Podcast · Leisure & Travel

Board Game Hot Takes

by Board Game Hot Takes · English · Leisure & Travel

We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 57 minNew

Hot Topic - When are Epic Games Worth It?

In Episode 322 we discuss epic (big, long) board games. How do you define an epic game? Are they worth the time investment? What games do you consider epic games? How often do you want to be playing them? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E321 · 5 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
Bus
In Episode 321 we give our hot take review on Bus covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on Duel Games and then discuss some games on our table including Ostia, Gunsen, and Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:17 Poll Time: How do you feel about Duel games? 12:12 Bus Description 14:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms 29:01 Production and Theme 33:39 Final Thoughts 38:20 Ostia 51:26 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 55:57 Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at…
E320 · 28 Sep 2026 · 54 min
Hot Topic - Board Game Collecting
In Episode 320 we discuss the board game collecting as a part of the hobby. Do we consider ourselves collectors? What makes an interesting collection? Why do board games make good (or bad) collections? If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠
E319 · 21 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo
In Episode 319 we give our hot take review on Gunsen COLON The Battle for Toshi Ranbo covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on whether its okay to concede in a 2-player game and then discuss some games on our table including Ants, World Order, and Origin Story: Heroes and Villains. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Is it acceptable to concede in a 2-player game? 12:38 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo Description 14:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms 40:10 Production and Theme 44:56 Final Thoughts 52:25 Ants 1:03:37 World…
E318 · 14 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Our Spirit Games, Grail Games, Most Gifted Games, and More - Mailbag #9
In Episode 318 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:39 What's your Spirit Game? 04:39 Have you ever sold or traded a game away but later decided you wanted it back in your collection? 10:07 What games are just dumb fun? 15:03 Are there any games you'd like to see get a digital implementation? 19:39 What are your most gifted games? 24:57 What game was reimplemented wrong and the original was much better? 30:39 What is the first favorite happy moment in board gaming that comes to mind? 36:10 Will we ever attend another public…
E317 · 7 Sep 2026 · 58 min
Wondrous Creatures
In Episode 317 we give our hot take review on Wondrous Creatures covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on discovery vs. mastery and also discuss some games that have ALMOST been on our table including World Order and Distilled: Cocktails. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Poll Time: Which do you enjoy most about enjoying board games - Discovery or Mastery? 10:20 Wondrous Creatures Description 12:28 Gameplay and Mechanisms 30:07 Production and Theme 37:12 Final Thoughts 44:39 World Order 51:32 Distilled: Cocktails If you enjoy the…
E316 · 31 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 18 min
Top 5 Party Games
In Episode 316 we play and discuss many of our favorite party games and you can play along with us. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:37 Balderdash 11:04 Wavelength 18:05 Green Team Wins 22:59 Skull 27:18 Poetry for Neanderthals 31:12 Scattergories 35:57 Flip 7 39:57 Hot Streak 43:59 Heads Up! 48:58 Mad Gab 53:48 Scattergories: Categories 56:17 Subjective 1:01:33 Wits and Wagers 1:04:31 Challengers! 1:10:41 Codenames If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social…
E315 · 24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games
In Episode 315 we discuss our top 3 resource economies in board games. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Beat The Expert Contest Winners 04:43 Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games (Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia) 13:12 Tinner's Trail 19:33 Power Grid 24:02 Modern Art 28:05 Keyflower 34:51 Creature Comforts 40:58 Smartphone, Inc. 44:58 M.U.L.E. The Board Game 51:19 Arborea 56:33 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky:…
E314 · 17 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
Entropy
In Episode 314 we give our hot take review on Entropy covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on how other people's experience at the game table impacts you and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Pokemon Modern Art, Wavelength, and Duel of Meloch. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Poll Time: Does another player's bad experience impact your enjoyment of a board game 09:00 Beat the Experts Contest Update 11:50 Entropy Description 13:45 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:54 Production and Theme 41:06 Final Thoughts…
E313 · 10 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 19 min
Super Mini-Review Party!
In Episode 313 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also catch listeners up on the BGHT Beat The Expert Contest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 08:52 Dawn of Madness 24:18 Trio / nana 29:23 Wingspan Pocket 48:17 Sanibel 46:30 Mister Diamond 51:07 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo 1:01:22 Stationfall 1:10:37 Dominant Species 1:14:46 Railroad Tiles If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community:…
3 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 42 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (1-10)
In Episode 312 we conclude the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 1-10. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Tournament of Champions Contest Update 03:25 Ark Nova 06:17 Azul 08:14 Pan Am 12:33 The Castles of Burgundy 16:27 Ankh: Gods of Egypt 19:23 Star Realms 23:41 Grand Austria Hotel 27:06 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 29:16 Terraforming Mars 32:11 Nucleum 36:37 Pan Am 37:31 Blood Rage 39:54 Civolution 42:50 Smartphone, Inc. 45:33 Dune: Imperium - Uprising 48:12 Everdell 50:37 Wonderland's War 52:28 Gaia Project 55:29 Agricola 57:13 Sol: Last Days of a…
E311 · 27 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (11-20)
In Episode 311 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 11-20. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Contest Announcement 05:10 Underwater Cities 08:33 Tycoon India 1981 11:03 Luthier 16:00 Isle of Skye: From Chieftain to King 19:50 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 22:31 Speakeasy 26:18 Blood Rage 29:05 The Expanse Board Game 32:45 Echoes of Time 35:55 Cthulhu: Death May Die 41:06 Blood Rage 42:02 Endeavor: Deep Sea 44:32 Darwin's Journey 47:12 Lords of Vegas 49:16 Teotihuacan: City of Gods 53:16 Lost Ruins of Arnak 56:53 Dune: War for Arrakis 58:40 La…
E310 · 20 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (21-30)
In Episode 310 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 21-30. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 Le Havre 04:10 Shamans 07:02 Wonderland's War 09:22 Emberleaf 11:54 Tag Team 14:56 Azul 18:22 Marco Polo II: In The Service of the Khan 21:19 Emberleaf 23:44 Heat: Pedal to the Metal 27:28 Sea Salt & Paper 30:05 Frozen Frontier 33:36 Thurn & Taxis 37:00 Tapestry 40:22 Barrage 43:00 Reforest 45:50 Pirates of Maracaibo 48:10 Brian Boru: High King of Ireland 50:47 Civolution 53:16 Moon Colony Bloodbath 55:36 Battle for Rokugan 58:07 Ark Nova 1:01:55 Scythe…
E309 · 13 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (31-40)
In Episode 309 we continue the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 31-40. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:41 Reforest 03:42 Ada's Dream 05:53 Rats of Wistar 08:57 March of the Ants - Evolved Edition 11:33 Brass: Birmingham 14:26 Yokohama 17:36 Thunder Road: Vendetta 22:30 Reforest 23:28 Crokinole 25:52 Rebirth 27:37 Echoes of Time 29:07 A Feast for Odin 33:27 Rising Sun 35:00 Biohack 36:43 Revive 39:10 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 42:50 Soothsayers 46:02 Godspeed 49:16 Stupor Mundi 53:40 Robot Quest Arena 54:29 Splendor: Duel 58:22 Clans of Caledonia…
E308 · 6 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 23 min
Favorite Board Games of All Time 2026 Edition (41-50)
In Episode 308 we start the 2026 countdown of our top 50 Board Games of all time with choices 41-50. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Anachrony 06:31 Spirit Island 09:44 Let's Go To Japan 13:56 Harmonies 16:12 Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game 17:32 Maracaibo 20:31 Mosaic: A Story of Civilization 22:02 Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico The Card Game 24:19 Biohack 27:05 Azul 28:51 Pax Pamir 2nd Edition 30:50 Cascadia 33:45 Woodcraft 36:10 Speakeasy 37:53 Emberleaf 42:39 The White Castles Duel 44:55 Revive 47:30 The Guild of Merchant Explorers 50:48 The Lord of the Rings: The…
E307 · 29 Jun 2026 · 51 min
2026 Mid-year Board Game Roundup
In Episode 307 we reflect on the year of 2026 in board gaming at this mid point to talk about some of our favorite (and most disappointing) board games and experiences so far. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 1:30 Which game do you want to take on a 2nd date after your first play in 2026? (Speakeasy, Off With Their Heads, Ada's Dream) 4:33 Which games hit the table more than any other this year? (Azul, Darwin's Journey, Obsession, Lost Ruins of Arnak, Tapestry, Formaggio, Captain Flip, Sea Salt & Paper, The White Castle Duel, Boast or Nothing, Dune: War for Arrakis, Manhattan Project: Energy…
22 Jun 2026 · 48 min
Amalfi: Renaissance
In Episode 306 we give our hot take review on Amalfi: Renaissance covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on kingmaking and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Unicorn Fever and Parade and Chris covers his first impressions after unboxing Dawn of Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Kingmaking Decision 07:56 Amalfi: Renaissance Description 09:47 Gameplay and Mechanisms 20:27 Production and Theme 25:41 Final Thoughts 32:37 Unicorn Fever 39:10 Dawn of Madness Unboxing Thoughts 43:32 Parade…
E304 · 15 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
A Barrage of Board Game Topics - Mailbag #8
In Episode 305 we answer a bunch of mailbag questions asked by our Patreon supporters. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 2:28 For what game do you prefer the digital implementation? What game do you refuse to play digitally? 11:48 At what point do you decide to buy a game? 20:52 How often do you get nostalgia for games you haven't played in many years? 26:32 Are there any goals for the pod over the next 5 years? 33:34 Has having the podcast taught us anything we didn't know about ourselves? 36:41 What legacy game would we want to play next? 42:25 What are some tips for teaching a complex game…
8 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Emberleaf
In Episode 304 we give our hot take review on Emberleaf covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We discuss a poll on anthropomorphic animals in board games and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Dune: War for Arrakis and Blueprints and Chris discusses his excitement about finally receiving (after 8 years) his crowdfunded Dawn of Madness. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 Poll Time: Anthromorphic Animals? 09:11 Emberleaf Description 11:30 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:27 Production and Theme 39:44 Final Thoughts 47:48 Dawn of…
E303 · 1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
BGGCon Spring 2026 Recap
In Episode 303 Tim discusses all of the games played during his recent weekend at BGGCon in Dallas. We also discuss a poll related to making friends at board game conventions. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Poll Time: Have you ever made friends at a board game convention? 09:28 BGGCon Spring 12:42 Coming of Age 24:15 Underwater Cities: Data Era 28:23 The White Castle Duel 34:58 SETI: Space Agencies 39:02 Moon Colony Bloodbath 40:37 Encyclopedia 44:14 Lacrimosa 44:49 Vantage 46:46 Formaggio 50:01 Everdell: Silverfrost 57:01 The Gang 1:01:59 Lightning Train If you enjoy the show, please…
E302 · 25 May 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Tabled! Loads of Recent Games Played
In Episode 302 we discuss a bunch of recent games that we've been playing. We also discuss a poll on how many games you get played in an average session. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Poll Time: How many games do you get played in your regular game sessions? 07:55 Emberleaf 17:38 Off With Their Heads! 25:35 Tag Team 34:04 Postcards 41:30 Euphoria: Essential Edition 54:46 Soothsayers 1:03:44 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join…
E301 · 18 May 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Lacerdafiable - Speakeasy vs. Kanban EV
In Episode 301 we feature two games by Vital Lacerda: Speakeasy and Kanban EV. We also discuss a poll on heavy games and include our final thoughts on heavy games in general and whether Vital Lacerda is a designer we want to revisit. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:53 Poll Time: How many board games do you own that are rated over 4.0 weight on Board Game Geek? 12:43 Speakeasy Description 14:10 Gameplay and Mechanisms 31:55 Production and Theme 37:33 Kanban EV Description 39:13 Gameplay and Mechanisms 51:56 Production and Theme 55:40 Final Thoughts 1:08:56 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the…
E300 · 11 May 2026 · 59 min
Episode 300 - The Best of BGHT
In Episode 300 we reflect on doing the show for so long and share tons of our favorite clips from the history of the show. If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠⁠
E299 · 4 May 2026 · 1 hr 33 min
BGHT SandyCon Recap Part 2 (9 Games Discussed)
In Episode 299 we discuss all of the games played during the second half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering in San Diego, California. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Stroganov 12:14 Manhattan Project: Energy Empire 23:19 Boast or Nothing 29:15 Grand Austria Hotel 40:44 Mule: The Board Game 53:03 Echoes of Time 59:41 Nokosu Dice 1:07:03 Burn the Fort 1:14:35 River Rush 1:30:43 Listener Shoutout If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our…
E298 · 27 Apr 2026 · 56 min
BGHT SandyCon Recap Part 1 (7 Games Discussed)
In Episode 298 we discuss all of the games played during the first half of our semi-annual in-person games gathering, this time in San Diego, California. If you enjoy the show, please vote for Board Game Hot Takes for best podcast in the annual Board Game Geek Golden Geek Awards here: BoardGameGeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:53 Ayar: Children of the Sun 14:40 Captain Flip 17:57 Lords of Vegas 28:15 Endeavor: Deep Sea 33:13 March of the Ants: Evolved Edition 40:25 Origin Story 45:15 Civolution If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at…
E297 · 20 Apr 2026 · 56 min
Top 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games
In Episode 297 we discuss how board games trigger dopamine and name our top 5 games loaded with dopamine hits. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction Top 5 Dopamine Loaded Board Games 05:57 Endeavor: Deep Sea 9:02 No Thanks 11:43 Champions of Midgard, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Eclipse: 2nd Dawn for The Galaxy, Arcs, Star Wars Rebellion 16:00 Nippon: Zaibatsu 19:48 Sol: Last Days of a Star 22:32 Kanban EV, Barrage, Tapestry 26:18 Slay the Spire: The Board Game 28:15 Tycoon: India 1981 30:53 Can't Stop, Quacks, Wonderland's War 35:35 Grand Austria Hotel 37:38 Dune, Fractal, Glory to Rome, Blood…
E296 · 13 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
Our 2025 BGG Golden Geek Nominations
In Episode 296 we talk through our real-time nominations for the 2025 boardgamegeek.com Golden Geek Awards. If you enjoy our show and would like to support us by nominating us for Best Board Game Podcast you can do that here: https://boardgamegeek.com/goldengeek Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 04:05 Above and Below: Haunted 04:57 Ada's Dream 06:53 Ape Town 08:35 Aquaria 09:32 Ayar: Children of the Sun 11:03 Clank! Catacombs - Underworld 12:44 Dark Heists 14:26 Dewan 15:55 Dune: Imperium - Bloodlines 17:28 Echoes of Time 18:56 Eternal Decks 19:46 Etherstone 20:12 Everdell Duo 20:40 Finspan…
E295 · 6 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Endeavor: Deep Sea
In Episode 295 we give our hot take review on Endeavor: Deep Sea covering the mechanisms, the production, and our overall feelings of the game. We talk about the games we'll be playing at our bi-annual (or semi-annual) BGHT Con and also discuss some games that have been on our tables including Captain Flip, Endless Space 2, and Earthborne Rangers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 BGHT SandyCon Excitement Chat (M.U.L.E, Stroganov, Kanban E.V., Speakeasy, March of the Ants, Echoes of Time, Lords of Vegas, Civolution, Aquaria, Endeavor: Deep Sea, Beyond the Horizon) 7:50 Endeavor: Deep Sea…
E394 · 30 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
The Economics of Self-Publishing a Board Game
In Episode 294 we invite board game designer, Andy Schwarz, on to discuss his experience with self-publishing a game and he shares lessons learns, tips and tricks, and some real financial numbers. You can read Andy's blog post covering some of the discussed topics here: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3215750/an-analysis-of-what-it-costs-to-self-publish-a-gam If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community:…
E293 · 23 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
BGHT in Africa - 15 Great Animal Themed Games
In Episode 293 we each cover 5 board games that integrate animals themes. We also discuss a poll on packing board games when travelling on a plane. 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Poll Time: How do you pack board games when travelling via airplane 11:40 15 Great Animal Themed Games If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakes Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.social Join our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205 Join our Discord server at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd⁠

About Board Game Hot Takes

We tell you how a board game experience felt - just minutes after we finish playing. Three unique points of view. No non-game nonsense.

Board Game Hot Takes is a English leisure & travel podcast from Board Game Hot Takes. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Board Game Hot Takes
Language: English
Category: Leisure & Travel
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1531729571
Rights: Board Game Hot Takes

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