Top 10 Essential Games for Gamers

Join in as Tom, Zee, and Sam share their takes on the 10 games everyone should own!
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[@TyvanTV]

Tom - 10 - illusion - 9:48 9 - Santorini - 15:51 8 - Wingspan - 21:15 7 - Century Spice Road - 27:53 6 - Bunny Kingdom - 35:25 5 - Clank - 41:35 4 - Terraforming Mars - 48:02 3 - Sheriff of Nottingham- 55:55 2 - Time’s Up - 1:02:11 1 - Space Base - 1:12:34 Sam - 10 - Smallworld - 5:48 9 - Stone Age - 11:43 8 - Colosseum - 17:29 7 - Ticket to Ride marklin - 23:58 6 - Catan Geographies Germany - 30:24 5 - Hanamikoji - 37:06 4 - Carcassonne South Sea - 43:44 3 - Jamaica - 50:16 2 - IceCool - 57:25 1 - Deception Murder in Hong Kong - 1:06:42 Zee - 10 - Carcassonne The City - 7:58 9 - Targi - 13:55 8 - Yinsh - 19:36 7 - Obscurio - 26:03 6 - Atlantis Rising 2nd Edition- 32:51 5 - Downforce - 39:08 4 - Res Arcana - 46:05 3 - Pandemic Iberia - 52:45 2 - Five Tribes - 1:00:01 1 - 7 Wonders - 1:09:21

[@LizGamerGirl]

I own 6 on sams, 7 on Zee’s, and 7 on toms.... looks like I need to do some shopping 😂

[@rahdo]

@@LizGamerGirl hmm, i've got 3 of zee's, 2 of tom's and 1 of sam's. so zee FTW!

[@josegodoy8461]

Great job on this. Thank you.

[@cuteny28]

Thanks!

[@RowantarotBlogspot]

I've got 1 from Tom's, 1 from Sam's and 2 from Zee's. The ones I don't have didn't appeal to me and in fact a couple of them I had and actually sold! Lol

[@sethhale235]

I was watching some old top 10 lists because I was feeling nostalgic. I started up the top 10 underrated games you all did in 2013 and when Sam mentioned Guildhall, it made me think that a great list might be Top 10 Forgotten Gems. Games that sadly fell through the cracks. You probably have everything planned out pretty thoroughly for the rest of the year before Sam leaves, but I'd love to see that.

[@christopherlai364]

Why did Sam leave???

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I really love your guys' chemistry. Always have. I miss it in your solo videos.

[@collinborsheim]

I don’t even play board games, but these guys are just fun to watch

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Hard to imagine sitting through 80 minutes of dry board game discussion without having interest in the games.

[@DavidSupina]

It’s a great time to start.

[@sashajelten]

I might have a bit of a thing for portable games and including non-gamers, but my essentials are: -Dixit -Codenames Pictures -Secret Hitler -Hanabi -The Mind -Coup -Terraforming Mars -Orléans -Love Letter -Camel Up!

[@acelessbros.3111]

From my experience I would definitely put Coup for the game that you can play with anyone but has some really fun deep strategy elements for repeat plays.

[@kennethfelder1345]

When I first saw one of your videos, I wasn't sure I cared for your style, but the more I watched your releases the more impressed I became. Well done and thank you.

[@matthewharris-levesque5809]

36:15 - Imagining Zee adding plurals to all his game choices.

[@patrickeby1867]

Don’t listen to the haters guys. Love the videos and will always check to see your reviews before I buy.

[@isaacalien]

Since a lot of the list revolved around this question I might as well suggest it. Top Ten Games That Have No Expansions.

[@charleslatora5750]

Exactly. After curbing my purchasing of additional X-Wing figures, I promised myself: No games that have or NEED expansions. If a game isn't good right at the start, I'm not going to buy it.

[@89taklung]

that's a hard one XD seems like all games get expensions nowadays ;)

[@hypnoticsorin8016]

Any Paolo Mori game...

[@warmachineuk]

I'm a long time gamer and I only own three of those games. That just shows how many good games there are.

[@louiecarlos244]

Has anyone else noticed that the bowl of components empties as they go closer to number 1?

[@CosmicTavern]

I thought it was Halloween candy at first.

[@stephanberger3476]

Real Sherlock over here.

Yes - Tom started doing stuff like that.

[@nothing3376]

Tom ate them

[@Tubalcain422]

Check out 23:58 that is what it is about.

[@hombrepollo]

I will love to see a top 10 of games that doesn't count final victory points. (Like Catan or Blue Moon City in Wich the player who reaches some condition, wins)

[@robertrichardson3888]

Top 10 essential games for casual gamers: Ticket to Ride, Carcassone, 7 Wonders, Smallworld, Codenames, Splendor, Clank, King of Tokyo, Pandemic, Machi Koro Top 10 essential games for more serious gamers: Terraforming Mars, Scythe, Agricola, Lords of Waterdeep, Great Western Trail, Spirit Island, Castles of Burgundy, Viticulture, Blood Rage, Root

[@chrismurphy9932]

No insult intended (these things are subjective) but I very much disagree with a number of these. The main two are Scythe and Terraforming Mars. Scythe I sort of get, but I don't get why everyone loves Terraforming Mars. There are way better games that scratch the same itch (and have better components). Again, my opinion, no offense meant.

[@fvl9045]

Chris Murphy which are those? They should be higher Rated By a big crowd of course

[@robertrichardson3888]

@@chrismurphy9932 Not even a millimeter of insult taken. These are absolutely opinions. I think if you fashion yourself as a "gamer", those are pretty essential to be conversant with for other "gamers" because of how ubiquitous they are. In fact those two in particular are probably the 2 most well-known games by "gamers" that exist, supported by the high number of players who have rated them. The only games in the top 100 that have more player ratings have been out for a lot longer. That's my reasoning for including those, and in fact starting with those. If someone asked me, I really want to get into this more, I'd say start with Scythe and TM.

[@dallasuphold1745]

These are the games I was expecting. Not some rare, obscure games that I could never find or afford

[@nicksbordone5271]

I like the separation. I think the dice tower should do this, as it would help with all the complaints that these are "too casual to be essential" or whatever. Its hard to say something is essential for everyone

[@HekylHyde]

My Top 10 Essential Games: 10. Libertalia. Simple mechanics with incredible depth and replayability. And pirates and booty. 9. Onitama. Simply the best 2 player abstract game that is easy to teach and everyone enjoys. 8. Lords of Waterdeep. Yes, the D&D theme, but everyone that I teach this game to absolutely loves it. 7. Fury of Dracula. Hidden movement. One vs. many. But so well done and amazing fun with a theme that intrigues many. 6. Chronicles of Crime. Best with 2 players, but can still be a fun game with more. Murder mysteries are always a hit and CoC does it best. 5. Dice Throne. A Yahtzee clone with fun powers and take that! 4. Citadels. Card drafting + city building with a lot of intrigue wrapped into 30 - 45 minutes. Awesome replayability. 3. Clank! Just the perfect blend of deck building and dungeon crawling and intensity. 2. Pandemic. Just the classic co-op game that always goes over well. 1. Wingspan. Engine building that is fun for new and experienced players. Very attractive game on the table.

[@ikesteroma]

I haven't played Wingspan yet. It is all the rage, and yet the theme just doesn't sell me. Maybe I need to fix that.

[@adamj2683]

I have Onitama and I much prefer Hive for your criteria of best 2 player abstract game that is easy to teach and everyone enjoys. Hive blows Onitama out of the water for me. Fun, tons of depth, and still maintains a player's sense of control (as opposed to Onitama where there is so much out of your control). The components of Onitama are great but I think Hive's are better. Hive has thick bakelite pieces (like oversized dominos) and doesn't require a game board. Extremely satisfying to handle and place pieces. There's a real sense of improvement over time with each game of Hive, due to the fact that you always start out with the same pieces and it's a perfect information game, and everything is in your control. There are books written on hive, and tournaments, and a world championship. Hive is a modern day classic. My only complaint is the bug theme, which caused me to overlook it for a long time. Wish he chose a different theme, however, after the first game the theme disappears (just like chess) and you are simple seeing patterns and possibilities. Very intriguing and satisfying game to play. Check it out! (also if you get it, get the normal size version because the pocket version is much smaller and not very satisfying to play with).

[@MrKrivanify]

Adam J u(

[@Bodyknock]

My essential games by type: Deck Builder / Superhero game / solo game: Legendary Marvel. Plays best cooperatively with 1-2 players, but also plays well with the Secret Wars expansion as playable Mastermind versus two players. Extremely popular IP, easy to understand game mechanics and enough expansions and extra content to fill a closet if desired. And if you prefer other IPs they have those too. My favorite "pure" deck builder and solo game. Gamer version of a nostalgic game: Pursuit of Happiness. I have this on the list because it's not only a great game but it fills that nostalgia itch of remembering playing "The Game of Life" but now as a gamer realizing that game is just a roll and move luck fest. This is the same general theme but a much, much better game. Dice drafting : Roll Player. An excellent mid-weight dice drafting game with a theme most gamers will immediately get (making a roleplaying character). The Monsters expansion is a must buy since it adds actually fighting monsters with your character and brings the game up from really good to really great. Plays well solo as a bonus. Engine building card play: Terraforming Mars. I consider Prelude a must have expansion for this game, it cuts the game time down by about 10 minutes per player by replacing the first couple of turns with extra resources at setup using a nice deck of prelude bonus cards similar to the corporations. And again, plays very well solo Traitor game: Deception Murder in Hong Kong. Very easy to play and a great traitor game with a terrific theme. (Personally my favorite Traitor game currently is Blood on the Clocktower but it's definitely not an "essential game", more of a solid spinoff of Ultimate Werewolf which is itself a bit of a niche game for very large groups.) Legacy Game: Pandemic Legacy. If you feel the desire to ever play one legacy game it should be Pandemic Legacy. It's one of the best Legacy games made and hit number one on BGG for a while for a reason. There's other legacy games out there that are quite good, but this one is based on what is already an essential cooperative game (Pandemic) and kicked it up a notch. Escape Room Games: While they only last one play gamers who like puzzles should definitely check out the Exit series, they're relatively inexpensive and a ton of fun. Word game: Paperback. A combination card game and word game that is easy to get into and which both being able to make long words and make good choices when to buy cards versus buy victory points can help you win the game. Sleuth: The best version of a Clue style game I've played. (Caveat: I haven't played Awkward Guests which is also supposedly a terrific Clue killer.) It's a simple card game to teach and plays mechanically a bit like a card game version of Clue without the roll-and-move board. It's a great logic and deduction game in a small package.

[@FayeBelogus]

No Cosmic Encounter mention? I feel like I’ve heard Tom say it’s one of his favourites many times before..

[@carloscgsapopt]

Sam... 1:10:46 "Hercules! Hercules! Hercules!" talk about a deeeep reference, I got you man! Great job guys

[@guillermoz4914]

Before I start watching this , I hope this list is different enough then that last Top 10 Essential Games they made 🤞🏽

[@silviu-alexandru]

It's not :(

[@kens771]

Love the huge goblet of gaming bits!

[@Talon3000]

Notice how it gets progressively more empty? Strange things are at work...

[@Metroidam11]

I would always listen to these while in the car since its almost like a podcast. But its so much more fun to watch them! The facial expressions they make to each other is hilarious! Especially after Tom says some controversial thing!

[@wroot_lt]

I was expecting for Zee to put Hadara instead of 7 Wonders on the list as he seemed to like it more and it kind of compares.

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Well, he and Sam did say a number of times that these aren't necessarily games they liked the most but ones he felt were good entry points for gamers and ones that appeal to a larger crowd. Hard to argue with the popularity and appeal of 7 Wonders. If anything, he was being pleasantly objective despite his personal preferences.

[@RossEphgrave]

My list is drastically different and I can only list games I own or play so many popular games are not here... 10. Top area control - Catan 9. Top 2 player game - Legendary Marvel deck building game 8. Top multi-player game -Clank! 7. top Party Game - Bang! The dice game! 6. Top worker placement game - Stone Age 5. Top tile laying game - Carcassone - Over Hill and Dale 4. Top strategy/tactics game - Puerto Rico 3. Just because it’s my favourite game - Castles of Burgundy. 2. Just because I love them Big Box games - Kingsburg and Alhambra. 1. Fast to the table, fast to teach - Dominion Intrigue. And a few good honourable mentions: top solo game Race for the Galaxy with the Gathering Storm. A Brain Burner - clans of Caledonia and a great family game - The Quest for El Dorado. Whew!

[@gustavoportugal3763]

If someone says that they don't like games I think that they don't have played a lot of games, there is aways a game that is appealing to you, you just have to discover it

[@Straddllw]

My Top 10 Essential games. If I only had room for 10 games, these ones definitely as I think they've earned their place in boardgame history. Party/Social Game: The Resistance Tile Placement: Tigris & Euphrates Pick & Follow: Puerto Rico Deck Building: Dominion Auction & Bidding: Power Grid Area Majority/2 Player: Twilight Struggle Worker Placement: Agricola Dice: The Castles of Burgundy Dungeon Crawl/Legacy: Gloomhaven Epic 4X: Twilight Imperium 4E

[@christofferthormannjensen3371]

1. Five Tribes - Great light to medium weight game, one of my favorite games overall. If I had to cull my collection to 1 game, I think I'd keep this. 2. Ticket To Ride: Europe - Just a great intro to the more involved boardgames than Monopoly and the likes. 3. Carcasonne - Would love to have Isle of Skye on the list, but this is probably better as a gateway game. 4. Terraforming Mars - Same reasoning as Tom, it's just a wonderful game and something that can be played a lot. 5. Lords of Waterdeep - I think this is fantastic for introducing worker placement. Everdell might replace this, since it's prettier and the theme might appeal to more players. 6. Cryptid - This is probably the one on my list that I'm least sure of. I just think it works so well as a deduction game, but it might not go over well with as many people as some of the other games. 7. 7 Wonders / 7 Wonders Duel - I agree with Zee that it's just a solid pick in any collection. If you play a lot in groups, I'd go with the original and if you play mostly 2, go with Duel. 8. Welcome To - My roll n' write pick. I probably like Cartographers a bit more, but I think this is more appealing to a wider audience. 9. Quacks of Quedlinburg - I don't think I've tought this to anyone, who didn't have fun. I've started to grow a bit tired of it, but it's a great way to get familiar with bag/deckbuilding and push your luck. 10. Pandemic - I'd like to have Spirit Island on here, but it's probably too heavy. Pandemic is just THE classic co-op.

[@ikesteroma]

My top 10 Essentials.... 10) TI4 (epic battle game) 9) Coup / Human Punishment (hidden role) 8) Century: Golem Edition (gateway) 7) King of Tokyo (take that, dice chucker) 6) Santorini (2 player strategy) 5) Formula D / Down Force (racing) 4) 7 Wonders (drafting, civ builder) 3) Captain Sonar (real time) 2) Dominion (deck builder) 1) Descent / Gloomhaven (dungeon crawler) Honorable mentions... 11) Combo Fighter 12) Catan 13) Machi Koro 14) Ticket to Ride 15) Wits and Wagers 16) Chronicles of Crime

[@Sjamesbrito]

My Top 5: Dice Throne, Wingspan, Century Golem Edition, Liars Dice, Marvel Legenday

[@mikemorbid1752]

Now my life won't be complete until Tom comes to my place to teach me how to play Space Base.

[@Syncopator]

Reef, Kingdomino, Splendor, Takenoko, Quacks of Quedlinburg, Dead Man's Draw

[@marcoschaub8978]

The way I would define "essential" is that if I had to cull my games down to ten, which ones would I keep? That's not the same as my top 10 (which doesn't exist) because I would aim at variety.

[@danlucas5110]

"You don't have to know anything to play it." I can't believe Sam and Zee left that one alone. lol

[@anthonykuhn3792]

I definitely agree threat the term essential is subjective, but I think most people would agree that if a game is incredibly hard to get, then it is incredibly unlikely that is essential. Thus, at least 3 of Sam's games are clear misses.

[@MrPeter13th]

Sam list was quite repetitive of many of his other list...

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Yeah. It's hard to recommend games no one will ever be able to buy.

[@nihlify]

Essential doesn't mean easy to get, wtf are you smoking

[@anthonykuhn3792]

@@nihlify I never said that... but I think I can make my point more clearly if you would like to share what the word essential means to you, since it's subjective.

[@DeltathRiylaan]

The reason for the re-theme of Hanamikoji was because the developers felt some people were turned off by the idea of a game about geisha, so they wanted to make an alternative.

[@usmanfarooq6741]

Carcassonne the city is this available in UK? Zmanganes don't have it on their website

[@Steve-L]

My amount of board gaming is dropping, yet I knew that several games listed here are OOP, and cost hundreds of dollars because they are not available. I think this list was poorly thought out. I understand many Top 10's may include OOP (out of print) games, because they are choosing personal favorites, but not on an essential list. How are 10,000 people gonna buy a game that only 2 or 3 copies in the world exist? Catan geographies Germany? And no Starfarers of Catan is not more expensive. Germany is hundreds of dollars, and Starfarers is only about $79. Carcassone South Seas is oop, perhaps not as bad as others listed here, but is not readily available, and thus costs over $100. Ticket to Ride Marklin very expensive, again hundreds of dollars. Carcassonne the City another super expensive pick at hundreds of dollars. As far as people disagreeing with the types of games, I thought the Dice Tower did fine, just not in availability.

[@Blakestefer]

This was mainly a problem with Sam's list.

[@charleslatora5750]

Maybe this should have been a top-10 out-of-print essential games to grab if the right opportunity presented itself.

[@Steve-L]

@@Blakestefer Zee had one, and while Tom did not, at least any that I know of, he stated Starfarers was more expensive than Germany, and that is not true. I do not wish to single out Sam.

[@Steve-L]

@@charleslatora5750 That would be an interesting list and would like to see such a video.

[@Blakestefer]

@@Steve-L yes which is why I said this was "mainly" a problem with Sam's list.

[@zragon3k]

I always say that Scythe is an essential game. It’s a fantastic gateway into deeper games. I’ve introduced it to people that have only played Monopoly and they’ve caught on and loved it.

[@KurtDepner]

Zee's top two are my top two! Yay, Zee!

[@johnyuffels4796]

Jamaica not with the expansion I am making for it then you have to guess what is in you're chest,or in one of you're chest's, what is in it. you can know exactly what the other player has and still don't knoe for sure. and of course I have I tiebreaker in there too.

[@franciscolobo8919]

Im starting my Collection, from the guys list I just have Terraforming Mars, i'd like to buy games focused in good Solo gameplay(Im from Honduras, its hard to find someone who likes this hobby), what do you guys recommend for me?

[@clarenceneal2622]

Check out their Top Ten solo games list.

[@monicaelidaforssell5542]

I actually have quite a few of the titles you mentioned. Colosseum old version for the win! All my gaming friends support me on that. And Ticket Europe, though I have a few more maps (and Nordic Countries)

[@Kevin-zq7hr]

Guyss!!! I live in homestead too!! By the speedway so I know the incoming struggle. But yea do you guys know any board game shops by homestead? Most of them are in Kendall or Doral.

[@MrMaelstrom07]

Surprisingly Tom didn't put The Crew on the list. If this list came out now, I'll bet The Crew: Mission Deep Sea would be on it.

[@FireflyPDP]

My definition of "Top 10 essential games" is the 10 games that, when taken as a whole, would cover the broadest group of people possible. That being said: 1. Ticket to Ride 2. Pandemic 3. Century: Spice Road / Splendor 4. Dixit 5. Stone Age 6. Evolution: Climate 7. Terraforming Mars 8. Sagrada / Azul 9. Santorini / Onitama 10. Sheriff of Nottingham

[@hanseathl]

Did anybody noticed that the bowl in the front empties more and more over the show. Took me until No. 5 to stop for a rewind to check 😃😜 I like this kind of nonsense 😆

[@ObiWanReksu]

I have a problem with these games you mentioned. Not that I want to disagree with you on your option but rather that I feel I would buy these games for other people and not because I like them. Over the years I have sold many of these kind of games just because if I had the choice to play something else I would always take something more thematic and heavy. And if people didn't like it I would not play with them anymore. I didnt mean to push anyone away, most of the games just upset me. Like only eating a snack when really really hungry. I am not sure if you understand but I always felt bored with lightweight and gateway games. I tried and tried and now I feel if people do not like heavy games I rather do something else with them. Has anyone experienced the same thing? How do you handle this?

[@mkitten13]

Thought I'd have some fun and track how many games I owned from each of the lists... turns out I own 9 in total out of the ones mentioned. I did not track games I used to own since, well, I no longer own them for a reason, lol. Surprised to find that the vast majority of them are from Sam's list (Small World, Stone Age, Ticket to Ride, Catan, Jamaica & Ice Cool) since usually our taste in games tend to differ somewhat. Only one game made it from Zee's list (Five Tribes) and only two from Tom's (Wingspan & Terraforming Mars).

[@JayBee10]

My list, using criteria similar to Tom’s: 10. Hanamikoji 9. Cartographers 8. Men at Work 7. Q.E. 6. Mission: Red Planet 5. Five Tribes 4. Sheriff of Nottingham 3. Wingspan 2. Telestrations 1. Downforce

[@bailarin8282]

Finca! (2018 edition) - feels complete, no expansions needed, - is beautiful, - is accessible and easy to learn, - presents a challenging puzzle without overwhelming you, - plays quickly, does not overstay its welcome. I do like bigger games, but if I had to cull my collection down to 10 games, I think Finca would make the cut every time.

[@emberassington]

only board gamers would think that spice trading is less geeky than cartoon golems

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Hard to agree there. Spice trading is a real world business. Cartoon golems are fictional and... cartoons. Definitely the golems are more geeky.

[@cilentroleaf564]

Century Spice Road works well with new gamers! Both my young nephews loved it, and one of them has a short attention span and doesn't really game.

[@howardzuefle2142]

Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, King of Tokyo, Sheriff of Nottingham, Castles of Burgundy, Puerto Rico, Dominion, Tokyo Highway, Stone Age, Pandemic

[@JerreMuesli]

1:10:41 I feel you... Whenever I do my Nutty Professor impression, people also never notice.

[@Gwommy]

I'll throw in my Top 10 List of Essential Games for Gamers: 10. Ghost Stories - I think everyone should have a challenging co-op game. 9. Concept - Gamers should have friends who are not gamers, and I find this works well for both groups, especially when eliminating the points from the game. 8. Decrypto - This is my favorite team vs. team game. 7. Welcome To... - No collection is complete without a roll & write, or flip & write in this case. 6. Quacks of Quedlinberg - Not all games need to be about strategy, it doesn't hurt to have a good press-your-luck type of game. 5. 7 Wonders - This has gotten so many plays in my groups and still hasn't gotten old yet. 4. Robo Rally - For the ruthless programmers of me and some of my friends. 3. Specter Ops - Best game for an all-against-one with secret movement. 2. Skull King - For those that like trick-taking card games like myself, this is my new favorite, which replaces Wizard for me. 1. Power Grid - Because this has everything! There's auction, resource management, area control, and math. All these mechanics are blended together perfectly! And side note, though I have about 200 games, I only own 4 of the games in Tom, Zee and Sam's Top 10 Lists.

[@user-yr6tj5oi1k]

+1 for Specter Ops: simple, clever, exciting, sold Fury of Dracula after I bought it and never regretted it.

[@williammcneil6730]

how do i fast forward through a live stream?

[@cilentroleaf564]

Yay -- Ticket to Ride Marklin!! That's by far my favorite

[@waldemarcordero5932]

Century Spice Road excellent choice Tom. Totally agree with you.

[@sebastienrichard4159]

I do have a proposition about "Nuns on the run" as a must have that I consider essential as a party gatherer, highly flexible in terms of players (2-8), with enough meat and still light enough to learn and play quickly. I wonder why nobody ever talks about it... is it the theme?

[@1AngelAlita]

Do you know that also Core Space appeared in a "popular cartoon"? That's the game that you received, unboxed but never reviewed.

[@brotherhorus4316]

For me this should be fairly simple list, as a gamer, which 10 games should be in my collection. This is a gamers list not a non gamers list.

[@drone124]

But you're not making a list for a video and for an audience. Zee breaks down the insecurity and Sam agrees

[@collinsmcrae]

@@drone124 You should make the list relevant to the title. Games for beginners, and light games, are not what most would call "games for gamers", by definition. Throw in one or two, fine, but they literally prefaced ever choice by stating how accessible and easy it is. Like, what? This list just needs a new title. 10 games even you granny with Alzheimer's can enjoy.

[@londonrhodes2429]

I lost it when Tom screamed WRONG! before Zee even said his number 10.

[@marcn9533]

And now the real top 10 for Gamers : Cosmic Encounters / Terraforming Mars / Descent v2 or Imperial Assault / Kemet / Scythe / Gloomhaven / Twilight Imperium 4th Ed / Zombicide Black Plague / Heroscape / Mansion of Madness 2nd Ed.

[@nathanprice100]

10. Santorini 9.Dixit 8.5 Tribes 7.Libertalia 6.Terraforming Mars 5.Lords of Waterdeep 4.7 Wonders 3.Smallworld 2.Scythe 1.Rising Sun

[@paulchabot9689]

Sam forgets Blood Rage and TI4, wow ! Conflicts = interactions = best memories for BG parties, isnt it ?

[@8bitnullnvoid762]

Santorini only looks good with the water base, and only the Kickstarter came with the water base. The game that you get in the box at a store now looks out of place and kinda pointless now; not including the water really took away from the asthenic for me.

[@twinkle04evr]

Wingspan, Targi, Five Tribes, Splendor, Stone Age, Dixit, Quadropolis, Deception: Murder in Hongkong, Habitats, Viticulture.

[@fredmyers503]

I am confused Tom wore the same suspenders during this entire top 10. . what is going on with this world weren't suspenders next?

[@Dungyfan007]

Some of these comments saying the list isn't for "gamers" becuase it has a lot of lighter games frustrates me. Some gamers like lighter games some like heavier it's all games. You don't have to play a heavy 3 hour game to be a "gamer".

[@neversummer5091]

The criticism stems from them focusing on gateway games. Each pick was addressed as to how easy it would be to get a non-gamer to play it. Santorini is a great pick as its very light, accessible and to your point a gamers game. I think games like Concordia, Troyes, Feast, and even Dead of Winter fall more into essential gamers games.

[@naegling]

I guess that the word gamer have a soft definition, but i think it implies more dedication to the hobby than regular people. My point, there's nothing wrong for a gamer to like lighter games, but it makes sense to associate the word gamer with heavier games since those requieres more dedication.

[@jendubay3782]

Pablo Espinosa I mean, “essential” kind of changes that. If you are a gamer and you haven’t played carcassone- ever? You’d get a side eye. Or if you’d never played Catan. It’s just like if you’d been asked what the essential books to read were: if you haven’t read Shakespeare, you’d get a side eye. Doesn’t mean it’s a good game, or a deep game, but an essential- that is, part of the very fabric of what makes a gamer.

[@RobVespa]

There are groups of elitists waiting in the wings no matter the topic.

[@avisian8063]

@@RobVespa this

[@Musikcomposer]

Wait what cartoon was Nemesis in?

[@FranzBinder20]

My list (without order): Splendor, Dominion, Terra Mystica, Pandemic, Ra, Las Vegas, Azul, Puerto Rico, Codenames, Android Netrunner

[@williamjames9481]

I've been gaming for about 2 years and the first 5 games I bought were Smallworld, Pandemic, Dominion, Adrenaline and Stockpile (picked that up cheap and was very happy with myself). I've since gone on to play probably close to 50 games and still haven't had the chance to play Adrenaline lol

[@benlauson555]

I bought caverna used, cheap, and in pristine condition two years ago. Still haven't played that copy.

[@williamjames9481]

@@benlauson555 you know I bought the 2 player version and I just don't see the fascination with it. I guess it's watered down compared to the full version but I dunno. Just doesn't grab me like everyone goes on about it. I tend to play more solo games these days though as finding time for friends to get together can be difficult. Currently playing through Rise of the Runelords ACG which is pretty good!

[@Naru-Maki]

This is a greta list i think to rope more friends into the hobby of board gaming but they are definitely not my favorite. However over the games i own and love would probably be more subjective and less open and welcoming to the general public. Thank you for the great list! Board gaming stores should hold these for their gaming rooms so we can organize a gaming day for new gamers and get them started!

[@Naru-Maki]

Great*

[@Naru-Maki]

If I could only have 10 games these lists would definitely get more play with more people than my own personal choice of games 🎉

[@timkramar9729]

What is meant by Euro games? I'm understanding worker placement and tiling and drafting.

[@jennifergeorge7280]

From Board Game Geek: Most Eurogames share the following elements: Player conflict is indirect and usually involves competition over resources or points. Combat is extremely rare. Players are never eliminated from the game (All players are still playing when the game ends.) There is very little randomness or luck. Randomness that is there is mitigated by having the player decide what to do after a random event happens rather than before. Dice are rare, but not unheard of, in a Euro. The Designer of the game is listed on the game's box cover. Though this is not particular to Euros, the Eurogame movement seems to have started this trend. This is why some gamers and designers call this genre of games Designer Games. Much attention is paid to the artwork and components. Plastic and metal are rare, more often pieces are made of wood. Eurogames have a definite theme, however, the theme most often has very little to do with the gameplay. The focus instead is on the mechanics; for example, a game about space may play the same as a game about ancient Rome. Eurogames typically have multiple viable paths to scoring points or securing the win condition.

[@SisyphusX]

Anyone else get the feeling Sam would like Codenames: Germany?

[@eddieb8054]

Ha! That made me chuckle.

[@RynoKenny]

I miss Sam in this trio!

[@escapeartist205]

ive got 13 out of 30....if you count regular ticket to ride and Carcassonne

[@mitchalibi2794]

"Sons of Anarchy: Men of Mayhem", baby!

[@SocratesRR90]

I wonder if Wingspan would’ve sold that many copies if it wasn’t published by SM Games.

[@neversummer5091]

SocratesRR You mean like milton bradley? Would be at ten times that number.

[@SocratesRR90]

Sean Go I’m just saying I think most people purchased Wingspan because it was a Stonemaier Games game. At least that’s why I did. I still like the game I just think it sold well because of this. Probably would’ve sold even more if Jamey Stegmaier designed it.

[@avisian8063]

@@SocratesRR90 I don't think those numbers can be explained by SM fans. Its almost certainly found much wider appeal than that

[@SocratesRR90]

Dave da Silva maybe. Just what I think.

[@ishoottheyscore8970]

Almost certainly - the numbers it has sold goes well beyond any SM title because the theme caught the imagination and distributors got interest from retailers outside of the hobby market, thanks to things like the New York Times article. I know there is a group of people in the hobby that actively campaign against the SM titles (such as the number of low BGG ratings on Tapestry before it was released), so in all honesty, it looks like it would have sold a few more if it had come from someone like AEG.

[@TheGatorDude]

Guessed 8/10 of Sam's list and had less than 2 for the others guys.

[@bigpoppapump2594]

Alt title: Essential out-of-print games.

[@gregsinasac7642]

Totally agree. It drives me absolutely insane how many games I see videos for and want to buy and ... out of stock. Probably 50% of the games I want to buy are out of stock. FRUSTRATING!

[@mattlewis5095]

@@gregsinasac7642 Or even actually out of print, it's not just the new-game Wingspan type availablity thing. They do give some caveats via offering alternatives, but a handful of these games are simply not made any more, and who hasnt seen Carcassonne the City offered used for silly amounts. They're not really journalists these boys though, they just don't see fit to research that much, and they get sent so many games theyre unlikly to have the purchasing experience they once had. They could actually do with a classic content editor, but they seem to do so much live these days, probably to avoid editing and keep it fresh. The fact they seem to prefer the live experience shows how little they mind I think. I'm hoping now there's more people in the show things will natural;ly get a bit tighter.

[@Therisktaker3]

I honestly don’t think they should include games that are out of print because if you cannot get it then how can it be an essential game. They should almost have a separate list if they want to include those types of games. I don’t have a problem including games that are are still being printed but hard to get because they are still in print and you could eventually get them. I know you can get some of these games in the used market, but oftentimes you have to pay a premium and at that point you could just replace it with an in print game that is probably close enough. Just my 2 cents still love the list. Thanks.

[@TylerAndToast]

This seems more like a "top 10 games from each category of game"

[@johnsonnavinr2522]

Which is the way id also approach this. Though they stuck more for essential gateway games then essential games for gamers

[@BenRangel]

21:30 I think most people who are into a hobby often misjudge what's seen as nerdy. To a non-gamer, Wingspan might seem even more nerdy than D&D, cause birds is the type of theme you might not get into unless you're a true nerd who's tired of the usual themes.

[@willbeplayin]

Just out of the top of my head: Age of Steam, Brass: Birmingham/Lancashire, Azul, Inis, Great Western Trail, Scythe, Tigris & Euphrates, Feast for Odin, Gaia Project, Concordia, 1830/1846.

[@aogorkowa8785]

Hello, when exactly will be live Marathon? Can somebody tell me, please?

[@austoncarpenter4702]

A Ogórkowa It’s over.

[@Steve-L]

1. Century: Spice Road - I agree with Tom, this is an amazing game for both beginners and gamers. 2. Queendomino - I think is an excellent game for beginners and gamers. Although those who have played this before have a stronger edge of winning over newer players. 3. Las Vegas the dice game - an awesome and simple game, fun for almost everyone 4. Insider - my pick for a party game 5. No Thanks! - my choice for a small card game, does great for a filler for gamers or wonderful for newbies 6. The Quest for El Dorado - I almost put in Clank! In Space!, but think this is better as an over all game. 7. Ticket to Ride: New York - I like Ticket to Ride, but find it is too long for its simplicity, this version hits it at the right length. Great as a filler or good for new gamers. 8. Carcassonne: Amazonas - Sam may be right, the added mechanics may make this not the best choice for new gamers but isn't too hard, and the other versions are not readily available. So have to pick this over base Carcassonne. 9. The Pursuit of Happiness - this is a great pick to replace classic games like Life, and introduce new concepts like worker placement, and still engaging for gamers. 10. Black Fleet - my lowest pick, as I think this has limited replayability. But is a good light game for a new category of mechanisms.

[@bornofashes]

gospel-kingdom website great list, Black Fleet is a hidden gem.

[@Steve-L]

@@bornofashes Tom gave it a great review, and because of that and a great sale, I bought it.

[@Steve-L]

@@rjkral The production is amazing! Even metal coins. It is often on discount. A very simple pick up and delivery game.

[@josephperry3700]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Tom being mentioned on South Park

[@alecgalbraith5604]

Joseph Perry Tom talked about it briefly at the beginning of Board Game Breakfast :)

[@gijoe250]

Which episode?

[@Blakestefer]

@@gijoe250 the last two of the latest season.

[@Blakestefer]

All kinds of people have been talking about it for weeks when boardgame breakfast was featured at the beginning of a SP episode.

[@yogibbear]

No one? lul.

[@whittaker007]

Certainly seems like a top 10 essential games maybe, but not a lot of gamer games in there. I've got 12 of those collectively and most of the rest I've played and either sold on or skipped buying after playing. Terraforming Mars is the only one I'd call a Gamer's game on the lists.

[@ihaveamouthandimustscream5649]

35:01 "And Yinsh still made it.".... Said what i was thinking.

[@DeltathRiylaan]

Yinsh is super nice looking. It's not complex looking, but it's clean and attractive. It's no My Farm Shop.

[@DinobotTM2]

Tom: "nerd is the word" My brain instantly starts replacing "bird" for "nerd" in the song. In Peter Griffin's voice.

[@bradbenson8219]

Wait, nerd is the actually lyric to that song? Wow! Did not know that.

[@codydavis3100]

My only criticism of them doing live top 10s is other than the end they do not incorporate the audience. Like mention what people are saying about the picks, highlight some funny comments, or answer a question. It makes the live format not really matter.

[@MisterAbysmul]

Didn't feel much of the 'for gamers'... big miss on the title of this list.

[@clintjackson6613]

Yeah most of these were very gateway

[@sigurdur0786]

+1

[@xbumble]

I felt the exact same thing. The title says 'for gamers', yet that is not what they listed. Disappointing.

[@sinisterpicker4681]

*puts on fake moustache and monocle* "Yes.... pip pip cheerio gentlemen... ready to gatekeep?!?!"

[@gijoe250]

4 mins in, and I have doubts about their lists, lol

[@putonghua73]

As soon as I saw Sam's No.9 pick, I knew where his list was going. The only surprise was that Bang! The Dice Game was missing. No real difference between essential games for non-gamers.

[@CDCyD]

Exactly. Nothing made any sense.

[@JoeyjojoShabadoo7]

8:00 - LOL! 😆

[@benjaminnadeau7305]

If it was essential it wouldn't be OOP

[@jwspiker]

not surprising zee's list: game you can't find anywhere, at least for #10

[@casperhoyng8194]

Partygame: Codenames pictures / Just One Abstract 2 player: Onitama / Santorini Abstract multiplayer: Azul / Sagrada Gateway boardgame: Carcassonne / Catan Gateway cardgame: Century: Spice Road / St. Petersburg Medium weight boardgame: Stone Age / Pandemic Medium weight cardgame : Wingspan / Everdell Heavy weight boardgame: Puerto Rico / Scythe Heavy weight cardgame: Terraforming Mars /Underwater Cities Many players: 7 wonders / Dixit: Odyssey This would be for me essential games. Each time pick either of the 2 and you’ll have a decent collection of games for basically every moment imo. I only miss Underwater Cities, but that’s mostly because of multiple people in the play do own it. I have a nice collection of 1900+ games, but I do not own many named in this video so I’m not really convinced they are all essential (Hanamikoji/Jixia, Jamaica, Obscurio, Yinsh though I’m thinking of that one to add, Atlantis Rising, Res Arcana, Illusion, Bunny Kingdom also on my thinking list, Sheriff of Nottingham, Time’s up). From some mentioned I have a different version (Carcassonne, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Clank!, Pandemic)

[@scottray1265]

can you even get carcassonne the city?? I cant see it anywhere?

[@tomatodragon8164]

It’s out of print.

[@matthewharris-levesque5809]

Wondering if anyone else noticed that Tom was draining his glass between numbers.

[@stephanberger3476]

It's not like it wasn't very obvious.

[@charleslatora5750]

. I have none of these games. I am not ashamed. I love history and studying conflicts. Therefore I have almost only conflict simulation 'games'. Older ones. Avalon Hill, SPI. I do have Horrified n Exploding Kittens n yeah some different Monopoly and Risk versions. Though I have been thinking about getting Wingspan and Arkham Horror. Love the video. Love the way you guys 'work' with each other.

[@jennprescott2757]

Top 10 for Gamers? 1. Terraforming Mars 2. Wingspan 3. Scythe 4. Alhambra 5. Viticulture (w/ Rhines expansion to fix the broken pointing in the original) 6. 7 Wonders 7. Survive! 8. Azul 9. Splendor 10. Something from Red Raven. Near and Far? Ancient Worlds?