OK, if you’re not ready for shopping, just skip this post. But, if you’re looking to get a jump on the holiday season, here are a few ideas for you. Today, how about some suggestions for good gifts – that just happen to be on sale today? As many of these links today are Cyber Monday deals, they are definitely time sensitive and possibly quantity limited.
As usual, the Amazon links are affiliate links, and we may benefit from them if you buy the games from the link. The title of the games will also link to our review of the game (where possible)
At the bottom of the post are links copied from our previous Gift List ideas – so that you don’t have to find our previous posts (though no guarantee they are stlil on sale)
Azul (for 13 bucks?!) – https://amzn.to/41jwEmJ
Splendor for 13 bucks?! – https://amzn.to/3BbDhg1
Azul is an award-winning board game that challenges players to create stunning tile mosaics while making strategic decisions and competing for high scores. Featuring beautifully crafted, colorful tiles, Azul immerses players in the art of mosaic design, inspired by the traditional Portuguese azulejos. It is a classic Eurogame, and one that I have enjoyed playing many many times. Today, it’s on sale for $19 and there is a $6 coupon you can click on. Wow!
Splendor is another classic euro-game; in my opinion a must-have in any eurogame collection. It is is a fast-paced, engine-building game where players assume the roles of Renaissance merchants striving to buy gem mines, transportation means, and shops to acquire the most prestige points. Today, it’s on sale for $19 and there is a $6 coupon you can click on. Wow!
Let’s Go to Japan ($33)- https://amzn.to/3CUu2kY
One of my favorite games of the past two years, Let’s Go to Japan has you planning a vacation to Tokyo and Kyoto – as you draft cards and add them to your calendar. The planning part is a clever puzzle, and the interesting factoids on the cards really makes it feel like you’ve taken a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun
Guild of Merchant Explorers ($29) – https://amzn.to/4g5hl58
While we’re on subject of favorite games in recent years, this gem – which feels like a roll-and-write, except that you draw cards and actually place bits on your player board – has been a standout. “The Queen has sent out a call to The Guild of Merchant Explorers, asking brave adventurers to voyage to all corners of the kingdom of Tigomé. While the kingdom is flourishing, its maps have not been updated in some time and its great cities have lost contact with one another. With your team of explorers, you will journey over rough seas, majestic mountains, vast deserts, and lush grasslands to establish trade routes between cities, visit far-seeing discovery towers, and discover new villages that have emerged.”
Disney Lorcana Gateway Starter Kit ($12) – https://amzn.to/4gfXAHY
OK, so buying someone a starter set for a CCG is kinda like buying someone a puppy. You might be giving them a gift, but you might also be shackling them with a committement they didn’t necessarily want. As with all CCGs, the collectible nature can be a blessing and a curse, so tread carefully. That being said, this Gateway box gives you everything you need to get started with the game. Rules that are easy to understand and enough cards for two players to duel and get a minimum of experience with modifying their decks. And at $12, it’s a steal.
Redwood – https://amzn.to/3B7NvOx
Looking for a game for a photography buff? Or someone who loves nature? Redwood combines these themes in a game that uses physical templates to simulate nature photography. Definitely a unique theme.
Twilight Imperium (4th ed) – https://amzn.to/4eVX1Cm
Looking for a strategy game for those people who want to play a game ALL DAY? The classic Twilight Imperium from FFG will fit the bill.. . You can immerse yourself in an epic tale of galactic conquest and diplomacy in this fourth edition of Twilight Imperium. Players will command one of seventeen diverse civilizations, each offering a unique play experience and strategies for interstellar supremacy – Engage in warfare, trade, alliances, and political maneuvering as you vie for control of the galaxy. All of this in 8 hours or so…
Century Big Box – https://amzn.to/3VjnaUm
We’ve never reviewed the three games together, but today you can get the entire trilogy in one convenient package. Century takes players on a global journey to explore diverse trading techniques and uncover exotic spices. You can play any of the three games on their own or combine them in any combination you like.
The Adventures of Robin Hood – https://amzn.to/3OAdGR1
Looking for a great game that the whole family can play? This story based cooperative game lets you take on the role of either Robin Hood or one of his Merry Men as you battle Prince John and his henchman throughout Sherwood Forest and beyond. You learn the rules to the game with each successive scenario, and you will re-live the classic story.
Rebel Princess – https://amzn.to/41eZftd
Looking for a neat take on a classic trick taking game? Rebel Princess takes the game of Hearts that you probably already know and adds all sorts of twists into the game to refresh it. Take on the role of a particular character and get a unique once-a-hand power. Also, new rules are added each round to change up how the game is played.
Ticket to Ride – Legends of the West – https://amzn.to/49lRinZ
Looking for a legacy version of one of your favorite gateway games? As you play this game, you’ll play at least twelve games of an ever evolving Ticket to Ride campaign adventure. You’ll definitely explore the entire North American continent before you’re done with this epic game. Today it’s 33% off ($80 instead of $120).
— older links below —
Stocking Stuffer sized games
- Jabba’s Palace (Love Letter) https://amzn.to/491ZAkE
Pixies – https://amzn.to/4fNpwTw - UNO Show ’em NO Mercy – https://amzn.to/4hZtMRS
- UNO NFL – https://amzn.to/3OmIjJq
- Bohnanza – https://amzn.to/3OwJFl9
- 20 Strong – https://amzn.to/3ARiZIM
- Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs – https://amzn.to/418vnhY
A Gentle Rain – https://amzn.to/3Bcwu5G - Any of the Button Shy Games – https://amzn.to/3Zt17gv
- Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter Card Game – https://amzn.to/4i8mbjV
- Pictionary the Card game – https://amzn.to/3B3AwNP
- Sea Salt and Paper – https://amzn.to/3Og3AEK
- The Mind – https://amzn.to/4g16clQ
- The Game – https://amzn.to/4i4HWRH
- Scout – https://amzn.to/3ZdanEh
Deep Sea Adventure – https://amzn.to/3Zr1kRo - Fake Artist Goes to New York – https://amzn.to/4gcIkMf
- Troika – https://amzn.to/4eQbtLX
- Make the Difference – https://amzn.to/4fLFIVR
- Illusion – https://amzn.to/3COAkCN
The Crew – https://amzn.to/4g9VgST- Happy Salmon – https://amzn.to/3B83nR5
- Qwixx – https://amzn.to/49eW5rx
- World’s Smallest Clue, Sorry, Blokus, Battleship – https://amzn.to/3ZuvWBN
- World’s Smallest UNO – https://amzn.to/3OAnc6w
- World’s Smallest Hungry Hungry Hippos- https://amzn.to/3BdiB7h
Also, pardon the duplication, but apparently some of the links didn’t work from yesterday’s post – so I’ll fix them and repeat them below.
Most gamers are collectors, and if there’s something that they like, they generally want to have all of the things… Here are some links to great deals on classic game franchises. So many things are on sale this week due to Black Friday coming up.
Maybe you’ll be wanting to buy gifts for your family and friends.
Maybe you’re in need of an idea (and a link) to give to family members you’re seeing today so that you get a game you want instead of a pair of socks… Might as well fill in a hole in your collection?!
Below you’ll find links to start/complete your collections of Ticket To Ride, 7 Wonders, Pandemic, Dominion, Catan, Carcassonne, and more… (All the links but one are Amazon affiliate links, so you will also be helping us out).
Ticket to Ride
- Base game ($25) – https://amzn.to/3ZpsTdZ
- UK/Pennsylvania ($29) – https://amzn.to/4g2HLoF
- Nordic Countries ($44) – https://amzn.to/3Ov9ouf
- Iberia/South Korea ($33) – https://amzn.to/3Zvt0ow
- Asia ($29) – https://amzn.to/4eZr8sE
- France / Old West ($29) – https://amzn.to/4eQx3zW
- Netherlands ($19) – https://amzn.to/3OxtOmp
- Legends of the West (Legacy) ($80) – https://amzn.to/3BeAWAV
- Europe ($29) – https://amzn.to/41dIOgV
- Rails and Sails ($57) – https://amzn.to/3ZhzyWu
- Cities: London ($15) – https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- Cities: San Francisco ($16) https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- Cities: Amsterdam ($24) – https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- Cities: Berlin ($24) – https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- Cities: New York ($24) – https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- Cities: Paris ($24) – https://amzn.to/4g8Y2YM
- First Journey ($19) – https://amzn.to/3B4jIGA
- Storage Boxes for Trains ($15) – https://amzn.to/4fSA7gw
- Deluxe trains ($15) – https://amzn.to/3B0E5o2
7 Wonders
- Base Game ($32) – https://amzn.to/49iJUde
- 7W Cities ($22) – https://amzn.to/4fLDSE5
- 7W Armada ($23) – https://amzn.to/3OBbPeB
- 7W Architects ($35) – https://amzn.to/41r9tqH
- 7W Architects Medals ($24) – https://amzn.to/3VbWrcu
- 7W Edifice ($22) – https://amzn.to/49cTL4a
- 7W Leaders ($19) – https://amzn.to/3CLkDw7
- Lord of the Rings Duel for Middle Earth ($35) – https://amzn.to/4eWLEdc
- 7W Duel ($19) – https://amzn.to/4icitFI
- 7W Duel Pantheon ($18) – https://amzn.to/3OwuR62
- 7W Duel Agora ($15) – https://amzn.to/3B2ZlJG
Catan
- Base Game ($25) – https://amzn.to/3AREsBn
- 3D Deluxe set ($340) – https://amzn.to/3Zd5Jq1
- Catan Traveler ($52) – https://amzn.to/4fNh4Uu
- Seafarers ($26) – https://amzn.to/4g9xYN6
- Seafarers 3D deluxe set ($399) – https://amzn.to/3APAKbq
- Seafarers Hawaii ($19) – https://amzn.to/3ZsPlD5
- Cities and Knights ($39) – https://amzn.to/4g9L3pu
- Traders and Barbarians ($29) – https://amzn.to/3CLDhnj
- Treasures, Dragons and Adventures ($32) – https://amzn.to/4gaKJai
- Explorers and Pirates ($33) – https://amzn.to/3CNNuQl
- Catan The Helpers Scenarios ($13) – https://amzn.to/49fSSYv
- Dawn of Humankind ($35) – https://amzn.to/3AYdoQR
- Catan Crop Trust ($29) – https://amzn.to/3CQcpCT
- Catan Junior ($19) – https://amzn.to/3Ouq6Kb
- Catan Family ($33) – https://amzn.to/4eMk2aN
- Catan New Energies ($67, NOT ON SALE) – https://amzn.to/3ZscQMA
- Catan Starfarers ($69) – https://amzn.to/3Bby5Zt
- Starfarers New Encounters ($52) – https://amzn.to/41bBoun
- Game of Thrones Catan ($50) – https://amzn.to/419FLpQ
- Catan Soccer Fever ($19) – https://amzn.to/3VcEoD2
- 2p Card game ($15) – https://amzn.to/3Vg7ul4
- Starfarers Duel 2p ($23) – https://amzn.to/4g2Cq0B
- Struggle for Catan Card Game ($15) – https://amzn.to/3Oxnvzf
- Catan Dice Game ($12) – https://amzn.to/41dEChb
- Pieceholders for Catan ($26) – https://amzn.to/4i71vsx
- Resource Card Holders ($16) – https://amzn.to/3Z2t6SM
- Travel Case ($24) – https://amzn.to/3ZoKy5w
- Settlers Piece Organizers ($34) – https://amzn.to/3AYGqQn
Carcassonne
- Base Game ($22) – https://amzn.to/3VefCCy
- Inns and Cathedrals ($19) – https://amzn.to/3CODM04
- Traders and Builders ($14) – https://amzn.to/4eQ2eLY
- Abbey and Mayor ($14) – https://amzn.to/3V9Frna
- Princess and Dragon ($12) – https://amzn.to/3VdQZWJ
- Count King Robber ($9) – https://amzn.to/3Z9iC47
- Bridges Castles Bazaars ($14) – https://amzn.to/3BfdAuW
- Hills and Sheep ($14) – https://amzn.to/49iRfJO
- The Tower ($19) – https://amzn.to/3ZdM0Gu
- Under the Big Top ($17) – https://amzn.to/419kexn
- Jager und Sammler ($48) – https://amzn.to/3ZqpjQB
- Big Box ($65) – https://amzn.to/4fZlEyS
- Carc 20th anniv ($49) – https://amzn.to/3VgSD9R
- Mists over Carc ($31) – https://amzn.to/3APGORe
- My First Carc ($32) – https://amzn.to/3ZdLUi6
Dominion
(usual disclaimer that I helped develop the game, so this can be viewed as pure shilling)
- Base Game ($52) – https://amzn.to/3OqKoV0
- Big Box 2nd Ed ($59) – https://amzn.to/4eOyJtL
- Intrigue ($32) – https://amzn.to/3VdRbVX
- Seaside ($35) – https://amzn.to/3VbkBE1
- Prosperity ($39) – https://amzn.to/4fL1LMk
- Cornucopia and Guilds ($39) – https://amzn.to/3VfGnq3
- Menagerie ($38) – https://amzn.to/4eReko1
- Renaissance ($37) – https://amzn.to/3B6lua3
- Hinterlands ($36) – https://amzn.to/4i8PFxU
- Empires ($44) – https://amzn.to/3VemM9U
- Dark Ages ($35) – https://amzn.to/41akpbQ
- Nocturne ($38) – https://amzn.to/4196frx
- Adventures ($44) – https://amzn.to/41dKxCV
- Plunder ($34) – https://amzn.to/4fLL3fv
- Allies ($37) – https://amzn.to/4fOOtOE
- Rising Sun ($41) – https://amzn.to/3Vf8KVn
- Dominion 1st Edition ($35) – https://amzn.to/417VCVT
Pandemic
- Pandemic base ($22) – https://amzn.to/4g5OEVG
- Pandemic in the Lab ($35) – https://amzn.to/3Zra7Tm
- Pandemic on the Brink ($24) – https://amzn.to/3B1Vtst
- Pandemic Iberia ($34) – https://amzn.to/3Z4wigS
- Pandemic Reign of Chthulu ($34) – https://amzn.to/3CSjgvG
- Pandemic World of Warcraft ($39) – https://amzn.to/3B6kQcD
- Pandemic Fall of Rome ($47) – https://amzn.to/4g9SeOs
- Pandemic Legacy Season 0 ($69) – https://amzn.to/3ZCBOsN
- Pandemic Legacy Season 1 Red ($49) – https://amzn.to/3ZbxEGF
- Pandemic Legacy Season 2 Yellow ($42) – https://amzn.to/4eOyqPD
- Pandemic the Cure ($31) – https://amzn.to/3V9hn3V
- Pandemic the Cure Experimental Meds ($30) – https://amzn.to/4i9yaxy
- Pandemic Rapid Response ($15) – https://amzn.to/3CPJcb4
- Pandemic Contagion ($16) – https://amzn.to/419jN6d
- Pandemic Hot Zone North America ($11) – https://amzn.to/4g66701
- Pandemic Hot Zone Europe ($14) – https://amzn.to/3ZbxKOx
Wavelength ($17) —
OK this isn’t a classic yet, but it is going to be. And, if you’ve just spent all day wishing that you had a great party game to play with family and friends, I can’t recommend one any more highly than Wavelength. The game rarely goes on sale, and interestingly, the webpage doesn’t show the price, but when you add it to the cart, it lists at $17.50 today. https://www.target.com/p/asmodee-wavelength-board-game/-/A-83549452#lnk=sametab
OK, return to your normal holiday festivities. Eat some pie. Watch some football. Have a turkey tryptophan coma. Get your keyboard ready for tomorrow. (Do people still go out and shop in person?! I don’t miss the days of waking up stupid early to stand outside a Best Buy or a Circuit City trying to get the best deals on Black Friday)
Until your next appointment
The Gaming Doctor
