Darryl Boone's Avatar

Darryl Boone

@boardgems.com

Board game enthusiast, vlogger, and restaurateur. I talk about older board game gems on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@BoardGems

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02.12.2023
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Latest posts by Darryl Boone @boardgems.com

Wizard & Skull King β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž
Wizard & Skull King β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Oh Hell is an exact-bid trick-taker using a standard deck. I haven't played it! Here I talk about two derivatives that I love though. Wizard adds special cards, and Skull King adds MORE special cards, tweaking a few other things along the way. #boardgames

youtu.be/86fuPNcjMDo

03.03.2026 18:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Rating Old Gems #3 β€” Board Game Gibber
Rating Old Gems #3 β€” Board Game Gibber YouTube video by Board Gems

I continue my run through #boardgames I've covered, rating them by how much I want to keep them in my collection: FITS, Feudality, Keltis Card Game, Pyramid, Witch of Salem, Top Secret Spies, Lifeboats, Safranito, Wildlife Adventure, The Hanging Gardens, Manoeuvre and Hansa!

youtu.be/9WgnXIO6_mM

23.02.2026 20:46 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Piece o' Cake / New York Slice β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯
Piece o' Cake / New York Slice β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

In this video I compare theJeffrey D. Allers games ...aber bitte mit Sahne (2008 Winning Moves), New York Slice (2017 BΓ©zier) and Piece o' Cake / もっとホむップを (2018 New Games Order). #boardgames

youtu.be/FUZ95fG8ROg

13.02.2026 19:25 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Speculation β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Speculation β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Line goes up! In Speculation, stocks in 8 companies rise & fall relative to each other. As a poor trader with limited starting capital, buy low, sell high, rinse, repeat.

Dice from old edition replaced with bag pulls. Not an improvement β€” find dice if you can. #boardgames

youtu.be/apnuH0-ZXns

03.02.2026 19:07 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
Rating My Gems #2 β€”Board Game Gibber
Rating My Gems #2 β€”Board Game Gibber YouTube video by Board Gems

I have an internal rating system I use in evaluating whether a game will stay in my collection. It's fun to go back to the old gems I've covered using this lens. Did I or will I keep them? Have they been banished to the trade/sale pile? 2nd video of many! #boardgames
youtu.be/bZkOGZWJCDc

30.01.2026 05:25 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
The Rose King β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯
The Rose King β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

There have been many editions of the two-player classic The Rose King by Dirk Henn. I obviously can't compare them all, but here are three: Kosmos DE 2008, Thames & Kosmos EN 2016, and Playte KO/JA/EN 2025. Three different decades! #boardgames

youtu.be/PjyT-R3Vw1I

13.01.2026 20:19 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Rating the Gems I've Covered #1 β€” Board Game Gibber
Rating the Gems I've Covered #1 β€” Board Game Gibber YouTube video by Board Gems

I don't rank games, but I do rate them... sort of. I have an internal ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating system based on how much I want to keep a game in my collection. So I've returned to and rated the first dozen-ish #boardgames I've covered for this channel. Have I kept them, or moved them on?
youtu.be/Vm8jTxNx-hs

05.01.2026 01:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Vinci / Small World β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯
Vinci / Small World β€” Side-by-Slide Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

The rise and fall of civilisations can be seen in Philippe Keyaerts's #boardgames Vinci (1999 Descartes) and Small World (2009 Days of Wonder). Same core concept, but they differ in important ways. Let's take a look!

youtu.be/ZTZ_vrumFX4

15.12.2025 19:35 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Capitol / Skyline 3000 β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Capitol / Skyline 3000 β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Add floors to towers, finish them off with roofs, then add them onto the board for area-majority goodness. Escalating points & brutal scoring in which only top two score (if that) ratchets the tension in a four-player game of Capitol AKA Skyline 3000 up to 11. #boardgames

youtu.be/udv2LTZ6K6c

13.12.2025 22:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Formula D(Γ©) β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Formula D(Γ©) β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

In this video I compare, with commentary, ye olde Formula DΓ© from the late-90s to the newer (but not that new) Formula D from the late-00s and beyond. #boardgames

youtu.be/_it6vN2NKfU

23.11.2025 18:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Sardegna / Kreta β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Sardegna / Kreta β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

I recently talked about ye olde Kreta and ye newe Sardegna. Here they are, side-by-slide, with commentary! #boardgames
youtu.be/unUJzkyzHi0

21.11.2025 07:13 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Sardegna AKA Kreta β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Sardegna AKA Kreta β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Kreta was an area-majority game from 2005 in which one player must choose to trigger scoring, putting them behind the pace but giving them influence where scoring happens in the future. 2024's Sardegna is a compact version worth checking out for fans of the genre. #boardgames

youtu.be/tsTYs4bZXsg

03.11.2025 18:35 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
London β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
London β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Let's compare the two editions of the board game London, by Martin Wallace: From his own company Treefrog in 2010 to the 2017 edition from Osprey.

Note I haven't played the game, so this is a comparison of the components and my vibes from reading the rules. #boardgames

youtu.be/swRdqrFUNe0

23.10.2025 21:54 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Cartagena β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Cartagena β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Countless* copies of the Colovini classic Cartagena β€” compared, with commentary! #boardgames

youtu.be/RywTKDdaKfs

* well, four

13.10.2025 20:12 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Money β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Money β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

To make money, you have to spend money. Bid away money you don't want, and try to get lots in few different currencies, identical sets, and some precious metals wouldn't hurt too.

Money! by Reiner Knizia has a new edition this year from @allplay.bsky.social. #boardgames

youtu.be/Mtx-arC6xAU

03.10.2025 19:03 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Arboretum β€” Side-by-Slide Card Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Arboretum β€” Side-by-Slide Card Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Here’s a side-by-slide comparison, with commentary, of the two retail editions of the Dan Cassar card game Arboretum: earlier Z-Man vs later Renegade. #boardgames

youtu.be/GaqnzTjGdbM

23.09.2025 20:32 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Waddle AKA Gipsy King β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Waddle AKA Gipsy King β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

This is a side-by-slide comparison, with commentary, of two versions of a classic CornΓ© van Moorsel board game: Gipsy King (2007 Cwali) and the brand-new Waddle (2025 @allplay.bsky.social). #boardgames
youtu.be/M4SQaXAioYQ

15.09.2025 01:33 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Condottiere β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Condottiere β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Warring Italian city-states! It's easy to over-commit your mercs to one battle when your cards have to last multiple. Pick and choose your battles, literally!
Classic from '95, revised '07. Maybe new rules are fine, but this is a love letter to classic Condottiere. #boardgames
youtu.be/odhTgqvfCj4

03.09.2025 17:19 πŸ‘ 10 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Condottiere β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Condottiere β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

I compare side-by-slide with commentary two editions of the classic Ehrhard game Condottiere: Eurogames/Descartes (late 90s/early 00s) vs Z-Man 2018. (Avoid FFG 2007 as they changed the rules. At least with Z-Man 2018 you're able to play the classic way.) #boardgames
youtu.be/00_pCg1ksHc

23.08.2025 17:23 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Gold West β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Gold West β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

In this video I compare side-by-slide, with commentary, the two editions of the J. Alex Kevern #boardgames named Gold West: Tasty Minstrel's from 2015 vs Trick or Treat's from 2024.

youtu.be/gici5DmZvuI

11.08.2025 17:36 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Patrician β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Patrician β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

In Patrician, play cards to place tower pieces, hoping for the most/highest pieces in the tallest towers. Where you play ➑️ what card you get next, leading to a do-this-to-get-that-to-play-there kind of process. Easy to learn & play, with quick turns and a nice flow. #boardgames
youtu.be/AFMtFpZ1Ewc

06.08.2025 03:13 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Goldland / Donald Duck in Happy Camper β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Goldland / Donald Duck in Happy Camper β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Goldland was a German-only exploration board game by Wolfgang Kramer and Goldsieber, originally published in 2002. Daryl Andrews has re-worked the game into a new 2025 edition, Donald Duck in Happy Camper, published by Maestro. This side-by-slide compares the two! #boardgames

youtu.be/8RRi4dwmMgA

19.07.2025 01:37 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Foundations of Rome and of Metropolis β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž
Foundations of Rome and of Metropolis β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Old-school German (OG) style games are my jam. Any new games in that style? Here's a good one: Foundations (Matsuuchi/Arcane Wonders). Of Rome (2022) is a luxe plastic-mini-filled city-building experience, Of Metropolis (2024) a more sensible retail version. #boardgames

youtu.be/G4V28XjrVoc

03.07.2025 22:11 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Orongo AKA Nyakuza β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Orongo AKA Nyakuza β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Side-by-slide, I compare with commentary the old and new versions of the same great Reiner Knizia board game: Orongo (Ravensburger 2014) and Nyakuza (CMON 2025). #boardgames

youtu.be/dFaSCQ-oysY

24.06.2025 05:59 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Capitol AKA Skyline 3000 β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Capitol AKA Skyline 3000 β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

In this side-by-slideshow I compare, with commentary, two editions of a classic Alan Moon / Aaron Weissblum strategy game: Capitol (Schmidt 2001) vs Skyline 3000 (Z-Man 2009). #boardgames

youtu.be/fLzea2P5Z6c

13.06.2025 19:18 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Dolmen(gΓΆtter) β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž
Dolmen(gΓΆtter) β€” How to Play 🎲 and Is It a Gem? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

In Dolmen(gΓΆtter), make stone circles and place blocks of hidden values in a stack, higher the better. NO LUCK, but the secret placement of blocks keeps one from analysing too hard. Open-info gameplay + hidden-info scoring = simultaneously casual and intriguing. #boardgames

youtu.be/kW7CPeyPxyQ

03.06.2025 18:08 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Port Royal β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Port Royal β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

In this video I compare side-by-slide, with commentary, the 2014 edition of Port Royal with the 2022 big box. I compare all the cards that are present in both, and show some extra content in the big box that were previously available in expansions (not included). #boardgames
youtu.be/NlHkKGzbvZ4

23.05.2025 18:45 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Zombiegeddon AKA JΓ€ger und Sammler β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯
Zombiegeddon AKA JΓ€ger und Sammler β€” Side-by-Slide Board Game Comparison πŸ‘₯ YouTube video by Board Gems

Almost the same Reiner Knizia #boardgames, but they look quite different! This is a side-by-slide comparison, with commentary, of the English-language Zombiegeddon (2009 Twilight Creations) and the German-language JΓ€ger und Sammler (2010 Amigo).

youtu.be/D6wWQ7j-djU

13.05.2025 18:48 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Medieval Merchant & Franchise β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž
Medieval Merchant & Franchise β€” Are They Gems? πŸ’Ž YouTube video by Board Gems

Medieval Merchant by Christwart Conrad, 1998 Goldsieber, and the revised Franchise, 2018 Queen. Fundamentally the same route-building & expansion game, but lots of changes. Which do I teach? Neither, I talk about the #boardgames generally, their differences and my preferences.
youtu.be/JQBxuENEE7k

03.05.2025 21:39 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
DΓ©graisser les jeux Downsizing games Les droits de douane imposΓ©s par les Etats-Unis aux produits fabriquΓ©s en Chine sont en passe de tuer une bonne partie des petits Γ©diteurs de jeux de sociΓ©tΓ© amΓ©ricains, en commenΓ§ant par ceux qui …

I had to look hard to find one small possible positive effect of tariffs on boardgames....

Il a fallu bien chercher pour trouver un possible effet positif de ces absurdes droits de douane sur les jeux de sociΓ©tΓ©.

faidutti.com/blog/blog/20...

24.04.2025 15:03 πŸ‘ 6 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0