Shelf Stable: A Board Gaming Podcast

Latest Episodes:

October site updates Oct 30, 2024

Hi folks. We turned on the "blog" feature on Libsyn and will be using it moving forward to notify you about housekeeping items that don't make it into the podcast proper.

Both Kenny and Tom got new matching microphones, expect some snazzy audio in the next episode.

There's a new about section on the site:

https://shelfstable.libsyn.com/about

It includes, bios, links, FAQ, and a glossary of our twisted terms.

GMT featured our chat about Twilight Struggle on the Twilight Struggle product page!

https://www.gmtgames.com/p-927-twilight-struggle-deluxe-edition-8th-printing.aspx

That's how you know we made it.

That's it. As always, thanks for listening and stay rad.

Kenny

#12 Tales from the Crypt Oct 29, 2024

Join us for a frightening boodcast about the most horrifying board game experiences. This week, Count Kenny and Tom Bonesworth imagine a world of only Cthulhu-themed games where box lids fart and humans assist Cylons in their efforts to sabotage.

Games we played:

3:07 - The Great Dalmuti (1995, Richard Garfield, Wizards of the Coast)

7:59 - Medici (1995, Reiner Knizia, Steamforged)

13:05 - Terraforming Mars (2016, Jacob Fryxelius, Stronghold)

21:07 - Anomia (2010, Andrew Innes, Anomia Press)

100 games before you die:

24:52 - Love Letter (2012, Seiji Kanai, AEG)

Topic:

28:52 - Tales from the Crypt

Forum https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3393242/board-game-horror-stories

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#11 Gaming With Newbs Oct 22, 2024

I hope you like hearing "polyo-nemo" a lot cause Tom says it like a hundred times this week. I hope Tom finds that poor fish cause his dad is worried sick.

Games we played:

1:38 - 51st State (2016 og2010, Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal)

7:01 - Hanamikoji (2013, Kota Nakayama, EmperorS4)

13:08 - Agricola (2016 og2007, Uwe Rosenberg, Lookout Games)

17:43 - Scarabya (2018, Bruno Cathala & Ludovic Maublanc, Blue Orange)

100 games before you die:

22:27 - Can't Stop (1980, Sid Sackson, Eagle-Gryphon)

25:39 - Arkhipov Day

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasily_Arkhipov

Topic:

27:14 - Gaming With Newbs

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#10 Solo Gaming Oct 15, 2024

Don't let the title mislead you. Despite having played a ton of solo-focused games in preparation, Kenny and Tom elect to mostly argue about whether or not Pandemic is a good game. I'd tell you more about it, but I just realized you're just a figment of my imagination. Why must I hurt myself repeatedly? There is no audience... I am but a speck in a simulationist void...

Games we played:

1:59 - Bohnanza (1997, Uwe Rosenberg, Amigo)

5:48 - Tsuro (2005, Tom McMurchie, Calliope Games)

12:31 - Twilight Struggle (2005 Ananda Gupta & Jason Matthews, GMT)

18:24 - Imperial Settlers (2014, Ignacy Trzewiczek, Portal Games)

100 games before you die:

26:37 - Jungle Speed (1997, Thomas Vuarchex & Pierrick Yakovenko, Asmodee)

Topic:

32:16 - Solo Gaming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdWkzF2l23U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Bj6VI2mco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDDbCBZj78A

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#9 The Spiel des Jahres Oct 08, 2024

And the award for best board game podcast of 2024 goes to... Lady Gaga? Umm... Lady Gaga come up and receive your award I guess. This week, two sleepy boys are reminded of what it's like to wake up early on the weekend to record a podcast.

Games we played:

1:07 - Ra (1999, Reiner Knizia, 25th Century)

4:53 - For Sale (1997, Stefan Dorra, Eagle-Gryphon)

7:43 - Pax Pamir 2nd Edition (2019 og2015, Cole Wehrle, Wehrlegig)

17:03 - Red7 (2014, Carl Chudyk & Chris Cieslik, Asmadi)

100 games before you die:

21:41 - Say Anything (2008, Dominic Crapuchettes & Satish Pillalamarr, North Star)

Topic:

26:03 - The Spiel des Jahres

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#8 Board Game Glow Ups Oct 01, 2024

How does my box look? Fabulous! How about my cultural representation? Questionable! This week we dive into the more icky parts of the hobby and how some folks are making an effort to update that ickiness for a modern audience.

Games we played:

2:06 - Puerto Rico (2002, Andreas Seyfarth, Alea)

4:25 - It's a Wonderful World (2019, Frederic Guerard, La Boite de Jeu and OriGames)

7:42 - Circus Flohcati (2023 og1998, Reiner Knizia, Playte & Popcorn Games)

11:10 - Nine Tiles Panic (2019, Jens Merkl and Jean-Claude Pellin, Oink Games)

100 games before you die:

15:34 - Monikers (2015, Alex Hague & Justin Vickers, CMYK)

Topic:

19:02 - Pet Peeves

Jason Perez and Shelf Stories - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iArLXVNbgzc

Sue Ann Harkey interview - http://blog.killgold.fish/2015/04/an-interview-with-sue-ann-harkey-magics.html

The Privilege of Play - https://nyupress.org/9781479818433/the-privilege-of-play/

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#7 Pet Peeves Sep 24, 2024

Well I would have won if it wasn't for having pizza grease all over my hands while checking my phone and not listening to the rules for the game. It's really simple actually, allow me to walk you through all the ways in which I am a better gamer than you despite losing.

Games we played:

2:19 -Take 5! aka 6 Nimmt! (1994, Wolfgang Kramer, Amigo)

5:22 - Deep Sea Adventure (2014, Jun Sasaki, Oink)

7:35 - Railroad Ink: Blazing Red (2018, Hjalmar Hach & Lorenzo Silva, CMON)

12:06 - Brass: Birmingham (2018, Gavan Brown & Matt Tolman & Martin Wallace, Roxley)

100 games before you die:

19:39 - Telestrations (2009, uncredited, The Op)

Topic:

22:30 - Pet Peeves

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#6 When to Concede Sep 17, 2024

I give up. Tom is better at games, and he has a better podcasting voice, AND he's got sexier abs. What even is the point? This week we talk about those moments when it's just not worth it and you'd be better off hitting the gym than trying to collect enough lemonade to satiate the carnal desires of these fast food consumers.

Games we played:

1:34 - Food Chain Magnate (2015, Jeroen Doumen & Joris Wiersinga, Splotter)

9:32 - Yokohama Duel (2018, Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel)

13:05 - Sidereal Confluence (2020 og2017, TauCeti Deichmann, WizKids)

18:02 - Catan 3D (2021 og1995, Klaus Teuber, Catan Studio)

100 games before you die:

21:25 - Just One (2018, Ludovic Roudy & Bruno Sautter, Repos)

Topic:

24:59 - When to Concede

Songs:

100 Games to Play Before You Die by Michael, Tyler, Devon, and Josh of The Boise RainBeaus

ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#5 The Arbitrary Rankings of BGG Sep 10, 2024

I give this episode a 7 out of 10, or was that a 5 out of 10? Can't remember. Regardless, this definitely ranks in the top 800 episodes of Shelf Stable ever created. In this episode: Tom forgets to hit record. Enjoy a well rehearsed edition of "people yell at boxes".

Games we played:

3:04 - Everdell (2018, James A. Wilson, Starling Games)

6:03 - Eclipse: New Dawn of the Galaxy (2011, Touko Tahkokallio, Lautapelit)

10:01 - Play Nine (2004, Ceil Anderson & Kathy Assell, Double A)

12:56 - Android: Netrunner (2012 og1996, Richard Garfield & Lukas Litzsinger, Fantasy Flight)

100 games before you die:

24:29 - Rhino Hero (2011, Scott Frisco & Steven Strumpf, HABA)

Topic:

27:32 - The Arbitrary Rankings of BGG

BGG Wiki:

https://boardgamegeek.com/wiki/page/ratings#:~:text=All%20recorded%20User%20Ratings%20are,for%20the%20game%20is%20used.

Wise Guy History:

https://youtu.be/_eRoQBmWsWA?feature=shared

Song: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#4 100 Tabletop Games to Play Before Turning 100 Sep 04, 2024

We got one HUNDRED games for you, hot off the griddle ready to eat. Pop them in the microwave for 3-5 minutes. If they each cost a dollar and you had a $100 dollar bill, you'd be able to purchase every one of these games and try them out. But they don't cost a dollar, so I guess good luck?

Games we played:

01:50 - Dominion (2016 og2008, Donald Vaccarino, Rio Grande)

06:24 - Yokohama (2016, Hisashi Hayashi, Tasty Minstrel)

13:00 - El Grande (1995, Wolfgang Kramer, Hans im Gluck)

17:25 - Oh Really? (2019, MC Marquis, Randolph)

20:35 Topic: 100 Tabletop Games to Play Before Turning 100

THE 100 LIST IS HERE, CHECK IT OUT

https://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/321471/100-tabletop-games-to-play-before-turning-100

Song: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#3 Box Art and Box Presentation Aug 27, 2024

A little birdie told me that in Canada, games come in bags. Here in USA, we're all about those boxes. Boxes, boxes, and more boxes. Join us as we think a bit outside of the... um.. realm of what we usually think of, and come up with some interesting insights about game display and packaging.

Games we played:

01:30 - Ca$h n’ Guns (2014 og2005, Ludovic Maublanc, Repos)

06:39 - Century: Spice Road (2017, Emerson Matsuuchi, Plan B)

10:40 - Brass: Lancashire (2018 og2007, Martin Wallace, Roxley)

17:21 - Roll for the Galaxy (2014, Wei-Hwa Huang & Thomas Lehmann, Rio Grande)

23:55 Topic: Box Art and Box Presentation

Actualol spirals https://youtu.be/86wRhlUlT1M?feature=shared

Song: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#2 So Bad It's Good Aug 21, 2024

Blublublub, quick! HELP. Kenny is podcasting underwater and he needs your help to get back on land. Prep your ears for the devastating misclick that is selecting the Occulus Rift mic a full 5 feet away instead of the microphone on Kenny's head. WIP folks, we'll have it fixed for next week. Thanks for bearing with things as we learn to be just a little bit better, and thanks for listening.

Games we played:

01:28 - Hansa Teutonica (2019 og2009, Andreas Steding, Dennis Lohausen, Pegasus Spiel)

05:56 - Skull (2011, Herve Marly, Rose Kipik & Thomas Vuarchex, Space Cowboys)

08:42 - Res Arcana (2019, Tom Lehmann, Julien Delval, Sand Castle Games)

11:45 - Brass: Lancashire (2018 og2007, Martin Wallace, Gavan Brown & Lina Cossette & David Forest & Damien Mammoliti, Roxley)

Original Brass: Birmingham cover - https://boardgamegeek.com/image/8367730/kensiebensie

19:09 Topic: So Bad It's Good

Song: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning

#1 What Makes You Enthusiastic About Board Games? Aug 16, 2024

You could argue that this is the first time we’re doing this, but Tom and I have been blabbering to each other about games for nearly a decade… we just forgot to hit record. A lot of pushing luck in this one, a lot of piggies going Oink, and a lot of hot / incorrect takes. Thanks for listening and looking forward to the future!

01:46 Why is it called Shelf Stable

Games we played:

03:17 - Chicago Express (2008 og2007, John Borer, Michael Menzel, Queen)

07:22 - Can't Stop (2011 og1980, Sid Sackson, Gabriel Laulunen II, Eagle-Gryphon)

12:30 - Race for the Galaxy (2007, Tom Lehmann, Martin Hoffman & Claus Stephen, Rio Grande)

15:26 - Welcome to the Dungeon (2013, Masato Uesugi, Paul Mafayon, Iello)

18:44 - SCOUT (2022 og2019, Kei Kajino, Jun Sasaki, Oink)

26:06 Topic: What Makes You Enthusiastic About Board Games?

Song: ROT by Bone Haus https://bonehaus.bandcamp.com/album/in-mourning