★★★☆☆ Kodama; cute but demanding tree spirits.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a simple game that has some strategy, but feels like a creative project (think competitive solo jigsaw puzzle).

★★★★☆ Ice Cool; as in “Gee, I can’t wait till I go to Ice Cool.”

Check out this game if: you are looking for a silly dexterity game (think Foosball).

★★★★½: Bohnanza; explore the exciting life of a bean farmer(!)

Check out this game if: you like highly interactive games where you trade cards a lot and make quick real decisions.

★★★★☆ Potion Explosion; because you can’t get enough candy crush (?)

Check out this game if: you do or do not like candy crush type games (it’s different, promise).

★★★½☆ KLASK; for those of us who do not have enough room for an air hockey table, this will do.

Check out this game if: you like competitive dexterity games.

★★★★★ The Chameleon; because it’s fun to act like you know what everyone else is talking about.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a party game that takes some thinking -but can still get rowdy.

★★★☆☆ Anomia; can you come up with the name of an astronaut before your friend names a musician?

Check out this game if: you like fast paced, quick thinking, clever group games.

★★☆☆☆ Epic Spell Wars of the Battle Wizards: Duel at Mt. Skullzfyre: Funny cards and fun art.

Check out this game if: you like the art and you like somewhat crass language.

★★★½☆ World Fair 1893: curate the best attractions for the fabulous world’s fair, but don’t forget to sell tickets.

Check out this game if: are not afraid of some new concepts and a very rewarding game.

★★★½☆ Smugglers: you’re not really teaching your kids to steal, it’s just bluffing.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a game that kids will love, but they probably won’t be able to play it on their own. 

★★★★☆ Dimension: a competitive puzzle game that combines logic and chasing dropped balls.

Check out this game if: you like puzzles, seeing your kids figure out puzzles, or beating your friends at puzzles.

★★★☆☆ Stack Jack: you can play friendly or nice, but you can’t play with too much caffeine/hand wobble.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a quick/small footprint game –kids birthday(?).

★★★★½ Concept; the board has every image except the one you want -but that’s what makes it fun.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a fun activity for a large group.

★★★☆☆ Sheriff of Nottingham; where lying to the sheriff is incouraged.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a medium weight bluffing game -with a great theme.

★★★★☆ Bananagrams Party; imagine they told the spelling bee kids to stand on one foot or run in a circle while spelling.

Check out this game if: you or your family/friends like scrabble (or banana grams) and want to switch things up a bit (also much better than the previously mentioned if you don’t like word games as much).

★★★★☆ Lost Cities: the Board Game; discover ancient civilizations by collecting playing cards -just like real archaeologists.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a simple, unique, and fun game for four players (great small-family game).

★★★½☆ Niya; fight for control over Japan’s imperial garden! -or play this fun little tile game.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a clever two player game that is quick but still has real strategy -perfect little game for on the go.

★★★☆☆ Colt Express; Robbing a train seems easy until everyone else tries to rob the same darned train.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a game with a lot of interaction, some direct conflict, and a really fun theme.

★★★½☆ Spyfall; want to feel like James Bond -minus the drinking, ladies, and action?

Check out this game if: you are looking for a group/party game that plays quickly but can take some real thought.

★★★★½ Dr. Eureka: help a scientist discover chemical compounds -but what is he doing with these discoveries?

Check out this game if: you are looking for a great game that plays well with a variety of ages (fantastic with kids).

★★★★★ Mysterium; have you ever felt your dreams were trying to tell you something? How about that one with the lion/boat in the desert?

Check out this game if: you are looking for a group game with a unique play experience -and  everyone can be social while still playing a thinky game.

★★★★☆ Dominion; this is a deck building game, but you don’t need a carpenter or tools.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a unique game with some complexity for teenagers and up.

★★★★☆ Blokus; the game looks like tetris but plays like a new pop song that spreads everywhere, until another song moves in.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a quick 2 to 4 player game that offers a little bit of strategy and a lot of interaction with other players.

★★★☆☆ Say Anything; jokes about John Cusack do not go over well during this game, apparently.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a quick game for a large group that can be clever and fun. 

★★★½☆ Love Letter; roses are red, violets are blue, this game has nothing to do with poetry, or love, or writing.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a quick and easy game that is strangely addicting.

★★★☆☆ Welcome to the Dungeon; “we got fun a games” (nothing to do with Axl Rose -unless you consider him an Orc).

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a quick press-your-luck game with a little complexity.

★★☆☆☆ Fluxx; a game where someone can say “now I’m the zombie vampire, and I win, cause I just changed the rules.”

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a game that is more of an activity than a game -for people who don’t get frustrated with changing rules.

★★★½☆ Forbidden Island; it’s like Indiana Jones put together a team of “experts” to retrieve treasures from a sinking island.

Check out this game if: you are looking for a cooperative/friendly game for a younger group.

★★★★★ Telestrations; a combination of the games telephone and pictionary -but so much more bananas (?).

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a fun game that doesn’t really teach anyone anything.

★★★½☆ Sushi Go; imagine building the best meal from a conveyor belt of sushi -that appear happy you want to eat them.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a medium level game with adorable art.

★★★★☆ Apples to Apples; a creative word game where everything is made up and the points don’t matter.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a highly creative fun party/word game that gets everyone involved.

★★★★★ CodeNames; “is there a better connection between nautical and board, or nautical and draft?”

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a creative word game -and a rowdy fun time with a large group.

★★★★★ Dixit; a deceptively thinky game, where no one has to talk.

Check out this game if: you’re looking for a group game that plays well with all ages.