So nice to see Trains get some love! I love the familiarity of its Dominion-style deck building combined with the route-building on the board.

Great video guys, really. I've come across your channel only recently, and now am catching up. Thanks for mentioning Kolejka! You pronounced it in a very funny way as "kolezhka" which in Polish means "buddy" - the correct pronounciation being "koleyka" 😁. The game is extremely thematic and realistic - all actions perfectly reflect drab life in communist Poland. That's why it is not only an immersive experience but also has a huge educational value for young generations. A true gem.

Talisman got me back into the hobby at 44 years old. Now I have over 200 friggin games.

He said "straight up butt-cheeks". Funny

"...us and Zee Garcia and that's it". It has a few fans over here in the UK, guys ... still waiting on that UKGE challenge match for Histrio :)

For me its definitely Tash-Kalar with City of Remnants as a close second. I incidentally also just suggested Tash-Kalar in your "underused themes" top ten as it has a very unique take on magic: "Tash-Kalar has a fantastic magic system! Instead of using typical mana, you are trying to arrange these magical stones into specific patterns. Once you create the pattern you can summon forth a magical being that bursts out, does something crazy and then it turns into to stone again allowing you to potentially use it to summon another being. Its also one of the few magic-centric games that actually makes you feel really powerful as its not just about dealing bigger numbers (damage) to your opponent than they do to you."

I bought Pagoda based on your excitement expressed in other videos. My wife and I love the game. Thanks.

I been in the hobby for decades. I just got Talisman last year. It's very enjoyable to just sit around and have the experience. I know we don't see eye to eye on lots of games. Your top 100s are missing a few of my absolute favorites. But that's ok. As long as we are all having fun. BTW: Nick won.

Fun idea for a Patreon video - each of you takes a 5 minute look at an old list like this and just chats through how you feel about your picks. Not saying that just to see if Mike can defend his number one (let alone defending the passion expended on being so wrong), but that would certainly be a bonus.

The Talisman argument is absolutely correct and why I own one myself. I don't particularly like it, but I own one for that exact reason of being a bridging game.

Heyyyyy!!!! Talisman #1 :D My man!! I LOVE Talisman. It's the easiest game on Earth to house rule. People saying it has this flaw or this flaw, honestly it can just be fixed by tweaking some rules and it doesn't break the game in any way. It certainly is the most underrated game ever.

Great Job guys! Some of my fav underrated (or obscure) games: Prodigals Club Yedo Automania Family Plot Happy Salmon Merkator Thrash n Roll (although points are a bit swingy)

Cool lists - some that are on my need to play list, some on my need to play again list, and some that I've never heard of and definitely looking up. Thanks 😊

I so love The Bloody Inn too! Strange theme but a fun game.

I was going through old lists and saw that you started by discussing Kolejka. So happy to hear you talk about it. I heard about on a similar list and tracked down a Polish copy and then downloaded translations of the cards in order to play. It is such a good game. And I now laugh when toilet paper, food, or soap are items that I wait on line for (life imitating art imitating life).

Thumb Up for the Castell mentioning, highly underrated

Kanagawa LOOOOOVE! I have it on my shelf, but sadly have not had time to play it yet. It’s beautiful, and Japanese, which is what drew me to it. This is THE first time I have heard anyone talk about it.

I've recently started watching your videos and in just the few videos I've seen, you've talked about Histrio and Shakespeare which are both about theatre performing. Do you guys have a connection to that scene?

I got The Networks at B&N when I was looking for Tiny Epic Mechs. They didnt have TEM and Networks was UNDER a clearance table upstairs... I remembered the htp video I saw on Game the Game. Snatched it up immediately, love it. So glad they didn't have Tiny Epic!

Hey boys, I played Broom Service the card game based on this video and you’re absolutely right, it’s great and all my friends have enjoyed it. One is buying a copy. Good call. We’ve played it a lot. (I had a copy, just never played it. It was given as a throw-in for another game I bought). It’s a well thought-out game. Only getting to pick three cards per round, and they all must be different really bottle necks the game and guarantees overlap so that there’s always a chance someone’s going to out-brave you. Lots of fun.

I am so digging this Downforce shirt Nick!! That Brothers Murph shirt is cool too but I’ve heard those guys are some Bing Bongs...

I have the Steam digital version of Talisman and I'm surprised I don't dislike it. Roll and move deluxe.

Talisman - Catan - Pandemic. The perfect trail of breadcrumbs to the hobby.

Now I have to get the bloody in! Sounds like just my cup of tea. You guys are hilarious . Love you guys! Keep doing what you do.

I love Castell. Unique in so many ways. Klask is awesome too. According to my BGG stats section, I’ve rated the following much higher than the community averages: -High Society -Castell -Welcome Back to the Dungeon -Lords of Vegas -Vikings -Biblios

I played Talisman as a kid back in the mid-80s, and it most definitely planted the seed that board games could be cooler than Sorry, Life, Clue, and Monopoly. It would easily make my personal top 10 most formative/important games.

"Play Dominion once, then move on. Burn that game" - Mike speaks the truth!!!

I'm totally into birds and when Wingspan came out I ran and showed my girlfriend and said, "They made a game for us!"

Grrrrr!!!!! EVERY time I watch one of your videos I have to open up my wallet. Never heard of Trains before, and now I will be an owner. I wish you guys would stop!!! Kidding, I love your enthusiasm for all games, thanks guys keep up the great work.

About Rococo... I think it is appropriately rated, lots of people love that game... You just dont see it everywhere because it's been out of print for quite some time...

By the end, I was trying to guess the number 1s - totally nailed Nick at Histrio, had Mike pegged for either Shakespeare or Seasons (two more games that only Murphs/Zee talk about). Opened my big mouth trying to call it, and Talisman meant breakfast was on me - thanks Mike!

Games I think are underrated: Specter Ops, The Captain is Dead, Asking for Trobils, Via Appia, Tyler Sigman's Crows, Trekking the National Parks, Rescue Polar Bears Data & Temperature, Cargo Noir, Dead Man's Draw, New Bedford, IGOR: The monster making game

For me I gotta say Vast. It gets a lot of hate for being too complicated but after reading each player rule it’s really simple to play. It can take some time to play, especially at higher counts but I really love the game. It’s one of the first games I’ve purchased and one of the main games that got me into board games, 5 minute dungeon was the other game.

Dammit, I guessed Histrio but I predicted Shakespeare was going to be other #1!

You're darn right it's Bang-a-Rang! RU...FI...OOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Now I want the Bloody Inn. Thank you for showing us. Talisman was also my first intro game to the gaming world and now two book shelves later, thanks Talisman!

I have The Networks. Love it. It was buried under a clearance table!!

Talisman is great! It is underrated. I'm glad it's on this list.

7 Ronin, basically 7 Samurai the board game. Tough choices based on limited actions. Defend those farmers with only 7 dudes!

I suppose you could take under rated in a few ways. It could be that it is well liked but not enough people have played it, or where people have played it but they rate it low. If I use the first criteria I would say John Company, by Cole Wehrle. The fact that it is ranked 1,354 on BGG will change when it is re-released, hopefully with a little less Phil Eklund involvement. People are a lot more open to Wehlre designs now. As for the second criteria, there are a lot I can think of: Stephenson’s Rocket, Rheinlander, Colossal Arena, Beowulf the Legend all by Knizia. Byzantium by Martin Wallace. Antike II by Mac Gerdts. Aladdin’s Dragons by Richard Breese. Finally, pretty much anything by Tom Russell.

Covert Action is my pick for most underrated game. It's a team-based social deduction game that has given me more laughs and crazy times than almost any other game.

I think my favorite underrated game is Vikings. At least, I THINK it's underrated. I never heard anyone talk about it ever. It's not on any Top Ten lists that I've seen. I played it on Yucata, and I just love it! Can't get enough!

Also, I just saw my comments from 2 years ago and realized I am now literally just watching videos I watched 2 years ago. LOL

Yes love top 10. I'm going to listen to this while working.

Vegas Showdown is one of my favourite games but after some wonderful Kickstarter Collector editions of older games ala Suburbia THIS ONE NEEDS a makeover and would be incredible

Fantastiqa and Sons of Anarchy. So good, yet so underrated...

Kolejka is also a solid choice, but yes it is kinda of obscure ;)

I love XenoShyft because it's a big game made of nine tinier games. Each round is its own thrilling challenge, and it's my wife's favorite deck-builder.

We love Kanagawa

Watching this after having just watched the 2019 and 2020 cullings... interesting that some of these games still got the chop despite being in the Top 10

I have Histrio and love it as well. I found it a couple of years ago in the clearance bin

100% AGREE WITH MIKE ON HIS #1!!! I've never played it but the Terrinoth games got me into the hobby and it drives me up the wall when people talk negatively about the theme being 'generic' I was thinking of doing a 'Tom is wrong' about him using the word "generic" in a negative manner regarding Terrinoth. It's familiar It's comfortable It'll get other fantasy nerds into the hobby without having to pay crazy IP royalties!! With Talisman's mechanics you're even more correct! It gets Monopoly and Sorry! players into the hobby without making them feel stupid or inferior. Also, thanks to Talisman's flaws and criticisms, we now have a better appreciation for AMAZING adventure games like Runebound, Mage Knight, Gloom of Kilforth and Hexplore It!!! 😊😊😊

Love Hot Shots too, and it never gets talked about.

Mike is a genius in his own crazy way. I totally agree with his assessment of Talisman being an awful game. But guess what? Despite having not played it in about 15 years it is still in my collection for exactly the reasons Mike said. Keep up the good work guys , Love your videos.

How is the replayability of The Networks?

Rocky Road á la Mode extremely underrated. Just bought the Bloody Inn and excited about playing it. Will have to check out Histrio but Mike is wrong about Catan. Nice magic powers. 👍

Based on your 'Talisman' reasoning... please make a top 10 list of games you should play a handful of times (1+) and move on to this better game (if you enjoyed the game/type) to have an even more enjoyable time. BTW... I still have all of the original Talisman and have used it multiple times to get people from stop playing traditional games to try something simple, new and different and then push other games after that. Gateways still hold a function.

BGG top 300 is a pretty darned good game and is super popular as well. Maybe talk about the actual score? Is a game underrated if it isn't in the top 1000 but is rated 8-9 or so? Maybe "undernoticed" or "underappreciated".

I have few games from FFG (shame on them btw...) (for not reprinting (nor make some expansions for) those) : -Battle for Rokugan ! Such an underastimed game ! (where you can lose some friend ^^) -Heroes of Terrinoth (the remake from Warhammer quest..) wich is a really good and got tons of replay value in such a little box ! -Gears of war : Such an awesome solo/op miniatures game ! It's hard, the IA is great and the theme is really good ! Other games : -Aristeia : A 1vs1 "Sport Arena" game, where dice luck is present, but in the end, that's the best tactical player who will get the victory ! An awesome 2 players game, tons of strategy and Many differents types of wining conditions. This game is really good, especially once you get some extra characters to make Some Drafting ! (the main downside might be the lenght of the games) -Flipships : This game is a blast of a coop Dexterity game ! (but yes, you have to stand up to play it...) (but if you can... OOOH MY GOOOD ITS SO FUUUUN !) We laughed so much with that one ! -Sanctum : Many players loves Roll Player, but personnaly, i prefer Sanctum ! With his "Diablo" Theme and his epic boss fight at the end ! (And if the "non coop" is a downside for you, well, believe me, we're making some little adjustement to play it as a 2players coop game, and it works great !) -Loco Momo : A brand new little collection game, wich looks really nice, plays quickly and is a really funny "kingdomino /slash Draftosaurus" like (we really love playing that one with kingdomino and Cascadia once we're a bit tired and need a more contemplative - relaxing game !) -Set a Watch : A really nice little coop game in a reaaaally great little box. Plays well at any count but we prefered it at 2 or 3 players. (the only big downside for me is the setup time) (but everygame i played was great and fun) Thanks for the content and Cheers from belgium !

This was awesome! Super enlightening list!

love Hotshots as soon as I saw a play-through of the game I had to hunt it down

Kanagawa. Yes!

:) I love that Talisman is on your list. Mike, exactly what you said happened with some of my friends. I hope to never play it again, but now I can play, say, Mage Knight with them. So you're not crazy, though I think it might be something of an edge case...

When I saw Viral I was interested, then it faded into the background. I like the art and the theme, but the cardboard looks too thin. I guess I will give it a try.

Much love for Last Will, I'll never play without the expansion!

Tournament at Camelot. Best trick taking game of all time.

Mike looked like he was explaining a crazy conspiracy theory with his #1 lol Port Royal is my number 1.

I think Sentinels of the multiverse is still underrated. I own the everything collection...And I'll be fair...the latest game mode Oblivaeon wasn't great...and took way to long to get out....but if you look at the base game mode, the feel, the replayability, the character uniqueness, it's such a fun game. I've shown it to many people and a bunch of them have straight up bought the game within a week of me showing it to them. It's been my favorite game since I picked it up and I love playing it with just me and my girlfriend (we play 2 heroes each). Thanks for the video guys!

If only there was a company dedicated to restoring older games that need a fresh look... *cough*restorationgames*cough*

My top ten would be: 1. Tyrants of the Underdark 2. Argent: The Consortium 3. Fantasy Realms 4. City of Iron 5. Quadropolis 6. Mafia de Cuba 7. The King's Guild 8. Gold West 9. Viceroy 10.Theseus: The Dark Orbit

I champion Xenoshyft too.

I heard there is an expansion coming out for Archmage that introduces the St. Louis Arch Mage

Haha. I thumbs up'd just before you said go ahead and thumbs up now because you won't want to after.. (but I always do it straight away because I don't want to forget to show you some love 🤗)

talisman was my gateway game too...

I am here only for the story of your lives, not for a list.

Ducks, damn it.

I own a copy of Kolejka (Hungarian edition) and it's called "Standing in line"

No Shakespeare? 😱 now that you're reading this, you need to give Argent the consortium a go as it's criminally underrated!

I’m shocked you guys didn’t include old Willie Shakes.

Which witch will I play? The Sun Witch... Winter Witch... Water Witch... Shall I have a sandwich and switch which witch... Great choice.

James Ernest's Ricochet Poker.

Nick made a list of games he enjoys people should play that I wrote down. Mike made a list of games he hates that deserve props that I want to avoid. Who won the top10? lol. Not Mike.

Aww people do care about the story of your lives lol Loved the auditions vid. I'm so glad Klask got a mention! Numerous games in there I really loved but my groups never wanted to play again. Viral is on my Shelf of Shame. Histrio.. I play it lol It's just so pretty. LOL Mike.. I see what you're saying dude. I loved playing Talisman at my role-playing club BACK IN THE MID 80's LOL

My most underated games are Family Plot and Unfair

By the way guys, there has been news of a Kanagawa expansion.

Castell - the box cover is almost repellent - I mean, come on. It's a huge turn-off. And yep, Klask is great!

Does anyone know what game they use as their cut intro for number 6??

Lol why honourable mentions? Make a Top 11 or 12. But great video as usual :)

Elysium is far and away #1 for me.

My top one is Inis.

What if I think Terraforming Mars is underrated. What if as an average (yet still amazing) gamer. I personally have not been worn out on the classic war game. I still love many classic games. And a modern unique game doesn’t have the same draw for me as it would for someone chasing the future of the hobby. My group brings new games all the time, and I play them with the group. I enjoy them with the group. But a unique theme like Castell has no draw due to theme. I can look at theme and say “cool”. But if you ask if I want to play a new cool theme. Or one of my favorite games which we all know the rules to. I’m going with old faithful. So for me, underrated is, “playing a game we all know the rules to.” I think that is underrated.

Mike's #1 was Underrated

Kolejka FTW!

Trains is an amazing game!

For Broom Service.. I've only ever gone through rule explanation and the first round before rage quitting cause it was absolute garbage. i'm still butthurt and angry that it exists OTHERWISE great video bros

The j in Kolejka is pronounced like y in you. The rest was great!

Oh man that ending, Mikes nr 1, was hilarious!!! 😂😂😂

The only Talisman I have played is the new one with my kids. And you know what. Its better. I feel like anything that has a Kingdom Hearts edition is not underated. Jus sayin

Thanks for the great list! Several new games I am unfamiliar with, so I'll be checking them out. Nick wins because Talisman is douche buttz ! laters...

Muffin table top games?...sh*t