A board game podcast where your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney review unusual, forgotten and under-appreciated board games.
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73. Extended Banter: Board Game Retreat 2025, Part 2
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2:06:00Send us a text The banter continues! There are plenty of games left to cover from the fabled board game retreat weekend. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Ken Cantrell and Jason Yanchuleff as they dive into more of the titles we got to on the trip. FOLLOW US: Email: [email protected] Web: https://hiddengems.games Patreon: https://patr…
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72. Extended Banter: Board Game Retreat 2025, Part 1
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1:43:01Send us a text New year, new show format! Every so often, we'll take a break from reviewing games to just talk about more stuff we've been into lately. In this inaugural "Extended Banter" episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey treat you with the usual personal updates and then spend some time reflecting on the games we got …
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71. Christmas Spectacular: Stocking Stuffers for 2024
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2:12:34Send us a text Twas the day before Christmas, and all round the world, the gamers awaited, the adults, boys, and girls. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but no brief, tiny games have yet been stuffed there. When what to my wondering ears should appear, came a new Christmas episode full of gems, joy, and cheer! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:…
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Send us a text "A" is for... alchemist? Another series begins! Will we ever finish it? Who knows! but this episode we start our alphabetically-themed episodes with the letter "A". Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they dig for more gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:22:46 Abandon Ship 00:45:00 Alchemist 0…
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Send us a text It's time for another cheesy skit, more Halloween trivia from Chris and a bunch of horrifying takes on a bunch of dusty, spooky games. What could be scarier?! Join the full crew: Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Lockey as they bring you three ghoulish reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween…
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Send us a text In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney jump back into the delightful world of Dorra, exploring three more games by this esteemed designer. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:31:32 Amazona 01:00:17 Pergamon 01:36:21 Salamanca MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Amazona: “Jungle Awa…
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Send us a text Are the claims on the game box about playtime length accurate? In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey hold things down while Bill and Jason are away on vacation as they put three games claiming to take 30 minutes or less to the test and share their thoughts on these unusual, forgotten, and underappreciated games. …
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66. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2011 Edition
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2:19:54Send us a text The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2011! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another bunch of award-nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Bant…
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65. Designer Spotlight: Kramer & Kiesling
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2:09:36Send us a text It's summer in NC and that means sweltering heat, sweet tea and lots of travel. The guys have been all over the place, but have finally returned to the table for more gaming. Join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take on a trio of gem candidates from revered duo of designers Wolfgang Kramer and Michael …
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Send us a text Will the supply of game designs from Reiner Knizia ever run out? It's doubtful, so the guys have much more exploring to do of the designer's epic catalog. We bring you part IV of that exploration. Will we find more gems? Or are these games lesser-known for a reason? They can't all be good... right? Find out on this episode with your …
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Send us a text Chris is back from Asia, so what better way to welcome him back to the crew than covering 3 possible gems from Asian designers? Find out how they fare along with the latest banter topics on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 00:37:13 Chronicle 01:00:55 Dadao…
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Send us a text While the cat's away... Chris is traveling the globe this episode, so Jason has free reign over the game selections. Will his recent streak of mediocre contributions to the gem lineup continue? Or will digging deep into the library produce some new favorites? Join Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and newcomer Ken Cantrell as they investi…
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Send us a text Fantasy is a theme that has exploded into popularity in the past 30 years or so. It has had an impact on books, movies, TV, video games, and not least, board games. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey celebrate their enjoyment of the genre and review three fantasy-themed games. FEATU…
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60. More Stefan Feld Games with Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table
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2:12:46Send us a text What is it about Stefan Feld that keeps us coming back for more? In this latest episode pulled from some lesser known titles of his vast catalog, join your regular hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they welcome guest host Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table to chat about a new crop of 3 potential gems. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro…
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59. Taking Flight with Two and a New
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2:15:17Send us a text Make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions before you fly the friendly skies with the Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they soar through a new trio of games. Will the guys first attempt at the "two-and-a-new" format fly or end up grounded? Find out if any new gems are t…
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Send us a text We're approaching the end of another year, and that means it's time for a little Christmas cheer! Have a holly jolly, merry little Christmas with the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out 3 stocking stuffer-sized games. Will they be gems or lumps of coal? Find out on …
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57. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2012 Edition
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2:10:13Send us a text The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2012! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & …
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Send us a text Scares are aplenty in this year's special Halloween edition of Hidden Gems! Will poor Dean survive a night at the Kurtz's? Will Jason and Cameron do better on Chris' torturous Halloween-themed trivia game show? And, most importantly, will we find any more gems? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney and Cameron Loc…
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55. Publisher Spotlight: Zoch Verlag
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1:49:08Send us a text Castle building in the Scottish highlands, spicy peppers and a game about, well... Watch out for the smelly stuff on this episode with your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they step around three poo-tential gems from publisher Zoch Verlag. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:30:03 Kalimambo 00:49:04 Schar…
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54. Designer Spotlight: Marcel-André Casasola Merkle
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1:58:41Send us a text Words with sheep, network building in the islands (also with sheep) and a vicious abstract (not so much about sheep). This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff take on the good and the baa-aa-ahd of three titles by designer Marcel-André Casasola Merkle. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:29:51 Attribu…
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Send us a text We all know and love this prolific designer of the Catan series, but what lesser known (or just less talked about) gems might be hiding in his repertoire? This week, join your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at three games by the late Klaus Teuber. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:39:2…
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Send us a text In this special episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey review three Roman-themed games including one requested by one of our Patreon Gem Miners. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:22:35 Sylla 00:51:31 Ave Caesar 01:21:39 Constantinopolis MUSIC (courtesy of https://epidemicsound.com): Sy…
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Send us a text It only took us fifty episodes to finally get serious about how hidden our gems are! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney dig up three games from Chris's beneath the floor boards of Chris's game room so hidden, BGG doesn't even know about them. Tune in to find out what they are. FEATURED GAMES: 00…
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Send us a text We're FINALLY back! On this special 50th episode of Hidden Gems, all your hosts, Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey gather to celebrate the occasion by reviewing three games chosen by our incredible audience, finally give away a copy of Strasbourg, and talk more than you've ever wanted about our favorite vi…
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Send us a text TL>DL: Episode 50 is going to be delayed for a while due to some recent and upcoming host vacation schedules. Stay tuned for our next episode coming sometime in May. In the meantime, go to https://forms.gle/jWSGLAju547spScY8 and leave your review for one of the games: Northern Pacific, Quo Vadis?, and Santiago! FOLLOW US: Email: hidd…
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49. Designer Spotlight on Günter Burkhardt
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1:29:05Send us a text In this episode, Chris (finally) takes a break, and your hosts Jason Yanchuleff, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey dig into three more games designed by the same guy who brought us Potato Man and Kupferkessel Co., which each brought respectively very low, and very high marks. Is there more to Mr. Burkhardt's repertoire? Tune in to find …
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Send us a text There was fairly gushing praise from all the HG crew for 2 out 3 games from designer Stefan Dorra going way back to our 7th episode -- where Chris even gave out a notable two 6-ratings! And then there was Tonga Bonga ... at least Bill liked it! What will the guys think of another triumvirate of games from the same esteemed designer? …
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Send us a text "In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered...doom was near at hand" In this episode of Hidden Gems, fantasy lovers and hosts Chris Alley and Cameron Lockey take on games with a beloved theme: Lord of the Rings. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:24…
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Send us a text Need a bit of sun and sand to kick off the new year this cold January? Also, who knew there were so many board games with the Easter Island moai as a theme? Catch some rays and find out more about these mysterious statues in this episode with your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff as they check out three new promising gems with …
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Send us a text It's that time of year again! Christmas cheer abounds in this final episode of 2022 where the whole Hidden Gems crew of Chris Alley, Bill Arney, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff get in the Christmas spirit with 3 new potential gems. Will any of them make the cut? How will the guys do on Chris's latest holiday-themed trivia? Will C…
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44. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2013 Edition
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1:48:46Send us a text The Spiel series continues with a new installment of nominees from 2013! Dig in with you hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they take a look at another crop of prestigiously nominated, yet strangely overlooked games -- listen in to hear our thoughts on the Spiel judges' decisions! FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & …
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Send us a text What's happening on Hidden Gems? A review for a game in the top 200, almost 100?! With Cameron and Bill out, have Chris and Jason finally lost their minds and reverted to reviewing the hotness? Find out on this latest episode when the guys check out one title far down the rankings and another not quite so much -- are there gems to be…
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Send us a text It's time for another SPOOKY edition of Hidden Gems! Get ready to enjoy more audio theatre, a Halloween-themed trivia game show, and more spooky stories. Your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey also bring you three fresh reviews of unusual, forgotten, and under-appreciated Halloween-themed games in this 2022 epis…
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41. Steady Hands, Shallow Breathing: Dexterity Games
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1:21:04
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1:21:04Send us a text Hold your breath and stick your tongue out just right, because in this episode, taking your turn is gonna require some concentration. This time, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arney, and Cameron Lockey literally try their hands at three under-appreciated dexterity games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00 Intro & Banter 18:04 Riff Raff 40:06 Arch R…
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Send us a text We're back with another trio of games from the renowned Reiner Knizia on this 40th episode of Hidden Gems with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney. Is the third time the charm for discovering even more gems from the prolific doctor? Or will we stumble across some duds? Tune in to find out! Featured Games: Rondo (0…
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Send us a text This week we explore two new possible hidden gems handpicked by YouTuber and board game content creator, Jon Gets Games! Join Jon, along with your regular hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they look at a route-building Euro from Queen Games and a zany auction game from Japan! Check out Jon's work here: https:/…
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38. Designer Spotlight: Inka & Markus Brand
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1:36:34Send us a text Travel the globe with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney through the colorful streets of Buenos Aires, a French medieval stronghold and the highlands of Guatemala in this latest episode shining our familiar designer spotlight on husband and wife designer duo Inka and Markus Brand. Featured Games: La Boca (00:20:2…
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37. Leo Colovini Games With Gidorah
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1:35:32Send us a text You've heard his name in the credits and interacted with him on the BGG guild, hear from the man himself! HG Guild manager and BGG user Gidorah joins your regular hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff as they dive into three titles by esteemed designer Leo Colovini. Featured Games: Fae (00:18:43) The Bridges of Shang…
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Send us a text What do SpongeBob SquarePants, Humpty Dumpty and Animal Farm all have in common? Why anthropomorphism of course! This week your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arney take a look at three games that employ this technique for theming. Tune in to find out if it takes these three potential hidden gems to another level! Feat…
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35. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2014 Edition
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1:33:34Send us a text In the spirit of continuing the time travel theme we explored last time, this week your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey return to the history books and examine three games that were nominated for the Spiel Des Jahres in 2014, but did not win. Did the Spiel judges make the right choice? Did these games wrongly …
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Send us a text Roads! Where we're going, we don't need roads! Crank up the DeLorean and do some time-traveling with your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff and Bill Arney as they explore three potential past hidden gem games with a time-traveling theme! Featured Games: Legacy: Gears of Time (00:23:32) Chrononauts (00:44:15) Khronos (01:01:29) Hidd…
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33. Tom Vasel's Most Infamous Reviews
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1:35:37Send us a text Tom Vasel of The Dice Tower has had an immense impact in the world of board game reviews. He also has a reputation for occasionally ripping a game to shreds and, sometimes literally, tossing a game into the trash. In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey take a look at some of Tom's most infamous …
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Send us a text Come on down! Is there more than meets the eye to our next three candidate gems? Or are they better off in the bargain bin? This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Bill Arnie and Jason Yanchuleff take a look at some titles that by all appearances look like mass market games, but are they really? Featured Games: Blockers! (00:20:39) The Ga…
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31. Forgotten Felds with Neat and Nerdy
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1:39:21Send us a text This episode, we are joined by honored guest host Mitch Resk of Neat & Nerdy. We'll be rolling dice to seek out juicy termites, then trying our best to not be suspicious in a game of monks, murder, and manipulation. See if these two titles by renowned designer Stefan Feld deserve to be called hidden gems! Also, check out Mitch's awes…
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30. Publisher Spotlight on Eagle Gryphon Games
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1:20:23Send us a text Take it easy, relax to the soothing sounds of muzak and paint some happy little trees on this episode of Hidden Gems. This time, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arnie dive into some lesser known titles from esteemed publisher Eagle Gryphon Games. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Take It Easy! (00:22:42) Cu…
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Send us a text There's no time for analysis paralysis this week on Hidden Gems! In fact, an extra cup of coffee might serve better than this episode's featured cocktail when playing the games we look at in this episode. This time your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey explore three time-sensitive real-time games. FEATURED GAME…
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Send us a text Come explore a novel and exciting new theme never before seen in the board game hobby -- transporting stuff on ships! Which is saltier, the water and wind in your face sailing the saline seas of this trio of shipping games, or the thoughts of your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Bill Arnie? Join us and find out on this saili…
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Send us a text It's time to celebrate! After rounding out the first full year of the show, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff take a look back at two previously reviewed games -- but with a twist! Then they take on one controversial new game. See if they can dig up some more gems in this special anniversary episode! FEATURE…
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Send us a text The three O.G. musketeers are finally back together! This week, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Jason Yanchuleff explore three games well suited for three players. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Seikatsu (00:20:27) Haggis (00:42:27) Three Kingdoms Redux (01:03:08) MUSIC (courtesy of http://epidemicsound.com) Se…
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Send us a text Strap on your headlamp and delve deeper into the mine this week as the guys, along with guest host Ben Anderson, attempt to unearth more gems from the world of cube rails games and explore the work of designer John Bohrer. FEATURED GAMES: Intro & Banter (00:00:00) Iberian Railways (00:22:19) Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (00:42:40) Samarkand: …
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