Meeple Minded

WE'RE BACK Ep232

We are back

Reflecting on UKGE 2026

The boys are back from the biggest tabletop gaming event held in the uk and its time to see if the 20th anniversary was indeed Bigger & Better!

Ep229 Consoles to Cardboard : 5 games we NEED as board games!

Can these digital worlds survive on the tabletop? In this Episode of the Meeple Minded Podcast, Jason and Ant are bridging the gap between consoles and cardboard! As We are counting down 5 iconic video games that are practically screaming for a board game adaptation. From sprawling open-world RPGs to intense tactical shooters, we discuss the mechanics, the minis, and the "Meeple Potential" of our favourite digital IPs.Is the "Video Game to Board Game" trend good for the hobby?Timestamps:0:00 - What is Up Guys! (Intro)2:27 - Games We Played recently9:26 - CMON Update12:24 - topical intro17:06 - Video games that need a board game !Join the Conversation:Which video game do YOU think deserves the meeple treatment? Let us know in the comments!Subscribe to Meeple Minded for regular board game reviews, top 5 lists, and tabletop news!#BoardGames #VideoGames #TabletopGaming #MeepleMinded #GamingNews #BoardGameGeek #GamingPodcast #VideoGameAdaptations

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Ep228 Popular games that we cant stand - Top 5

Not all Board game fans love the most "Hyped-up" games or even the TOP 10 of all time! Often viewing these games as OVERRATED!For this weeks episode of the Meeple Minded podcast the MM boyz Ant, James & Jason give you there Top 5 Popular games that they cannot stand. #boardgame #podcast #tabletopgaming

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Is the Kitchen Getting Too Crowded? | Rival Restaurants: Sporks Out First Impressions

Is the Kitchen Getting Too Crowded? | Rival Restaurants: Sporks Out First ImpressionsIs it time to upgrade your cutlery? In today’s episode of the Meeple Minded Podcast, we’re serving up our first impressions of the Rival Restaurants: Sporks Out expansion. We break down whether these new chefs and restaurants add the perfect seasoning to your game night or if the kitchen is starting to feel a bit too chaotic.In this episode, we discuss:The new "Spork" mechanics and how they shift the meta.Are you adding Sporks Out to your collection? Let us know your favourite new chef in the comments! 👇🕒 Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: WE ARE BACK02:36 – What is Rival Restaurants and the Sporks Out Expansion?06:19 – Components15:09 – Gameplay42:51 – Value55:41 – what else have we been playing🎲 About Meeple Minded:We are a board game podcast dedicated to honest reviews, and the occasional tabletop tangent. Whether you're a heavy strategy euro-gamer or a party game enthusiast, there's a seat at our table.Support the Show:Subscribe for more tabletop contentListen on Spotify/Apple PodcastsFollow us on Instagram: @MeepleMinded📦 Game Info & Resources:Game: Rival Restaurants: Sporks OutPlayers: 2-6 (up to 8 with expansion)Publisher: Gap Closer Games#BoardGames #RivalRestaurants #TabletopGaming #MeepleMinded #BoardGameReview #SporksOut #Expansion

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Ep 226 Board Game OVERLOAD

Board game overload is real! With 6,000+ new #boardgame releases, are we drowning in TOP games or just Mountains of mediocre cardboard gluttony? Join the team as we discuss the state of the board game industry in 2026 and try to figure (with a few facts along the way) if board game designs are getting worse or better.Is the Golden Age of board games officially over? In Episode 226 of the Meeple Minded Podcast, we dive into the "Post-Golden Age Crisis." We compare the legendary releases of 2017 to the current era of 2025/2026. We're breaking down the data: Why are we seeing record-breaking releases but a record-low percentage of truly "great" games?From crowdfunding fatigue to the rise of aesthetic-first gaming, we’re asking the tough questions about your Kallax shelf life and the future of the hobby.⏰ CHAPTERS0:00 INTRO01:49 Topical Set Up03:05 Board Game Overload45:29 what we have been playing56:22 Outro58:03 Outtakes

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Top 5 Games of 2025 | Our Picks

To round out our episodes taking a look back at the past year we had to finish with talking about the absolute best board games had to offer with our personal top 5 board games of 2025.

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Ep 224 Reflecting on 2025

Its the annual episode where we take a look back at the past 12 months in board gaming and try to determine if it was a year of Boom or Bust. Think this one may be answering itself? what do you think?

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Ep 223 Heroes in a half Shell - Unmatched TMNT first impressions

In this weeks "delayed" episode the boys have been checking out the BRAND NEW Restoration games title "Unmatched Adventures - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Is this new 90's nostalgia game pizza flipping good OR totally "WACK"

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Ep222 TOP 5 GAME NIGHT PET PEEVES (Cardboard Countdown) | Meeple Minded Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Meeple Minded Podcast!Every gamer has them: those small, frustrating habits that threaten to derail an otherwise perfect game night. This week, prompted by listener Mark on Instagram, we are counting down the Top Five Game Night Pet Peeves that grind our gears. From the perpetual phone checker to the dreaded Analysis Paralysis (AP), we break down the worst offenders, or as Jason refers to them "Scum of the Earth" bit harsh there Jason!Is your biggest pet peeve on the list? Let us know in the comments!⏰ TIMESTAMPS(0:00) SET UP PHASE (Cold Open)(1:02) MEEPLE MENU (Episode Outline)(1:31) CARDBOARD COUNTDOWN: Top 5 Pet Peeves (The List Begins!)(38:24) MEEPLE MOMENTS (What We've Been Playing)(47:38) CARDBOARD CALLBACK (Revisiting Star Tycoon)(52:48) OUTRO & CTA🚀 SEGMENTS & DISCUSSIONSCARDBOARD COUNTDOWN: We tackle the cardinal sins of tabletop etiquette, CARDBOARD CALLBACK: We look back at Star Tycoon exactly one year later! Has the game held up against the competition? Do we still love the economic engine? Co-Hosts weigh in on whether the game is a keeper or ready for the trade pile.🔗 CONNECT WITH USListen: Find the audio version of Meeple Minded on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.#️⃣ HASHTAGS#BoardGamePetPeeves #GameNightEtiquette #BoardGameCountdown #MeepleMinded #CardboardCallback #StarTycoon #BoardGames #TabletopGaming #AnalysisParalysis

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Ep 221 "WITCH" way to the kettle?

Brew the kettle, grab your familiars, and prepare your finest enchanted tea leaves — because this week we’re diving into Tea Witches, the cosy-cute magical brewing game from The OP! ☕✨ In this episode of The Meeple Minded Podcast, Jason, Ant, and James give their first impressions after getting Tea Witches to the table for the very first time. We chat about: 🔮 How well the magical brewing theme lands 🍃 The gameplay flow, action selection, and ingredient gathering 🧪 Component quality (including those cauldron boards!) 📖 Whether the rulebook helps or hexes ⚖️ Highlights, concerns, and who this game is actually for 🫖 And the big question… will we play it again? We also bring you: 📢 This week’s tabletop news (GAMA leadership changes, publishers scaling back due to tariffs, and Asmodee’s acquisition train rolling again) 🎲 Meeple Moments – the games we played this week 🧙‍♀️ And of course… our magical chaos as usual If you’ve played Tea Witches, let us know your experience in the comments! Did you craft the perfect brew or summon something that probably shouldn’t be consumed by humans? 👍 Like the video/Podcast 💬 Leave us a comment 🔔 Subscribe for more board game goodness 🎲 Follow us on Instagram & socials Thanks for watching (or listening!) — and as always… Taa taa, and good bye!

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Ep 220 - 5 Alternative Gateway Games

Jason and Ant return for Cardboard Countdown, counting down their Top 5 Alternative Gateway Games — perfect for bringing new players into the hobby without the same old Catan and Ticket to Ride.⏰ Chapters00:00 – Intro01:52 – Meeple Menu - Whats coming up?02:27 – Setup Phase - Board Game News11:52 – Meeple Moments (Games We Played Recently)20:08 – Cardboard Countdown: 5 Alternative Gateway Games01:17:08 – Outro & Call to Action 💬 Tell us your picks! Share your own gateway recommendations with us on social media — @MeepleMinded #BoardGames #Podcast #MeepleMinded #TabletopGaming #BoardGamePodcast #GatewayGames #Top5

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Ep 219 Essen in EXILE!

Essen SPIEL 2025 is almost here — the biggest board gaming event on the planet — and guess what? We’re not there. Join Jason, James, and Ant as they embrace their cardboard FOMO in “Essen in Exile” From the latest Essen buzz and big game releases, to sarcastic survival tips and a heated Dicey Discussion on whether the Essen hype actually helps or hurts the hobby, this episode delivers all the chaos of SPIEL… minus the airfare, crowds, and pretzels. So grab a cuppa, queue up from your sofa, and get ready for your annual dose of board game banter, British sarcasm, and the occasional existential crisis over shelf space.

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5 Board Games We Can't Play But Really Want To!

In this weeks Podcast, we're discussing some top games that have been sat gathering dust on our shelf. We explore our board game backlog and wonder when we will get these games to the tabletop for a game night. Are these games destined for eternity of the Shelf of shame?

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Ep 217 Star wars Battle of Hoth first impressions

This week on the Meeple Minded Podcast, Jason and Ant are flying solo (well… duo) while James is off sick and doing his best impression of a discarded Pandemic card. But fear not — we’ve got a stacked show for you:00:00 Intro 02:29 Meeple Menu 03:43 The Setup Phase – We break down the latest in board game news, including: Ark Nova’s deluxe expansion and its wallet-destroying price tag. CMON’s projected \$6–8 million losses for the first half of 2025 — what does it mean for the industry? 12:25 Meeple Moments – We chat about what we’ve been playing lately (spoiler: James played “Sleeping Gods: Tissue Box Edition”). 19:38 Cardboard Critique – Our first impressions of Star Wars: Battle for Hoth, the brand-new Days of Wonder release. Is it the epic battle we wanted, or just another trip into the snowy abyss? 49:44 Giveaway Draw – We announce the winner of our competition to snag a brand new copy of *Popcorn* by IELLO!---👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and let us know in the comments: are you excited about Battle for Hoth or do you think it’s another cash-in on the Star Wars license?💬 Join the conversation:Instagram | Facebook | @MeepleMinded🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and wherever you get your board game podcast fix.#BoardGames #Podcast #StarWars #StarWarsBoardGames #ArkNova #CMON #BoardGameNews #MeepleMinded

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Ep 216 Games that make their Mechanics Work Well

On this weeks podcast the boys are back as a trio and wanted to discuss 5 games that made their mechanics work really well. some might say made the game what it is today! please note this episode does suffer with some audio related cut outs but we have done all we can to try to hide these as much as possible.

Ep 215 Do we expect to much Innovation?

Following a spat of technical issues, the boys are finally back after an unexpected break away, and they are back to discuss if we as gamers expect too much in the way of innovation in game releases?They will also be talking about what has been going on, some games they have been playing recently AND due to his absence a mild ribbing of "the THIRD voice" Antony!

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Ep 214 Day-One Expansions. Good or Bad?

🎙️ Meeple Minded Podcast - Episode 214 🧩 Topic: Are Day-One Expansions Good or Bad for Board Games? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the hottest debates in the board gaming community — should expansions be released at the same time as the base game? Is it a smart move that gives players more options? Or is it a greedy cash grab that splits content unfairly? Join us as we explore: ✅ The pros and cons of day-one expansions 💸 How this trend affects consumer trust and game design 🎯 Examples of games that got it right... and others that didn’t 👥 Our personal takes + community opinions 📣 What do YOU think? Leave a comment and let us know: ➡️ Are you pro-expansion at launch or totally against it? 🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms 💬 Subscribe for more board game chats every week! 📍 Follow Meeple Minded: 🔗 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Threads #BoardGames #MeepleMinded #BoardGamePodcast #DayOneExpansion #TabletopGaming #BoardGameCommunity #BoardGameDebate

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Ep 213 Top 5 Two-Player Games

🎲 Top 5 Two-Player Board Games | Jason & Ant's Personal Picks 🎲 In this episode of The Meeple Minded Podcast, Jason and Ant dive into their Top 5 Two-Player Board Games — perfect for couples, friends, or rivals looking to outwit each other in tight, tactical showdowns! But before the countdown begins, the guys kick off the show with their usual segment: "Games We've Played Recently", where they share thoughts on the latest titles hitting their tables. Expect passionate opinions, personal favourites, and maybe a few surprises along the way. Whether you're new to two-player games or a seasoned duo, you're sure to discover something to add to your Wishlist. 🃏 Got your own favourite 2-player game? Drop it in the comments or let us know on social media — we love hearing from fellow meeples! 📌 Subscribe for more weekly board game content, reviews, and discussions from The Meeple Minded crew! #BoardGames #Top5Games #TwoPlayerGames #BoardGamePodcast #MeepleMinded

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Ep 212 Reflecting on UKGE 2025

🎲 Meeple Minded Podcast | UKGE 2025 Breakdown & Game Chat 🎤Welcome to another episode of the Meeple Minded Podcast — your go-to show for all things board games, tabletop gaming, and community-driven content! In this special UKGE 2025 (UK Games Expo) recap episode, we reflect on our full weekend at the UK’s biggest tabletop gaming convention.🗓️ We break down each day of UKGE 2025 — from Thursday to Sunday — sharing our favourite moments, biggest surprises, disappointments, and standout games. Whether you’re curious about the best board games of UKGE 2025, upcoming releases, or con highlights, this episode covers it all!But first, we kick off with our usual "What We've Been Playing" segment, where we chat about the newest additions to our gaming table, hidden gems, and our current board game obsessions.📺 Watch now on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms🔑 Timestamps:📌 Keywords:UKGE 2025, UK Games Expo, board game podcast, tabletop gaming, board games 2025, new board games, board game reviews, con recap, board game vlog, UKGE haul, game demos, board game YouTube, Meeple Minded, best games of UKGE👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more weekly board game content!#UKGE2025 #BoardGames #MeepleMinded #UKGamesExpo #TabletopGaming #BoardGamePodcast

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