Explore every episode of the podcast Garrett's Games and Geekiness
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett's Games 1065: Essen 2026 Games! All the titles we didn't talk about on our videos! | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:47:38 | |
SO MANY ESSEN GAMES! We've covered over 60 games on our YouTube channel, but there are many more games coming out at Essen NEXT WEEK, so this week Shelley and I do a quick rundown (organized by publisher) of all of the other titles I marked as "Interested" on BGG's Essen 2026 Preview. Elementica from 14games Observatory & Star Gazers from 25th Century Games Palinka from A Games Gnomeville from Adam's Apple Games Bookshelf, Spaghettin, and Time of your Life from Alley Cat Games Le Chocolat, Enchanted Ivy, Golden Goal and Mountain Goats Legacy from Allplay Nine Tails from Amuri Studio Orkney from Ars Edition Gamma Extra from Batusaki Warp 99 from Bezier Games Arribada & Gold Country from Bitewing Games Fame & Fable and Reforest from Board Game Circus Shapemash from Boardcubator Flamenco, HUND, and ONDA from BoardM Factory Near: Echoes of Civilization from Le Boite de Jeu Road Master from Bouvier International Shrine: Duel of Light from Bright Horizon Games Bubble & Shadow from Boradway Toys Shards of Creation from Brotherwise Games Treeline from Burnt Island Games Yin Yang from Capstone Games Fireflies from Catch Up Games Vine from Cavernwire Games Bee Bee and Pet's Run from Cayro, The Games Red Panda Surprise and Use Up All Your Sick Days from Carming Games Collective KumoKumo Park from CMON Ltd. Kumata from Cosmoludo Oil Rock from Cranio Creations Foundation: Isaac Asimov from CREARDO Bloom Kingdom from Deep Print Let's Dance, Nascard, Rock Hard Expansion, White Castle Expansion from Devir Underwood from dlp games The Travels of Isabella Lucy Bird from Dotakusha The Old Ones of El Dorado from Dranda Games Villa from DV Games Spooky Bar from Edition Spielwiese Roxanne from Elznir Games Dino Museum, Omelette Express and Word Buffet from Fractal Juegos Jurassic Zoo and Warp & Weft from frechverlag Chamelio and Pirate King! from Funbot Dutch Flower Auction from Good Game Studio Jisogi: Anime Studio Tycoon from Good Games Publishing Under the Leaves from Grand Gamers Guild Akakor from Granna Estate: Raise The Realm from Grod Games LLC Molecools, Orbita, Pixie Time, and Salaryman Madness from HABA Allegra from HeidelBAR Games Fugu from Helvetiq The Amazing Journey and Drops of Evil from Horrible Guild Tricky Traps from Inside Up Games Hanami from J&M Space Entertainment Card Trip Europe, Jolly Christmas, and Snowy Tricks from Jolly Dutch Productions Photosaphari and Tramposo from Kokorin Games Blancat, Brushwood, Capsule Collector, and Coffee Rush: Winter from Korea Boardgames Fourth Wing: Das Spiel and Heartbeats from KOSMOS River Market and Seashells from KTBG Harmonies Expansions and Take Time Expansion from Libellud Dragon Overlord and Forest Shuffle: Smoky Mountains from Lookout Games Purrramid from Lucky Duck Games Aspens from Ludivore Games Dice Arcana from Ludonova Right Now from Mandoo Games Crescendo from MEBO Games For the Gods! and Yotel from Mighty Boards Bear Necessities from Mojito Studios Van Sutnivalod (Got What It Bakes?) from Myam Games The Beat: Rock Stars of the Galaxy from Nerdlab Melodies from Next Move Games Gunsen: The Battle for Toshi Ranbo and Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict from Office Dog Loop 40 from Oink Torii Valley from Origames Stars of Ilumeia from Ornament Games Threaded: A Game of Needles and Points from Osprey Games Ashes Blackout Protocol from Perro Loko Games Pirates of the High Teas from Pink Hawk Games Seoul Journey and Week Folk from Play to Z Dance of Ibexes from Playte Capybara Run & Fun and Dancing Birds from Queen The Happiest Cat in the World and The Trial of the Forest from Rebel Studio Stem & Branch from Rolling Wizards Studio Perfect Tour from Schmidt Spiele Avalon: The Riven Veil from Shadowborne Games Button from Shilipash Studio Dicecream from Skellig Games West Story: A Town Building Game from Smart Flamingo Pleesheez from Snowvid Bean to Bar from Spielefaible Interregnum from Strategos Games Temple of Five from Strohmann Games Mythologies from Super Meeple Snowp fromSzpiLAB Valley of Sky Lanterns from Taiwan Boardgame Design Mini Gold Designer and Paragliders from Thematic Games Bologna from TLAMA Games Dawn of Pangaea from Treecer | |||
| Garrett's Games 1064: Space Lab, 6 Nimmt - Baron Oxx, and Crops | 04 Oct 2026 | 00:26:20 | |
This week we check out THREE fun card games, two of which are just hitting the shelves now/at Essen: Space Lab by Corentin Lebrat and Johannes Goupy from Pandasaurus Games 6 Nimmt! Baron Oxx by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Pandasaurus Games and Crops by Giampaolo Razzino from Little Rocket Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1063: Circadia, Knowsy, Stereo Mind, Atlantis Exodus, and Galileo Galilei | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:41:15 | |
This week Shelley and I once again break the "two games discussed" format and instead cover FIVE games! Circadia by Hisashi Hayashi from Synapses Games Knowsy by Luke Hohmann from Luverly Stereo Mind by Silvergun and Sunhyuk Chae from Playte Then two games with Essen 2025 expansions: Galileo Galilei with the Luna Expansion by Tomas Holek and Michal Pechl from Pink Troubadour Atlantis Exodus with the Polymathis Expansion by George Halkias and Konstantinos Karagiannis from dlp Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1062: Pop Art, Machi Koro Life, and Bordeaux | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:22:17 | |
This week Shelley and I check out THREE new games! Machi Koro Life by Masao Suganuma from Pandasaurus Games Then TWO new titles from R2I Games Bordeaux by Ben Rosset (a draw and draw from one of the designers of Fromage) Pop Art by Jeff Chin and Andrew Nerger (designers of Canvas) Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1061: The Peak Team and Abroad | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:24:58 | |
This week Shelley and I team up as forest rangers to complete missions and discover wildlife in The Peak Team: Rangers by Scott Almes from Matagot then we try to become the next Rick Steves, wandering around Europe and discovering its beauty in Abroad by Rodrigo Rego and Danilo Valente from 1 More Time Games and Portal Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1060: Kano and Cascadia - Alpine Lakes | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:18:58 | |
This week Shelley and I check out a gorgeous game about art, and a wonderful sequel to an already good game. First we play Cascadia: Alpine Lakes by Randy Flynn from AEG and Flatout Games, a sequel to the SdJ winner Cascadia Then we draft 3-D paint pots and place them in our grids to create art in Kanó by Angel Pintero and Pablo Jimenez (with art by Jun Sato) from Matagot Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1059: Wine & Cheese and Two Button Shy Micro Games! | 30 Aug 2026 | 00:24:10 | |
This week Shelley and I enjoy some of our favorite beverage and food, along with some fun forthcoming micro card games! First we check out two forthcoming Button Shy Game releases that use cards in interesting ways Forest Rivals by Ryan Cooke and Steven L. Smith where bears and bees compete for honey in a 2-player shared tableau and Cursed Cat by Scott Almes where a solo (or co-operative married couple) try to get all of the monsters banished then we enjoy the much heavier and quite excellent 2-player Wine & Cheese by Scott Almes from Deep Print Games and Pegasus Spiele Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1058: Duel of Meloch and Rolling Realms Redux | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:23:39 | |
This week it's all about Stonemaier Games! First up is an older title that builds on a game from 2021: Rolling Realms Redux by Jamey Stegmaier and Karel Titeca from Stonemaier Games then we check out the brand new Scythe/Expeditions 2-player mash-up Duel of Meloch by Jamey Stegmaier from Stonemaier Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1057: Wingspan Pocket and Gulo Gulo | 16 Aug 2026 | 00:21:19 | |
This week Shelley and I check out a little sister to a hugely popular title as we collect food, lay eggs and place birds in our tableau in Wingspan Pocket by Elizabeth Hargrave from Stonemaier Games (1-5 players, 8+, 25-35 minutes) then we have a great time trying to steal eggs from a nest and move our wolverine along a path in the cute dexterity game Gulo Gulo by Wolfgang Kramer, Hans Raggan, Jurgen Grunau, and Daryl Andrews from Pandasaurus Games (2-6 players, 5+, 20-30 minutes) Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1056: Sandcastles and Entropy | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:30:53 | |
This week Shelley and I check out a fun castle-building little tile-laying game for up to 6 players Sandcastles by Alex Cutler from Pandasaurus Games then we tackle a MUCH bigger game of star and planet creation as we design new solar systems in Entropy by Tommaso Battista, Simone Luciani and Nestore Mangone from Board&Dice Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1055: Dnup and Twisted Trumpets | 02 Aug 2026 | 00:12:58 | |
This week Shelley and I check out two smaller games that work as fun fillers. The first is a shedding game with 2-sided cards dnup by Kei Kajino from Asmodee for 2-6 players/15-20 minutes then we build bizarre instruments, trying to add birds and notes in Twisted Trumpets by Matthew Rodela from Play to Z Games for 2-4 players/20-40 minutes Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1054: The Game Makers and 2 Win | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:18:58 | |
This week Shelley and I play two games at the ends of the physical size scale First, we check out a fun card game where you don't want to go out 2 Win by Florian Racky from Blue Orange Games (2-6 players, 15 minutes, 7+) Then we tackle the BIG box game of making these games we love The Game Makers by Ben Rosset from Bezier Games (1-6 players/60-90 minutes/15+) Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1053: Artistry, Siege Perilous, and Computer Junkyard | 20 Jul 2026 | 00:21:25 | |
This week we preview two upcoming releases, then dive a bit deeper into a gorgeous game of Art and design: Siege Perilous by Ivan Alexiev and Brian Saliba from Play to Z Games Computer Junkyard by Allan and Jared Pinkus from Dream Egg Games Artistry - Art Nouveau by Amy and Dusty Droz from Dux Somnium Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1052: Rival Cities and Lords of Waterdeep + Scoundrels of Skullport Expansion | 12 Jul 2026 | 00:23:17 | |
This week Shelley and I revisits the Dungeons and Dragons universe in 2012's Lords of Waterdeep by Peter Lee and Rodney Thompson from Wizards of the Coast, along with it's Scoundrels of Skullport expansions then we face off in the 2-player-only 2025 release Rival Cities by Andreas Steding from Deep Print Games and Pegasus Spiele Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1051: KdJ Nominee Moon Colony Bloodbath and Reef & Ruins | 05 Jul 2026 | 00:22:13 | |
This week Shelley and I try (and often fail) to save our lunar colonists from rampant robots and accidents in Moon Colony Bloodbath by Donald X. Vaccarino from Rio Grande Games then we explore ruins and reefs, while casting enchantments by rolling dice and marking off the best spots in Reef and Ruins by Carla Kopp from Weird Giraffe Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1050: SdJ Nominee Cozy Stickerville and Bloom | 28 Jun 2026 | 00:14:50 | |
This week Shelley and I get a chance to check out one of the three Spiel des Jahres nominees for this year Cozy Stickerville by Corey Konieczka from Unexpected Games (1-6 players, 8+, 30-60 minutes) then we check out another game from our stack of "haven't played in too long" game that we made back in February to try Bloom by Laurent Escoffier and David Franck from QWG Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1049: Reef Gardens And Russian, German, American Railroads | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:22:37 | |
Shelley and I get an Essen 2025 release which is a re-themed game from 2013 to the table: Reef Garden by Jeffrey D. Allers from dlp games then get one of our "not played in far too long" games to the table, also originally published in 2013: Russian Railroads by Helmut Ohley and Leonhard Orgley from Z-Man Games and Hans im Gluck. We also checked out the German Railroads and American Railroads expansions too! Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1048: Summer Vacation Games! | 14 Jun 2026 | 00:21:17 | |
This week, rather than reviewing two "new-to-us" games as we usually do, we thought we would gather some games that might work well with occasional and non-gamers on some of the summer vacations you might be taking. Here's our list: Flip 7 The Mind Biddle 6 Nimmt Cabanga Trio Ito Finito Russelbande Beer and Pretzels Take Time Take It Easy Hamsterrolle Trekking The National Parks Viva Catrina Heimlich & Co. Just One Viva Pamplona MySeven Das Letzte Kamel Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1047: Floristry and Vineyard - A Wine Making Game | 07 Jun 2026 | 00:28:07 | |
This week Shelley and I enjoy some flora, playing as rival flowershop owners in Floristry by David Gordon and TAM from UP Games then placating our oenophile obsession in Vineyard: A Wine Making Game by Roberta Taylor from Pencil First Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1046: Movie Tricks and Baghdad: The City of Peace | 31 May 2026 | 00:28:06 | |
This week Shelley and I create movies and then travel through Baghdad Movie Tricks by Vegard Eliassen Stillerud, Eilif Svensson and Asmund Svensson from Chilifox Baghdad: The City of Peace by Fabio Lopiano and Nestore Mangone from Alley Cat Games Remember to check out our video series over on YouTube, and you can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1045: Sanibel and Pulitzer | 24 May 2026 | 00:19:36 | |
This week Shelley and I wander the beach collecting shells, then head back to the 1970's as investigative journalists Sanibel by Elizabeth Hargrave from Avalon Hill/Hasbro Pulitzer by David Vaquero from Tranjis Games and 25th Century Games Remember you can support the podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check our our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1044: Elixirus and Market Fresh | 17 May 2026 | 00:25:29 | |
This week Shelley and I check out a couple of family-friendly games and still challenge the gamer in us: Elixirus by Dickie Chapin from Piatnik Market Fresh by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Avalon Hill You can sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| A Difficult Week + Sad News | 10 May 2026 | 00:03:47 | |
No reviews this week, but please do check out The Game Cabinet and the wealth of information that Ken provided that preceded BGG:
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| Garrett's Games 1043: Ada's Dream and Gzhel | 03 May 2026 | 00:36:50 | |
This week Shelley and I make patterns with porcelain pottery and build computers while dealing with 19 th Century society. First up is Gzhel by Nikita Sorokin from Hobby World followed by Ada's Dream by Toni Lopez from Alley Cat Games Remember you can sponor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1042: Fair Enough and Cat and the Tower | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:20:49 | |
This week Shelley and I check out the 'official game of Essen 2025' Fair Enough by Friedemann Friese from Skellig Games then we cooperatively work to build a tower for cats (though we could have done it competitively too!) Cat and the Tower by Masakazu Takizawa from Arcane Wonders Remember you can sponor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but BELONG on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1041: Merchants of Andromeda, Faraway + Expansion, and Pixies + Expansion | 19 Apr 2026 | 00:29:19 | |
This week we check out THREE games - well, one new version of an older game, along with expansions for two recent card games Merchants of Andromeda by Reiner Knizia from Allplay Faraway and its Under Starry Skies expansion by Johannes Goupy and Corentin Lebrat from Pandasaurus Games Pixies and its Flower Power expansion by Johannes Goupy from Pandasaurus Games Fun times for new visits with added cards, as well as the Allplay title which is a revamping of the classic Merchants of Amsterdam! Remember you can support this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1040: Formaggio and Peanuts Talent Show! | 12 Apr 2026 | 00:16:35 | |
This week Shelley and I check out a wonderful sequel to one of our favorite games Formaggio by Ben Rosset from Road to Infamy Games then we enjoy a cute trick-taking/deck building game with Charles Schultz artwork Peanuts Talent Show! by Root and Koudai Tateno from CMON Remember you can support this podcast and our video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1039: Ito and World Wonders | 05 Apr 2026 | 00:22:14 | |
This week it's two very different Arcane Wonders titles - one co-op for up to 10 players, and the other strategy game with awesome bits: Ito by Mitsuru Nakamura and World Wonders by Ze Mendes Remember to SUBSCRIBE and check out our videos for every game we discuss on the audio podcast! You can support our work here an on our video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1038: Tulikko and Sweet Lands | 29 Mar 2026 | 00:33:41 | |
This week on Garrett's Games, Shelley and I check out a family-friendly tile-laying game: Tulikko by Jerome Soleil and Nicolas Melet from Pandasaurus Games then dive into the DEEP end of heavy games with a theme revolving around desserts? Sweet Lands by Totsucca Chuo from Uchibacoya and Devir Remember to SUBSCRIBE and help support this podcast and our video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive UPDATED list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1037: Qwirkle Flex and Onstage | 22 Mar 2026 | 00:14:00 | |
Shelley and I check out an amazing new sequel to a Spiel des Jahres winner Qwirkle Flex by Susan McKinley Ross and Reiner Knizia from Mindware then we try out another interesting twist on the trick-taking genre Onstage by Michael Orion from Arcane Wonders Remember that you can help support the podcast directly at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR Check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1036: Tend and Buffet Boss | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:20:45 | |
This week we exploit another planet and send our plants, animals and other goods back home in the draw and draw behemoth Tend by Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison, and Toby Sarnelle from IV Studio then we try to pile the best food on our respective plates in Buffet Boss by Daryl Chow from Arcane Wonders Remember you can sponsor the podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR Check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games and Geekiness 1035: Fountains and Number Chain! | 08 Mar 2026 | 00:14:41 | |
This week Shelley and I build fountains, then try to string nubmered cards together in a shedding game: Fountains by Kedric Winks from The Op Games and Number Chain by Woojin Yang from Arcane Wonders check out our VIDEOS for each of these games here: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Remember you can sponsor the podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR Check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1034: Leylines and Pinatas | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:24:15 | |
This week Shelley and I travel a circular board to pick up and deliver items to specific fantasy shops in Leylines by Daryl Andrews and Wolfgang Kramer from Arcane Wonders Then we head into the land of trick taking once again for a new twist in Pinatas by Reiner Knizia from Allplay Remember to SUBSCRIBE and check out our YouTube channel for videos on each of these titles. You can support the podcast and our video series directly at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1033: Take Time, Pergola, and Trambahn | 22 Feb 2026 | 00:19:46 | |
This week Shelley and I check out two 2025 releases, as well as looking back 11 years to a games that had been gathering dust on our shelf: Take Time (2025) by Alexi Piovesan and Julien Prothiere from Libellud - a co-op game with 40 challenges in the box for 2-4 players. Pergola (2025) by Michal Golab Golebiowski and Przemek Wojtkowiak from Rebel Studio Trambahn (2015) by Helmut Ohley from Mayfair and Lookout Games Remember to check out our accompanying videos over on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR Check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1032: Fantasy Brewers and Fantastic Trails! | 15 Feb 2026 | 00:24:54 | |
This week Shelley and I explore to very different games that begin with F First we collect resources and attempt to make excellent alcoholic drinks in Fantasy Brewers by Michael Schacht from Grail Games then we get card and try to create the best ant trails in the draw and draw game Fantastic Trails by Jordy Adan from NSV Thanks to this week's sponsor Dr. Finn's Games You can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1031: Dr. Finn's Game Books & Popcorn! | 08 Feb 2026 | 00:34:00 | |
This week Shelley and I get a chance to check out games from two game BOOKS published or forthcoming from one of our favorite designers - Dr. Finn! First we check out Dr. Finn's Book of Solo Strategy and Word Games (Amazon Link Below): https://www.amazon.com/Finns-Book-Solo-Strategy-Games/dp/B0FBJYZZ48 and three games from the forthcoming Dr. Finn's Book of 2-Player Strategy and World Games (Kickstarter Link Below): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drfinnsgames/biblios-qandp-dr-finns-2021-games/creator Then we check out another one of our Essen 2025 pick ups: Popcorn by Victor Saumont from Iello Thanks to our sponsor this week - Dr. Finn's Games You can sponsor the podcast and our video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1030: Clickety Clack and Ronin | 01 Feb 2026 | 00:21:10 | |
This week Shelley and I chuck dice and fill in rows in Clickety Clack by Ralf zur Linde from NSV then we head to Japan and strategically place our ronin figures into cities to do actions & funfill contracts in Ronin by Emanuele Ornella from Queen Games Remember you can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1029: Pondscape and Tolleno | 25 Jan 2026 | 00:23:48 | |
This week Shelley and I create our own little ponds and populate them with frogs and insects in Pondscape by Tomas Holek from Pink Troubadour and Capstone Games then we build a canal-side city and place buildings for majority scoring in Tolleno by Gilles Turbide from Sit Down! Thanks As always to our sponsor Bezier Games - check out their store at www.beziergames.com You can support the podcast and our YouTube video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1028: Postcards and Photo Tour North America | 18 Jan 2026 | 00:22:43 | |
Shelley and I are traveling through our games this week, heading first to France to bike around the countryside in Postcards by Eric Dubus and Simon Kayne fron Synapses Games then we check out the northern part of our own continent in Photo Tour North America by Oleg Meleshin, Eugene Timashov and Yury Yamshchikov from Timashov Publishing Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games, and check out their web store at www.beziergames.com! You can sponsor this poscast and our video series directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1027: Doug & Shelley's TOP 10 of 2025 (with a few Honorable Mentions!) | 11 Jan 2026 | 00:38:54 | |
Now that it's ACTUALLY 2026, we can look ack on 2025 and run through our Top 10 games that we first played in 2025. If you want to go back and listen to our list from the first 1/2 of the year, head here: EPISODE 1000: https://traffic.libsyn.com/garrettsgames/GarrettsGames1000.1.mp3 Here are our lists, including the Honorable Mentions, as well as the episode and possible video links for each game: Doug's List Honorable Mentions (5)
Top 10
Shelley's List Honorable Mentions (5)
Top 10
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| Garrett's Games 1026: Forestry and Paws Up | 04 Jan 2026 | 00:26:18 | |
Episode 1026! This week Shelley and I work with trees, both logging them and becoming stewards of the forest in Forestry by Michal Peichl from Pink Troubadour, Capstone Games, and Pegasus Spiele then we work our media accounts with cute animal photos in Paw Up by Reiner Knizia from Pegasus Spiele Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember that YOU can sponsor the podcast directly by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR checking out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1025: Druids of Edora and Kartini: From Darkness to Light | 28 Dec 2025 | 00:36:26 | |
Shelley and I work to help young women come to power and influence in the late 19th and early 20th century in Kartini: From Darkness to Light by Sherria Ayuandini from ION Game Design then we head to the British Isles and hang out with the pagans in Druids of Edora by Stefan Feld from Alea and Ravensburger Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember you can support the podcast and our video series over on YouTube by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1024: Llama Llama, Sanctuary, and For The Emperor | 21 Dec 2025 | 00:29:37 | |
GG&G 1024! This week Shelley and I check out two mini-box games from Allplay Llama Llama by Kaya Miyano For the Emperor by Whitney Loraine Then check out a bigger game, which is actually the smaller cousin of Ark Nova Sanctuary by Mathias Wigge from Capstone Games and Feuerland Spiele Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember you can support the podcast and our video series (for which we have editions for each of these games) by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1023: The Hanging Gardens and Please Don't Burn My Village | 14 Dec 2025 | 00:22:10 | |
GG&G 1023! Shelley and I build gardens and bribe dragons this week in two great family-weight games The Hanging Gardens by Gregory Grard and Matthieu Verdier from Gigamic and Please Don't Burn My Village by Simon Weinberg from Fireside Games Thanks as always to our sponsor Bezier Games! Remember that you can support the podcast by heading over to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1022: Dewan from Space Cowboys and Aquaria from Delicious Games | 07 Dec 2025 | 00:27:50 | |
This week we bring you a quick review from BGG.con of the building-placement game Dewan by Johannes Goupy and Yoann Levet from Space Cowboys then we build our respective aquariums in Aquaria by Tomas Holek from Delicious Games Remember you can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames or check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1021: Orloj: The Prague Astronomical Clock, Dragonarium (redux) and Up or Down | 30 Nov 2025 | 00:19:50 | |
This week we make a quick correction of our review last week because we missed a rule in Dragonarium by Wei Chang and Kuan Chen from Wonderful World Board Games then we discuss our highlight game from BGG.con Up or Down by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling from Capstone Games and end with a BIG title from Essen Orloj: The Prague Astronomincal Clock by Paloma Pascual and Abraham Sanchez from Perro Loko Games and Devir Remember to check out our video channel at www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames! You can sponsor the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1020: Dragonarium and Meister Makatsu | 23 Nov 2025 | 00:17:41 | |
UPDATE - WE GOT ONE RULE WRONG ON DRAGONARIUM, MAKING THE GAME HARDER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN! We SAID that you were supposed to move your assistant and ONLY place a gem on the FINAL spot where the assistant stopped. THE REAL RULE is that you place a gem on a spot in EACH COLUMN OR ROW you get to as you move. That makes the game less difficult and opens up the chances to gain more dragons, which is a VERY good thing! This week we check out a fun card game, and then preview a very cool puzzle game with dragons! First up is Meister Makatsu by Reiner Knizia from AMIGO where each player had their own deck and you're tryin gto avoid taking points. Then we place domino-style tiles and hope to birth dragons in Dragonarium by Wei Chang and Kuan Chen from Wonderful World Board Games Remember to SUBSCRIBE! You can support the podcast and our video series over on YouTube by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing | |||
| Garrett's Games 1019: Borealis - Arctic Expeditions and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | 16 Nov 2025 | 00:26:00 | |
This week we go exploring! First we head north and take photos of wildlife in Borealis: Arctic Expeditions by Dariusz Mindur from Lucky Duck Games (order the game directly here: https://quack.at/garretts-games-borealis) then we head down into the depths with Captain Nemo and crew in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Alberto Millan from Looping Games You can support the podcast at www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out our extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1018: Timber Town and Covenant | 09 Nov 2025 | 00:27:15 | |
This week Shelley and I build cities and fight to regain our daraven homeland. First we check out the 2-player Timber Town by Ryan Boucher from Alley Cat Games then we go BIG as we attempt to gain the most prestige as dwarves in Covenant by German Millan from Devir You can also check out our VIDEO overview of Covenant at our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@garrettsgames Sponsor this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on YOUR table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing
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| Garrett's Games 1017: Oddland and 1975: White Christmas | 02 Nov 2025 | 00:19:10 | |
Shelley and I check out two small-box games that provide a much bigger experience than their boxes might suggest. First up is Allplay's tableau builder released earlier this year Oddland by Dan Schumacher then we check out a brand new Essen 2025 release 1975: White Christmas by Albert Reyes Remember you can support this podcast and our video series by going to www.patreon.com/garrettsgames OR check out the extensive list of games that no longer fit on our shelves, but belong on your table: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ovRDNBqur0RiAzgFAfI0tYYnjlJ68hoHyHffU7ZDWk/edit?usp=sharing Remember to SUBSCRIBE! | |||