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 good for large groups?

Today, I would like to focus on accessories for the game room.  Sure, the star of any game night should be the games themselves, but sometimes having just the right accessory can make the experience so much better.  Here is a short list of things that we have found helpful to have in the Gaming Basement…

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 still on sale)

1. Whiteboards – one thing that we always seem to need are notepads to keep track of scores or to write down notes.  In a fit of genius, I figured that we could just use a white board and save the environment a bit!  – https://amzn.to/4fSmn4K 
2. Card racks – we play lots of card games around here, and we also eat a lot of snacks.  Card racks definitely help me hold all the cards in a way that I can see everything and keep all that pesky snack powder off the cards! – https://amzn.to/3B4xcSM 
3. Card and Bit Holders – these are honestly the best racks around, especially if you need to organize some bits.  They come in multiple colors so you can also use them for player color reminders.   https://boardgamegeekstore.com/products/bgg-card-bit-holders
4. Box bands – if you store your games on their side (like a barbarian like myself), you sometimes need a band to hold the lids on.  These bands won’t degrade like regular rubber bands – https://amzn.to/4gnog9R
5. Dice tower – https://amzn.to/4ip0z2D 
6. Dice – having colored d6s around can be useful for counters, ersatz pieces, and all sorts of other reasons  – https://amzn.to/4f4LwZm
7. Polyhedral dice – I have actually found that a polyhedral set of dice in usual player colors is sometimes even more helpful – https://amzn.to/4f6nAEV 
8. Transformer table – for those nights when you have a few extra people show up,  this table can expand to meet the size of your group.  And then when game time is done, it collapses down into a nice small size so you can have your room back.  –  https://amzn.to/411Ldv2  https://amzn.to/495dfHP
9. Neoprene covers – it’s also nice to have a nice smooth surface to place your games on.  The little bit of padding can also help you pick cards up off the surface – https://amzn.to/3ZsLhRU
10. Cubes – https://amzn.to/3ZEuM6y 
11. Bowls – https://amzn.to/4gGAOcP 
12. Discs – https://amzn.to/3BkNK8Z 
13. Mini poker chips for scoring (2 sets to get 1 thru 100)  – https://amzn.to/3Zhm90s  
14. Big poker chip set (they can customize the denominations) – https://amzn.to/3ZpkIgr
15. Boardgame back pack – for those times when you have to take game night to someone else’s place; store all the bits to a bunch of games in a single bag!  Also great for travel – https://amzn.to/4goIEri
16. Start Player Shocking Roulette – this is a new version of Shocking Roulette that can now accomodate six fingers for your startling new way to choose a start player for your game.  No longer will you have to worry about who was most recently on a boat, who most recently ate goat or who is the most likely to float.  – https://amzn.to/4gpV9TA

(older links below)

[from Cyber Saturday]

Codenames – So,  as you may have read last week, I’m still obsessed with playing Codenames on my phone app.  All of the clue giving and solving on my phone has also led to an uptick in games of the actual game.  There are a number of different versions – so you can find one that suits your audience.  Personally, I like Codenames XXL – it has all the basic words but with bigger components that are easier for my aging eyes to read.

• Codenames XXL – https://amzn.to/3ZmH7Lj 
• Codenames Pictures – https://amzn.to/3ZHY1pk
• Codenames Pictures XXL – https://amzn.to/4g0i9Zf 
• Codenames Duet – https://amzn.to/3Bf7ECo
• Marvel Codenames – https://amzn.to/4is4HPt
• Codenames Disney Family Edition – https://amzn.to/49HxhIZ
• Codenames Deep Undercover – https://amzn.to/49v2nDh
• App on Android – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.czechgames.codenamesdigital&listing=cnapp-store-download-cno&hl=en_IN 
• App on iOS –  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/codenames/id1055650930 

OK, you’ll note the last one is called Codenames Deep Undercover – that one might be for the adult audiences only.  Another party game that would be for adults only is Uno Dare Adults Only – which happens to be the most read review in the history of our blog.  It seems to go in and out of stock a lot, so you can check this link to see where you can get it at a number of different stores: 

OK, back to the party games.  CMYK is a newer company that has been focusing a lot on accessible games as well.  Two of them stand out for this category.  Wilmot’s Warehouse is a rollicking memory game.  Trust me on this one.  Wavelength is a great one for the “read my mind” crowd…  And of course, Monikers is the “dumb party game that respects your intelligence”

• Wilmot’s Warehouse – https://amzn.to/4gnfmsT
• Wavelength – https://amzn.to/3ZICAUM
• Monikers – https://amzn.to/41kfLrN

Though clearly not for me, plenty of people enjoy pretending that they are werewolves and going around eating villagers and what not.  There are a number of different versions of this, but the best one (IMHO) is One Night Ultimate Werewolf… and if you have a huge family, 25 people can play Ultimate Werewolf Extreme

• One Night Ultimate Werewolf – https://amzn.to/4f5Bjvy
• Ultimate Werewolf Extreme – https://amzn.to/3OMvvfT
• One Night Ultimate Daybreak – https://amzn.to/4fYBiLa

Sometimes your groups want to solve mysteries – there are a number of different series out there where the entire group can work together to solve the puzzles in the box.  I’ll give one example of a few different franchises…

• Escape Room the Game – https://amzn.to/49sniqP
• Exit: The Hunt Through Amsterdam – https://amzn.to/3OJjbwP
• Unlock! Star Wars – https://amzn.to/3ZJkLoV
• Escape from Iron Gate – https://amzn.to/49tJP6E
• Mystery Agency The Balthazar Stone – https://amzn.to/4f9c8IB
• Escape Mail Binge Bundle – https://amzn.to/3D0HRy9
• Masters of Crime: Rapture – https://amzn.to/3BtxSB3
• Unsolved Cold Case – Where is Santa? https://amzn.to/3ZHifzu
• Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment – https://amzn.to/4irPsq2

Finally, there are these old classics – some that you will remember from your youth, and some that have been modernized to fit the 21st century

• Telestrations Party Pack – https://amzn.to/4f8SHPY
• Pictionary Air – https://amzn.to/3ZEtDMi
• Pictionary vs AI – https://amzn.to/4g0PyTT
• Pictures – https://amzn.to/4f5D240
• Pictures Xmas – https://amzn.to/49t2E9J
• Taboo – https://amzn.to/3Dd7qMw
• Electronic Catch Phrase – https://amzn.to/4f4N6ua
• Apples to Apples Party Box – https://amzn.to/3OH6EKv
• Cards Against Humanity – https://amzn.to/3VqdFmo

Unrelated to party games, but something I wanted to mention before I forgot – one of our Opinionated Gamers, Steph H, produces an annual calendar filled with beautiful photos – you can check it out here… 

As always, a disclosure that the Amazon links are affiliate links and that some of the other links could be sponsored.

[From Cyber Monday]

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).

Stocking Stuffer sized games

1. Jabba’s Palace (Love Letter) https://amzn.to/491ZAkE 
2. 
   Pixies – https://amzn.to/4fNpwTw 
3. UNO Show ’em NO Mercy – https://amzn.to/4hZtMRS 
4. UNO NFL – https://amzn.to/3OmIjJq 
5. Bohnanza – https://amzn.to/3OwJFl9 
6. 20 Strong – https://amzn.to/3ARiZIM
7. Gloomhaven: Buttons & Bugs – https://amzn.to/418vnhY
8. A Gentle Rain – https://amzn.to/3Bcwu5G 
9. Any of the Button Shy Games – https://amzn.to/3Zt17gv
10. Infinity Gauntlet: A Love Letter Card Game – https://amzn.to/4i8mbjV
11. Pictionary the Card game – https://amzn.to/3B3AwNP
12. Sea Salt and Paper – https://amzn.to/3Og3AEK 
13. The Mind – https://amzn.to/4g16clQ
14. The Game –  https://amzn.to/4i4HWRH 
15. Scout – https://amzn.to/3ZdanEh
16. Deep Sea Adventure – https://amzn.to/3Zr1kRo 
17. Fake Artist Goes to New York – https://amzn.to/4gcIkMf
18. Troika – https://amzn.to/4eQbtLX 
19. Make the Difference – https://amzn.to/4fLFIVR 
20. Illusion – https://amzn.to/3COAkCN
21. The Crew – https://amzn.to/4g9VgST
22. Happy Salmon – https://amzn.to/3B83nR5
23. Qwixx – https://amzn.to/49eW5rx
24. World’s Smallest Clue, Sorry, Blokus, Battleship – https://amzn.to/3ZuvWBN
25. World’s Smallest UNO – https://amzn.to/3OAnc6w
26. 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