Board Game Hot Takes
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 19, 2026 • 1h 19min
Top 3 Board Games We Wish We'd Designed
In Episode 323 we're joined by board game designer Connie Vogelmann to discuss our top 3 board games we wish we'd designed.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:56 Connie tells us about Tideward and Weaverbirds12:16 Top 3 board games we wish we'd designed15:26 Baseball Highlights 204519:04 The Gang23:05 Dominion26:27 Glass Road / Black Forest33:03 Smartphone, Inc.36:34 It's a Wonderful World40:14 Blue Lagoon44:47 Nemesis49:56 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy52:58 Fromage58:54 Super Motherload1:04:08 Nexus Ops1:12:29 Will the BGHT Hosts ever design a board game?If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Oct 12, 2026 • 57min
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/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Oct 5, 2026 • 1h 9min
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 Introduction01:17 Poll Time: How do you feel about Duel games?12:12 Bus Description14:15 Gameplay and Mechanisms29:01 Production and Theme33:39 Final Thoughts38:20 Ostia51:26 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo55:57 Jisogi: Anime Studio TycoonIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Sep 28, 2026 • 54min
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/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Sep 21, 2026 • 1h 19min
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 Introduction00:24 Poll Time: Is it acceptable to concede in a 2-player game?12:38 Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo Description14:29 Gameplay and Mechanisms40:10 Production and Theme44:56 Final Thoughts52:25 Ants1:03:37 World Order1:11:52 Origin Story: Heroes and VillainsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Sep 14, 2026 • 1h 16min
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 Introduction00:39 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 board game convention?39:53 How have you grown as a person through playing board games?44:48 If you could only play 2 games the rest of your life which ones would you select and why?49:00 What are your Grail Games to play and/or own?57:21 What mics and DAWs do we own and other questions about creating the podcast?1:02:48 Which games are worse to play on Board Game Arena than in person?1:07:21 How did the hosts of the show meet?If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Sep 7, 2026 • 58min
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 Introduction01:31 Poll Time: Which do you enjoy most about enjoying board games - Discovery or Mastery?10:20 Wondrous Creatures Description12:28 Gameplay and Mechanisms30:07 Production and Theme37:12 Final Thoughts44:39 World Order51:32 Distilled: CocktailsIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Aug 31, 2026 • 1h 18min
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 Introduction03:37 Balderdash11:04 Wavelength18:05 Green Team Wins22:59 Skull27:18 Poetry for Neanderthals31:12 Scattergories35:57 Flip 739:57 Hot Streak43:59 Heads Up!48:58 Mad Gab53:48 Scattergories: Categories56:17 Subjective1:01:33 Wits and Wagers1:04:31 Challengers!1:10:41 CodenamesIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Aug 24, 2026 • 1h 3min
Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games
In Episode 315 we discuss our top 3 resource economies in board games.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Beat The Expert Contest Winners04:43 Top 3 Resource Economies in Board Games (Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia)13:12 Tinner's Trail19:33 Power Grid24:02 Modern Art28:05 Keyflower34:51 Creature Comforts40:58 Smartphone, Inc.44:58 M.U.L.E. The Board Game51:19 Arborea56:33 Eclipse: Second Dawn for the GalaxyIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at: https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
Aug 17, 2026 • 1h 14min
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 Introduction00:24 Poll Time: Does another player's bad experience impact your enjoyment of a board game09:00 Beat the Experts Contest Update11:50 Entropy Description13:45 Gameplay and Mechanisms31:54 Production and Theme41:06 Final Thoughts51:36 Pokemon Modern Art53:26 Wavelength58:32 Duel of Meloch1:10:17 Listener ShoutoutIf you enjoy the show, please consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/boardgamehottakesFollow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/boardgamehottakes.bsky.socialJoin our Board Game Arena Community: https://boardgamearena.com/group?id=11417205Join our Discord server at:https://discord.gg/vMtAYQWURd
