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Bryan is flying solo this week and heading back to summer camp, which is obviously a terrible idea. In this episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan takes a look at Camp Grizzly Second Edition from Trick or Treat Studios, the cooperative survival horror board game that drops you into Camp with a masked killer on the loose. Bryan breaks down what it’s like to play Camp Grizzly, including the theme, components, setup, gameplay, length, difficulty, and replayability, while taking a closer look at what the 2026 Second Edition brings to the table. Is Camp Grizzly the tabletop slasher movie experience we’ve been waiting for, or should Bryan have just stayed home? Grab your flashlight, avoid the creepy cabin in the woods, and join Bryan for another episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast.

This week on The Gateway Gamers, Bryan is flying solo and diving headfirst into the world of word games. We’re talking deck building, spelling, vocabulary, books, and games that make you question whether you actually know how words work. Bryan takes a look at Hardback, the deck-building word game where your vocabulary is almost as important as your card choices, Dead Letters from Pillbox Games, My Book Nook, and Defenders of the Dictionary, the upcoming word game currently making its way through Kickstarter. Some of these are cozy. Some are clever. Some make you feel pretty good about yourself until you realize you’ve been staring at the same letters for five minutes. If you’re into word games, spelling games, vocabulary games, deck builders, solo board games, or just looking for something a little different for your next game night, this one is for you. Listen in, see what made the cut, and as always, let us know what word games we need to try next. Link to Defenders of the Dictionary Kickstarter -> https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adamsapplegames/defenders-of-the-dictionary?utm_source=chatgpt.com

A Very Special Episode of The Gateway Gamers is here! Bryan takes a look at three games from Very Special Games: Landfall, Abducktion, and Out of Orbit. Three very different games from a publisher that deserves spending a little more time with. And at the end of the episode, Bryan kicks off a brand new segment where he looks back at games covered on previous episodes and answer the important questions: Is it still in the collection? Does it still get played? Or has it quietly disappeared into the board game abyss? So give it a listen, check out Very Special Games, and stick around to the end for the new segment. As always, thanks for listening and supporting The Gateway Gamers.

The Villainous roster keeps getting bigger, and this time Ravensburger is bringing two very different Disney villains to the table. In the newest expansion, Disney Villainous: Success at Any Cost, we get Prince Hans from Frozen and Héctor De La Cruz from Coco. Bryan Marvel and RP sit down to see how these two characters stack up against the growing Villainous lineup. We break down their unique decks, goals, abilities, and strategies, talk about what makes each character tick, and ultimately ask the most important question: Is Success at Any Cost worth adding to your Villainous collection? Whether you've been playing Disney Villainous since the beginning or you're a gateway gamer looking for your next Disney board game, we're taking a closer look at what this new expandalone brings to the table. Is Hans finally getting the Villainous treatment he deserves? Does Héctor De La Cruz make for a compelling villain? And how does this new box compare to the other Villainous expansions? Give it a listen, then let us know: Which Disney villain do you want to see added to Villainous next? The Gateway Gamers Podcast is all about helping new and experienced gamers find the games worth playing, with a particular love for great IPs, accessible gameplay, and the occasional excuse to argue about board games.

Games That Belong in Every Classroom! This week on The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan heads back to the classroom to talk about some of the children’s games that have become staples in his kindergarten room. These aren’t just games that keep kids busy. They sneak in counting, dexterity, storytelling, pattern recognition, memory, communication, and plenty of problem solving while still being genuinely fun to play. Bryan takes a look at Animal Upon Animal, Strike!, Rory’s Story Cubes, The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game, I Want My Teeth Back!, and Hurry Up Chicken Butt! and talks about what makes each one work so well with young gamers. If you’re a teacher, parent, or just looking for great educational board games for kids, this episode is packed with games that can help introduce children to tabletop gaming while building real classroom skills. Because sometimes the best way to learn is to just sit down and play a game. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

The Gateway Gamers Podcast is heading back to Jurassic Park! This episode, Bryan and RP are stepping into the arena with Unmatched: T. Rex vs. Dr. Ellie Sattler, the expandalone from Restoration Games that brings two very different Jurassic Park characters into the Unmatched system. Can Dr. Ellie Sattler outsmart a giant freaking T. Rex? We break down how these two fighters play, what makes their decks unique, how the Jurassic Park theme fits into Unmatched, and whether this expandalone is worth adding to your collection. If you're new to Unmatched, a Jurassic Park fan, or already have a shelf full of Unmatched boxes, we've got plenty to talk about. So grab your favorite dinosaur, avoid the electric fences, and listen to the newest episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast! Unmatched. Jurassic Park. T. Rex. Ellie Sattler. What could possibly go wrong?

Bryan is flying solo on this episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, and he’s bringing LEGO to the table! Asmodee has been putting out some seriously interesting LEGO board games, so Bryan takes a look at three of them: LEGO Monkey Palace, Brick Like This!, and LEGO NINJAGO: Destiny’s Bounty Adventure. He's talking about what makes each game tick, how they play, what makes them stand out, and most importantly, whether these LEGO games actually work as gateway games for families and new board gamers. So grab some bricks, pull up a chair, and join Bryan for a very LEGO heavy episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast! Games discussed:LEGO Monkey PalaceBrick Like This!LEGO NINJAGO: Destiny’s Bounty – Adventure The Gateway Gamers is a board game podcast focused on gateway games, family board games, IP-based games, and the hobby we love. Whether you're brand new to modern board games or already have a shelf full of them, there's always room at the table.

This week on The Gateway Gamers, RP and Bryan Marvel take a deep dive into Magical Athlete from CMYK, one of the most unique roll and move board games we've played in quite some time. We break down the gameplay, the colorful cast of fantasy racers, the artwork, player powers, replayability, and whether this deserves a place in your board game collection. We also share our thoughts on the music guessing Hitster, the fast paced party game Qork, and the new Heroes of Barcadia Party Expansion, discussing what each game brings to game night and who they're best suited for. If you're looking for board game reviews, gateway board games, family board games, party games, hidden gems, or your next game night recommendation, this episode has something for you. The Gateway Gamers is a board game podcast dedicated to helping new and experienced players discover great tabletop games without the intimidation factor. Whether you're building your first collection or searching for overlooked favorites, we're here to help you find your next game. What game do you think deserves more attention? Let us know your favorite underrated board game.

What would you do if your entire board game collection disappeared overnight? In this episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, I tackle one of the toughest questions in the hobby: Which five board games would I buy first if I had to rebuild my collection from scratch? These aren't simply the highest ranked board games or the hottest new releases. They're the games that have proven their value through replayability, unforgettable gaming experiences, and lasting memories. I break down why each game earned its place, what makes it a must own, and why I'd choose it over thousands of other great games. Whether you're looking for the best board game recommendations, building your first collection, searching for essential gateway games, or wondering which games offer the most long term value, this episode has plenty to discuss. After listening, let me know: Which game would you buy first if you had to start over?

Godzilla has arrived in King of Tokyo, but is this new edition from IELLO Games worth adding to your collection if you already own the original? In this episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan takes a deep dive into King of Tokyo: Godzilla, exploring how it plays, how it compares to the original King of Tokyo, and whether the changes are enough to earn a spot on your shelf. From the updated components and table presence to the gameplay and overall value, this review covers everything you need to know before making your decision. Be sure to follow The Gateway Gamers Podcast for more board game reviews, previews, and discussions covering the latest releases, including Marvel United, Unmatched, Disney Villainous, Heroscape, and more.

Bryan and RP are heading to the movies this week with Popcorn from IELLO, a worker placement game all about running the most successful movie theater possible. From hiring staff and upgrading theaters to screening blockbuster films, this one feels like it was made specifically for movie nerds who also happen to own too many board games. The morons discuss whether the theme carries the experience, how the game plays, and if it is worthy of a standing ovation or deserves to be quietly dumped in the bargain bin next to the straight to DVD sequels. Is Popcorn a blockbuster hit, an underrated indie gem, or a bloated summer sequel with too much going on? Grab the overpriced concessions and find out. They also dive into some exciting Kickstarter talk including the upcoming Dungeon Crawler Carl game from Renegade Game Studios and Post-Heist from Happy Clappy Games, along with the usual cardboard nonsense, side tangents, and debates that somehow always happen. So grab your tickets, silence your phones, and enjoy the feature presentation.

Another transmission has been recovered during Lost Episode Week… but this one was almost lost in deep space. Back in the early days of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Producer Audra believed every episode needed a little “atmosphere,” which apparently meant dropping copyrighted movie music directly into the show. After this particular episode leaned a little too heavily on the iconic score from Alien, the lawyers likely detected the signal and the episode was quickly ejected out the nearest airlock. Audra has since been removed from soundboard duty permanently. But much like the perfect organism… this episode survived. Now recovered from the depths of the archives, Bryan and RP return to the corridors of the USCSS Nostromo to discuss Alien: Fate of the Nostromo from Ravensburger. This cooperative survival game drops players into the tense world of Ellen Ripley and the Nostromo crew as they scramble to complete objectives while avoiding the relentless Xenomorph stalking the ship. The Gateway Gamers break down the cooperative gameplay, discuss the tension building mechanics, and debate whether this cinematic adaptation captures the suspense of the classic sci-fi horror film, or if it gets spaced along with the rest of the crew.

The vault keeps opening as Lost Episode Week continues! Another long buried recording has escaped the archives after being banished years ago during our Great Copyright Purge, back when Producer Audra thought it was totally fine to drop copyrighted music straight into the podcast. Turns out… it was not. After boldly inserting Pure Imagination from the classic film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder, the episode was immediately sent to the podcast shadow realm. Audra has since been… relieved of her duties. But like a chocolate bar hiding a shiny surprise, this episode has finally been rediscovered and re uploaded for your listening pleasure. In this resurrected episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan and RP crack open The Golden Ticket Game from Buffalo Games. Inspired by the world of Wonka, this family friendly board game has players racing through a candy coated adventure in hopes of earning Wonkas favor to run the factory. The Gateway Gamers break down the gameplay mechanics, discuss how well it captures the Wonka theme, and debate whether this sugary adaptation is a sweet treat for game night or something that should be tossed in the chocolate river.

A lost episode stomps back onto the feed! Buried deep in the archives during our infamous Copyright purge, this recording has finally escaped the vault and is ready to wreak absolute monster sized havoc. Bryan and RP were prepared to ring in the far off year of 2022! In this resurrected episode of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, we unleash King of Tokyo, the smash hit dice rolling monster battle game designed by Richard Garfield and published by IELLO. We talk about why this gateway board game classic continues to dominate tables, break down the push your luck Yahtzee style dice mechanics, debate monster strategies, and ask the ultimate question: Does King of Tokyo still rule the city… or has a new kaiju taken the crown?

A lost episode emerges from the vaults! After a long battle with the dark forces of copyright law (looking at you, Warner Bros. 👀) and a certain wizarding franchise that shall not be named, this previously banished recording has finally returned to the world of the living. Originally recorded during Season 3, this episode vanished into the ether when our beloved producer Audra discovered the hard way that podcasts can’t just… you know… play copyrighted music whenever they want. But like a true boy who lived, the episode has survived the curse and is finally making its triumphant return. This recording comes from the middle of our Blockbuster Summer event, where we explored board games based on movies and asked the important question: Do film adaptations actually make good games? In this magical installment of The Gateway Gamers Podcast, Bryan and RP dive into Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle from The Op Games. We break down the cooperative deck building mechanics, discuss how well the game captures the wizarding world theme, and debate whether this fan favorite Harry Potter board game deserves a permanent spot on your shelf or should be banished to the Forbidden Forest.