I really appreciate that you put the titles of the games in the timestamps. It shows you respect us viewers' time, and also that you think your content is valuable. Thank you.

I’d love to hear more about your game group. No specifics of course. How many in the ‘pool’? How often do you meet up? They must love the early access prototypes. What types of games are their favourites? Etc. Love the content Alex!

Looks like I've made some good purchases. Picked up Everdell in the latest KS even though I've only watched play-throughs. Got Aquatica to the table for the first time last night and was really impressed by the gameplay. I also feel the same way as you do about Marvel United, Codenames, Santorini, and Castles of Burgundy. I love how many different videos like this you put out. I know the content takes a lot of time and effort, but know that it is greatly appreciated!

BTW once you add jagged earth (and by that time you might as well add branch and claw) the replayability and mechanism variability realllly increase by quite a mile. I was a bit surprised when you said that the mechanisms can get a wee bit repetitive. But as soon as you mentioned that you haven't touched jagged earth that made total sense. Jagged earth took what was an amazing game and somehow made it even better making it a permanent game in my collection.

#7 Totally shocked me! lol Great list and video, several that I like or love on it. Spirit Island would be solidly on my list if I ever made one.

Its funny Alex. I only just saw your video from 6 months ago on 24 campaign games that may go, and I wondered at the time which ones you will be keeping. I am just starting to watch and it will be interesting to see if this list includes any other campaign games. :)

Loved the vid Alex, thank you! :)

Loved This list. Marvel United really came out of nowhere for me too. It just works, and “hits the table” a lot.

Really good discussion of your rationales for keeping games. Thanks.

Great video! I am totally with you on Terraforming Mars and Vindication! I also wish I could find people that love Vindication as much so I could get it to hit the table much more often. Cheers

Great list! I’m pleased to see that have most of these =) I don’t have Bloodrage, Cyclades, or The Castles of Burgundy, which would you recommend looking into first?

you and me are VERY alike when it comes to boardgames... but Cyclades was REALLY fun to see you bring up in this list. No one ever talks about this game anymore... Super fun =) but nice list and nice content! You talk so fkn faaaaast xD I envy that

Thanks for the list. I found it interesting that none of them we for sentimental reasons. I have games I would struggle to say good bye to because of the memories. My first big effort to paint a game was mythic battles pantheon and all the great memories with “who goes there?” Make them game, even if not great games, that I could not say goodbye to.

Funny two of your games not making the list are the only two I am most sure of being forever games for me: Spirit Island and Marvel Champions. Everdell, Codenames Duet, CoB and TM I also think are forever but not as certain. Same for things like Robinson Crusoe, Arnak, Quacks, Agricola. I can see those being edged out by more shiny games.

Hi! Great video, have 3 crossovers) Second Expansion for Aquatica is on the waaay) In development for now, but next year probably on shelfs)

Great list. I really need to figure out what in my collection wouldn't leave. I don't think Small World will leave because I have everything for it... I mean it could but it has lasted 10 years in my collection...

Such a good topic, that I have to jump in. It is so cool to see Aquatica on your list. My wife and I really like it but have not played enough. Also, Vindication. I have not played but am waiting for kickstarter fulfillment. Super excited for this one. Terraforming Mars would probably have been on my list too until Ares Expedition came out. I really am questioning if I need TM anymore. AE is so fun and so much quicker.

There was something similar on one of the Boardgame Facebook Groups just this week. The top games I won't ever get rid of is...... Spirit Island, Anchrony, Everdell, Imperium Classics/Legends, The West kingdom Trilogy.

Alex’s love/hate relationship with Marvel United continues. I get it :) It shouldn’t be as good as it is but it’s so so good on the table that it defies usual rating systems.

Too Many Bones suffered from the same problem for me, and thus it left the collection. I totally get that need to be able to move along games that don't get played. On the flipside, I do have a small list of games that never leave. And as a miniature gamer, painted figs also fall into that category. The game that will never go away for me (just one, there are more) and I am keeping the giant copy of Ogre from that Kickstarter way back when. It gives me joy and nostalgia even if it hardly ever hits the table.

Marvel United is so much fun for kids and so easy to teach. TM will also never leave my collection.

Great list! TMB is such a great game. I also have the first iteration of the Trove Chest. What do you think about the new Trove Chest made with MDF instead of cardboard?

My board game collection is based on having a good choice for any group i stumble upon, as such i want there to be a couple of introductory games and a couple of thematic games (per theme) and so on.

Great topic. I'm relatively newer to the hobby (just over a year) and I think about this sometimes. The one that will forever stay is Wingspan. It's one of the first ones that got me into it; it has plenty of replayability with more expansions coming; it's easy to pull out and remember how to play. As much as I prefer heavy games, Wingspan still just plays well with me no matter the mood. Your choice was Everdell, which I enjoyed too, but the base solo was not well-implemented in my opinion, so I moved on that game. But I am looking forward to the Complete Collection next year with the new solo they're including

Terraforming Mars is going to be in my collection, eventually... My brother is a big fan, so i bought him many expansions and year ago he went all in into big box with all content. So i'm getting his previous version)) My scheme paid off))

What camera are you using, this is the sharpest picture I've seen in a while. Thanks for the upload. I have to put bruges and glory to Rome and definitely spirit island

It's impressive how Cyclades usually makes its way to those lists (mine included). Such a unique fun game!

Watching this and hearing you talk about how you enjoy games most at 2-3 players makes me think there’s some weight to Threetale’s decision to be a three player game. New sub love the channel by the way 👍

One huge factor that I would consider for the top 10 games to stay is how much money have I sunk into the game… expansions, upgrade components, sleeves, storage solutions. I have one game that I don’t really play much anymore, but have sunk so much money into it over the years, I will never get the value back. Therefore it remains on my list of top 10 never to leave my collection. ALSO, if I spent time painting the figures and game pieces… Marvel United and Fantasy Brawl come to mind.

How do you organise your marvel united stuff? The biggest problem is if you want to play with specific hero’s and villain that is in different box , it so annoying to take things out

Great video, now lets do the video about videos that were top 10, but ended up leaving the collection entirely and what their story is :D :D

I backed the base game of vindication without expansions. Which one do you recommend?

Wow! Shocked you havent played with branch and claw and jagged earth, certainly worth trying.

I do not see Battletech there. I got into it some time ago and I am still there.

Nice list. Marvel United really seems to be a game that a lot of folks stick their nose up to, then they play it and end up really liking it. I can see your point of view on Spirit Island. I could see myself getting tired of Spirit Island too without the expansions, but with them? Never. I really gotta get Terraforming Mars at some point, I constantly hear about how good it is at 1 and 2player, and that's right up my alley.

This inspired me to do my own list... in no particular order: 1. Santorini 2. Samurai (Knizia) 3. 7 Wonders Duel 4. Scythe 5. Raiders of the North Sea + expansions 6. Root 7. Paladins of the West Kingdom 8. Anachrony 9. Love Letter (Adventure Time version) 10. Hive

I get a feeling that Mage Knight is another game you won’t get rid of. I always am expecting it to be on one your games I got rid of videos, but it never is, and now I think it’s just going to stay safe and hidden away. You say you only play it once or twice a year, so it would seem to be in a risky position. Playtime, brain burns and other drawbacks, it is as an experience like on other and an amazing feat of game design/engineering. For me at least, releasing it would be an end to the quest of finding the perfect game, because it comes so close and I want to believe it’s still out there.

My Forever Games: Nemesis (perfect halloween game), Everdell, Dwellings of Eldervale and Just One. Kemet Blood and Sand is likely going to be on this list but I need to give it a couple of more plays first.

I definitely recommend the Jagged Earth expansion for Spirit Island. I was in the original Kickstarter, so I had the base game and Branch and Claw for a long time, and while I enjoyed the game I didn't love it. Games felt repetitive partially because out of the available spirit I liked very few of them (at the time basically Thunder Speaker, wildfire and Keeper of the Forbidden Wilds). Then I got Jagged Earth and I've been high on it for over a year at this point. I find a lot of the newer spirits really fascinating and satisfying to play. Out of the games on the list, Codenames has such universal appeal it's a tough one to justify getting rid of. For my group Terraforming Mars was a 3+ hour game until Prelude came out and took it down to a much more acceptable 2ish hour game. It's a shame about Turmoil because i actually enjoy what it adds to the game, but not at the cost of the play time it adds.

Do we have any timeline of when Cyclades 2.0 will enter into more public conversation??

You should get Branch and Claw. It adds more stuff, but the key thing is the new event system that takes a lot of the predictability out of it. I’m still at the point I enjoy it more without events but someday, I think I will add them and it will give the game a lot more legs.

Surprised I didn't see Cthulhu DMD here :)

I will never trust anyone who puts "NEVER" and "PROBABLY" in the same sentence... probably.

I think once Mad Titan's Shadow is officially released, you should give Champions another go---a lot of new and interesting campaign and villain aspects being put in there. Thankfully (?) Champions is now hitting a roadblock where content is delayed for a while so it gives everyone more time to play the unplayed stuff.

Games that will never leave my collection (in no particular order): 1. Spirit Island. 2. The crew (at least one version) 3. Cthulhu death may die. 4. Roll for the galaxy (unless I want a divorce, which I don't!!!) 5. Raiders of the North Sea (not only do I love this game but there is sentimental value for me as well) 6. Brass Birmingham Honorable mentions (likely never leaving) Hive Pocket, Original Pandemic, Quacks of Quedlinburg

That shirt is da bomb! I didn`t get "Steak two"?

When is that new Everdell Collector Edition coming? Do you have more details?

hi Alex, Would you have put Marvel United in the list if you just have the base game? Cause it is not easy to get the complete KS collection now.

didnt you just say in another video, that TMB is a candidate if you had to keep just one of your games?

I just received Castles of Burgundy last week.

It's only never until. :) I'm new enough at the hobby (1.5 year?) that I keep everything. I can imagine the chilling will start when I start running into storage and budget issues. Right now I'm just lucky they're not a problem yet... ;)

In your opinion, which Blood Rage expansions or addons is necessary? I hope Blood Rage 2 comes out and perhaps allows us to use some of the miniatures from the base game. Great video!!

I used to think the only sure bets were games where I painted the minis. But... sometimes you get rid of the game for ten bucks and hold onto the minis you painted.

Highly recommend adding the trading routes into Castle of Burgundy. They make selling a lot more interesting :)

Happy to see marvel united. Together with Terraforming Mars the only ones I would choose from your list😅👌would definitely put zombicide and cthulhu death may die on my list too..

Off topic but, do you have any plan to do a comparison video of voidfall and fractal....im curious to see how they are similar and which you think would be a better back

I collected Marvel Champions until Galaxy's Most Wanted. Then I had to decide for myself: am I going to continue this quite expensive ride (I don't expansion pick and buy but I'm all in or not) or get off this train now? I got off the train and with the money from the sale bought the Ankh basic pledge. No regrets.

I got rid of Codenames Duet twice. Gave it a second chance because maybe I was missing something but it's more annoying than it is fun.

Cyclades was my first area control game and i loved it to death. However Rurik Dawn of Kiev managed to kill it for me :). It gave me the same vibe as Cyclades only it felt a bit more complex and fun at the same time. If you enjoyed Cyclades i would definitely recommend Rurik.

Does TM:Ares expedition can knock out TM:base game+expansions?

Your point with Marvel Champions (that adding more content renders it unplayable or less playable) is weirdly what happened with me and Sentinels of the Multiverse. I used to play at least 3-4 games of it a week. Then the giant coffin box arrived and I’ve played it maybe that many times since receiving it. It’s not like receiving all that content is additive in any way so I think it’s just the psychological effect of those giant boxes. Wish I’d have just stuck with what I had before.

Good list. Have not played everything. Terraforming Mars won't leave my collection either, I guess, during my lifetime. The other one is TI4. This time, even if TI5 would ever come, it will stay.

based on that spoiler, I guess Ankh took the backseat to Blood Rage :P

Concercning Cyclades: I always thought Kemet was the better Game from Matagot and ticks similar boxes. Have you tried it and is Cyclades your Favorite over Kemet?

Too Many Bones and Zombicide Invader are the only two "games" in my collection that will not leave. That's reminds me, I must decide who to leave them to in my will!

If a game earns its place it is permanent to my collection. Ive gotten rid of a few games, but I usually don't buy unless I'm pretty sure. I have like 20 big games and 30 or so small games. Carcassonne and dominion are my staples.

3h for Terraforming Mars is really a speedrun :D, last game for me and 2 friends took around 5.

Interesting to see what others put in their never to go category Mine in no particular order - Ticket to Ride Pennslyvania expansion (family reunion events) Flamme Rouge plus peloton expansion Spirit Island with Branch and Claw (haven't needed Jagged Earth) Dixit (plus first 2 expansions) Dominion (with Prosperity, Seaside & Intrigue) Codenames

Do you think ragnarocks will replace santorini? Or is there a spot for both in your collection?

I'm intrigued with Vindication.

What is the name of the game with the plastic box of dice? I just understood something with bones :)

Does investing in all the expansions or being "All-In" on a game contribute to your decision to keep it longer?

I knew Blood rage was gonna be on this list, but no black plague Shocker. lol

After watching that I think you should have a link to your top 10

Are there an new upcoming kickstarter for everdell?

After painting all the miniatures, I never want to sell those games lol

My main reason for selling games right now is that more and more of them are available online, so if they don't get to the table in physical form I'll still have a way to play them. That said, there are still a few that are supremely unlikely to ever go away: 1. Terra Mystica - haven't played this face to face in a long time (what with the pandemic it doesn't help that it's best with 4). I have an expansion that's not available online anywhere, and it's still my favorite game. Not going away for sure. 2. Battlestar Galactica - my first favorite game. I might get to play it every 2-3-4 years now?! I don't care. I have all the expansions, broken token insert, and love the TV series to bits! It's staying. 3. Ticket to Ride: Europe - I haven't even bought the anniversary edition (after buying the anniversary original TTR I'm not sure there's a point to get such big versions). I think it's the first game I bought, and it's still that same copy, though now I can play with the 1912 expansion cards. I expect to play this with my son as well when he grows up, as the TTR series in general is a favorite of both my wife and myself. 4. Confusion: Espionage and Deception in the Cold War - a sort of chess where you have to discover how your own pieces move. Very nice looking, very hard to get a copy. And I love all things chess-like. 5. Terraforming Mars - I don't need to tell you why. 😁 For many other of my top 10-15 games I own must-have expansions which will likely not be added for online play. But I can still see myself selling them if they don't get to the table several years in a row. The most likely candidates to stay in the collection: Great Western Trail (though I'll sell the current copy to get the second edition), Gaia Project (a bit iffy, since it's really complex, but it does play well with 2 or 3, which TMystica doesn't), A Feast for Odin, Brass: Birmingham, Pulsar 2849, Nations, Barrage, Pandemic, etc.

Mine in order: Spirit Island with all expansions, I cant see it getting moved out of my favorite game. Deception and Just One, best social games, it never flops. Mechs vs Minions; because im a Riot/LOL fanboy, and my LOL friends, including non boardgame friends will surely love it. Villainous and Root, I just hope ot gets to the table more. Ps. Try Spirit Island! The new spirits, minor and major cards and events/blight cards etc, double or triple the replayability of the game. And the new spirits are really interesting and cool.

Every time I see Aquatica pop on a content creator's post, my wallet starts tingling. Must resist... trying to focus on games I can play with the kids (the oldest member of my gaming group right now is 9yo). 😅

I know for a fact that I will NEVER get rid of my Space Hulk. I will bequeath my sacred copies of Space Hulk (yes, multiple) to my children. And I hope that it will be passed down from generation to generation with appropriate reverence. ; )

You have the same problem as I. Buying stuff and do not have the time to play it. You should make a video of this.

Terraforming Mars, lol. I would sell that game in a second, but no one will buy it.

OK, #7 did shock me. :-)

Still waiting for your opinion on Ankh! Will you ever get rid of it?

Ive been interested in too many bones for awhile now but can't justify the price point

I knew blood rage would be on this list 😆

Terraforming Mars only 3 hours oO? (note, we mostly play with 4 players and draft)

Didn't you rank inis above blood rage and cyclades in other videos?

Alex! how dare you! Too many bones and spirit island!? they are both gamers games. Must keep! you put them back on your shelf now!

I love Terraforming Mars.

I will never get rid of Spirit Island, BattleTech/CityTech, Puerto Rico, Viticulture, among others... Probably.

I want your shirt!

I wish I could play any of my games enough times to feel they have grown old. 😞

So, I have to ask, have you added in Branch & Claw to Spirit Island yet? I'm not sure if you're aware, but the designer made it clear in an early design diary that Branch & Claws content was originally all just in the base game. Late in development they decided to pull it to make a cleaner base experience, but YOU REALLY SHOULD ADD IT ASAP. It really (really) elevates the play experience, both in card variety, moment to moment strategic calculations (via the new tokens that can be manipulated in spaces), and - for me me - it lessens the deterministic nature of the game via the inclusion of event cards (not universally good or bad, but always unexpected in outcome). Despite the comment below me, Jagged Earth isn't as necessary to add early. JE is for experienced players, as it makes the game more challenging, but B&C is for everybody. That said, you probably are talented enough to just include it all. p.s. Great video. Not even sure why I care, but I watched a solid chunk, and have always found your affable manner soothing and pleasant.

Looked up the game marble champions i was intrigued by this very original concept only to be dissatisfied

Yesterday you sold to me Inis by your review -Inis against Kemet and Cyclades..... And now you include in this list Cyclades not Inis..... Whyyyy?))))Now I feel that get wrong choice ((

What about games out of print and very hard to get, wouldnt that be a big factor of games that wont leave your collection

Surprising cyclades is on this list when im pretty sure you rated inis higher when you compared the trilogy

Games that will never leave me....Set a Watch, Root, Robinson Crusoe, Sythe, Dice Throne, Fury of dracula 3rd (technically), Codenames, Everdell (sort of) and Coup the list will be expanded in the future with Primal, Darkest Dungeon, Witcher, ISS Vanguard and Wild Assent because of the amount of work I will have to invest into the minies.

This is exactly what I needed, now I know I can safely buy these🤪. But no zombicide... Dude