I disagree with Ticket to Ride Legacy being the family version for your list. I think it should have been Ticket to Ride Europe. The stations are nice to have and the luck element with the tunnels is lots of fun. Plus if a family can't play games consistently or they want to take it to other places legacy games in my opinion don't always translate well to new or changing groups. Otherwise this is a very good list.
Great list but I disagree with eliminating Scout due to complexity but keeping 7 Wonders and Heat! In 7W, science scoring and symbology can be particularly confusing and in Heat, screwing up on some corners can knock someone out early and then they feel like they are wasting time for next 45 minutes. Scout has always hit well. After one round, people get what to do. Cheers
Any such list is bound to be personal and / or incomplete, but for my family and me, Carcassonne just HAS to be included. The meta game that develops after a few matches when everyone tries to bring down ~that cousin who's always stealing cities and running away with the victory is rarely matched in other games of its weight. Plus, it's language-independent, always a bonus! And here's my thank you for another hit in my family, which I picked up after one of your videos: Project L! Always goes down well 😊 (you could say it.... Fits the list)
Thanks for the great content, guys! Always a pleasure seeing you rank games. However, I believe Wingspan is definitely not a “family” or “gateway” game at all… it really flopped with mine given it’s somewhat complicated for someone to pick up the first couple of games, especially with people not familiar with engine-builders. Same could apply for Everdell I guess…
For younger kids or more casual gamers, 7 Wonders Architects is an excellent option. Great quality pieces and visuals, very well organized, simple to learn, and a little bit quicker than the main game.
I like the premise of looking at the Top 20 as voted by BGG members, but would suggest that a lot of BGG members have "gamer goggles" when thinking about what non-hobby players can understand. +1 7 Wonders Architects. I would suggest Sushi Go Party over 7 Wonders anyday...I think Heat is quite complex and so would not have included it.
A new favorite of mine that really would work for almost all ages, is river valley glassworks. Also really enjoy it as a solo game, so its two birds with one stone 🕊️ Mlem is also a contender instead of quacks, just a bit more social, and dice is very accessible for all age groups. But All in all I think this list is very good, just a few that are a bit to complex for younger children or older family members (mine at least)
I would swap The Crew in for Wingspan. I think Wingspan is too complex and long to be on the list, despite the accessible theme. And while you're right about the Crew having some pressure in that you can ruin the round for everyone by misplaying, I find that it's not a huge deal because the rounds are so short. Additionally, lots of older folks will have familiarity with trick-taking already, even if they've never played a modern board game, so that helps a lot
I was also surprised not to see Carcassone, it’s a classic, easy rules, higher player count and no/less reading. but I see you were working with what was on the list. In general I think also should see more cooperative type games. These are really big for us as a family to work together more. Kids especially love Chronicles of Avel - thematically very cute, fun game. Favorite family game in our house is My Lil Everdell. Although it’s a shame it’s only 4 players
I bought initially Wingspan digital to play with my sister and my mom on Christmas 2024. The problem was the whole digital control was too much for my mother (every turn i had to navigate her movement) so I bought Wingspan physical edition yesterday.
What about light co-op games like Castle Panic or Forbidden (Island, Desert, Sky, Jungle)? Camel Up? Lost Cities? Also, I think I would keep Azul, but yeah true the theme isn’t attractive to kids.
What about light co-op games like Castle Panic or Forbidden (Island, Desert, Sky, Jungle)? Camel Up? Lost Cities? Also, I think I would keep Azul, but yeah true the theme isn’t attractive to kids. I think Wingspan and Heat are too complex unless you have tween/teens
This time we worked with the list that already exists on BGG, just modifying it, sadly, it did not have games you mentioned. We have played them and they are really good ones with the whole fam.
I feel like sky team should’ve been eliminated at the start for being two player only. Same with splendor duel. I feel like family games need to be able to be for at least 3+ players.
Wait, how is Splendor NOT a family game? It's so simple, even Splendor Duel. I would've swapped that in for Wingspan because that game might be considered "heavy" for some people.
Clank deserved better, much better than Heat. I don't enjoy Quacks as much as Clank, however, Quacks is the better game for families. I'd swap Wingspan and Everdell.
I disagree with Ticket to Ride Legacy being the family version for your list. I think it should have been Ticket to Ride Europe. The stations are nice to have and the luck element with the tunnels is lots of fun. Plus if a family can't play games consistently or they want to take it to other places legacy games in my opinion don't always translate well to new or changing groups. Otherwise this is a very good list.
Great list but I disagree with eliminating Scout due to complexity but keeping 7 Wonders and Heat! In 7W, science scoring and symbology can be particularly confusing and in Heat, screwing up on some corners can knock someone out early and then they feel like they are wasting time for next 45 minutes. Scout has always hit well. After one round, people get what to do. Cheers
I've never even played Scout and watching how to videos on it, seems easier than some of the others on the list.
Any such list is bound to be personal and / or incomplete, but for my family and me, Carcassonne just HAS to be included. The meta game that develops after a few matches when everyone tries to bring down ~that cousin who's always stealing cities and running away with the victory is rarely matched in other games of its weight. Plus, it's language-independent, always a bonus! And here's my thank you for another hit in my family, which I picked up after one of your videos: Project L! Always goes down well 😊 (you could say it.... Fits the list)
Love the fancy magnets for each game!
Thanks!
Thanks for the great content, guys! Always a pleasure seeing you rank games. However, I believe Wingspan is definitely not a “family” or “gateway” game at all… it really flopped with mine given it’s somewhat complicated for someone to pick up the first couple of games, especially with people not familiar with engine-builders. Same could apply for Everdell I guess…
For younger kids or more casual gamers, 7 Wonders Architects is an excellent option. Great quality pieces and visuals, very well organized, simple to learn, and a little bit quicker than the main game.
I’d add these fun family games:
King of Tokyo
Camel Up
Colt Express
Ready Set Bet!
Sushi Go
In addition to those mentioned, Isle of cats is also a favorite in my family.
I like the premise of looking at the Top 20 as voted by BGG members, but would suggest that a lot of BGG members have "gamer goggles" when thinking about what non-hobby players can understand. +1 7 Wonders Architects. I would suggest Sushi Go Party over 7 Wonders anyday...I think Heat is quite complex and so would not have included it.
A new favorite of mine that really would work for almost all ages, is river valley glassworks. Also really enjoy it as a solo game, so its two birds with one stone 🕊️ Mlem is also a contender instead of quacks, just a bit more social, and dice is very accessible for all age groups. But All in all I think this list is very good, just a few that are a bit to complex for younger children or older family members (mine at least)
I would swap The Crew in for Wingspan. I think Wingspan is too complex and long to be on the list, despite the accessible theme. And while you're right about the Crew having some pressure in that you can ruin the round for everyone by misplaying, I find that it's not a huge deal because the rounds are so short. Additionally, lots of older folks will have familiarity with trick-taking already, even if they've never played a modern board game, so that helps a lot
No, Crew is easy but can easily break friendship. Imagine that your friend blames you for being stupid and not play the right card.
I was also surprised not to see Carcassone, it’s a classic, easy rules, higher player count and no/less reading. but I see you were working with what was on the list.
In general I think also should see more cooperative type games. These are really big for us as a family to work together more. Kids especially love Chronicles of Avel - thematically very cute, fun game.
Favorite family game in our house is My Lil Everdell. Although it’s a shame it’s only 4 players
Just like your magnet stickers in this episode. And usual for such kind of list, it's relatively arguable but full off nice cool games.
Indeed you are right.
7:23 - 7:26 that's all we needed to hear, end of video. God that made me laugh.
Could have mentioned the little brother of everdell -> little everdell very similar but so much more family friendly
Yes! I love this game. I don’t even think of it as a kids version of everdell, we play it in our group as a fast version
Where is Catan?
The Godfather of family games!
Love The Crew, can't wait for the lotr release tomorrow!
Us too!
I bought initially Wingspan digital to play with my sister and my mom on Christmas 2024.
The problem was the whole digital control was too much for my mother (every turn i had to navigate her movement) so I bought Wingspan physical edition yesterday.
What about light co-op games like Castle Panic or Forbidden (Island, Desert, Sky, Jungle)? Camel Up? Lost Cities?
Also, I think I would keep Azul, but yeah true the theme isn’t attractive to kids.
Did I played the same Scout as you? Almost all games are more complicated than Scout. Or I'm the only who does see it like this?
What about light co-op games like Castle Panic or Forbidden (Island, Desert, Sky, Jungle)? Camel Up? Lost Cities?
Also, I think I would keep Azul, but yeah true the theme isn’t attractive to kids.
I think Wingspan and Heat are too complex unless you have tween/teens
This time we worked with the list that already exists on BGG, just modifying it, sadly, it did not have games you mentioned. We have played them and they are really good ones with the whole fam.
I’d swap Everdell for Wingspan.
That seems to be a popular sentiment.
Scout is easier than many games there and the rules are not finnicky.
I feel like sky team should’ve been eliminated at the start for being two player only. Same with splendor duel. I feel like family games need to be able to be for at least 3+ players.
not sure which one is top and bottom at the end...
Wait, how is Splendor NOT a family game? It's so simple, even Splendor Duel. I would've swapped that in for Wingspan because that game might be considered "heavy" for some people.
We used what games are on BGG list. However I fully agree. /JG
Clank deserved better, much better than Heat. I don't enjoy Quacks as much as Clank, however, Quacks is the better game for families. I'd swap Wingspan and Everdell.
I guess Everdell landed there because it never really clicked with us.
The Crew is a family game. Most non-gamers have at least played hearts or spades so there's virtually no rules to teach.
Why not harmonies??
Never liked 7 Wonders…
You’re better off getting 7 Wonders Architects, instead, in my opinion
Duel games in a family setting??
How many people to be consider family?
Perfect for parents....
While the kids do the dishes. 😈
I agree can just be splendor. We play this even with a 5 year old as it’s just colours and numbers
Survive
Survive the isle
You should have eliminated the OTHER Crew! The deep sea one has more variability.
Little help. More videos please.
Quacks sucks
What about Reef? It's our favorite here 🪸🐠