Top 10 Games for Non-Gamers

We all have those people in our lives that are adamant that they don't enjoy games. But what if you could change all that? Here's my top 10 list of games to get non-gamers excited about the hobby - or at least interested enough to tolerate their world views being shifted for the better.
TimeStamps
00:00 Intro
00:44 How to convince people to play games with you
02:40 Honourable/Obvious Mentions
03:33 Number 10
04:56 Number 9/9.5
06:24 Number 8
07:51 Number 7
09:28 Number 6
11:33 Number 5
12:41 Number 4
14:00 Number 3
14:37 3.5
15:09 Number 2
16:11 Number 1
17:35 What to do if these games still don’t work.
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[@karenmunjak6547]

I chaperoned a group of international exchange students who played Telestrations one evening. The first player thought "rubber band" was a strip of condoms. You can imagine where is went from there.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Hahaha, that's so good.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

This so perfectly captures what I Telestrations can do, I'm pinning it, haha.

[@lukewisner8597]

Great video! Now I’ve just gotta try to find a copy of wavelength. And I’ve gotten a ton of my friends into the hobby through unmatched because it’s so easy and fun

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Nice, yeah I've heard that about unmatched, there's gotta be a set for everyone by now!

[@lukewisner8597]

@@RoomandBoardReviews There definitely are! One of the best matches we had was Bigfoot vs Bruce Lee vs Sherlock Holmes vs The Raptors from Jurassic Park. No other game has such a crazy matchup of characters and that’s what makes it so great

[@strider454]

Fantastic list! I've own most of these and people that are new to board games always have a great time. I would definitely recommend some polyomino games as well like Isle of Cats, Barenpark, or Patchwork. I guess you could throw in Silver and Gold as well. I've found that most people are familiar and comfortable enough with that concept thanks to Tetris that they tend to pick up on those games really quick.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Great choices :( Ihave yet to play Isle of Cats and I'm dying for it because I've heard such great things. I almost went in on the recent Kickstarter but felt I could get it at retail for cheaper and I really just need the base game. I always forget Barenpark is polyomino, the cover makes me think euro haha

[@strider454]

@@RoomandBoardReviews I hope you get to try it out soon cause it's a heck of a game but I I totally agree on the KS for Isle of Cats. I thought about it but it was just so expensive and there wasn't enough to justify that cost.I got my copy at my LGS for decently cheap so I didn't want to double the price just for an expansion.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

@@strider454 I'm sure I will, it's definitely high up on my list out of ones that I haven't gotten to yet.

[@BrewsandBoardgames]

Awesome list man! Definitely can't end the list with codenames! Haha. You have me wanting Terror in MeepleCity, I've never heard of it but it looks like a hell of a lot of fun! Does seem hard to find, most are used copies and kind of expensive. But I'm going to keep an eye on it. Plus I can confirm Chronicles of Crime works for non gamers as well. You're essentially just solving a mystery and don't need any gaming experience whatsoever. It's simple and a lot of fun, and people I've introduced it to just have a great time. Again, awesome list dude, thanks for the other suggestions!

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Hahaha, yeah I was pretty happy with that joke. Was over at my neighbour's the other night and he had a copy of when it was called Rampage, so I'm stoked that he's let me borrow it so I finally have a chance to try it. Kismet!

[@BrewsandBoardgames]

@@RoomandBoardReviews Lol bro I had to look up what Kismet was, and now I have a new word added to my dictionary haha. That's awesome about the game though, you'll have to let me know how it plays :)

[@sharongeorge5557]

I enjoyed learning about a few different games to have in my tool box. Thank you

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

My pleasure Sharon!

[@davidautinify]

code names, cluzzle, and mountains of madness are probably our most frequent picks for gaming with non-gamers. they always seem to be received well. if wavelength ousted codenames for you, i definitely need to give that one a try. nice list! :)

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Nice! Yeah I still so quite enjoy codenames but Wavelength is just so good. I think it gets people just sliiightly more engaged.

[@Johnsemgawl]

Great video, hadnt heard og Meeple Circus

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Oh I'm glad, it's super fun :)

[@scootersquad877]

Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Thanks a bunch :)

[@THINKTHATIMKOBE]

First vid I've watched of yours and your passion for board games shines through .

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Aw I'm glad, thanks so much :)

[@Faent89]

Awesome video. I've been watching a lot of these to get some friends into board games but yours has the most unique and interesting options I've seen (too many with Codenames lol). I really like Island of El Dorado by El Dorado Games (the Thieves expansion is a must, both expansions make it even better) and I've had a lot of success converting non-board gaming friends. It has a nice way of using simplified rules (mostly luck-based) so no matter how much skill anyone has, everyone has a chance to win. The theme is very familiar so its easy to understand the concept. On top of all that, the game is GORGEOUS to look at. Then, if they like it, you can slowly remove some or all of the luck based rules and turn it into an awesome, more strategic game. Can easily be played in 60 to 90 min with shortened game rules. Base game is just over $20 bucks and the Thieves expansion is also just over $20. My second pick is Canvas. Beautiful game with transparent cards and you're combining 3 of them to make sets of pictures with the most symbols to match the award points. Light, 15 min games, 30 second explanation. I think $30 to $35 bucks.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it :) Canvas has been on my shortlist for such a long time, it's one of the kickstarters I most regret not getting since I've heard only such great things! I'll have to check out the Island of El Dorado!

[@SideQuestEscapeGames]

I’ve done really well with King or Tokyo. Have you ever played Yahtzee but wished you were punching monsters instead?

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Hahah I love this description, I'm going to use it every time I introduce it to people from now on.

[@jksgameshelf3378]

Late to finding this video, but I've had really good luck with Incan Gold, The Game (still a dumb name), and Welcome To... , but I think dexterity games have been the most common ones to get people engaged. Dimension and Junk Art are two really fun ones, and Men at Work has been a big hit, too. Oh, and Ship Shape has been a recent purchase that has gone over well. With party games, I really like Just One and Half Truth, which some people don't seem to know about (co-designed by Richard Garfield and Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings), as well as Anomia, although I've also seen that one get tense if people don't turn their card over quickly enough or don't hold it the right way so their arm blocks the view from some players. Based on your list, I can attest that Telestrations can be a great experience, especially if some alcohol is involved.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

This is a great list, thanks for sharing :)

[@n8rluva]

Dude this bro is hilarious!!! Thanks man!!

[@DarinMcGrew]

I played the original Eon version of Cosmic Encounter (with all the expansions) in college. No one was drinking, but we also didn't take the game all that seriously. As you mentioned, the basic game is pretty basic. The fun comes from the chaos that is created when various alien powers interact: Parasite does this, but then Void does that, but then Filth does the other thing, but then... and so on. It's in a category of games that I enjoy playing even if I'm not winning, just because the experience is fun.

[@michael3123]

Great video, thanks!

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Hey, thanks for watching :)

[@gareththomas7835]

Great list. I’d add Las Vegas to this. People love rolling dice!

[@bicskeiz]

Great video! My choice would be (from my limited collection): - Kingdomino for kids: the basic rules are very easy to understand, the artwork is too cute and kingdom building with combining the tiles is just fun! - Plant for adults: again, very easy to understand principles, nice artwork, the 3D component is a great experience, and nobody will be sad from loosing the game, because everybody built their own planet with their own ecosystem! What do You think of them?

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Kingdomino is such a great one. And such a good price, I instantly went out and got a copy after playing it for the first time. I've heard great things about Planet but haven't had a chance to play it yet - anything that brings something unique like that to the table is always on my radar, I think the concept is really neat and is definitely one I'm looking forward to checking out down the line. I can't think of anything like it, which is cool. Plus it's fairly quick too, right?

[@bicskeiz]

@@RoomandBoardReviews Yes it pretty quick, for four players its around 20-25 minutes, depending on the analysis-paralysis. I think we never play one game, but 2-4 in a row 😀.

[@jeffreymishra-marzetti9194]

I've had good luck with Ohanami and Silver and Gold. Both are really easy to teach/ understand and play quick enough that most time everyone wants a second or third go. And, if you are playing with just one other person, after one of those two I just mentioned, I bring out Hanamikoji.....2 plays later we have the aha moment...so good! 🤯

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

I really need to check out Silver and Gold, I see it thrown out a lot for these types of things. Hanamikoji is such a gorgeous looking game.

[@lotterwinner6474]

I have had great success with Teletrations\Pictionary, Catan, Betrayal of the house, & Wingspan.

[@ScottnCarol4JC]

I’m so glad you tossed Codenames off the table 😂

[@bertyking71]

i tried successfully with; Gloom by atlas games, dream home, flamme rouge, find the pickle, psycho chicken, codinca, outrun and mind mgmt.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Awesome list, I forgot a bit about Gloom, the theme and art are so great, and nice non committal length complexity, definitely can hook people in for sure. Never heard of Find the pickle before, but anything social deduction is always right up my alley haha.

[@jefemuga416]

I am a non gamer, stumbled upon your vid. i want to play a board game with you now.

[@IndianaGeologist]

I don't know about your recommendations for Rampage and Cosmic encounter. If you haven't actually played or wasn't really sold on the game in your first play removes a bit of validity in your picks.

[@artiethebengalcat]

Well this is literally ME so I love your advice :)

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Haha glad to hear it, we can stay together.

[@huntermayday]

Just one is my go to for new people and parents.

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

I like the catchphrase, "You didn't stop playing because you got old. You got old because you stopped playing." If you like it, it's yours.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Haha, maybe I'll borrow it one of these days ;)

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

@@RoomandBoardReviews - I'll be on the lookout. 👍

[@Iceman910902]

Can't say I agree with betrayal. Every time we've played that game we've had our heads in the rulebook half the night. I'll never understand how this game got so mainstream or gets suggested as a gateway game. It's such a rough and broken game for how popular it is.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Yeah I played it the other month and didn't love it as much as I remember, but I think if you don't worry too much about the rules, and focus on the theme I've had huge success in terms of building an ambience and getting people interested in exploration and leveling up their characters. And if there are rules mistakes along the way, it's one of those games where I say "meh, that's not what it's about". If you go in knowing some of the scripts are poorly written I've had a much better time

[@Iceman910902]

@@RoomandBoardReviews I think it might be because we're all heavy gamers. So streamlining and a tight ruleset is more important for us. Since this is meant for newer gamers, my critique is probably misplaced. One of my go to's is sushi go and I've had a lot of success with Coup as well. I've also had a good amount of success with Ethnos (for a mid/heavier game for beginners). I firmly believe with a reprint that makes the production better, that game would be on many more people's lists. I liked your suggestion about wavelength. Is wavelength team vs team? That's one of the biggest appeals of codenames for me. I find the board game world is seriously lacking much selection in the team vs team department, especially when it comes to meaty games.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

@@Iceman910902 oh yeah wavelength is team vs team, really good alternate for codenames for sure :)

[@ianw0ng]

thank you. i took your suggestion and now i dont talk to my 'friends' anymore.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Ahaha perfect!

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

As complicated as it may seem, every time I teach someone how to play Puerto Rico, they get immediately addicted.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

That's true, my parents absolutely love that game as well.

[@JoshCruddasMusic]

I feel like you are talking about me this entire video and I am both honoured and disgusted

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

You and Renee both!

[@timknauer8906]

Not having a catchphrase is your catchphrase :D

[@petergross7235]

I have a strong disdain for party games...but desperate times require desperate measures I suppose. And almost any party game should be better than Monopoly...which is what family always seems to want to play. Why? Monopoly is terrible!

[@FrightfulFailures]

On tour? Do tell

[@dago6410]

Codenames is probsbly (with chess and alikes) the objectivrly bedt board gsme invented by humanity. Sure i PERSONALLY love it but I also love some games nobody will care about in 5 years apart from me. Codenames will be played in 400 years. Most games wont.