Advertise on podcast: Shelf Stable: A Board Gaming Podcast

What if I told you there were more games than just Tiddlywinks and hitting a ball with a stick? Today we explore the wild world of board gaming or "tabletop gaming" as some people "in the hobby" call it. It turns out that board games have gotten pretty interesting and complicated since we were kids. Move over dice and spinners and say hello to Death Note moments and piss cubes. There's a new sheriff in town and their name is Food Chain Magnate!   4:19 - Some News: Upper Deck Harry Potter IP, help out and stay posted with Block Collective https://bsky.app/profile/blockcollectives.bsky.social/post/3mcmvptpv4c2h BGG Hall of Fame adds Puerto Rico and Terraforming Mars, 3MBG person-focused Hall of Fame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eMtH7370xQ Sam Healey statements and Dice Tower lack of response https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2026/01/30/veteran-dice-tower-reviewer-sam-healey-resigns-in-wake-of-saying-alex-pretti-renee-good-to-blame-for-ice-killing-them-after-comments-began-impacting-review-giants-annual-pledge-drive/   Games we played: 13:02 - Welcome To... (2018, Benoit Turpin, Blue Cocker) 18:48 - Dungeon Fighter (2011, Aureliano Buonfino & Lorenzo Silva & Lorenzo Tucci Sorrentino, Iello) 23:06 - Great Plains (2021, Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, Lookout) 26:08 - Unsettled (2021, Tom Mattson & Marc Neidlinger, Orange Nebula)   100 games before you die: 33:42 - Blood Rage (2015, Eric M Lang, CMON) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 36:56 - Chess & Other Games   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

I don't think you're going to like how the bracket goes. Not one bit. But hey, it's Shelf Stable. We're all about antagonizing our lovely, lovely audience. If you got new holes in your walls, new hair off your head, new ulcers in your tummy... you're welcome.   Games we played: 2:23 - Bohnanza (1997, Uwe Rosenberg, Rio Grande) 7:50 - Magical Athlete (2003 & 2025, Takashi Ishida & Richard Garfield, CMYK) 11:53 - Faiyum (2020, Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele) 15:39 - Riichi Mahjong (1920, Uncredited, Public Domain)   100 games before you die: 23:34 - Five Tribes The Djinns of Naqala (2014, Bruno Cathala, Days of Wonder) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 27:59 - The Monopoly Killer Showdown The Final Bracket [SPOILERS] https://challonge.com/wridaixb   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

We continue our observation of tall serious character and short crazy character in the third part of our study. Short character most definitely thinks everyone should embrace the rolling teach while tall character implores short character to have some empathy. The female spider then consume's the male's head to sustain her body during the birthing of the many thousands of offspring.   Games we played: 7:49 - Botswana aka Wildlife Safari (1994, Reiner Knizia, 25th Century) Kenny's question about eating board game pieces https://podcastaddict.com/but-why-vikings/episode/214541461 13:16 - Cross Clues (2020, Gregory Grard, Blue Orange) 17:19 - The Bottle Imp (1995, Günter Cornett, Matagot) 22:03 - Hearts (1850, Uncredited, Public Domain)   100 games before you die: 26:16 - Wabash Cannonball aka Chicago Express (2007, John Bohrer, Winsome) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 30:09 - Characteristics of Games Pt. 3 (chapters 3-5) Characteristics of Games (2012, George Skaff Elias & Richard Garfield & K. Robert Gutschera, MIT Press) https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542692/characteristics-of-games   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

Not like that! We got another one. What is it with kids these days chowing down on Azul pieces? When we said crunch, we meant the brain ya dingus! Use your noggin and crunch what we're spitting, metaphorically. And please, don't make us have to call another ambulance. Castle Pandemic has enough patients as it is.   Games we played: 2:51 - The Estates (2018, Klaus Zoch, Capstone) 7:40 - Cat in the Box (2020, Muneyuki Yokouchi, Bezier Games og Ayatsurare Ningyoukan) 11:55 - Bargain Hunter (1998, Uwe Rosenberg, Valley Games) 16:13 - Castle Panic (2009, Justin De Witt, Fireside Games)   100 games before you die: 19:46 - Innovation (2010, Carl Chudyk, Asmadi) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 24:44 - Crunchy   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

December 31, 2026. Tom has the build of that one doge meme. Regular body. Swollen, muscular arms. Kenny qualifies every board game comment by stating the number of plays and that he needs to play it more. Neither has purchased a game in two years. They don't even play board games anymore. They just talk about gooning to Twilight Imperium videos.   Games we played: 4:15 - Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition (2017, Dane Beltrami & Corey Konieczka & Christian T. Petersen, Fantasy Flight) 12:06 - Toddles-Bobbles (2010, Alena Lebedeva, Simple Rules) 14:42 - Fine Sand (2018, Friedemann Friese, 2F-Spiele) 17:11 - LLAMA (2019, Reiner Knizia, AMIGO)   100 games before you die: 20:32 - Clank! Legacy Acquisitions Incorporated (2019, Andy Clautice & Paul Dennen, Dire Wolf) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 24:32 - Resolutions Tom's 2026 resolution bingo https://imgur.com/a/3EE56xE 48:38 - The Pantry https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/350266/shelf-stable-the-pantry The Pantry is always accesible from the Shelf Stable website in the "About" section. The "About" also includes a searchable list of all the "games we played" segments with episode numbers, an FAQ covering our editorial policy, and a glossary of our most scuffed bits. https://shelfstablecast.com/about   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

It feels good to move these old bones. Let us rejoice by consuming and expelling media in the only way we know how: listicles. Listicles everywhere. Spilling the final blood of a year that we are ready to kick into the past like a horse that does not wish to be ridden.   Year In Review v25 7:22 - Top games we played 18:35 - Bottom games we played 22:08 - Unexpected and got rid of 32:25 - Lookback at 2020 49:33 - Outside the scope 55:13 - Predictions 2025   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

*Give or take the games we mentioned before the main topic. As Tom begins to close in on Kenny's position, a wild Eize Basa of Twitter (RIP) and now Bluesky fame (https://bsky.app/profile/eizebasa.baby) appears and distracts Tom with a fantastic list of games that every family is sure to enjoy during their holiday gatherings. No need for family arguments when you've got board games to play!   Games we played: 8:06 - Win, Lose, or Banana (2009, Chris Cieslik, Asmadi) 11:34 - Twilight Struggle (2005, Ananda Gupta, Jason Matthews, GMT) 19:15 - Azul (aka, "The Christmas Game") (2017, Michael Kiesling, Next Move) 23:45 - Texas Hold 'Em (1950-something, Felton "Corky" McCorquodale, Public Domain)   100 Games To Play Before You Die: 34:41 - ZERTZ (and YINSH) (1999, Kris Brum, Huch) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic (the real Meat and Potatoes): 42:26 - 8 or 9 Games to play during the holidays   Bibliography: Follow Eize Basa on BlueSky! - https://bsky.app/profile/eizebasa.baby Follow us on BlueSky! - https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast "How Does Dobble (Spot it!) Work?" by Stand Up Maths - https://youtu.be/VTDKqW_GLkw?si=CGlVrMalHC7eIGAK   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

This week, Taylor Allen of Shelf Stable canon fame helps Tom Bowers continue the quest to find Kenny after his mysterious disappearance. Will they manage to get away from complaining about Quacks and Final Girl long enough to find any solid clues? Or will they instead alienate their audience with discussions about Magic the Gathering and Jojo's Bizarre Adventure? The only way to know is to tune in...   Games we played: 8:19 - Hansa Teutonica (2009, Andreas Steding, Z-Man Games) 13:13 - Aboretum (2015, Dan Cassar, Renegade Game Studios)   100 Games To Play Before You Die: 20:28 - Letters from Whitechapel (2011, Gabriele Mari, Gianluca Santopietro, Fantasy Flight Games) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic (the real Meat and Potatoes): 27:06 - The BoardGameGeek Top 100 Reviewed   Bibliography: Follow us on BlueSky! - https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast "Money Please" (Parks and Rec) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGvWbsTDPHU Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Jack the Ripper comes out of a horse (Trigger warning: gore, animal cruelty) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCRcKpewpZQ   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

This week, Tom Brewster of Shut Up and Sit Down helps Tom Bowers take over the show in Kenny's unprecedented and unexpected absence. Will Tom and Tom manage to solve the mystery of Kenny's disappearance? Or will they simply yap about board games for nearly two hours and uncover the forbidden secrets of how to break into every Zoomer's dream career: becoming a YouTube celebrity? There's only one way to find out...   Games we played: 6:35 - Mexica (2002, Wolfgang Kramer & Michael Kiesling, Iello) 10:40 - Memoir '44 (2004, Richard Borg, Days of Wonder) 18:13 - Terra Mystica (2012, Jens Drogemuller & Helge Ostertag, Feuerland Spiele) 28:08 - BANG! (2002, Emiliano Sciarra, DV Games) 34:08 - (Bonus) Western Legends (2018, Hervé Lemaître, Kolossal Games)   100 Games To Play Before You Die: 37:08 - Cosmic Encounter (1977, Bill Eberle & Jack Kittredge & Bill Norton & Peter Olotka & Kevin Wilson, Fantasy Flight Games, et al.) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic (the real Meat and Potatoes): 47:56 - Making a Living as a Board Game Critic   Bibliography: Follow us on BlueSky! - https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast Roadman "Big" Shaq "The Ting Goes (Man's not hot)" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jlviX88iw Matt Lees in the Genius Annotations of "Lamborghini" by KSI: https://genius.com/5046168   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast

Bringing back all the classics in this one. Hope you're not a new listener because there will be a lot of unexplained mysteries. You know what? It still might be funny even without context. That's how good we are. I don't know... maybe I'm getting full of myself. Oh no. Am I getting full of myself? Please, somebody humble me quick! I'm not worthy...   Games we played: 4:22 - Belle of the Ball (2014, Daniel Solis, Dice Hate Me) 8:37 - Chinatown (1999, Karsten Hartwig, Z-Man) 14:49 - LLAMA (2019, Reiner Knizia, AMIGO) 19:13 - Nations (2013, Rustan Håkansson & Nina Håkansson & Einar Rosén & Robert Rosén, Lautapelit)   100 games before you die: 27:56 - Istanbul (2014, Rüdiger Dorn, Pegasus Spiele) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 31:26 - Nice   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

It's the year 2035. A retired Jim Carrey and Christopher Walken emerge from their stasis e-pods for one more film. A film to put all others to shame. Characteristics of Games: a Garfield Movie. The story of a little boy who was most definitely a villager even though nobody believed him.   Games we played: 2:50 - The King is Dead (2020 og2015, Peer Sylvester, Osprey) 7:35 - MTG Jumpstart (2020 og 1993, Doug Beyer et al, WotC) 14:21 - Cleopatra and the Society of Architects (2006, Bruno Cathala & Ludovic Maublanc, Days of Wonder) 21:30 - Twice as Clever! (2019, Wolfgang Warsch, Stronghold)   100 games before you die: 26:57 - Acquire (1963, Sid Sackson, Avalon Hill) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 32:47 - Characteristics of Games Pt. 2 Characteristics of Games (2012, George Skaff Elias & Richard Garfield & K. Robert Gutschera, MIT Press) https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542692/characteristics-of-games   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

Why so serious? Bou-ba-ba ba-ba-ba-ba ki-ki ki-ki hee-hee hee-hee. This beatbox really makes you feel like Joker and that's why it's powerful.   Bibliography: If Joker could beat box https://youtu.be/qrAXRSBv-co?si=TuSR14tPoEhoP1b- Makes you feel like Spider-Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1SpVYmcTGM It's about family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAoa-Ss6zS0   Games we played: 4:01 - Rheinländer (1999, Reiner Knizia, Face2Face) 8:56 - Downforce (2017, Rob Daviau & Justin D. Jacobson & Wolfgang Kramer, Restoration) 15:21 - Innovation (2010, Carl Chudyk, Asmadi) 18:36 - Mandala (2019, Trevor Benjamin & Brett J. Gilbert, Lookout)   100 games before you die: 21:57 - Star Wars X-Wing Miniatures Game (2012, Jay Little, Fantasy Flight) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 28:16 - A Game Unto Itself   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

Somehow, Monopoly DEAL returned... I don't know how it keeps worming its way in. The game is like a mind virus. Not too surprising given that Monopoly DEAL is the epitome of a trick-taker.   2:49 - Intro: Daniel Newman 8:34 - We Have to Know! How pharmaceuticals get their names https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring/2025/07/decoder-ring-explores-the-mysteries-of-the-universe-and-your-medicine-cabinet   Games we played: 18:24 - Magical Athlete (2025 og2003, Takashi Ishida & Richard Garfield, CMYK)   Topic: 22:51 - Everything is Trick-Taking Cho-Han https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/419710/cho-han-trick-taking-game MTG Japanese promo https://magicuntapped.com/index.php/articles/one-and-done-the-story-of-the-only-shichifukujin-dragon-in-existence The Fluffy Rite https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/187714/exultate-deo-the-fluffy-rite   Where to find Daniel: Newmill Industries https://www.newmillindustries.com Indie Games Night Market at PAXU, Sat Nov 22 https://www.newmillindustries.com/ignm Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/dnlnwmn.bsky.social   Songs: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

It's the year 2035. All games have been through a meta-battle royale, and the only game remaining is Pokemon GO. Run into incoming traffic to make sure you stay in the circle. Remember kids, if you die in the game, you die in real life.   Games we played: 2:29 - The Great Dalmuti (1995, Richard Garfield, AMIGO) 6:02 - Pentago (2005, Tomas Flodén, MindTwister USA) 16:37 - Legendary A Marvel Deck Building Game (2012, Devin Low, Upper Deck) 20:10 - For Sale (1997, Stefan Dorra, Eagle-Gryphon)   100 games before you die: 24:26 - Wingspan (2019, Elizabeth Hargrave, Stonemaier) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 26:00 - Characteristics of Games Pt. 1 Characteristics of Games (2012, George Skaff Elias & Richard Garfield & K. Robert Gutschera, MIT Press) https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262542692/characteristics-of-games   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast

Brace yourself. It's not like we typically make much sense anyway, but this one is around 60% words that are not present in any language. If you've been curious about trying out City of Six Moons, might I recommend listening to the second half of this episode as a sort of audiobook primer?   The worst volume slider uxdesign.cc/the-worst-volume-control-ui-in-the-world-60713dc86950?gi=c7b969c245cd Arkhipov Day https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasily_Arkhipov   Games we played: 4:50 - Billabong (1992, Eric Solomon, SimplyFun) 9:37 - Spynet (2017, Richard Garfield, Z-Man) 14:02 - 18MS: The Railroads Come to Mississippi (2020, Mark Derrick, All-Aboard) 18:07 - Seas of Strife (2015, Mark Major, AMIGO)   100 games before you die: 21:36 - Lords of Waterdeep (2012, Peter Lee and Rodney Thompson, WotC) https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100   Topic: 26:00 - Kiki or Bouba https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouba/kiki_effect   Songs: 100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfStableCast All our socials https://linktr.ee/shelfstablecast