Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast

Hidden Gems: A Board Game Podcast episodes:

• 06.14.2024

  64. Super Knizia IV

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 05.24.2024

  63. Spotlight on Asian Designers

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 04.26.2024

  62. Jason's Shelf of Shame

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.29.2024

  61. Amazing Fantasy

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.09.2024

  60. More Stefan Feld Games with Daniel Wahlen of The Game Table

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 02.09.2024

  59. Taking Flight with Two and a New

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 12.24.2023

  58. Christmas Special 2023

  Send us a Text Message. 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,...

  
• 12.01.2023

  57. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2012 Edition

  Send us a Text Message. 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,...

  
• 10.31.2023

  56. Halloween Spectacular: 2023

  Send us a Text Message. 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,...

  
• 10.14.2023

  55. Publisher Spotlight: Zoch Verlag

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 09.15.2023

  54. Designer Spotlight: Marcel-André Casasola Merkle

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 08.18.2023

  53. In Honor of Klaus Teuber

  Send us a Text Message. 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,...

  
• 07.21.2023

  52. Ave Caesar!

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 07.02.2023

  51. So Hidden, It's Unranked

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 06.03.2023

  50. Audience Choice

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.24.2023

  Schedule Update: Episode 50

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.17.2023

  49. Designer Spotlight on Günter Burkhardt

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 02.24.2023

  48. Stefan Dorra: Part 2

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 02.03.2023

  47. The Lord of the Rings

  Send us a Text Message. "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...

  
• 01.13.2023

  46. The Giants of Easter Island

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 12.23.2022

  45. Christmas Special 2022

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 12.02.2022

  44. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2013 Edition

  Send us a Text Message. 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,...

  
• 11.11.2022

  43. Tigris & Euphrates?!

  Send us a Text Message. 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?...

  
• 10.28.2022

  42. Halloween Spectacular: 2022

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 10.14.2022

  41. Steady Hands, Shallow Breathing: Dexterity Games

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 09.30.2022

  40. Super Knizia III

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 09.16.2022

  39. The One With Jon Gets Games

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 09.02.2022

  38. Designer Spotlight: Inka & Markus Brand

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 08.12.2022

  37. Leo Colovini Games With Gidorah

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 07.22.2022

  36. Fun With Anthropomorphism

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 06.30.2022

  35. Spiel des Jahres Losers: 2014 Edition

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 06.08.2022

  34. 1.21 Gigawatts!

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 05.20.2022

  33. Tom Vasel's Most Infamous Reviews

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 05.06.2022

  32. Mass Market Drivel?

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 04.22.2022

  31. Forgotten Felds with Neat and Nerdy

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 04.08.2022

  30. Publisher Spotlight on Eagle Gryphon Games

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.25.2022

  29. Think Fast!

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 03.11.2022

  28. Ships & Stuff

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 02.25.2022

  27. One Sparkling Year of Gems

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 02.11.2022

  26. All for One and One for All

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 01.28.2022

  25. Who is John Bohrer?

  Send us a Text Message. 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...

  
• 01.14.2022

  24. Chris & Bill's Two Player Showdown

  Send us a Text Message. It's the epic battle of wits we've all been waiting for! In this episode, the rivalry between your hosts Chris and Bill reaches its pinnacle as the two gamers face each other in the two...

  
• 12.24.2021

  23. Christmas Special

  Send us a Text Message. Christmas time's a-coming! This time your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Bill Arney celebrate the Christmas holiday by digging into three Christmas, or at least Christmas-adjacent themed board games. FEATURED GAMES: 00:00:00 Intro & Banter 00:25:36 12...

  
• 12.10.2021

  22. Reiner Knizia: Part Deux

  Send us a Text Message. The Doctor we all love is back in the house! In this episode, your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey continue their journey through the vast library of games designed by Dr. Reiner...

  
• 11.26.2021

  21. Ready, Set ... Gems!

  Send us a Text Message. Irk those hedgehogs, gear up the space thrusters, and ... pray? meditate? as you prepare to race forward on the search for gems. In this episode, your hosts Chris and Jason along with guest host...

  
• 11.12.2021

  20. The Rise & Fall of Tasty Minstrel Games

  Send us a Text Message. What other hobby allows you to taste some stew, build an ancient wonder and commit financial fraud all in the same evening ... or episode? Join your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey and Jason Yanchuleff...

  
• 10.29.2021

  19. Halloween Spectacular

  Send us a Text Message. Be prepared to be freaked this Friday, for this formation of fearful game reviews will freeze your blood and furrow your brow! It's Halloween, and your hosts Chris Alley, Jason Yanchuleff, and Cameron Lockey are...

  
• 10.15.2021

  18. Martin Wallace: More Than Just Choo-Choo Trains

  Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley, Cameron Lockey, and Jason Yanchuleff let the choo-choo trains pass by and take some time to explore two of renown board game designer Martin Wallace's...

  
• 10.01.2021

  17. Journey into the Unusual

  Send us a Text Message. We've covered plenty of under-appreciated and forgotten games, now it's time to journey into the unusual. In this episode of Hidden Gems, your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff, along with guest host Bill Arnie...

  
• 09.17.2021

  16. Designer Spotlight on Wolfgang Kramer

  Send us a Text Message. Battle for kingdoms, sail the high seas and explore the world in this episode of Hidden Gems. This time your hosts Chris Alley and Jason Yanchuleff, along with guest host Dan Smith dive into three...