Bitewing Games Podcast

Note: This episode also exists in video form on YouTube.Joe (Allplay) and Nick (Bitewing Games) discuss the thing that holds the bits — board game boxes and packaging:How much does the box matter?Box sizes — big vs small, airy vs tightAlternatives to standard boxesBox backs — thinking outside the boxCheck out the current Kickstarter for Bitewing's Travel Line: Gazebo and Gingham.Subscribe to the Bitewing Games NewsletterSubscribe to the Allplay Newsletter (near the bottom of this page)

Nick and Chris Yi (The Dice Tower) discuss travel size board games and share their favorites!Check out the upcoming Kickstarter project for Bitewing's Travel Line: Gazebo and Gingham, launching on April 22!

Note: This episode also exists in video form on YouTube.Joe (Allplay) and Nick (Bitewing Games) discuss components in board games:The value of component hooks/gimmicks. Can games be too overproduced or too underproduced? The impact of components in the board game experience.Check out the upcoming Kickstarter for Bitewing's Travel Line: Gazebo and Gingham.Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter: https://bitewinggames.com/subscribe/Subscribe to the Allplay Newsletter (near the bottom of this page): https://www.allplay.com

Nick shares his 1st impressions of 5 new board games:0:42 - Agent Avenue5:13 - Altay: Dawn of Civilization8:50 - The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game12:34 - Nova Era18:20 - SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

After two plays, Nick shares his experience and impressions in this full preview of Merchants of Andromeda by Reiner Knizia and Robert Hovakimyan.

Nick shares his Top 20 Board Games of 2024 as well as many other awards for what was a killer year for board gaming.

Note: This episode also exists in video form on YouTube.Joe (Allplay) and Nick (Bitewing Games) discuss board game development. What is development? How do publishers take a design from signed prototype to published game? Best practices for board game development?Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter: https://bitewinggames.com/subscribe/Subscribe to the Allplay Newsletter (near the bottom of this page): https://www.allplay.com

Note: This episode also exists in video form on YouTube.Joe (from Allplay) and Nick (from Bitewing Games) share insights and experiences of board game publishing! Get a peek behind the curtains of the board game industry. This series is meant to be both interesting to hobbyist gamers and helpful to other publishers, designers, and professionals in board games.In this episode, Joe and Nick discuss board game conventions. What is their purpose? How do publishers make the most of them?If you want to catch up on previous episodes, then head over to the YouTube playlist (link above)

Nick shares 18 of his most anticipated Board Games of 2025!Preorder Iliad, Ichor, SILOS, EGO, and/or ORBIT here.Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter here.

Nick revisits over 50 of the best board games of 2023 by categorizing them into lovers, keepers, dumpers, flingers, and seekers.Don't miss out on a huge upcoming year for Bitewing Games! Be sure to subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter.

Nick finishes his Top 100 Board Games of All Time list by sharing games 25-1 (plus how he would rank Bitewing's publications among his Top 100).Check out SILOS, EGO, and ORBIT on Kickstarter!

Nick continues his Top 100 Board Games of All Time list by sharing games 50-26. Check out Reiner Knizia's SHOCKING Confession Video.Check out the Epic Knizia Project, now live on Kickstarter.

Nick continues his Top 100 Board Games of All Time list by sharing games 75-51. Check out Reiner Knizia's SHOCKING Confession Video.Check out the Epic Knizia Project, now live on Kickstarter.

Nick shares his Top 100 Board Games of All Time, starting with games 100-76!Follow the Secret Epic Big Box Knizia Kickstarter Project, launching this month!

Nick shares his 1st impressions of board games he's been playing lately:0:41 - Courtisans3:43 - Ark Nova: Marine Worlds7:42 - Klink11:22 - Heat: Heavy Rain Expansion13:55 - Expressions17:46 - Things in Rings21:48 - ArcsDon't miss our Secret Epic Big Box Knizia Project launching in October! Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter to follow along.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of new-ish games he has been playing recently:0:49 - Iki3:27 - Palmyra (Buy Low Sell High)6:12 - Harmonies9:33 - A Message from the Stars12:40 - Pax Penning17:45 - KnarrCheck out our new releases (now shipping worldwide) including Cascadero, Cascadito, Spectral, and Trailblazers: Sasquatch Expansion.

Nick shares his first impressions of new-to-him board games he's been playing lately:Through the Desert: Bazaar Expansion - 0:45Innovation - 6:26Apiary - 11:13Wonder Bowling - 14:46Skyrise - 17:23London (Second Edition) - 25:22Great Plains - 27:50Follow the Kickstarter page for Iliad and Ichor. Thanks for your support!

Nick is joined by the excellent Cardboard Philosophy podcast where they discuss their show, the Jazz Collection, and their prognosis of board games they've been playing lately.Check out the Cardboard Philosophy Podcast here.Check out the episode that Nick joined here.Check out the Jazz Collection Kickstarter here.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of the following new(ish) board games:0:42 - Galactic Renaissance3:56 - Clash of the Gladiators7:56 - Sol: Last Days of a Star13:52 - Die Patin, Löwenherz19:42 - Botanik24:16 - Ticket to Ride Legacy: Legends of the WestOur Jazz Collection Kickstarter (Bebop, Shuffle & Swing, and Cat Blues) is now live! Check out the Kickstarter here.

Nick shares his first impressions of another big batch of Knizia games... from old classics to recent reskins!0:52 - Penguin Party3:41 - Genial Spezial6:08 - Tatari11:05 - City of the Living16:34 - Keltis + New Ways, New Goals Expansion19:06 - Keltis: Fun & Go21:35 - Genesis25:42 - Reif fur die Insel29:23 - King's Road32:54 - MoneyFollow our upcoming Jazz Collection Kickstarter here.

Nick shares his first impressions of new-ish board games he's been playing lately:0:42 - Strike3:43 - Sobek: 2 Players8:46 - Ingenious (2023 Edition)11:35 - World Wonders15:17 - Chomp17:40 - Couture20:06 - MarabuntaFollow  our jazz game Kickstarter project here.

Nick shares his Top 15 Board Games of 2023 and reveals the next big Kickstarter project coming from Bitewing Games.Follow the Jazz Collection Kickstarter page here.Learn more about Bebop here.Learn more about Shuffle & Swing here.Learn more about Cat Blues: The Big Gig here.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of 7 new board games including 5 trick takers, 3 two-players, and 1 solo game.0:45 - Sail2:48 - Patterns: A Mandala Game5:39 - Undaunted: Battle of Britain9:37 - Pies, Lunar, Mori, and Bacon20:54 - Witchcraft! (also listen to my thoughts on Resist!)

Nick shares his 25 Most Anticipated Games of 2024 and leaks some teasers about Bitewing Games' next big reveals.Preorder Cascadero, Cascadito, Spectral and/or Trailblazers: Sasquatch Expansion here.Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter here to follow our upcoming Kickstarter project!

Nick looks back on over 50 of the best board games of 2022 and categorizes them into lovers, keepers, dumpers, flingers, and seekers.Check out similar look back posts of 2019, 2020, and 2021 releases.Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter

Nick shares his 1st impressions of (mostly) recent releases and hot 2023 board games:0:49 - General Orders: World War II5:09 - Loot8:13 - Sea Salt & Paper12:42 - Havalandi19:10 - Dragonkeepers22:50 - Thunder Road: Vendetta27:01 - Amun-Re: 20th Anniversary Edition

Nick shares his 1st impressions of the following board games:0:46 - Sky Team4:33 - The Quest for El Dorado: Dragons, Treasures, & Mysteries14:26 - Match of the Century19:13 - Cat Ass Trophy / Zero Down22:14 - Lacuna24:22 - MLEM: Space AgencyCheck out our Black Friday Stocking Stuffer Sale

Nick is joined by fellow Reiner Knizia Enthusiasts, Scott and Jared, as they draft and discuss the B-Side games (underdogs, hidden gems, unsung newcomers, etc.) from Knizia's catalogue. Cast your vote (and enter the contest to win a free game) here.Join the Reiner Knizia Enthusiasts Discord Server here.Check out the Ultimate Reiner Knizia Ranked Tier List here.Preorder Cascadero and Cascadito here.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of EIGHTEEN Reiner Knizia board games in this marathon episode of candid cardboard:1:23 - My Island5:18 - Galaxy Cat Extension9:16 - Pick a Pen Trilogy (Crypten, Riffen, Tuinen)13:19 - Yangtze17:11 - Sunrise Lane / Rondo23:13 - Amun-Re: The Card Game27:11 - Karate Tomate31:35 - Palazzo36:08 - Silver Screen40:27 - Sushi Bar (Sushizok im Gockelwok)44:24 - Age of War (Risk Express)48:57 - For One Series (Number Up, Galaktix, Schwarze Rosen, Kniffel)Subscribe to the Bitewing Games Youtube Channel to catch the upcoming Ultimate Reiner Knizia Games Tier List.Follow the Kickstarter Page for Cascadero & Cascadito, two new strategy games from Reiner Knizia.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of a whopping 10 Reiner Knizia board games spanning a wide range of genres.1:10 - Foodie Forest6:38 - Dragon Land10:36 - Medici: The Dice Game14:38 - The Lord of the Rings17:17 - Chartae20:53 - Lost Cites: Rivals23:37 - Cheeky Monkey25:56 - High Society30:48 - Res Publica33:42 - Classic ArtFollow the Kickstarter page for Cascadero & Cascadito here.Join the Reiner Knizia Enthusiasts Discord Community here.

In celebration of our newly revealed tile placement games, Nick shares his Top 15 Tile Layers!Learn more about our new Knizia titles: Cascadero and CascaditoFollow the Kickstarter page for Cascadero and Cascadito here.

Nick shares his first impressions of 7 recently released board games:0:48 - Archeos Society6:11 - Judge Domino9:00 - Stick Collection11:37 - Ninja Master15:40 - Viking See-Saw19:30 - That's Not a Hat22:39 - Challengers!Check out our Kickstarter campaign for Spectral and Trailblazers: Sasquatch here.Now available from our webstore — Zoo Vadis and Gussy Gorillas. Order today!

In this episode, Nick shares the interesting tale of how Spectral went from a game he had zero interest in all the way to his absolute favorite game of its genre... a game that he loves so much that he had to publish it himself. Who doesn't love a good underdog story?

Nick shares 23 of his most anticipated board games and crowdfunding campaigns for the second half of 2023.Check out the Kickstarter Page for Spectral & Trailblazers: Sasquatch Expansion HereSubscribe to the Bitewing Games Newsletter HereOther cited podcast episodes:Full thoughts on Pick-A-Pepper and Wandering TowersTop 15 Games of 2022

We all have our favorite genres and mechanisms of board games... from deck building to roll & writes to area control and more. In this episode, Nick explores 10 board game genres, identifies their common weaknesses, and highlights specific games that defy those weaknesses.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of new-ish and upcoming board games including:0:49 - Wandering Towers4:38 - Pick-A-Pepper and Abluxxen9:49 - Circus Flohcati13:08 - Trajan16:49 - QE: Commodities (expansion)20:23 - 7 Wonders: Architects23:02 - Mille Fiori: The Masterpieces (expansion)Join the Reiner Knizia Enthusiasts Discord Server HereCheck out our games and webstore here.Follow our upcoming Kickstarter — Spectral and a Secret Trailblazers Expansion — here.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of a rather solid batch of 7 board games:0:42 - Big Top3:51 - Hallertau6:29 - My City: Roll & Build15:29 - Yokohama17:51 - Earth23:00 - Inside Job27:14 - PollenOrder Trailblazers (and other Bitewing titles) from our new webstore here.Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Today Nick is sharing his Top 10 Logic Deduction Games, and be sure to stick around for the grand reveal of Bitewing Games' next big project!Check out our new game here.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of newer board games including:0:38 - Dandelions3:28 - High Score9:11 - Turncoats13:02 - Paint the Roses19:00 - Cascadia22:55 - SWAT!24:49 - nanaClick here to subscribe to the Bitewing Games newsletter and be notified when: Zoo Vadis becomes available for preorderTrailblazers becomes available on our webstoreWe reveal new information about our upcoming projects

In this Galactic Renaissance Preview, Nick dives deep into this cosmic spiritual cousin of the legendary board game, Inis!Galactic Renaissance launches on Kickstarter on March 21st. Check it out here.

The hunt is on, and Nick has been tearing through even more board games by Reiner Knizia in a quest to uncover hidden gems. Featuring his first impressions of:0:45 - Lost Cities: The Board Game3:45 - Odd Socks / Relationship Tightrope7:18 - Wiener Walzer10:56 - Medici: The Card Game13:58 - Forbidden City18:44 - Cat Blues / Katzenjammer Blues

Kyle is back on the show with Nick to discuss board game modules. When do they go too far? How are they different from variants and expansions? Games discussed include: TrailblazersClever 4 EverZoo VadisWhale RidersBohnanzaTaverns of TiefenthalOur upcoming Ryan Courtney deduction game and Reiner Knizia tile placement gameAnd more!Subscribe to the Bitewing Games newsletter here.Look for Kyle at Salt Con and Nick at Dice Tower West in March! Join our Bitewing Games discord server here. Feel free to reach out if you want to game with us at these conventions.

Today's round of candid cardboard is extra special in that it includes Nick's 1st impressions of the hotly anticipated upcoming game Galactic Renaissance. But before we get to that, let's explore 6 other games he has been playing lately...0:42 - Undaunted: Stalingrad4:45 - Spots10:04 - Gutenberg13:17 - Blood Rage17:51 - Skymines20:35 - Terra Nova23:02 - Galactic RenaissanceOur Kickstarter for Zoo Vadis and Gussy Gorillas ends this Thursday, February 16. Check it out here. Thanks for your support!

2022 has come and gone, which means it's time again to celebrate the best new board games of the year!Check out the Kickstarter page for Zoo Vadis and Gussy GorillasThanks for your support!

Some of the hottest board games of 2022 are still hitting Nick's table and he's ready to share his first impressions of the following:0:43 - Axio / Ingenious4:41 - Turing Machine9:45 - Planet Unknown14:37 - Horrified: American Monsters19:36 - Heat: Pedal to the Metal

Nick has researched and uncovered 27 — count 'em, TWENTY-SEVEN — exciting games set to release this year. Come check out what upcoming releases might be worthy of your wishlist...For links to (and more info on) these games, head over to the blog post version of this podcast episode.We're launching Zoo Vadis and Gussy Gorillas on January 24th via Kickstarter! Be sure to follow this link and click to be notified at launch. Thanks for your support!

How did Quo Vadis get turned into Zoo Vadis? What inspired the changes and added features? What does Reiner Knizia have to say about this new version of his design? Find out in today's in-depth publisher diary of Zoo Vadis!The Kickstarter for Zoo Vadis launches on January 24th! Follow this link and click to be notified when it launches.

Nick shares his first impressions of 4 spicy hot board games, 2 stone-cold classics, and 1 hidden gem:0:56 - Ahoy5:09 - Orleans8:14 - Kabuto Sumo: Total Mayhem (Expansion)11:16 - Carcassonne: The Castle / Zamek14:51 - Wormholes19:10 - Space Worm23:26 - John Company: Second EditionIn January 2023, we'll be launching Zoo Vadis (by Reiner Knizia) and Gussy Gorillas (a Bitewing Games original) — two wildly clever games of trading and negotiation. Be sure to head over the pre-launch page and click to be notified the moment it launches. Thanks for your support!

Lookout! Loads of interesting new games have been hitting store shelves recently and Nick is here to share his 1st impressions after playing the following:0:49 - Splendor Duel3:49 - Guards of Atlantis II9:16 - Qin13:15 - The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire15:32 - 9 Lives18:22 - The Wolves22:31 - Ready Set BetZoo Vadis and Gussy Gorillas are launching via Kickstarter in January! Check out the pre-launch page here.

The year is coming to an end which means it's time again to look back… not on this year but on last year.  That's right, today we'll be revisiting and reminiscing the best board games of 2021!Nick will be offering his thoughts on over 50 games and categorizing them into Lovers, Keepers, Dumpers, Flingers, and Seekers.

Nick shares his 1st impressions of hot board games including the following:0:40 - Nightmare Productions5:52 - Zombie Mania10:39 - Transatlantic13:24 - Puzzle Strike 216:55 - Resist!20:15 - Carnegie