10 Board Games to Start a Collection

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Join us as we discuss 10 board games we recommend if just starting your collection.

JUMP:
00:00 - Start
00:50 - World Series of Board Gaming
03:14 - Runner Ups
06:57 - 10
09:19 - 9
12:10 - 8
14:56 - 7
17:36 - 6
19:35 - 5
21:35 - 4
24:38 - 3
27:48 - 2
30:28 - 1

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[matheusfonseca]

Since this is a list that could (and should) find many new players, i guess it's always good to remind that NO game SHOULD be a stepping stone to a "heavier" one, the goal is to have fun, you can play just "gateway games" and it's ok

[SanderPastoor]

Great list! I also want to add, if you're new to boardgaming but you feel more attracted to heavy games, don't feel intimidated and go for it! I got into boardgaming at the end of 2021 and got Scythe very soon, and Mage Knight (for solo) 6 months later. These heavy games actually made me love board games! Lighter games wouldn't have done that for me. If you want to dive into the deep end straight away, and you're looking forward to learning something complicated, go for it!

[SlothNast]

Awesome list! Mine would probably be something like:

Lost Cities, Azul, Quest for El Dorado, Blue Lagoon, Stone Age, Chinatown, Escape: the Curse of the Temple, 7 Wonders, Modern Art, Just One.

Cheers from CO!

[aidanmurray]

Great list guys! I would have to put Bohnanza on my list. Low rules overhead and, something super important to me especially for playing with non-board-gamers, high player interaction. You guys put it in your top 50 (I think at 48) games of all time. I can’t preach enough for this game as I’ve played it with so many different groups and it slaps every time!

[abbeyrhode]

This is a great list. I'm not personally a fan of Arnak, but I know it's very popular. Another thing to consider including would be one or two small box card games like The Crew or Parade. When I started my collection, I got drawn into the hype of big games with tons of bells and whistles because those felt like the "real boardgames" but over time I've come to appreciate smaller, simpler games that have still have some strategic depth but also foster a more social experience. They also tend to be easier to teach, easier to get to the table, cheaper and they take up much less space.

Also BGA is a great place to try out a ton of different games. Playing online might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's a fantastic way to try something out once to decide if it's worth spending the money and attempting to talk your friends or family into playing it.

[jeffhiatt]

your 10 game bonus list...i was shocked Lords of Waterdeep was not on it...and then you added it. Its still one of the best pure worker placement games. My wife and I love it.

[JeFreeze]

This is a really good list with a good approach to variety. I would pick different games for a lot of categories, but Cascadia, Wingspan, and Just One are definite cross-overs with mine.
A game I was quite surprised not to see here is Everdell, it's got such great theme and art, is relatively approachable at a baseline, and can grow into a really satisfying midweight euro once you start adding some expansion content.

[daemnfaust]

The Azul chocolate looks really cool. But let's be honest, what I really want is actual chocolate.

[Mikl]

Your Lost Ruins of Arnak playthrough was how I discovered your channel. I ended up buying a copy and have really enjoyed it, mostly solo, so thanks! I think Chinatown is another great game for starting a collection, with simple rules and high player interaction given it's all about negotiation.

[Spades]

Feels great to see games from my library making the list -- still a few to collect as well. Lost Ruins of Arnak is one of my favorite games and I consider it to be a gateway game to bridge the gap between light and heavier games. Great work!

[Danathon]

Great list and have introduced a few of them that you mentioned to new gamers and have gone over well. I've found Ticket To Ride, Just One, Blockbuster (the movie, party game) and Dixit have been the biggest hitters amongst family/group of friends when introducing them to the hobby

[BavarianBoredom]

Great varied list. As I started my collection recently, Modern Art was one of my first ten purchases and I think fits the economic/auction category well. Every time we play it is hilarious experience as people really get into the art speculation theme.

[ricardomartin]

Superb video, great recommendations to start, well-based reasons and inputs.
Subscribed!!!

[trayvixk]

I love Stone Age, it's definitely one of my gateway game. A classic for a reason.

[papercavegames]

I HIGHLY recommend Welcome to the Moon - it's just a lot more variety and a campaign mode even. But I don't feel it's much more complex than the original. Here are my 10 games if I was starting a collection today: 1
1. Azul
2. Castles of Burgundy
3. Mission: Red Planet
4. Race for the Galaxy
5. Isle of Cats
6. Pan Am
7. The King is Dead
8. Forbidden Desert
9. Codenames
10. High Society

Honorable Mentions: Sea Salt & Paper (would be #1 but not available in US currently), Scythe (might be a tad heavy), Parks

[branboom]

Never played Carcassonne!?!? It was one of my introductions to the hobby and the first game that really clicked with me and my wife, still one of our all time favourites

[bblappalappa]

Really great list. In addition, I would highly recommend games that are enjoyable as solo experiences. When I entered the hobby 8 years ago, I had delusions of playing with my wife, my son, and friends… It’s usually just me - lol. I would also pay attention to the game mechanics and not lean too heavily into one. For example, one of my first purchases was Mice and Mystics; charming game. However, as I have grown with the hobby, I prefer games that rely less on dice. Hope this helps any new table top gamer.

[Robthebeatboxer]

good list ive heard of several of these games before but never played them i got into board game playing about a year or two ago when my buddy introduced me to binding of isaac four souls, and catan but i highly recommend dice throne to anybody starting out a collection of board games its a fast paced action game with strategic card play and dice manipulation as well

[ChristinaPlans]

I love hearing your perspective as well as everyone else that has made these. Love hearing how you two have different lists based on your different interests.

[arvindjain]

This is a great collection. I might add that these games games aren't just for starting a collection or for newbies, these are equally fun even for experienced players.
We've been in this hobby for about 5 years and own 125+ games including many of the so called heavy/complex games. We still continue to own and enjoy each of the 10 mentioned games here. :)

Other games that we own and usually bring out for the new players - Carcassonne, Splendor, Ticket to Ride, Trekking Through History, Lords of Waterdeep and Quacks of Quedlinburg.