TDG: Cody's Top Ten Toy Box Games (October 2024)

Join Cody as he looks at his Top Ten Toy Box Games of all time.

[MBG]

What a great idea for a list. I love this sub genre of games, the first game i got with my own money from a paper run was Axis and Allies, the MB version. So this sorta game holds a special place in my heart.

[mitchsommer]

Cool idea for a top 10. Always keeping things fresh Cody.

[peterixon]

Great list Cody. Your 'honourable mentions' gave an insight into how tough it is to make a top 10 toy box games list. Hadn't realised the options 'Company of Heroes' offers; thanks for that. Same goes for 'Eclipse'. Like you, love 'Dune War for Arakis'. Placed 'Star Wars Rebellion' above Dune too; nor could I disagree that 'Twilight Imperium' deserves a high rating too. Amongst my list of 6-10, however, I rate 'Battles of Westeros', 'Blackstone Fortress', 'Assassin's Creed' the board game (with the add-ons, so that's not cheap), 'Attack', as well as 'Clash of Cultures' (the first edition for the map tiles, both for their buildings; though I acknowledge both could do with better and more diverse combat units). But like you said, tough choices when it comes to this genre.

[rockhopper]

Some of our favorites: World of Warcraft: The Boardgame, Nexus Ops, D&D Adventure System, Age of Empires III, Fortress America, Risk: Legacy

[VF]

An excellent list and good to see Star Wars: Armada and X-Wing. Regrettably both have been discontinued as AMG did not handle the production of the game correctly (coupled with the issues as to new ships with the latest sequels.) And Star Wars: Rebellion is a favorite.

[pronumeral]

Mate you have got to try Thunder Road Vendetta. The helicopters even have rotors you can spin!

[gowensbach]

I love toy box games! If anyone grew up with toy soldiers, but never heard of having "rules" to play with them...well, the progression is just natural. I wish I still had my Buck Rogers game way back when.

[vinceA]

I'm a sucker for these toy box games. Love the plastic. Heroquest is also good. Massive Darkness 2, Tide of Iron, Thunder Road: Vendetta, etc.

[RavingMadStudios]

I would include Heroscape somewhere in the list, and Thunder Road: Vendetta is excellent.

[rudyjansen]

Space hulk and Blood rage would definitely be in my toy box games

[eatingweevils]

If I had to downsize my collection to just one game. I would keep Star War Rebellion (expansion as well) . Its such a superb top tier game what gets better with each play.
Plus it was a childlike joy painting all those star wars miniatures and having a Imperial Fleet and army to command.

[zacharyclark]

Star Wars Rebellion is a classic. I really need to play that one again. Two other great toy box games are War of the Ring and StarCraft the board game.

[lamaze]

Was not aware you dabbled a bit into the Table Top miniature scene. Heroquest would be my favorite of all time.

[seanobrien]

Excellent list! Your 1st and 2nd would be the same for me as well. One I might add is War of the Ring. I like the minis for the generals in Hannibal and Successors. Another game I would add is Tide of Iron. However, it is sadly no longer in print.

[patrakis]

Nice list Cody. I was a bit surprise to not see War Room in there. Maybe Axis and Allies took its place because of the miniatures instead of plastic counters? I still prefer War Room with the big round map, the stick to push the pieces, the dry erase pad to secretly write the orders. There is so much stuff in that game. Thanks for the video.

[wmarclocher]

All the Milton Bradley Game Master series as well as HeroQuest of the 1980s. Dated today for sure, but really revolutionized board games back then. Before that I had to spend my hard earned allowance on lead figurines, not cheap especially if you needed an army or a fleet of them.

[davidk]

Space Hulk is a very fun "Toy box game" IMHO.

[olanmills]

I've got some games with numerous large miniatures, like Ankh and Rising Sun, but if I skew the emphasis more to the "toy" factor, then I think After the Empire and Cleopatra and the Society of Architects really fit the bill and are the top two from my collection. I'm not saying they're the top two games or anywhere near it; I'm saying that in terms of toy factor, they really stand out, and I do still think they're decent games

[barry_t]

Giant Killer Robots? I'm a big Cthulhu Wars fan, love TI4, You missed Firefly too. Or BSG for your hidden traitors...

[Daley]

Got a new game for my Birthday I'd never heard of: Cleopatra and the society of architects. Almost a toy than a game. 😊