This Board Game Life
Fatigue 131
Mark and Rob are back discussing news, recent gaming, and then go on to talk about burning out from gaming. Enjoy!
Games discussed in this episode include: 20 Strong: Nemesis, Camel Up (Second Edition), Night at the Zoo, Drillers and Bordeaux.
Evolution 130
Mark and Rob discuss the news, recent gaming, and how games have evolved over the years.
Games discussed in this episode include: Star Trek: Space Hunt and King of Tokyo Godzilla.
Intellectual Props 129
Rob and Mark discuss the news, some recent games that they played and then discuss how they have been pleasantly surprised with IP games lately.
Games discussed in this episode include: Mountain Goats: Legacy, The Game Makers, Kingdom Crossing, Luthier, Planet Unknown and Space Base.
Crowdfunding Too Costly? 128
Mark and Rob discuss the news, recent gaming, and some of the surprise hidden costs of a crowdfunding campaign. Enjoy!
Games discussed in this episode include: Star Trek Chrono-Trek, Star Trek: Captain’s Chair – To Boldly Go, Jump Masters!, Night at the Zoo, Ostia, Shadow Hunters, Mountain Goats: Legacy, Dragons of Etchinstone and Camel Up (Second Edition).
GenCon 2026 The Aftermath 127
Rob and Mark talk about recent news, recent gaming, and have the Gen Con 2026 debrief.
Games discussed in this episode include: Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, Sniper Elite: The Board Game, Cover Your Assets, Zombicide: White Death – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Timecrash, Mountain Goats: Legacy, Architects of the West Kingdom, Viscounts of the West Kingdom, Magical Athlete, Escape: The Curse of the Temple and Terraforming Mars.
GenCon 2026 126
Mark and Rob hit the mics discussing recent gaming, some news, the SDJ award winners for 2026, and the releases that they’re anticipating for Gen Con 2026.
Games discussed in this episode include: Panda Royale, The Game Makers, Champions of Midgard, Container, Captain Sonar, Mechs vs. Minions, Oak, Wondrous Creatures, Masters of Renaissance: Lorenzo il Magnifico – The Card Game and Space Hulk: Death Angel – The Card Game.
Express Crowdfunding Insanity 125
Mark and Rob are back with another game filled episode. We start off with what we have been playing lately, dive into some news, then Mark gets a little heated over some Express Crowdfunding insanity. Enjoy.
Games discussed in this episode include: My Father’s Work, Skull, Wondrous Creatures, Gloom in Space, Panda Royale, Zombicide: White Death – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Timecrash, The Game Makers and Space Hulk: Death Angel – The Card Game.
The Deluxification of Games 124
Mark and Rob are back talking about recent gaming, news, Origins Awards, and dive in on deluxifying games.
Games discussed in this episode include: Space Hulk: Death Angel – The Card Game, Zombicide (2nd Edition): Washington Z.C., Five Tribes: The Djinns of Naqala and Wyrmspan.
Expansioning 123
Mark and Rob talk about the recent games that they’ve played, go over some newsworthy items from the past two weeks, and do a deep dive discussion on game expansions.
Games discussed in this episode include: Zombicide (2nd Edition): Washington Z.C., The Great Wall, Azul, Car Wars: The Card Game, Shadowrun: Crossfire, Blood on the Clocktower, Awkward Guests: The Walton Case, Star Trek: Ascendancy, Kemet: Blood and Sand, Star Trek: Away Missions – Battle of Wolf 359: Core Set and Bunny Kingdom Town.
TBL CON 2026 122
Rob and Mark discuss the news, the SDJ2026 nominees, and TBLCON2026.
Games discussed in this episode include: Dungeons, Dice & Danger, Spooktacular, Spite ‘N’ Malice, Zombicide (2nd Edition): Washington Z.C., The Witcher: Old World, The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition, Concordia, Elder Sign, Castaways, Escape: The Curse of the Temple, Jambo, Targi, Fleet, Dark Pact, XCOM: The Board Game, Roma, Cities USA and Agricola: All Creatures Big and Small.
Golden Geek 2026 Winners 121
Mark and Rob discuss recent gaming, the news, and then go over the Golden Geek award winners. Games discussed in this episode include: Dark Pact, King of New York, Forest Shuffle, Shadows over Camelot, Zombicide (2nd Edition): Washington Z.C. and XCOM: The Board Game.
Gateway Games 120
Mark and Rob discuss news, recent gaming, and then go into a discussion on what games to play when introducing people to the tabletop gaming hobby in 2026. Games discussed in this episode include: The Witcher: Old World, Zombicide: 2nd Edition, Excalibur, Istanbul and Cities.
Reprint vs. Reboot 119
Mark and Rob talk about the games they played in the past two weeks, cover the recent news, and then go into a discussion on reprints and reboots of various games. Games discussed in this episode include: Cartographers, Tricky Traders, Labyrinth: Chronicles, Concordia, Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, Aggravation, Puerto Rico 1897: Special Edition, Phantom Ink,
The Neurochemical Reward System 118
Mark and Rob discuss recent gaming, the news, and do a deep dive on winning in games. Games discussed in this episode include: Rack-O, Flip 7: With A Vengeance, Blood on the Clocktower, Shadow Hunters, Apiary, The Mandalorian: Adventures – Clan of Two Expansion, The Mandalorian: Adventures, Tatsumi, Alibis, L.L.A.M.A. and Labyrinth: Chronicles.
Socializing 117
Mark and Rob discuss the games they've been playing, cover recent news, and then discuss the social aspect of the board game hobby. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Moonrakers, Coup, The Mandalorian: Adventures, Wonderland's War, Tatsumi, Labyrinth: Chronicles, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Moonrollers, Wizard's Academy, King of Tokyo: Monster Box and Hercules
Publisher Roadmaps 2026 116
Mark and Rob discuss games they played recently, the news, and what some publishers posted as 2026 roadmap releases. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: The Search for UAPs, Hansa Teutonica, Magical Athlete, Blood on the Clocktower, Captain Sonar, Shadow Hunters and Draft & Write Records.
Awarding 115
Mark and Rob talk about the games that they played recently, cover recent news, and then discuss game awards. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Nemesis: Retaliation, Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon, Dominion, Forest Shuffle, Fluxx: The Board Game, Railway Boom, Wonderland's War and Moonrollers.
Gaming Hopes for 2026 114
Mark and Rob discuss recent gaming news, some games they played recently, and what they would like to see happen in 2026 within our hobby. Games discussed in this episode include: Unlock!: The Escape Room Game – In Pursuit of the Iron Mask, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, Blood on the Clocktower, Puerto Rico
Media Influence 113
Mark and Rob talk about the games that they played lately, some recent news, and then discuss how influencers can affect our hobby. Games discussed in this episode include: Awkward Guests: The Walton Case, Maquis, Potato Man, Unfathomable, Marvel Dice Throne Missions, Sanctuary, Aquaria, Pondscape, Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game, Wroth, Shackleton Base: A
Crowd Craziness 112
Mark and Rob discuss the games that they played recently as well as the news and then they talk about how big crowdfunding campaigns and games affect the hobby. Games discussed in this episode include: Flamecraft Duals, Sanctuary, Tacta, FlipToons, Awkward Guests: The Walton Case, Dominion, Ticket to Ride and Soda Jerk.
Looking to 2026 111
Mark and Rob go over recent gaming, the news, and then discuss what titles they're looking forward to in 2026. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Rats of Wistar, The Gang, Bomb Busters, Lightning Train, ISS Vanguard, Mechs vs. Minions, Madcala, Flamecraft Duals, Gems of Iridescia, Pandemic Legacy: Season 2, Quacks, Super Mega Lucky
Best of 2025 110
Mark and Rob discuss their favorite games releases of 2025. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Spooktacular, ISS Vanguard, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1, Grimcoven, The Castles of Burgundy: Special Edition, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, First in Flight, Dragon Eclipse, Echoes of Time, Brink, Speakeasy, The Gang, Cosmic Encounter, Lightning Train, Ark Nova and
One Book to Rule Them All 109
Mark and Rob discuss the games they played recently, go over the news, and discuss board game rule books. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Istanbul: The Dice Game, Tend, Deception: Murder in Hong Kong, ISS Vanguard, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1, Spooktacular, Lands of Amazement, Root and 20 Strong: Tanglewoods Red.
Guide to a Great Game Night 108
Mark and Rob talk about the games they played lately and then go into the hallmarks of a great game night. Games discussed in this episode include: Andromeda's Edge: Deluxe Edition, Fleet: The Dice Game (Second Edition), Mountain Goats, Botswana, Wyrmspan: Dragon Academy, Twinkle Twinkle, Tend, Pandemic Legacy: Season 1 and The Hobbit: There &
To Keep or Not? 107
Mark and Rob discuss the latest news, recent gaming, and then talk about the criteria to keep games in our collections. Games discussed in this episode include: SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Arcs, Fleet: The Dice Game, Path of Civilization, Botswana, I Made You a Mixtape, Brink and FateFlip: Washed Ashore.
Gaming Maturity 106
Mark and Rob talk about some of the games they've played recently. Then the guys talk about the recent news and Gaming Maturity. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: The Gang, Fresco, Perudo, Ra, L.L.A.M.A., Shadow Hunters, Spooktacular, Puerto Rico, Le Havre, My Father's Work, Dwellings of Eldervale and Unlock!: Game Adventures.
Does Size Matter? 105
Rob and Mark discuss recent gaming, discuss the size of games, and announce the winners of the recent contest. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Istanbul: The Dice Game, Grand Central Skyport, Shadow Hunters, Between Two Cities, Steampunk Rally Fusion, Suburbia, Warp's Edge, Wine Cellar, Dog Lover, Brink, Nemesis: Retaliation and I Made You
We Did It! 104
Mark and Rob talk about some recent gaming and then discuss a big milestone for the show as well as Mark starting to paint with markers! They also bring in a contest to celebrate! Listen to the show to find out how to win a copy of Point Galaxy or Propolis! Games discussed in this
Spread the Gaming 103
Mark and Rob discuss some of the recent games they've played and then jump into a news update. Then the guys talk about why gamers like to spread the gaming bug to everyone around them. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Castle Combo, Panda Spin, Gatsby, FlipToons, Galileo Galilei, The Last Command, Line of
GenCon 2025 102
The guys are back from Gen Con 2025! Mark and Rob discuss the Con, their experiences, what they say, and the games they picked up and tried. Games discussed in this episode include: Casinopolis, Wroth, Toy Battle, Zenith, Compile: Main 1, Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, The Last Lighthouse, Conservas, La Habana, Xylotar, Forest Shuffle:
The Road to Gen Con 2025 101
Mark and Rob cover what they played recently and then discuss the games they are most scited for at Gen Con 2025. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Tzolk'in: The Mayan Calendar, Twinkle Twinkle, Leviathan Wilds and Radlands.
This 3D Printing Life 100
Mark and Rob go over recent gaming and then Mark covers his experiences with 3D printing and how he's using it for the hobby. Games discussed in this episode include: L.L.A.M.A., Phantom Ink, Obscurio, Flip 7 and 7 Wonders: Architects.
Price Increase 99
Mark and Rob discuss recent gaming and then go into the news, companies increasing their prices, and the Origins Award winners. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: ISS Vanguard, Rumble Nation, Ruins, Looot, Oddland, Money!, Vegas Strip, Castle Combo, Jamaica, Great Western Trail: Second Edition, Cyclades: Legendary Edition and Five Tribes: The Djinns of
Your FLGS 98
Mark and Rob discuss some of the latest news and games they've played. Then the guys talk about various qualities of local game stores that keeps them coming back. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Ruins, A Feast for Odin and Finspan.
2025 Spiel des Jahres Noms 97
Mark and Rob talk about some of the games they've played lately, cover recent news, and then discuss the SDJ nominees for 2025. Games discussed in this episode include: Mistborn: The Deckbuilding Game, Earth, Jamaica, Martian Rails, Dragon Eclipse, Super Motherload, Ahoy, Bomb Busters and Clank!: Catacombs.
Being Picky 096
Rob and mark talk about recent gaming and then discuss deciding how to pick games between different groups and players. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: The Resistance, Spectacular, Earth, Santorini: Riddle of the Sphinx, HALO: Mission Command, Oathsworn: Into the Deepwood, Jamaica, Abyss, Too Many Bones, Cities, Flip 7 and Great Western Trail:
Times Are Changing 095
Rob and Mark discuss some of the recent games they played and then go into how they thing the hobby may change through the next few months. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Slide, Faraway: People From Below, Moon Colony Bloodbath, Spectacular, Orléans, The LOOP, Earth, The Guild of Merchant Explorers, Moon Leap, HIT
Con Season 094
Mark and Rob discuss their recent gaming and then cover preparation for conventions such as Gen Con. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Wreckland Run, Wraith & The Giants, Proving Grounds, Slide, Faraway, Moon Colony Bloodbath, Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game, Cities, Flip 7 and Star Explorer.
What Are We? 093
Mark and Rob go over recent gaming and news and then dive into the different classes of gamers and where they align. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: Unstoppable, Prey, The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire, Rebirth, Clank! Legacy 2: Acquisitions Incorporated – Darkest Magic, Odin, Fromage, Forest Shuffle, Finca, Wreckland Run, Cities and Architects
The GOAT 092
Rob and Mark cover their top 20 favorite games of all time. What are the differences between favorite games of a gamer that's new to the hobby and one that's been in it for over 15 years. Plus, the guys cover recent gaming and news. Enjoy! Games discussed in this episode include: The Castles of