Board Games that replaced other games (for me) 

I really like this kind of video, the more I get into board games the more I realize how replaceable my favorite games are because other games just distill the same mechanics and feel into a better theme or game flow.

Shards of Infinity replaced Dominion and Star Realms for us. Fast playing mercenaries, having an alternate win-con in Mastery and adding the relics for asymmetry really made it a much more consistent experience. For a typical “deck builder” I think it’s prob the best out there

I'm fairly new to your RU-vid content, but clearly I've been missing out. Loved this - casual in tone yet easy to follow and clear on reasonings. You gave me a few titles I hadn't heard of to look up and possibly buy for my own collection, too. Fantastic work; thanks for the insights, Nick!

I must say Deep Sea Adventure will always have a soft spot in my heart....we played it during lockdown on our zoom game nights and laughed our heads off. This is a great topic for a video! The lighting and color composition of the video are sweet too. Thanks for posting!

Thank you very much for The LOOP it means a lot ❤

Similo has replaced Mysterium for me, even though I prefer Mysterium. Similo is just much more portable, easy to explain and quick to play, and plays well at lower player counts too.

The Loop is an amazing game! Love how chaotic it can get. Wining a game of The Loop feels GOOD!

Roll Player replaced Sagrada for me. I really like your replaced list, I’m always wondering what games are the same type but do it better. Hope you make more of these videos.

That was an aggressive opening with an even more aggressive backtrack

This makes me very excited to try Deep Dive!! Also, hardcore agree that Cubitos and Wonderlands War replaced all the playtime Quacks used to get. Great video!! :)

The Quest For El Dorado replaced Cubitos. I played Cubitos first and after I played Quest I didn’t feel the need to play Cubitos again. Cubitos is great but El Dorado is just so much cleaner and satisfying

I'd probably say that Space Base has been replaced by Bad Company. Similar style of game but a new twist to everything with other motives to compete with

The Loop is also now a favorite of ours over Pandemic, but we're also now into Star Wars: Clone Wars, a Pandemic system game. We're enjoying rotating through Clone Wars, The Loop, and when we're looking for classic Pandemic action, we go to Pandemic Iberia. Also enjoying other "crisis management" games like Horrified and just discovered Back to the Future: Back in Time. All great co-op games for, in our case, 2 players!

I love Alexander Pfister games and especially Mombasa/Skymines, Maracaibo and Great Western Trail. Boonlake has more or less replaced both Maracaibo and GWT (haven't tried Argentina yet). It has a lot of the same mechanics and feels as those two but the fact that everybody is involved on everybody's turn makes the game feel sooo smooth and theres almost no downtime at all. Boonlake has gone straight into my personal top 5, maybe top 3 of all games 😊

Have you ever won the loop? We played it a few times but got destroyed. Never got close to winning, to the point where we thought we were doing something wrong. Ultimately it feel flat for our group as we like a challenging game but at least one where it's possible to win.

Loved this video! Really fun to hear why other games take it to the next level for you guys!

Thanks for the video, Nick! Here are mine: 5. HADARA > 7 WONDERS. Nothing wrong with 7 Wonders, but Hadara scratches the same drafting itch while balancing the cards a lot more so you can strategise more and get more of what you want. 4. VALERIA CARD KINGDOMS > MACHI KORO. We found that we liked the dice mechanics of Machi Koro but not so much the way cards are acquired or the progression of the game. Valeria Card Kingdoms gave us a lot of extensibility and kept all the things we loved about Machi Koro. 3. VERDANT > CASCADIA / CALICO. Cascadia had a decent gameplay mechanism but quickly got boring and repetitive. Calico had a delightful tension to it that made it exciting, but was severely dependent on luck. Verdant has the advantages of both games without the disadvantages. 2. GIZMOS > SPLENDOR. Splendor is fine, but Gizmos incorporates all the actions that Splendor has and adds some addictive action combos. It doesn’t even complexify the game very much, so it still appeals to newer gamers. 1. EVERGREEN > PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Okay, this might be cheating, because it’s the same designers, but Photosynthesis was attractive for its art and its tree shadow mechanic, but was too vicious and was a fairly solved game. Evergreen keeps the beauty and the shadow mechanic, but lets everyone have their own board, which kills the viciousness. It also introduces a cool strategic auction and some fun engine building. So those are mine! As for yours … I had a different experience between Quacks and Cubitos. The race element of Cubitos felt too disconnected thematically from the dice drafting for me (if there is a theme!), and I also didn’t like the extent to which independent probability made your chances of success that much lower. Also, the mechanics of Cubitos are slightly more confusing to novice board gamers. So I personally vastly prefer Quacks, but that’s just my opinion. I had the same frustrations with Deep Sea Adventure that you did so I’m looking forward to trying Deep Dive now!

"So clover" replaced "Just one" and "Codenames". It is just sooooo good and satisfying👍

Horrified replaced Pandemic for me

Bang! is a lot of fun, but the elimination of characters is a problem, especially with new players. Mafia/Werewolf has a similar problem. For me, they have mostly been replaced by other games, like Saboteur 2 and The Resistance. Pandemic was replaced by Pandemic: The Cure (just because it's less fiddly). But now, our co-op game of choice is The Captain Is Dead. Or occasionally Forbidden Desert. My nephews loved Betrayal at House on the Hill, and I played it with them a lot. But now, I'd rather play Burgle Bros., which has a similar tile exploration feel, with surprises along the way. But while there's a lot of luck in Burgle Bros. (mainly the tile layout, but also the cards drawn along the way), it never gets as unbalanced as Betrayal (which usually seemed to end with the heroes curbstomping the traitor, or vice versa, with few tense endings where either side might win).

Great list Nick. Definitely want to try Rush MD now.

For me "Marvel : Champion" by Fantasy flight game, replaced "Marvel : Legendary" by upper deck, both are cooperative card game where you fight a specific villain and his minions and you use marvel super heroes to fight that villain, each game are constantly getting new expansion with new hero and villain added to them. Legendary came first and I bought almost all the expansion that came out at the time. But when Champion came out it made me forget about legendary, I prefer how champion make you actually play AS the hero, they can be customise with different ability and equipement but they also have their own unique ability and talent.

In our gaming group Living forest is the one that replace quacks, Find it easier to teach and it offer more variability . Can’t wait for the expansion

For me, those big dusty euros have been replaced by things with fun built into them.

I love The Loop, and I can't recall whether it was in your list but I personally find it far more enjoyable solo. Recently picked up the Fauxzilla expansion so looking forward to diving back in to it

My preferred portable card game is Star Realms (the base game). Still pretty easy to teach to anyone, and highly addictive.

Cascadia has replaced my quick solo play puzzle game.

+1 for The Loop replacing Pandemic! Really enjoy the solo mode, usually with 3 or 4 characters. I really like the scenario based win conditions, and with the 1st expansion, that's 6 different scenarios.

Isn't the point of deep sea adventure the punishment? That's what gets everyone laughing.

I’m gonna shed a tear… Cubitos is the best game ever. Top 5 for me. It’s the game I play most with the most people in my life if that makes any sense. Just got Rolling Heights in the mail, excited to try that one!

Digging the background and lighting in this video.

I love Cubitos as well but the dice rotation can be a bit weird to teach people. That being said both Cubitos and Quacks get their time at the table. The geek up bits make Quacks a better experience over the cardboard, but you basically have to invest the cost of another game😳 Both great games!

Project L has pretty much replaced Splendor for me. I’m only hanging on to Splendor as a teaching tool for those super new to the hobby and don’t dig puzzle aspects in games.

Alias -> Codenames -> Just One Alias used to be my favourite party game 10-15 years ago, but I think I haven't even touched it in a few years. Codenames was my go-to party game for years, but lately it is getting replaced by Just One. I still like Codenames a lot and would happily play it at a party, but Just One has even simpler rules and wayyy less downtime. Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle -> Aeons End There is a lot to like about Hogwarts Battle, and my first few experiences were incredibly positive. But the more I played it, the more fundamental issues with game balance became apparent, and unfortunately it is too much of a dealbreaker. Games always snowball extremely hard one way or another, and it almost never really feels like your choices affect what happens. Aeons End has a generic-ish setting, but it is a far superior coop deck builder, which shines witht he balance, replayability and strategy variation. Uno -> Exploding Kittens Exploding Kittens scratches pretty much the same itch as a quick filler game, but there is a little bit more room for strategizing, and little bit more tension because of Russian Roulette-esque nature of the game.

I love the Loop! I like Keep the Heroes Out more for solo/co-op, but the Loop is excellent!

Cubitos was a miss for my group but we all still really enjoy Quacks.

The game I bring to groups where no one knows anyone, an Ice Breaker game if you will, is Kites. It just throws people into having fun immediately. Replaced all of those party games you start a night off with. Either Kites or 6 Nimmt. Both are “Go-to’s”.

Isle of Cats was replaced by Planet Unknown, to the point where I sold Isle of Cats.

Don't L.A.M.A Dice game replace L.A.M.A card game is more easy to explain, more fast to set and play the special case of the dice with three L.A.M.A. bring another oportunity to get rid of chips (negative points).

Such a great idea Nick. Is it OK for us to do a video response? There's so much love for Scout!

Scout could benefit so much from a theme and some art

Looking for something to replace my ultimate comfort game, Hadrian’s Wall. Recommendations?

Just recently I played Outer Rim. I think that has replaced Xia for me. Then I played, Bad Company which has replaced Space Base.

mi collection is no that big yet, but even if a game replace another I don´t see myself throwing it away, giving away, etc.

Arkham Horror living card game replaced EVERY OTHER GAME. It's that good. I've been playing it several times a week for about a year and a half now. Nothing else can make the table.

I recognized the Loop!

Hey Nick. Great content as always. You mentioned at the beginning that you like Ares Expedition more than TM. Then later in the video said you really like crisis management games. I just wondered if you had tried the new Crisis expansion for Ares Expedition? I think it’s an absolute must, it maybe the only way to play the game in the future. So good. Be interested in yo thoughts.

MEOW (Knizia) is my go-to card game to bring with me - it is very simple & easy-to-learn trick-taking but (if you use the less-cards variant) it has plenty of tension for gamery players. Plus, CUTE KITTIES! 🐈

The LOOP is awesome! If only it had less downtime at 3-4 players, I could play it even more!

The Loop definitely replaced Pandemic for me. But then King of Monster Island replaced The Loop. Mainly because it is a more consistent experience for me.

Space Base was replaced by Bad Company for us, the game has a bit more story, especially with the police car chasing you! You have actions on every turn, not just on turns where you've managed to buy a card, and it takes away some of the pain of a bad dice roll by having 4 dice! In all, we found it to be more interactive than Space Base... though I'll always say yes, if someone offers to play SB!

Nick, where in the world did you get that shirt? Love that! Great video as well!

Thats a cool list. We still enjoy cubitos and quacks a lot...but I get the comparison. For me... Dominion was replaced by Clank & Robo Rally was replaced by Mechs vs Minions

Such enthusiasm for games 😍

I've been wanting to try Cubitos for awhile now. Gonna need to hit my FLGS to try it out along with Loop.

If only the cards in cubitos left no room for interpretation, my little casual group will sure find something to interpret differently.

Thanks for the video. Strangely enough, I already have some of the "replacement," games you recommended, and I never bought the games they replaced. Loop is a really cool game. Hard, but fun, with a sense of humor.

Ur shirt reminded me. Roll player replaced sagarda for me. Prob cuz i love d&d and character creation.

In my collection: Its a wonderful world replaced 7 wonders Furnace replaced Century spice road Architects of the west kingdom replaced Stone age (and probably now Raiders of scythia will replace Architects, slightly different worker placement mechanic but I think they compete for a place) Bad company replaced The Quacks of Quedlinburg (I know they are quiet different, but they were fighting for a place in the category: "easy game with push your luck" and BC supports 6 players!) Looking for Tiletum as a Tekhenu replacement.

Wow. 2 games on this list that are potential get. Totally did not expect to see Deep Dive on this. I have been thinking if I should get Deep Dive with Point City and this actually helps my decision. I have actually been thinking if I should get Quacks or Rolling Heights. I thought about Cubitos, but for some reason, think mainly price, Quacks came out on top. Would love your opinion on Rolling Heights when/if you get it.

Okay, I need to play The Loop. But I'll not. I don't wanna replace Pandemic 😊

Terraforming Mars Ares Expedition has replaced several games that have that lead follow mechanic for me: Puerto Rico, San Juan, Race/Roll for the Galaxy. I will play those games online with friends that want to play them, but I'll just wish for an online implementation of Ares Expedition while playing them. I get a lot of the same feelings from those games that I get from Terraforming Mars. I picked up Ares Expedition on sale, having never played Terraforming Mars. I've wanted to play Terraforming Mars for a while, but never got around to it. I expected Ares Expedition to take care of that itch, but I didn't expect it to completely replace those other 4 games for me. I never owned any of them, but if Ares Expedition gets an adaptation on BGA that I can play with friends remotely, great.

I enjoyed Machi Koro when it came out but Space Base completely replaced it. Totally agree on The LOOP too.

Yes! I love The Loop After only a few months it immediately shot it into my Top 10 of all time. It's just so good! (and great to play solo)

Sushi go party replaced 7th wonders for all kinds of purposes. 10 times easier to teach SGP and the game are a bit faster too. No convoluted explanation on how 7th wonders works and the intrecate shenanigans. SGP is way more streamlined and basically itch nearly the same itch of a draft game

Have you played Dealt! ? It’s pretty similar to Scout but people are sleeping on it.

Detective Club > Dixit BOTC (Blood on the Clocktower) > Mafia Diamant > Incan Gold (material/gamepiece-wise)

Even though it came out before, Battleline replaced Air, Land and Sea for me. It just works great

Air, Land, & Sea replaces Thunder & Lightning for me

Really cool video idea! Can’t wait to get my hands in Deep Dive. Also, is Dr. Foe just Kang the Conqueror? Lol

neat vid!!! would also be interested in games that DON'T replace other games for you. For example, people liked to compare Mysterium and Obscuro for a while and I personally prefer Mysterium, the older game. Edit: just seeing a comment about Similo ... never played it though

Great video!

I will awaita Marvel Multiverse themed version of Loop.

Earth has replaced Terraforming Mars, Wingspan, and Ark Nova for me.

Boardgames have replaced Video Games (are they even called this anymore?) for us Masters of the Universe: Clash for Eternia has replaced Wildlands for us DC Deck Builder has replaced Star and/or Hero Realms for us disagree re Cubitos - we still prefer Quacks

Did you consider the revised kitchen rush?

Wonderland's War replaced Quacks for me

BTW what is the game that is on the wall behind you, in the top centre? The white box with the silhouette of man with spiked hair and glasses on it.

I could say Wayfarers Of The South Tigris replaced Paladins of the West Kingdom. I like that the endgame isnt fixed, the engine building is much easier and less luck dependant than in Paladins. Still like Paladins but Wayfarers is more satisfying.

I can't say that TM Ares Expedition replaced the original for me because I never owned the original. But I did play both and quickly found that I loved Ares MUCH better than the original. That said, while they do share many similarities, I actually see them as very different games. What Ares Expedition DID replace from my collection was Race for the Galaxy. I have no desire to every play RftG now. I would much rather play Ares any day! As for the original TM, that game was "replaced" in my mind by Underwater Cities, which I also now own. I find those two very similar and I just like UC more as it feels like you are making more of a personal engine than in TM and it just plays so much more smoothly in my opinion. Otherwise, Wrath of the Lich King replaced standard Pandemic for me. While I liked it initially, I now find Pandemic a bit boring to be honest. But Wrath of the Lich King makes it interesting and provides additional mechanics to the game that I really like! Rise of Tribes replaced Catan for me. Again, I liked Catan initially but have grown to really dislike it as I feel that the laws of statistics seem to break every time I play that game! With Rise of Tribes, you have much more control over what you do and you can always do something! In Catan, you can have turns where you just don't have resources and your numbers aren't getting rolled. In Rise of Tribes, you can have a "bad" roll but still be able to get something out of it.

Any thoughts on Project Elite for a real-time cooperative game?

I LOVE Deep Sea Adventure!!! It’s such a simple, push your luck game.

I love Port Royal. I think it's a really fun push-your-luck card game, and I enjoy it a lot. But after recently playing Abyss for the first time, I just don't think I can go back to Port Royal ever again. I love Abyss so much, it's so much fun, it made the push-your-luck aspect a lot less punishing, and the game's theme and art is infinitely more interesting. In Port Royal's defense, I've played Abyss with all of its expansions, but I have not played Port Royal with any of its expansions, so maybe doing so might change my mind, but I doubt it. Abyss is just more fun.

I love Cubitos and am pretty meh on Quacks. I think the theme has a lot to do with that.

5: Deep ?? Either one.. not my bag. 4: Rush MD: I love the idea of this game. cannot get any friends that like the time aspect of the game. But it looks so good. 3: That’s blasphemy to say that The Crew MDS is replaceable. For my group, it gets played pretty much every game session to cap out the night when we have another 20-30 mins but don’t want to get into something else. But, I have never heard of Scout. Will have to check that one out. 4: Quacks - I have pimped out my copy but it kind of fell off my radar. Cubitos has everything that I should like, but it just never hit for me. 5: Never liked Pandemic. I have wanted to play The Loop. This looks like a game that I would love. But other than The Crew, my group hasn’t been wanting to play co-ops lately.

Spots replaced Can't Stop. However, I find more fun in finding older games that are effectively irreplaceable. T&E. Ra. Agricola. Hansa Teutonica. A lot of modern stuff is very samey and boring, in comparison to a lot of the highly interactive classics.

This is great!

Carcassonne got replaced by Carcassonne: Hunters and Gatherers lmao

Nice video!

Manhattan Project Energy Empire replaced Dinosaur Island for me (even though MPEE was published first). Elysium replaces Magic the Gathering, as does Res Arcana. Replacing MtG,is why I got into modern board gaming in the first place! I'm WAY happier, and WAY richer because of our hobby.

Thanks for the video

I really love how Loop has the special mechanic for solo players. Most cooperative games just lets you control everything by yourself which is fine but more or less the same but Loop is different and I really enjoyed that XD

Tokyo Highway was replaced by Men At Work. Tokyo Highway was so fiddly that it made the game a little bit frustrating. Men At Work has easier to manipulate bits and an overall better gameplay.

AH Stalingrad was replaced by AH Russian Campaign.

Kings of Israel replaced Pandemic for me, and if it hadn't, Horrified would have done such.

Scout for the win!!!

Just home from my FLGS and they told me Scout is currently out of print and waiting for reprint. Umm. So I went to Target and then Barnes and Noble, no Scout.

Interesting, i cooled on Scout after the first couple months

Cubitos is way to messy to replace Quacks. I own and really like both, but Quacks is just way more elegant. I just wish the ingredients in Quacks weren't so poor qualitywise.

I did track down a bad board game among the pandemic games