A brief podcast about hobby board games, recorded by English professor Brendan Riley on brief 15 minute walks around town. Join us for a stroll as we discuss mechanisms, gameplay, theory, and topics of the day.Find show notes at RattleboxGames.com
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Sep 30, 2026 · 20:15
Brendan does a deep dive into one of his favorite games: Trickerion. Join us, won’t you? Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (2015) Tactical Worker Placement Dungeon Petz (2011) Very…
Sep 28, 2026 · 15:27
Brendan reflects on the games he dusted off in June, July, and August but didn’t have time to reflect upon. Join us, won’t you? Top 50 Dusted off Trickerion: Legends of Illusion…
Sep 21, 2026 · 14:04
Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Virgo might like best. Join us, won’t you? Previous Astrology Files episodes Allure.com’s “12 Zodiac Signs:…
Sep 11, 2026 · 17:22
Brendan gives his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? The Game Makers (2026) Fromage (2024) Wanted Wombats (2022) Wandering Towers (2022) The…
Sep 9, 2026 · 15:20
Brendan shares his thoughts on the films he watched in May, June, and July of 2026. Join us, won’t you? The Sheep Detectives (2026) Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann Battle Sheep…
Sep 7, 2026 · 19:02
Fresh off his episode about crowd pleasing beginner games, Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby’s mechanisms. Join us for this conclusion, won’t you?…
Sep 5, 2026 · 20:30
Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby. Join us for this first of two parts, won’t you? Introducing the Hobby (episode 20) Wits & Wagers: It’s Vegas,…
Sep 2, 2026 · 20:27
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Fit to Print (2023) Tiny Towns (2019) Galaxy Trucker (2007)…
Sep 1, 2026 · 18:35
Brendan talks a bit about what games he played in August, and what games he wants to play in September. Join us, won’t you? August 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Night at the…
Aug 28, 2026 · 17:08
Brendan revisits an old Themestorm, “Back to School,” and reflects on some ideas about it. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 259: Back to School (Board Game Sommelier) For…
Aug 26, 2026 · 22:19
Brendan shares an update on the pile of games he owns but hasn’t played yet. Join us, won’t you? My Shelf of Opportunity Emptying The Dust Bin (reflections) Collecting to collect…
Aug 24, 2026 · 19:03
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently, and one he revisited. Join us, won’t you? Everdell Emerland (2026) Everdell (2018) Darwin’s Journey (2023)…
Aug 19, 2026 · 27:57
Brendan talks about his favorite games from 1996-2000. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 827: Look Back at 2001-2004 Top 5 games from this era: Lost Cities (1999) Ra (1999)…
Aug 17, 2026 · 23:26
Brendan talks a bit about teaching games, particularly the delightfully complex game Anachrony. Join us, won’t you? Teaching About Boardgames, Part 1 and Part 2 Help on how to…
Aug 7, 2026 · 24:15
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played for the first time at Gencon this year. Join us, won’t you? Trickarus (2024) Hey Hey Relay (2024) In a Nutshell…
Aug 5, 2026 · 24:50
Brendan shares some highlights from GenCon 2026. Join us, won’t you? XYZ Game Labs Checking in with friends Azkadelia ( All Play ) Kervin Queliza ( For Why Games ) Flying Frog…
Aug 5, 2026 · 19:32
Brendan shares his game plays from July and his plans for August. Join us, won't you? Top of the Stack, July 2026 New Game - Liberté Top 50 game - Dungeon Petz ✓ I've been…
Jul 28, 2026 · 27:42
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played recently for the first time. Join us, won’t you? Bury Me in the Rift The Fox Experiment Regarding evolution:…
Jul 27, 2026 · 21:21
Brendan continues his discussion of his boardgame class. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 847: Teaching About Boardgames, part 1 “Fail Faster” Playtesting for game design…
Jul 21, 2026 · 27:59
Brendan talks about his approach to teaching his class about Board Games and Community. (Well, he returns to this topic, really.) Join us, won’t you? Previous episodes about my…
Jul 17, 2026 · 24:40
Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in April, May, and June of 2026. Join us, won’t you? Challenger The Kingdom of Gods Death of a Gentle Lady The Wind Through…
Jul 15, 2026 · 22:47
Brendan discusses three games he played for the first time recently, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Disney: The Haunted Mansion – Call of the Spirits Game (2020) Jaws…
Jul 13, 2026 · 27:44
Brendan talks about the games he got out of the dust in the last couple months but did talk about in the podcast. Join us, won’t you? March 2026 Axis & Allies: Guadalcanal (2…
Jul 8, 2026 · 23:33
Brendan talks about board games that have been adapted from published sources. Join us, won’t you? Previous episodes about this subject: Established Creative Worlds Comic Book…
Jul 6, 2026 · 22:44
Jul 4, 2026 · 18:34
Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from June 2026, and looks ahead to July. Join us, won’t you? June 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Struggle of Empires ✓ Top 50 game –…
Jun 30, 2026 · 27:02
Brendan shares some tales of his vacation to the Maritime provinces of Canada, shares the games he played there, and talks about what games the events he went to reminded him of.…
Jun 10, 2026 · 23:11
Brendan shares his experience at a home-con he attends yearly, Bogencon. Join us, won’t you? The Board Game Show Regular games for me: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of…
Jun 8, 2026 · 18:29
Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in the first three months of 2026. Join us, won’t you? The Death of the Necromancer (Ile-Rien, #2) The Element of Fire…
Jun 5, 2026 · 17:48
Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Gemini might like best. Join us, won’t you? Previous Astrology Files episodes Allure.com’s “12 Zodiac…
Jun 3, 2026 · 14:22
Brendan talks about three games he tried for the first time lately, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? King of the Dice (2017) Yahtzee (1956) Level 7: Escape (2012)…
Jun 1, 2026 · 22:28
Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from May 2026, and looks ahead to June. Join us, won’t you? May 2025 Top of the Stack New Game – Ahoy X Top 50 game – Lost Ruins of Arnak…
May 28, 2026 · 23:49
Brendan talks about games themed around books. Join us, won’t you? Games about Libraries Ex Libris (2017) The Big Book of Madness (2015) Mythic Mischief (2022) The Great Library…
May 20, 2026 · 20:46
Brendan examines the recent posts on boardgamegeek as though the threads are there as questions for him. Join us, won’t you? Negotiation in Games Spiel des Jahres Nominees Trying…
May 18, 2026 · 19:57
Brendan talks about three games he played for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Postcards (2025) Leviathan Wilds (2024) Episode 027: Shadow of the Leviathan MANTIS…
May 15, 2026 · 16:49
Brendan shares his thoughts about what makes for a great beginning to a game. This follows up on the previous episode about ends of games. Join us, won’t you? Happy Salmon (2016)…
May 12, 2026 · 19:08
Brendan talks about how games end, and recommends five games with compelling endings. Join us, won’t you? Skull King (2013) Arkham Horror: The Card Game (2016) Monikers (2015)…
May 8, 2026 · 17:36
Brendan talks about three games he tried recently for the first time, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Light Speed: Arena (2025) Core Worlds (2011) Verdant (2022)…
May 6, 2026 · 21:02
Brendan shares the films he watched during March and April of 2026, and what he thought of them. Join us, won’t you? An Honest Liar Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (2015)…
May 4, 2026 · 14:39
Brendan examines the games that came out between 2001 and 2004 (inclusive), and shares his view of which games are best. Join us, won’t you? Top 5 games from 2001-2004 Betrayal…
May 1, 2026 · 12:47
Brendan shares his gameplay stats and experiences from April of 2026, and his plans for May. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, April 2026 New Game – Light Speed Arena ✓ Top…
Apr 29, 2026 · 17:05
Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Gnome Hollow (2024) Horrified: Greek Monsters (2023) Horrified (2019)…
Apr 27, 2026 · 18:04
Brendan talks a bit about Earth Day and games that reflect on the topics related to it. Environmental Activism Endeavor: Deep Sea (2024) Endangered (2020) Daybreak (2023) Animals…
Apr 24, 2026 · 16:06
Brendan shares a bit about how jargon and game design interact, and what they do for people outside the hobby. Join us, won’t you? WHAT IS THIS KIND OF GAME CALLED? (BGG thread)…
Apr 22, 2026 · 19:52
Brendan shares his first impression of three different games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? Wilmot’s Warehouse (2024) Istanbul: The Dice Game (2017) Hanabi (2010)…
Apr 20, 2026 · 18:18
Brendan shares some of his favorite things about Boardgamegeek . Join us, won’t you? Ongoing contests or activities NAME….THAT….GAAAAYME!!! Out of the Dust Really detailed…
Apr 15, 2026 · 15:37
Brendan talks about how five ways story and games interact. Join us, won’t you? A set narrative Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders & Other Cases (1981)…
Apr 13, 2026 · 14:18
PU&D 819: Epona, Marshmallow Test, Finspan, Gizmos (revisited)Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried for the first time recently, and one he revisited. Join us,…
Apr 10, 2026 · 22:44
Brendan shares some thoughts about the themes and ideas in the cult classic teen comedy, Empire Records. Join us, won’t you? Empire Records (1995) Running a Store Bargain Quest…
Apr 8, 2026 · 22:44
Brendan shares some quick observations about the games that went out and came in at the Chicago Area No Ship Math Trade last weekend. Join us, won’t you?Games I got rid of:…
Apr 6, 2026 · 15:06
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played recently. Join us, won’t you? Hansa Teutonica (2009) Kanban EV (2020) Vinhos: Deluxe Edition (2016) Escape Plan…
Apr 1, 2026 · 21:31
Brendan shares his thoughts on the games he played this month. Join us, won’t you? March 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Hansa Teutonica Top 50 game – Lost Ruins of Arnak Old…
Mar 25, 2026 · 24:25
Brendan shares his thoughts about books he read in October, November, and December of 2025. Join us, won’t you? The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 Victoriana (2019)…
Mar 23, 2026 · 19:17
Brendan shares some games that fit in the theme of “Adventuring in the Jungle.” Join us, won’t you? The Adventurers: The Temple of Chac (2009) The Adventurers: The Pyramid of…
Mar 20, 2026 · 16:21
Brendan shares his thoughts about three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Dive (2021) Civilization (1980) The Godfather: Corleone’s Empire (2017)…
Mar 18, 2026 · 16:06
Brendan shares his feedback on some of the books he read in August, September, and October of 2025. Join us, won’t you? The Future Carl’s Doomsday Scenario Shards of Honour The…
Mar 13, 2026 · 15:13
Brendan talks about three games he played for the first time recently, and one game he revisited. Join us, won’t you? Bonsai (2023) Crystallo (2018) Rise of Augustus (2013) Take…
Mar 12, 2026 · 15:32
Brendan contemplates a series of game duels to compare Reiner Knizia games. Join us, won’t you?Comparative Duels: Ra (1999) vs High Society (1995) Schotten Totten (1999) vs Lost…
Mar 9, 2026 · 17:21
Brendan talks about his first impressions of three games he tried recently, and share the experience of revisiting one dusty game. Join us, won’t you? Carnival of Monsters (2019)…
Mar 7, 2026 · 12:59
Brendan talks about the movies he watched in the last six months that weren’t horror movies or Christmas movies. Join us, won’t you? Mickey 17 (2025) Mickey 7 discussion Paranoia…
Mar 4, 2026 · 13:09
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently for the first time. Join us, won’t you? La Pâtisserie Rococo (2026) Rococo (2013) Endurance (2023) So Very…
Mar 4, 2026 · 14:30
Brendan shares his experience playing games in February of 2026. Join us, won’t you? February 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Dive ✓ Top 50 game – Brian Boru ✓ Dusty New Game –…
Feb 28, 2026 · 21:32
Brendan finishes stampeding through games he tried in 2025 but hasn’t talked about on the podcast, yet. Join us for this first of three episodes to wrap up the year, won’t you?…
Feb 27, 2026 · 22:30
Brendan shares his favorite 2024 games, and some superlatives. Join us, won’t you? Top 5 Games of 2024 Unconscious Mind (2024) Kinfire Delve Resafa (2024) Wondrous Creatures…
Feb 27, 2026 · 14:06
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried for the first time recently, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Take Time (2025) Moa (2018) 1902 Méliès…
Feb 4, 2026 · 17:47
Brendan shares his game plays from January, and talks about his plans for February. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, January 2026 New Game – La Patisserie Rococo Top 50 game…
Jan 7, 2026 · 18:52
Brendan reflects on Season 8 and his plans. Join us, won’t you? More intentional game design Plan more games Struggle of Empires (2004) Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition (2017)…
Jan 6, 2026 · 25:56
Brendan talks about his game plays in December of 2025, and his plans for 2026. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, December 2025 NEW GAME – 1902 Méliès (2023) Dusty New game –…
Jan 3, 2026 · 26:47
Brendan continues his hellride through games he tried this year but hasn’t talked about on the podcast, yet. Join us for this first of three episodes to wrap up the year, won’t…
Dec 31, 2025 · 21:01
Brendan blasts through games he tried this year but hasn’t talked about on the podcast, yet. Join us for this first of three episodes to wrap up the year, won’t you?Part 1July…
Dec 27, 2025 · 16:18
Brendan talks about three games he tried recently for the first time, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Fromage (2024) Cities (2024) Machi Koro (2012) revisited The…
Dec 17, 2025 · 17:34
Brendan reflects on the second half of the spooky movies he watched during the spooky season of 2025. Join us, won’t you? (See also: Part 1 ) PG: Psycho Goreman (2020) When a…
Dec 15, 2025 · 17:25
Brendan reflects on half of the spooky movies he watched during the spooky season of 2025. Join us, won’t you? 28 Years Later Pet Sematary Final Destination Bloodlines Smile 2…
Dec 11, 2025 · 16:11
Brendan shares his stats and experiences from November of 2025 and looks forward to December. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, November 2025 NEW GAME – Nocturne ✓ SHELF…
Nov 21, 2025 · 15:37
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? Saltfjord (2024) The Magnificent (2019) Up or Down? (2024) Mountains of Madness (2017)…
Nov 11, 2025 · 16:24
Brendan looks back at the games that came out in 2005 and 2006 to see which games are the best games. Join us, won’t you?Top 5 from 2005-2006 Mission: Red Planet (Second/Third…
Nov 6, 2025 · 16:39
Brendan shares his stats and experiences from October of 2025 and looks forward to November. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, October 2025 NEW GAME – Beast ✓ SHELF CLEARER –…
Oct 31, 2025 · 16:03
Brendan talks about what games Libra gamers might like or be good at. Join us, won’t you? Previous Astrology Files episodes Allure.com’s “12 Zodiac Signs: Dates and Personality…
Oct 28, 2025 · 15:25
Brendan discusses three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? A Touch of Evil: Dark Gothic (2014) Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game (2023) Whale Riders…
Oct 24, 2025 · 17:06
Brendan talks about the movies he watched in July and August of 2025. Join us, won’t you?JULY 2025 Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025) Perseverance: Castaway Chronicles – Episodes 1 &…
Oct 20, 2025 · 19:01
Brendan talks a bit about what he finds in the Fantasy Flight Games 2010 Summer Catalog. Join us for this look back at the state of FFG 15 years ago, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver…
Oct 14, 2025 · 15:18
Brendan chats a bit about three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? River Valley Glassworks (2024) Canvas (2021) Sushi Go! (2013) Endeavor: Deep Sea…
Oct 11, 2025 · 14:05
Brendan talks about dice games he likes and why he likes them. Join us, won’t you? “Pure” dice games Perudo (1800) Qwixx (2012) Las Vegas (2012) Yahtzee rolling Yahtzee (1956)…
Oct 7, 2025 · 14:34
Brendan shares his thoughts about the crunchy cooperative game, Spirit Island. Join us, won’t you? Spirit Island (2017) Extremely customizable Mage Knight Board Game (2011)…
Oct 2, 2025 · 15:35
Brendan shares his stats and experiences from September of 2025 and looks forward to October. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, September 2025 NEW GAME – Saltfjord ✓ SHELF…
Sep 27, 2025 · 15:02
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried out recently, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Fountains (2025) The Gardens (2022) Carcassonne (2000) Ready…
Sep 25, 2025 · 22:05
Brendan shares his reading list from April , May, and June of 2025. Join us, won’t you? The Hand of Oberon The Hearse You Rode In On Deadline (2017) The Strange Tales of Oscar…
Sep 19, 2025 · 17:39
Brendan talks for a few minutes at a time about each of the games he dusted off in April and May of 2025 but hadn’t talked about yet.May dusty games A Study in Emerald (2013) (2…
Sep 18, 2025 · 18:03
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? Umbrella (2024) High Rise (2020) Lost Cities (1999) (revisited) Stellarion (2022) What…
Sep 13, 2025 · 19:29
Brendan shares his favorite games that have the number 7 in the title. Join us, won’t you? Flip 7 (2024) Las Vegas (2012) Dead Man’s Draw (2014) The 7th Continent (2017) Vantage…
Sep 6, 2025 · 13:50
Brendan pontificates on what makes a game a ‘Clobberin’ game. When will it likely be fun to win or lose at a game? Join us, won’t you? The Great Zimbabwe (2012) Through the Ages:…
Sep 3, 2025 · 12:34
Brendan shares his thoughts about three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? MonsDRAWsity (2020) Telestrations (2009) Skip-Bo (1967) Skyjo (2015) Dutch…
Sep 2, 2025 · 13:35
Brendan shares his games played in August 2025 and his plans for September. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, August 2025 NEW GAME – The Mirroring of Mary King X SHELF…
Aug 26, 2025 · 14:37
Brendan shares his thoughts about seven movies he watched in June of 2025. Join us, won’t you? Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster (2025) Titan: The OceanGate Submersible…
Aug 18, 2025 · 19:23
Brendan talks about the games he uses in his board game class. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 366: My Board Game Class Easy to Start Beyond Balderdash (1993) Just One…
Aug 15, 2025 · 17:24
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? Unconscious Mind (2024) Skyway Robbery (2015) Return to Dark Tower (2022) (revisited)…
Aug 13, 2025 · 13:06
Brendan recommends some games to go with the theme “the great outdoors.” Join us, won’t you? Themestorms Visiting National Parks and similar venues PARKS (2019) Trekking the…
Aug 11, 2025 · 16:40
Brendan shares his thoughts and delights from Gencon 2025. Join us, won’t you? Gencon Roundups Reign of Dragoness (2022) Marsh Hallow (2025) Raas: A Dance of Love (2025) High…
Aug 8, 2025 · 19:15
Brendan talks about three games he tried recently for the first time, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Wondrous Creatures (2024) Kinfire Delve: Callous’ Lab (2024)…
Aug 6, 2025 · 20:02
Brendan gives a ‘post trip report’ of his games played on his visit to Colorado. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 765: Have Games, Will Travel Didn’t play: Tussie Mussie…
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