Top 10 Small Box / Family Board Games of 2024

[@craiggruesome6400]

I love your end of the year wrap-up videos!

[@HelloSoloGamer]

I LOVE so many of these games! Harmonies, Cafe Baras, Fromage, and Harvest are all top games of the year for me! (And btw I did an unofficial solo mode for Cafe Baras! It’s on BGG! 😊)

[@MrButlertron9]

100% on Amy’s #1! Completely agree, totally obsessed :)

[@AndyBerman]

great video. i agree about Harmonies being the game of the year. BTW, some of those small box games are in big boxes ;)

[@rahdo]

final score 6 to 3 (to my tastes) and MAGGIE WINS! :)

[@Hubajube]

My favorite small box of the year was Caracas, a really fresh feeling tile layer.

[@TheLobbyOfHobbies]

You ladies are always putting out some great content and hurting my pocket! But I’m here for it!!! Wishing you both the best this holiday season.

[@Cissewis]

Thanks for the great list Maggie & Amy!

[@afrank525]

My favorite topic. 💜 Love your lists! Six of VIII is an amazing trick-taking game, it feels like such a classic in all the best ways. Urbion (solo Oniverse) is my main top game of 2024 that you didn't mention.

[@AeronwyD]

Just FYI - at the 10:00 spot, if you have a strong hand in The Gang, you actually want to grab the *highest* star chip. If you grab a 1, you're saying you have an extremely weak hand. It's a fun game! Dragonkeepers looks really interesting. I haven't heard anyone talk about this one! I've been playing Odin on Board Game Arena. It's really good! I haven't bought Cafe Barras because 90% of my game play is solo. I'd love it if you posted it your solo variant on BGG as unofficial or got permission from the publisher to post it there! :)

[@Sygness]

I bought Harmonies based on your explainer video a while ago. Amy's enthusiasm was contagious! I've played it a bunch of times since (solo only) and really enjoyed it. Thanks for the lovely recommendation!

[@a-c-m]

Harmonies is just amazing and so relaxing. Such a beautiful game with such an amazing production, both the artwork as well as the beautiful wooden tokens! I just checked and I played it already 139 times this year (😳), most of those were solo games to wind down.

[@sharlenekerr9034]

Love the List ! Thank you so much. Totally agree about Harmonies I absolutely this game. Cafe Baras does look awesome but might need to come up with a solo version. The cards look so cute!

[@amieamie6268]

Both of your no. 1s are absolutely at the top of my list too! I think Harmonies would by my no.1 too though, it's just so satisfying to play. It tickles all the right spots for me, while not being too brain burning. I love that!

[@boardgame_buzzz]

Love and miss you ladies!!❤❤❤ thanks for the great list!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@CoryWesterlund]

Great lists. My top 3 small box games this year are: 1. Stonespine Architects 2. Harmonies 3. Pixies

[@whataboutki]

Always love your t-shirts Maggie. I wish more people liked wearing lots of colour!

[@sophielasfargeas1878]

Like Amy, surprisingly because I usually enjoy heavy euros, my number one is Harmonies. 🎉

[@TheLobbyOfHobbies]

Gotta love Maggie’s passion for games that excite her theme wise! Amy loves that tension in games, Lone Wolves is one I picked up at PAX Unplugged and I’m excited to get it to the table. Harmonies is one my Christmas list, hoping Santa comes through!

[@Chawncien]

Been waiting for your year-end lists, ladies! This is definitely the one with the most games that I have some experience with-I picked up a copy of "Fairy Ring" for a friend thanks to your high praise, have "Fromage" on its way in the mail, and have been eyeing "Harvest" for a while. Also got "Harmonies" because of your coverage months ago, and it's been such a treat: easy to set up, quick to play, looks beautiful, and is challenging as hell. Totally understand why Amy thinks so highly of it. Can't wait for the big box list!

[@jamesmorgan1967]

I recently picked up Castle Combo after playing it on BGA. Easy to teach and different every time you play it. Games I don't have that I'm now even more curious about: Lone Wolves, Harmonies, and Fairy Ring. Great lists! Thank you!

[@bunbun6161]

Got Harmonies from my lgs recently. Really loving it!

[@blackboardgaming5348]

I love your list! Cafe Baras & Harmonies are great games!

[@RubyRevolution2015]

I don't wear tees but I bought both Andrew Bosley designs for my partner for Christmas so that I could see and enjoy the wonderful Thinker and Themer designs. Happy Holidays!

[@darlene7165]

So Excited to see this list! Oddly, I haven't had the chance to play many new games this year and have only played Things in Rings (at DTW), even though I do own Cafe Baras and definitely need to get that to the table soon! However, many of these games are on BGA so I will move them all up on my list to play! I know these on BGA: Harmonies, Fromage, Castle Combo, Stonespire Architects, Odin, Harvest and Middle Ages! Thank you for these great suggestions! I can't wait for your Euro list!!

[@odgregg]

Great video. So glad you taught us a few of these at PAX.... Now want to play Harmonies and Cafe Barras

[@lisahasegawa2674]

I thought Harmonies would be on here somewhere! I love it, too. ❤

[@cheekyjournals9327]

Harmonies is a firm favourite for me as well both the physical copy and on BGA.

[@KingMePlease3]

Convinced me to put Things in Rings on my wishlist and hoping Castle Combo is already under the tree!

[@LisaSueMarieHuffman]

I love Café Baras!! I play it with my husband and I always want to play but I can’t seem to win against him 😂 but it is still so much fun!! I made a solo version for myself, as well and I can win with my solo mode 😂😂😂

[@50mm_]

Oh, good. This is timely!

[@daem0nfaust]

The list I need right now hehe

[@chrisjanson8283]

I wish there was a “Melbourne” for Cities, maybe we can suggest that as an expansion.

[@sarahlanger2605]

Love your energy, great lists! Fairy Ring has only been out since Essen, hasn't it? I think it will grow in popularity, because it is very pretty and flows nicely. It was a really good year though, especially in that weight category... we'll see.

[@b.2194]

I am desperately waiting for Café Baras, but it is not available yet in Germany 😩oh yes, I love Harmonies, so beautiful ❤🎉

[@ianw0ng]

cafebaras was available here. i didnt think it was popular and thought i could pick it up later. it's soldout now and my kids want one. 😥

[@davidnicolau3927]

Your description of the time element in worker allocation in Fromage reminded me of another (much more complex game) called Arboria, from the designer of Barcelona and Windmill Valley, have you gals tried it?

[@AndrewWatson401]

Cafe Baras sounds like it has a vibe similar to the novel Legends & Lattes. Have you read it?