Welcome to the exciting world of board games! Whether you’re looking to try something new with friends and family, dive into strategy-heavy games, or explore the creative and competitive aspects of tabletop gaming, you’re in the right place. Board games offer endless fun, challenges, and opportunities to connect with others, so let’s get you started on the right foot.
Why Board Games?
Games can range from light, casual fun to deep, strategic experiences. The best part? There’s something for everyone, whether you’re into cooperative games, competitive gameplay, or immersive themes.
Where to Begin?
Here are some great resources and communities to help you get started and dive deeper into the world of board games.
Websites
BoardGameGeek (BGG): The ultimate database for all things board gaming! Whether you’re looking for reviews, forums, rule clarifications, or the best new releases, BGG is the beating heart of the tabletop community. If a game exists, it’s on BGG
Space-Biff: Smart, sharp, and deeply insightful board game criticism. Space-Biff! goes beyond simple reviews, offering thought-provoking essays on game design, themes, and the evolving landscape of tabletop gaming.
Shut Up & Sit Down: One of the most beloved board game review sites, SU&SD blends humor, passion, and top-tier recommendations. If you want engaging, hilarious, and incredibly well-produced content, this is your go-to.
Board Game Quest: Whether you’re looking for detailed reviews, game previews, or strategy tips, Board Game Quest has you covered. Perfect for gamers who want well-reasoned insights before making their next purchase.
Stonemaier Games: Home of Stonemaier Games (Wingspan, Scythe, Viticulture), this site offers not only great games but also invaluable insights into game design, publishing, and community engagement from Jamey Stegmaier himself.
YouTube Channels
Watch It Played: Learn games the right way! Rodney Smith’s clear, friendly, and detailed tutorials make learning new games a breeze, so you can spend more time playing and less time fumbling with rulebooks.
Shut Up & Sit Down: Not just reviews—SU&SD delivers board gaming entertainment at its finest. Expect hilarious skits, passionate recommendations, and some of the “best” production values in the industry.
No Pun Included: Witty, thoughtful, and often brutally honest, NPI delivers some of the most entertaining and thoughtful board game reviews around. If you want in-depth analysis with a comedic twist, this is the channel for you.
The Dice Tower: The granddaddy of board game content! Tom Vasel and his team cover everything from reviews and top 10 lists to industry news and live playthroughs, all with their trademark enthusiasm.
ThinkerThemer: Board gaming from two perspectives—one focused on deep strategy, the other on immersive themes. Whether you’re a numbers-driven gamer or a story-driven one, ThinkerThemer has something for you.
RTFM: Board game rules explained with style and humor! RTFM (Read the F***ing Manual) makes learning games a blast with its sharp editing and entertaining delivery.
BoardGameCo: A fantastic resource for board game buying, selling, and collecting. BoardGameCo covers market trends, game investments, and whether certain games are worth keeping in your collection.
Stonemaier Games: Jamey Stegmaier’s official YouTube channel, featuring behind-the-scenes insights into game design, publishing, and community-driven discussions about board gaming.
The Army Painter: For miniatures enthusiasts, The Army Painter provides top-tier tutorials on painting techniques, tools, and products to bring your board game and tabletop minis to life.
Zumikito Miniatures: A must-follow for anyone passionate about miniature painting! Zumikito offers beautiful, high-quality painting tutorials and showcases to inspire your next hobby project.
Rogue Hobbies: A fresh, energetic take on miniatures, painting, and wargaming. Rogue Hobbies delivers high-quality content for both newcomers and veterans looking to improve their painting skills.
Squidmar Miniatures: Insanely talented miniature painter and content creator, Squidmar offers stunning tutorials, creative projects, and an all-around fun approach to the miniature painting hobby.
Podcasts
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast: Our absolute favorite in the podcast category – A wild mix of board gaming, roleplaying, and nerd culture. With lively discussions, in-depth reviews, and hilarious banter, it’s like sitting around the table with your best gaming friends.
Blue Peg, Pink Peg: A board gaming podcast with heart! Featuring insightful discussions, game reviews, and a strong focus on the social dynamics of gaming, Blue Peg, Pink Peg brings a fun and personal touch to the hobby. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, their chemistry and humor make for a great listen.
This Game Is Broken: A board game game show where a group of hilarious panelists take on ridiculous challenges, quizzes, and debates. It’s chaotic, it’s funny, and it’s unlike any other gaming podcast out there.
So Very Wrong About Games: A sharp and analytical podcast that doesn’t shy away from strong opinions. If you want well-argued discussions about game mechanics, design, and industry trends, this is your go-to.
Shut Up & Sit Down: The audio side of SU&SD’s brilliant content, featuring fun, insightful discussions on board games, gaming culture, and whatever other nonsense they feel like talking about.
The Board Game BBQ: A warm, community-driven podcast that covers everything from new releases to deep-cut favorites.
The BoardGameGeek Podcast: Straight from the heart of the hobby! This podcast dives deep into game discussions, industry trends, and everything happening in the world of board gaming. The host, Candice, is extremely likeable and offers a slightly different perspective as she is relatively new to the board game scene.
Board Game Hot Takes: Focused, insightful, and engaging discussions about the latest board games and industry news. Perfect for those who want intelligent board game analysis in digestible episodes.
Board Game Barrage: Energetic, opinionated, and always entertaining! With a great mix of humor and strategy talk, this podcast is perfect for gamers who love a little bit of sass with their board game content.
Ludology: A deep dive into the theory and mechanics of board game design. Whether you’re a designer or just love to analyze how games work, Ludology offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes perspective.
Social Media & Content Creators
Reddit – r/boardgames: A fantastic subreddit where board gamers from around the world share reviews, recommendations, and experiences.
Local Game Stores and Game Nights
Visit your local game store to browse new releases or participate in game nights to meet others in the community. Many stores host regular events where you can try out games and meet other players.
Join the Board Game Community!
The world of board games is diverse, welcoming, and full of passionate people. Once you’ve explored these resources, the next step is to start playing! The best way to learn is by jumping into a game. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, join gaming groups, or try out different genres until you find what you love. Happy gaming, and welcome to the adventure!
