdom

[@FostertheMeeple]

Nice list!! Thanks for sharing :)

[@erikohman2294]

Every channel do this video at some point, but Im very interested to hear yours. You had such an interesting entry in to the hobby.

[@JakeJackPot_]

There was a solid moment where I didn't think Silver Bullet would make it onto the list... Saved at the last moment! For me I would suggest Cat lady, that is my silver bullet at this point haha

[@FostertheMeeple]

Jamie wants that real bad haha

[@leannesilvestro260]

Jakeeeeeee I want cat lady!!!

[@goodandboard6728]

Thanks for this great list! My sister and I just started playing more games together, and so far we only had heard of Clank and Horrified (both two of our fav's). Really excited to try El Dorado and Lords of Waterdeep and Space Base!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Nice!! Awesome to hear you’re playing together. Keep us posted on your journey!

[@IllBuythePopcorn]

I just found your channel a few days ago and fell in love with you guys. I'm new to collecting board games and having so much fun playing!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thanks so much!! Welcome!! So happy to have you here with us

[@erikohman2294]

Really liked this one! Great idea to go for 5 picks and 5 honoroble mentions. 10 games to "start" a collection is daunting. Also "top 10 games if you have a blank check" seems fun. Another reason to put MTG on a list :D

[@FostertheMeeple]

Haha agreed! Blank check MTG would be nice!

[@emmalander1905]

I need to try clank! It's one of those boxes that doesn't appeal to me so I've always overlooked it but keep hearing great things

[@FostertheMeeple]

I’d recommend giving it a try somewhere if you can!! It’s been a love for us for a long time.

[@lukeerikdavis]

I have always despised the D&D vibes, comic art, and price of Clank! but it’s worth it. Definitely in my top 10 and my wife likes it as well.

[@emmalander1905]

@@lukeerikdavis ooh definitely one for me to have another look at then!

[@markheim5932]

I completely agree with Lord's of Waterdeep and Space Base. I haven't played Clank or Overboss, but would like to. For a racing game I would go with Royal Turf (I think it was remade and named somethingelse). For a lighter dungeon crawl I would recommend Adventure Tactics. My kids and I have really enjoyed playing that. I think Champions of Midgard is the next step up from Lord's of Waterdeep. With the expansions it is my 2nd favorite game of all time. Thanks for the fun video.

[@FostertheMeeple]

You’re welcome!! Thanks for these insights Mark!

[@AllYouCanBoard]

Great video and nice assortment of games here. Haven't tried some of these yet, and even though my collection is already pretty big, you've got me interested in a couple of these. I think this is the 3rd or 4th video I've seen you talk about Silver Bullet so I'm gonna pick that one up on my next order if it's in stock... if I don't like it I'm holding you accountable! :P - Carlo P.S. Jeff - you have an uncanny ability to look like you're either distracted (eyes wandering) or maybe just super at ease (almost as if you don't feel like you're on camera) while being so engaged that you clearly hear every word Jamie is saying, you don't miss a beat on the discussion, you're quick on your feet with humour and all kinds of snappy rebuttals, etc. When I'm on camera I often get in my own head, wondering "am I looking into the lens enough / too much? Are my hands in a natural place? Am I looking at Dylann enough?", etc. You'd be a dangerous opponent in Poker or social deduction games. Might have to hit you up for some tips! :)

[@FostertheMeeple]

Jeff here!!! Thank you! I’m pretty aloof most of the time in general, really what you see on camera is what I am like off camera always haha. Truthfully the camera has never bothered me, I really don’t ever think “I’m filming” - and honestly I don’t know why. If you ever want to chat about things like that in more detail, shoot me a message in IG or Twitter! I’ll provide any advice (if you can even call it that) I can! I will mention, I never notice any overthinking or anything on your videos - you’re killing it! But yea - would love to chat more about this, it’s an interesting topic to say the least!

[@AllYouCanBoard]

@@FostertheMeeple Thanks Jeff! I appreciate the kind words and the offer, I'll probably take you up on that, if not online then one day when we inevitably meet (or on your Discord!). What you're saying here definitely comes across on camera, and it applies to Jamie too, but I kinda singled you out here since she seems more focused on the camera (not in a bad way at all, it helps having the eye contact with at least one person, and you two make such a good pair on camera). You both always just seem like yourselves having a lot of fun and your personalities come through in a big way, which is what keeps me coming back to your videos, along with your fantastic taste in games of course. Excited to see the channel continue to grow!

[@joshuag7027]

I have/played all of these except Overboss so will have to try them out

[@FostertheMeeple]

Overboss is a big hit here, love the throwback SNES-esque artwork!

[@jasonkelly9695]

Hard to tell what the “right” approach is to starting a collection. Is it best to start with multiple genres/mechanics, or to find a genre/mechanic that you really enjoy and get a lot of those type of games? I personally think it’s best to get multiple mechanics to try a wide variety to see what you like best. Yahtzee style - king of Tokyo Hidden traitor - dead of winter Trick taking - the crew Party style - just one Deck building - Harry Potter: hogwarts battle Engine builder - wingspan Draft - sushi go party

[@FostertheMeeple]

This is nothing but truth!

[@erikohman2294]

Love this list! Have played all of these except HP, and have loved pretty much everyone.

[@jasonkelly9695]

@@erikohman2294 HP was a lot of fun. First couple games are a bit light, but ramps up after that. Also monsters expansion adds a ton of game play. But I didn’t enjoy the potions expansion very much at all

[@TheWillz02]

Yes! Arcadia quest, I highly recommend it to anyone! Is the first modern game I got and the one that started my collection now I'm like 100+ games in and it'll always be in my top 10.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Awesome!!! We loved it when we first found it. Haven’t played in awhile but will always have a special place

[@michaeldarling7169]

Great video! We love Clank, Horrified, and Lords of Waterdeep and have hooked a lot of our friends on board gaming with those. (I KNEW you would like Lords of Waterdeep!) Moniker looks fun (we should play with Ross and Rachel! Hmm....Too obscure?) And Jeff has an excellent Straw Hat of Cranium Confinement (+1 Armor, +2 Ego). Love your stuff, as always.

[@FostertheMeeple]

You knew indeed!! Jamie is the Friends watcher in here, so that one is going right over my head Michael. The hat stats are actually +1 Armor, +2 ego, -5 stealth. Thanks as always :)

[@michaeldarling7169]

@@FostertheMeeple Ah! So with that hat, you WANT them to see you coming at 'em! Intimidation tactics! (Thanks for the fun and laughter!)

[@JohnnyMcNabb63]

I think Ticket to ride, Azul, Dice Throne are great games to start your game board collection. Easy to teach. Easy to get to the table. Great for new and experienced gamers.

[@FostertheMeeple]

I agree 100 percent, those were all on our short list!

[@leannesilvestro260]

Good idea having some games that have expansions to grow … clever! 👍

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thanks Leanne! It was all Jeff, he’s the brains - Jamie.

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

I never knew Overboss has a solo mode. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!

[@SoloBoardGamingKnight]

Actually, now that I think about it, I watched you do a solo play through of it. So much for my once amazing memory

[@FostertheMeeple]

Haha my memory is also gone, I understand!

[@KabukiKid]

Las Vegas is a game I have had huge success with new gamers, so that would be a good one, as well. :-)

[@FostertheMeeple]

Ohh awesome! Haven’t played it but will check it out!

[@OctapezOficial]

Stumbled upon ur channel.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yayyy welcome!!!

[@dougsundseth6904]

My list would include some of the games you have as well as some of these (I consider all of these to have excellent replayability): San Juan - fast playing, easy to teach, inexpensive Battle Cry - easiest of the Borg light wargames to teach St. Petersburg - tight drafting game, but it's by far better at 4 than at any other player count Citadels - excellent hidden role game without the player elimination problem that Werewolf has Runebound or Return of the Heroes - light questing games that teach fairly easily but have good fantasy flavor Medieval Merchant - easy to teach, fast playing, and excellent at every player count from 2 up Small World - flavorful, endlessly different based on power/race match, relatively fast to play 7 Wonders - but only with a large group

[@FostertheMeeple]

Awesome list!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@scyldscefing3913]

This is really a good list. Thanks.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thank you for checking it out!!

[@malvinafis6907]

I really want to play Clank! Sounds so good

[@FostertheMeeple]

It is very good!! Hits a bit different now that we’ve been in the hobby longer, but it has a special place on our shelves

[@J-Wheeler-G]

Clank and Quest for El Dorado are great picks I still love them both.

[@FostertheMeeple]

They are fantastic games!

[@Yombleflobber]

My wife and I got Machi Koro on a whim, thinking it was kinda cute and fun. I think we got Bright Lights, Big City. From playing both BLBC and regular Machi Koro, we decided to give our copy away to someone else because it was SO FRUSTRATING. It isn't a BAD game, per se, but we didn't like the "take that" aspect of it, and it felt like having an extra die or two was not particularly useful. Space Base was pretty cool even though I'm pretty sure neither of us is particularly into the space theme. It's very similar to Machi Koro, but with fewer negatives for us.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yea - fair enough! We LOVE take that, so all a matter of taste for sure!

[@FMD-FullMetalDragon]

Some other games that could fit here... Wingspan, Carcassone, Castles of Burgundy, Champions of Midgard, Caverna, Dice Throne, Summoner Wars 2e, Architects of the West Kingdom, Century: Spice Road, Victorian Masterminds.

[@FostertheMeeple]

All great games for sure!! Thanks for sharing!

[@patricklavoie3939]

very cool! thanks 😀

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thank you for watching!

[@chadicusroboticus3115]

"Farmer Jeff" was total click bait for me - 🤠🌽 I thought there would be an explanation at some point. I'm definitely new to these types of board games - but I'm not sure what they are - you use terms that unfamiliar to a total noob.🤔 Deck building, dice, cooperative.... oh my! 😲 Maybe you have another video that describes the different types? And lastly - you two are Canadians!?!? 🍁 I used to travel to Halifax frequently before the pandemic. It would be cool to meet up and play a game or two the next time I'm there (if that's not too creepy of an invitation from a random online viewer). 🥺

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yes Halifax!! Definitely let us know if you’re ever in the city! Honestly we are also learning all the terminology haha. We wouldn’t be much help!

[@robertsilver6181]

There's a buffy the vampire game that plays a lot like horrified that is really fun!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Shhhhh don’t tell Jamie

[@blueseqperl]

No Twilight Imperium? Kidding. Great list! Have you played the Overboss predecessor, Boss Monster? If yes, how different is Overboss?

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yep! We’ve played and still own boss monster. Completely different games! Overboss is a tile placer, Boss Monster is a small box card game. We love both!

[@blueseqperl]

@@FostertheMeeple Thanks for clarifying!

[@ManyWorldsTavern]

This is an awesome list!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thank you so much!

[@DiegoPlentz]

Have you folks tried Blood Rage?

[@FostertheMeeple]

We have!!! It has been awhile, would like to try it again soon.

[@denizkandemir9744]

My girlfriend lover Silver Amulet, we play it everyday. I got amulet used for a good price and it has a lower take that what suit’s her more 😜

[@FostertheMeeple]

Yay!! Love to hear some Silver series love!

[@dabruuzer]

Love it! I wonder if you would choose the same games 9+ months later?

[@FostertheMeeple]

Maybe we will have to do another soon!

[@JetsDuck]

People refer to Knizia as doctor because he has a PhD in mathematics, and was in the banking sector before designing games.

[@FostertheMeeple]

THANK YOUUUU hahah gosh it is nice to finally know

[@RyanBrown-bz9nh]

Space Base sounds Dantastic

[@FostertheMeeple]

Dantastic, even more epic than Fantastic!!

[@OrangeCrushD84]

I am super new to the hobby and I find looking at FB marketplace way too easy and addicting...I'm up to 13 games incoming within a week....oops. PS - Jeff needs suspenders for this outfit, lol.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Be careful!! It’s a slippery slope

[@jkledis]

I didn’t know I was so drunk - I have 3 of the 10 games BTW Jeff my name is Daniel James - said in a drunken stupor!

[@FostertheMeeple]

Jim. Are you still in a drunken stupor?

[@maxf.8284]

Great list! Appreciate the recommendations! But fix the auto focus on your camera, it makes this video hard to watch.

[@FostertheMeeple]

Had to go back and watch. I remember this video. Had an issue with the camera on this one, technology ya know!

[@JonTripp115]

I believe it's pronounced "CAT-in". '-) Good list.

[@FostertheMeeple]

You know what? You’re right. It IS cat-in

[@freek204]

Yes! Immediate subscribation

[@FostertheMeeple]

Thank you!!!! Welcome :)

[@benwilliams4516]

Cat(aw)n 😉

[@leepatterson2167]

BLANK CHECK!?!?!?

[@FostertheMeeple]

Hahah this got a good laugh out of me. Thanks for that

[@Hiddenidentity86]

He is pronouncing Catan correctly. She isn’t.

[@FostertheMeeple]

I pronounce it the same way she does, blame the east coast accents. I was just making her life difficult :)