Summary

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reviews the top games of 2025, discussing games played throughout the year. The episode is structured into tiers based on how often games made it to the table, with a focus on both new and returning games. James shares insights on his gaming experiences, project planning, and the importance of empirical data in ranking the games. The conversation culminates in a countdown of the top 25 games, highlighting the favorites and the reasons behind their popularity.

Keywords

tabletop games, sports games, game reviews, top games 2025, tabletop sportcast, gaming community, board games, game rankings, tabletop gaming

Takeaways

The list of top games is based on empirical data.

115 different games were played throughout the year.

Games are categorized into tiers based on play frequency.

New games often get fewer plays initially due to project planning.

Returning games tend to have more consistent playtime.

The top 25 games are those that made it to the table more than three times.

Project planning is crucial for maximizing game play.

Non-sport games also made it into the top rankings.

History Maker Baseball remains the top game for multiple years.

Future plans include refining the game list for next year.

Titles

Top Games of 2025 Countdown

The Best Tabletop Games Reviewed

Sound bites

"This tier is called I gave it a shot."

"It's always gonna be in there."

"That's my list for 2025."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Top Games of 2025

03:04 Recap of Recent Events and Game Preparations

05:29 Methodology for Ranking Games

08:09 Overview of the Top Games List

09:05 Tier 5: I Gave It a Shot

15:45 Tier 4: Made It to the Table

20:55 Tier 3: Came Back for More

27:10 Tier 2: Project Worthy

30:38 Exploring Superstar Pro Wrestling and Digital Gaming

31:33 Top 25 Games: The Go-To List

32:31 New Entries: Truckin' 76 and Aviatrix 37

34:51 Real Time Pro Fishing and Breakaway Football

36:56 New Game of the Year: Play at the Races

38:20 Dodgeball and Second Season: Tournament Highlights

40:33 Legends of Boxing and Highlight Maker Hoops

42:46 Dungeons and Dragons: The Non-Sports Game of the Year

44:16 Dice United and Face to the Mat: Tiebreakers Explained

46:44 Soccer Blast and History Maker Golf: Sports Games in Focus

49:16 Red, White and Blue Racing and Fast Drive Football

52:21 Legends of Boxing and Hockey Blast: The Top Contenders

55:29 Grid Zone: The Premier Fictional Sports Game

56:34 History Maker Baseball: The Undisputed Champion

58:24 Wrapping Up: Reflections on the Top Games of 2025

01:02:03 NEWCHAPTER

Summary

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses significant changes in the tabletop sports gaming community, particularly focusing on the impact of Sam Avallone's departure from Plaay. The conversation reflects on the legacy of the Plaay Space, the implications of losing major conventions like Plaay-Dot-Con, and the future direction of Plaay under Keith Avallone's leadership. The episode emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the potential for new leaders to emerge in the gaming space as the community navigates these changes.

Summary

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses the latest release from Powder Blue Sports, Fight Card Boxing, along with his experiences during the holiday sales. He shares insights on his gaming highlights, including a recreation of the 2000 US Open golf tournament, and reviews various tabletop games he picked up during the sales. The episode culminates in a detailed look at Fight Card Boxing, exploring its mechanics, strengths, and limitations, while also hinting at future episodes focusing on leadership lessons from the show Shoresy.

Keywords

Tabletop Sports, Fight Card Boxing, Holiday Sales, Gaming, Sports Replays, Tabletop Games, Powder Blue Sports, Game Reviews, Sports Board Games, Tabletop Community

Takeaways

The holiday sales provide a great opportunity to support various game companies.

Fight Card Boxing offers a simplified approach to boxing games.

The game focuses on four major weight classes: heavyweights, middleweights, welterweights, and lightweights.

Express games like Fight Card Boxing fill a niche for quicker gameplay.

The game mechanics allow for quick results without detailed action.

Rising costs in the gaming industry may impact future purchases.

The host enjoys historical replays and is looking forward to using Fight Card Boxing for tournaments.

Powder Blue Sports offers free PDFs and printed sets for their games.

The host plans to attend Indi-Con and hopes to catch up with game designers there.

Future episodes will explore leadership lessons from the show Shoresy.

Sound bites

"I ran the 2000 US Open for golf."

"You're not gonna get detailed action."

"Check out Powder Blue Sports."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fight Card Boxing

06:35 Holiday Sales and Gaming Purchases

27:16 Deep Dive into Fight Card Boxing Mechanics

44:23 NEWCHAPTER

Summary

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his holiday sale wishlist, exploring various tabletop sports games and classic seasons he is interested in acquiring. He reflects on the significance of historical replays, shares insights on specific game titles, and emphasizes the importance of game accessories. The episode concludes with thoughts on future projects and the role of game companies in the tabletop sports community.

Keywords

holiday sale, tabletop sports, game wishlist, classic seasons, historical replays, game accessories, sports gaming, tabletop gaming, game companies, project planning

Takeaways

The holiday sale wishlist includes various tabletop sports games.

Classic seasons like the 1956 MLB season are particularly intriguing.

Historical replays are a key focus for many tabletop gamers.

Specific game titles are highlighted for their unique gameplay experiences.

Game accessories play a crucial role in enhancing the gaming experience.

Engaging with different game companies is important for the community.

Planning for future projects is essential for tabletop gamers.

The importance of supporting game companies during sales is emphasized.

The podcast encourages listeners to explore new games and experiences.

Community feedback is valuable for shaping future episodes.

Titles

Holiday Sale Wishlist Unveiled

Exploring Classic Sports Seasons

Sound bites

"This is episode 231."

"I'm going to list a number of items."

"I think a couple of these like 76-86."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Reflections

03:38 Recap of Last Week's Episode and Tournament Highlights

07:52 Preparing for the Holiday Sale

12:31 Wishlist for the Holiday Sale

18:33 Exploring the 1956 MLB Season

21:34 NHL Nameplates and Scoreboards

24:40 Classic Games and Historical Replays

27:28 Highlighting Iconic Seasons in Sports

30:42 Anticipating New Releases and Projects

33:19 Future Plans and Game Testing

36:39 Wrapping Up the Holiday Sale Wishlist

43:28 NEWCHAPTER

Summary

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast explores the concept of timelessness in tabletop sports games. He discusses the key qualities that contribute to a game's longevity, including fun, credibility, functional elegance, fresh content, and community support. The episode also touches on current sports trends, holiday sales in the gaming industry, and the importance of community engagement in keeping games alive.

Keywords

timeless games, sports tabletop, game design, community, holiday sales, game mechanics, sports trends, tabletop gaming, game credibility, functional elegance

Takeaways

Timeless games must be enjoyable and fun to play.

Credibility in game results fosters player loyalty.

Functional elegance allows players to focus on the game, not the rules.

Fresh content is essential for keeping games relevant.

Communities play a crucial role in maintaining the longevity of games.

Timelessness is not guaranteed, even with all the right qualities.

Games can evolve while maintaining their core identity.

Support from designers and communities is vital for a game's survival.

Timeless games often have a social aspect that enhances their appeal.

The qualities of timelessness can vary in importance for different players.

Titles

What Makes a Game Timeless?

Exploring Timelessness in Sports Games

Sound bites

"What makes a game timeless?"

"Fun has to be foundational."

"Credibility builds loyalty."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Timeless Games

16:04 Defining Timelessness in Sports Games

36:05 The Complexity of Timelessness

38:12 Conclusion and Future Discussions

41:54 NEWCHAPTER

Keywords

wrestling, tabletop games, fictional federations, character development, AI in storytelling, Convergence event, HCW, NPCW, collaboration, storylines

Summary

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast interviews Don Bychowski and Kevin Lloyd about their upcoming crossover wrestling event, Convergence. They discuss their respective fictional wrestling federations, HCW and NPCW, and how they develop characters and storylines. The conversation delves into the collaboration between the two federations, the use of AI in storytelling, and the excitement surrounding the Convergence event, which promises to be a unique blend of their creative efforts. The episode highlights the importance of fun and creativity in the world of tabletop wrestling games.

Takeaways

Convergence is a special crossover wrestling event.

HCW and NPCW have different approaches to storytelling.

Character development is crucial in wrestling federations.

Collaboration enhances storytelling between federations.

AI tools can aid in creating storylines and visuals.

The crossover event will feature a mix of characters from both federations.

Expect surprises and comedy in the Convergence event.

The Dark Dominion storyline is inspired by the NWO.

Storyline enhancements add depth to character arcs.

The goal is to entertain and engage the wrestling community.

Titles

The Epic Crossover: Convergence Unveiled

Wrestling Federations: A Tale of Two Worlds

Sound bites

"We want to see the best story."

"It's all about the fun of wrestling."

"I want it to be entertaining."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Wrestling Federations

02:51 Overview of Heritage Championship Wrestling and NPCW

07:13 Collaboration and Character Development

13:12 Utilizing AI in Wrestling Storylines

19:31 Creative Processes and Match Outcomes

22:51 The Genesis of a Crossover Event

25:46 Goals and Themes of the Crossover

27:40 Character Development and Storylines

32:26 Anticipating Convergence: What to Expect

36:34 Main Events and Match Highlights

39:39 Future Storylines Beyond Convergence

42:55 The Unique Flavors of HCW and NPCW

50:08 NEWCHAPTER

North Pole Championship Wrestling (NPCW)

Heritage Championship Wrestling (HCW)

Keywords

Tabletop gaming, gaming log, sports games, game sessions, board games, tabletop sports, gaming community, game reviews, gaming projects, gaming insights

Summary

In this episode of the Tabletop Sportcast, host James Cast reflects on his gaming journey, celebrating the completion of his 3,000th gaming session. He discusses recent gaming experiences, highlights from the World Series, and upcoming projects. The episode also covers new game releases and innovations in the tabletop gaming community. James shares insights into his gaming log, detailing the top games that have shaped his experience and future aspirations in the hobby.

Takeaways

Tracking gaming sessions enhances engagement and enjoyment.

The World Series showcased remarkable performances and memorable moments.

New game releases continue to innovate the tabletop gaming experience.

Balancing gaming with family and work commitments is essential.

Express games allow for quicker play and more frequent sessions.

Historical games provide a deeper connection to past sports events.

Community involvement in gaming projects enriches the experience.

Diverse genres in gaming keep the hobby fresh and exciting.

Setting goals for gaming sessions can lead to greater achievements.

The journey of gaming is ongoing, with future milestones to reach.

Titles

Celebrating 3,000 Gaming Sessions

Reflections on Recent Gaming Adventures

Sound bites

"I completed my 3,000th gaming session."

"Had a lot of fun with it."

"I think it's an outstanding game."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Gaming Journey

03:29 Reflections on Recent Gaming Sessions

06:20 World Series Highlights and Insights

09:33 Seasonal Gaming Plans and Strategies

12:27 New Game Releases and Innovations

17:11 The Road to 3000 Gaming Sessions

24:44 Top Games That Shaped the Journey

26:16 Dominance of History Maker Baseball

28:30 Fast Drive Football: The Express Game

31:47 History Maker Golf: A Versatile Experience

34:54 Hockey Blast: A Favorite Full Play Game

37:08 Grid Zone: Embracing Fictional Sports

38:36 Second Season Express: A Football Classic

40:38 Soccer Blast: A Unique Soccer Experience

42:42 Legends of Boxing: The Best Boxing Game

45:36 The Road to 3000: Future Gaming Goals

52:33 NEWCHAPTER

Full Court Dice

Keywords

American Grid Zone League, AGL, tabletop sports, season recap, game expansion, player statistics, sports simulation, tabletop gaming, league structure, sports history

Summary

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast provides an in-depth look at the American Grid Zone League's fourth season, discussing the league's history, structure, and the recent expansion to 12 teams. He highlights key performances, records set during the season, and outlines plans for the upcoming offseason, including player movements and potential changes to the league's structure. The episode serves as a comprehensive recap of the season and a look ahead to future developments in the league.

Takeaways

The American Grid Zone League has expanded to 12 teams.

Season four introduced a Champions League and a National League.

Denver won the Champions League with a strong performance.

Orlando claimed the AGL Cup, marking their second championship.

Player statistics were tracked closely, with new league records set.

The league operates without salary caps, allowing for player movement.

Offseason plans include a draft and potential player retirements.

The league aims to mimic real-life sports structures for authenticity.

Player ratings impact team compositions and league dynamics.

The host enjoys the ongoing development of the league and its players.

Titles

Inside the AGL Yearbook: Season Four Recap

The Evolution of the American Grid Zone League

Sound bites

"This is episode 227."

"It's been a fun league."

"Thanks for listening."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the AGL Yearbook

05:28 Weekly Highlights and Game Updates

12:44 Overview of the American Grid Zone League

19:50 Season Four Expansion and Structure

26:42 Season Four Performance and Records

36:54 Offseason Plans and Future Prospects

40:43 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

45:52 NEWCHAPTER

Links

3d6 Gaming on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582729880611

Fight Card Boxing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fightcardboxing

Greenfox Spreadsheet Overview (Part 1 of 3): https://youtu.be/S8tGSjnCvsY?si=Z28NH_-OrOShTpVs

49 QD Hockey 2025-26 NHL In-Season Set: https://www.49sportsgames.com/products/nhl-2024-25-in-season-play-along-pdf

Keywords

tabletop sports, historical replays, Sports Sim Magazine, American Grid Zone League, tabletop gaming, sports history, replay games, sports simulation, podcast, gaming community

Summary

In this episode of Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast discusses his approach to building a list of historical replays for 2026, reflecting on past projects and the evolution of his tabletop gaming experience. He also provides an overview of Sports Sim Magazine's latest issue, highlighting key articles and contributions from the community. The episode emphasizes the importance of planning and adapting strategies for future gaming projects, while engaging with the tabletop sports community.

Takeaways

James Cast shares his annual process for creating a historical replays list.

The importance of adapting past strategies for future projects is emphasized.

Sports Sim Magazine's Issue 21 features various articles and free games.

Community contributions play a significant role in the magazine's content.

James reflects on the highlights of his American Grid Zone League season.

He discusses the significance of firsts, lasts, and underdog stories in sports history.

Planning for 2026 involves a focus on diverse sports events.

James aims to include a mix of games in his historical replays.

The podcast encourages listener engagement through social media and email.

Future episodes will delve deeper into specific projects and gaming strategies.

Titles

Exploring Historical Replays in Tabletop Sports

Inside Sports Sim Magazine: Issue 21 Overview

Sound bites

"Norfolk wins 45-38 to the final."

"I recapped my 1980 PGA Grand Slam."

"He has offered his nail biter football."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Historical Replays

10:46 Overview of Sports Sim Magazine Issue 21

19:09 Planning for 2026 Historical Replays

41:03 Wrap-Up and Future Plans

43:30 NEWCHAPTER

Keywords

Tabletop Sports, Q3 Retrospective, Audience Growth, Game Projects, Sports Games, Podcasting, Tabletop Gaming, Game Design, Community Engagement, Q4 Plans

Summary

In this episode of the Tabletop SportCast, host James Cast reflects on the third quarter of 2025, discussing audience growth, engagement metrics, and various tabletop gaming projects. He highlights significant projects undertaken during Q3, including a boxing project focused on the 1940s, a PGA Grand Slam replay, and a Major League Baseball tournament. The episode also covers new games explored during the quarter and concludes with a look ahead to plans for Q4, including ongoing projects and upcoming tournaments.

Takeaways

The Facebook page has seen a 95% increase in views.

The podcast has reached 55,438 downloads all time.

Engagement on Patreon has increased with 46 total members.

The 1940s boxing project included 25 championship fights.

The 1980 PGA Grand Slam project replicated historical outcomes.

The 1981 MLB tournament concluded with the Yankees winning.

New games explored included On Deck Baseball and Tecmo Bowl.

The podcast continues to grow with more interviews planned.

Community engagement is crucial for podcast growth.

Future projects include a 2011 NFL tournament and a 1993-94 Rangers playoff replay.

Titles

Quarterly Retrospective: Q3 Highlights and Insights

Exploring Tabletop Sports: Q3 Review and Future Plans

Sound bites

"The Rangers are up 2-0 in that series."

"I think it was just luck of the draw."

"Looking ahead, still more projects on the horizon."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Q3

13:22 Quarterly Retrospective: By the Numbers

21:14 Project Highlights from Q3

38:17 New Games Explored in Q3

39:44 Podcast Highlights and Upcoming Plans

47:43 Conclusion and Looking Ahead to Q4

50:15 NEWCHAPTER