Episode 460 - BGG's Top 100 Thematic Games

This week we look at data from several sources outlining some of the best selling games from 2023, and what we think of how well they sold. What games hit the most tables last year, which expansions did we all hoard? We take a deep dive to find out.Question of the Week: What's the most complex game you'd comfortable recommend for people new(ish) to gaming?Acquisition Disorders: We All Take from the River, Bloomchasers: Delightful 3D Tree Game of Flowers and WitsAt the Table Reviews: Rising Waters, Defenders of the Realm expansionsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we're revisiting the best of the best games of 2023 to discuss what games we will be nominating for the Golden Geek Awards (and why). Check out all of our picks for the last year's best games, plus previews of DC Heroes United and Bebop.* Acquisition Disorders: DC Heroes United, Bebop===Nominate us for a Golden Geek Award! The nominations are now open here: https://boardgamegeek.com/geekawards/boardgameWe’d appreciate your support as we aim to make this podcast a little bit less anonymous in 2024.===If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we take you on an epic tabletop odyssey into the worlds of Star Wars and Star Trek board games and RPGs. Find out how to string together some of the best experiences from both IPs at your table.===Nominate us for a Golden Geek Award! The nominations are now open here: https://boardgamegeek.com/geekawards/boardgameWe'd appreciate your support as we aim to make this podcast a little bit less anonymous in 2024.===Acquisition Disorders: Rebirth, Millennium Blades...Again!At the Table Reviews: Star Wars Unlimited, Castle Up, Star Trek Away Mission Kirk & Scotty, Terraforming Mars on BGAIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Part two of March Gamer Madness is now! Enjoy our rundown of the 32 best-remaining games from the top non-IP-based themes in board games. Find out which one comes out on top in this year's bracket showdown.This year, we're looking at the most popular non-IP-based themes, meaning the best games featuring:CatsZombiesAliensRobotsSamuraiKnightsVikingsCowboys===If you’re attending Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo, be sure to stop by and say hi, or attend one of our two panels over the weekend: Long Island Tabletop: Level Up Your Teach & Your Mental Health===If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's time again for March Gamer Madness! Our annual bracket face off challenge pitting 64 board games against each other to find the very best of a very particular set of requirements.This year, we're looking at the most popular non-IP based themes, meaning the best games featuring:CatsZombiesAliensRobotsSamuraiKnightsVikingsCowboys===If you’re attending Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo, be sure to stop by and say hi, or attend one of our two panels over the weekend: Long Island Tabletop: Level Up Your Teach & Your Mental Health===CONTEST!Our annual March Gamer Madness bracket is now live. Enter your picks for a chance to win a game and to help break ties on the episodes:https://woobox.com/8avpq2===If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're going digital this week with a look at some of the best all-digital deck builders, card flippers, and more. ===If you're attending Long Island Tabletop Gaming Expo, be sure to stop by and say hi, or attend one of our two panels over the weekend: Long Island Tabletop: Level Up Your Teach & Your Mental Health===CONTEST! Our annual March Gamer Madness bracket is now live. Enter your picks for a chance to win a game, and to help break ties on the episodes: https://woobox.com/8avpq2===* Acquisition Disorders - Queen's Blood (Final Fantasy VIII Rebirth, UniVersus CCG: Godzilla, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Tekken 8, Star Trek Star Realms* At the Table Reviews: Evacuation, Wings of Glory (WWI)If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we give ChatGPT a series of prompts and pitches board games based on those prompts. Chris guesses what input led to the description written by the AI. Can we guess the direction of the generative AI or will it outsmart us with clever designs? * Question of the Week: What's the best thing you've ever purchased for your board game collection?* Acquisition Disorders: Mage Knight: The Apocalypse Dragon, Mass Effect: The Board Game – Priority: Hagalaz* At the Table Reviews: Wyrmspan, Glitch Squad, KiteIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're looking at games that spin off from and are often better than the board game they are based on (dice games, card games, and everything in between). What are some of your favorites that fit this?Acquisition Disorders: Puerto Rico Special Edition, Star Trek Ascendancy on Game Found, Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition Reprint, Cascadia RollingAt the Table Reviews: Rats of Wistar, Cats and Quilts of Calico, Shelfie, SurfosaurusIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Anthony and Chris are looking at some of the many games to hit big box stores as exclusives or limited time releases (or streamlined versions of long time classics), in particular, Target and its long run of hobby games. Question of the Week: What's the best designer/publisher combo?Acquisition Disorders: King of Tokyo: Origins, Fled, FeudumAt the Table Reviews: Federation, Imperial MinersIf you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We're looking at the best of the best from Vladimir Suchy this week, running down our top 10 of his very diverse ludography. Question of the Week: What's a game you think should be in the upper pantheon of board games that everyone stopped talking about?Acquisition Disorders: Inferno Deluxe Edition, Dante: InfernoAt the Table Reviews: Flamecraft, Canvas: Finishing Touches – Deluxe Edition, Dominion (App)If you haven’t yet, be sure to connect with us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boardgamersanonymous), Twitter (http://twitter.com/bgapodcast), and our website (www.www.boardgamersanonymous.com). You can support the show as well by donating on Patreon (www.patreon.com/bga) or using our Amazon affiliate link.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy