Joel | ShelfGamer.com
@shelfgamer.com
Hi! I write in-depth board game reviews, articles, and guides. Check out my stuff at shelfgamer.com ~
Tag Team is my favorite 2-player dueling card game of all time! The quick setup, fast turns, short play time, deckbuilding decisions, rising tension—I can see why some wouldn't like it, but I love it.
#boardgames #cardgames #tabletopgames #reviews
#boardgames #cardgames #tabletopgames #reviews
'Tag Team' Is the 2-Player Dueling Card Game I've Always Wanted
Build your deck and see where fate takes you! Tag Team is my favorite 2-player dueling card game of all time.
shelfgamer.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Tag Team is my favorite 2-player dueling card game of all time! The quick setup, fast turns, short play time, deckbuilding decisions, rising tension—I can see why some wouldn't like it, but I love it.
#boardgames #cardgames #tabletopgames #reviews
#boardgames #cardgames #tabletopgames #reviews
Snowed in and ready to play Santa's Workshop! This time it's the Advanced side. Hoping this side plays better at 2p
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames
January 25, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Snowed in and ready to play Santa's Workshop! This time it's the Advanced side. Hoping this side plays better at 2p
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames
Funny how sometimes you think you'll love a game but it doesn't quite land well. Railroad Tiles was that for me. Really wanted to like this one but it's "just okay" and here's why.
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames #reviews
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames #reviews
Fine but Forgettable: 'Railroad Tiles' Fails to Stand Out Amongst Tile-Layers
Railroad Tiles is a tile-laying puzzle game that doesn't do enough to rise above the many other games in this genre.
shelfgamer.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Funny how sometimes you think you'll love a game but it doesn't quite land well. Railroad Tiles was that for me. Really wanted to like this one but it's "just okay" and here's why.
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames #reviews
#boardgames #familygames #tabletopgames #reviews
My board gaming resolutions for 2026 include buying less and playing more (of course), plus a few others. #boardgames #tabletopgames #gamenight #resolutions
I Promise to Buy Fewer Board Games This Year (And 4 Other Resolutions for 2026)
If all goes well, this will be the best board gaming year I've had. The key? Being more intentional about how I engage with the hobby.
shelfgamer.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:30 PM
My board gaming resolutions for 2026 include buying less and playing more (of course), plus a few others. #boardgames #tabletopgames #gamenight #resolutions
Tonight we're playing Decorum by @floodgategames.bsky.social! A surprisingly thinky cooperative limited communication deduction game 🤔 #boardgames
January 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Tonight we're playing Decorum by @floodgategames.bsky.social! A surprisingly thinky cooperative limited communication deduction game 🤔 #boardgames
A Carnivore Did It! Review: Pure Logic Deduction in a Small Box, a game by @horribleguild.bsky.social #boardgames #cardgames #familygames #reviews
'A Carnivore Did It!' Is a Must-Play If You Like Logical Deduction Brain Teasers
Who's lying? Who's telling the truth? Who's the real culprit hiding in the dubious claims? Untangle the logic in A Carnivore Did It!
shelfgamer.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:18 PM
A Carnivore Did It! Review: Pure Logic Deduction in a Small Box, a game by @horribleguild.bsky.social #boardgames #cardgames #familygames #reviews
Hot Streak Review: The Most Hilarious Race Betting Game I've Played shelfgamer.com/reviews/hot-... #boardgames #partygames #gamenight #reviews
'Hot Streak' Is the Most Hilarious Race Betting Game I've Ever Played
Hot Streak is the most fun and silliest race betting game I've ever played. It's so wacky, unpredictable, and charmingly entertaining.
shelfgamer.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Hot Streak Review: The Most Hilarious Race Betting Game I've Played shelfgamer.com/reviews/hot-... #boardgames #partygames #gamenight #reviews
Planet Unknown was on my wishlist for over 2 years. Finally got it for Christmas! #boardgames #christmas
January 5, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Planet Unknown was on my wishlist for over 2 years. Finally got it for Christmas! #boardgames #christmas
Shelf Update: 2025 Year in Review shelfgamer.com/shelf-update... #boardgames #cardgames #gamenight #tabletop
Shelf Update: 2025 Year in Review
Lots of new games added to the collection this year—and I'm starting to get picky about the new games I'm willing to acquire.
shelfgamer.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Shelf Update: 2025 Year in Review shelfgamer.com/shelf-update... #boardgames #cardgames #gamenight #tabletop
Quiddler Review: A Word Building Card Game With a Fitting Name shelfgamer.com/reviews/quid... #boardgames #cardgames #reviews
I Wanted to Love This Word Building Card Game, But It's Too Random and Drawn Out
A card-based word building game that squanders its Scrabble-like premise by being too random and overstaying its welcome.
shelfgamer.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Quiddler Review: A Word Building Card Game With a Fitting Name shelfgamer.com/reviews/quid... #boardgames #cardgames #reviews
Just One Review: The Most Reliably Entertaining Party Game shelfgamer.com/reviews/just... #boardgames #partygames #gamenight #reviews
This party game is the most reliable hit in my collection. Everyone always loves it
What do you get when word association, mind melding, and deduction are wrapped up together? An instant party game classic!
shelfgamer.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Just One Review: The Most Reliably Entertaining Party Game shelfgamer.com/reviews/just... #boardgames #partygames #gamenight #reviews
Ra Review: The Ultimate Push-Your-Luck Auction Game shelfgamer.com/reviews/ra/ #boardgames #familygames #tabletop #reviews
This auction game is so fun, it feels like a party game (even though it isn't)
Ra is a push-your-luck set collection game that has stood the test of time and proven itself as an all-time great.
shelfgamer.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Ra Review: The Ultimate Push-Your-Luck Auction Game shelfgamer.com/reviews/ra/ #boardgames #familygames #tabletop #reviews
Analysis Paralysis Kills Game Nights: Why It Happens and 7 Ways to Fix It shelfgamer.com/analysis-par... #boardgames #cardgames #gamenight #tabletopgames
Analysis paralysis kills game nights. Here’s what causes it and how to deal with it
Are your board game sessions slow, drawn out, and low energy? This could be why! It's the silent killer—but it doesn't have to be.
shelfgamer.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Analysis Paralysis Kills Game Nights: Why It Happens and 7 Ways to Fix It shelfgamer.com/analysis-par... #boardgames #cardgames #gamenight #tabletopgames
That's Not a Hat Review: A merry party game that turns memory into bluffing shelfgamer.com/reviews/that... #boardgames #cardgames #partygames #reviews
This memory-driven party game is winnable even if you have terrible memory
That's Not a Hat is a card-based party game that mashes together memory and bluffing in a uniquely entertaining way.
shelfgamer.com
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 AM
That's Not a Hat Review: A merry party game that turns memory into bluffing shelfgamer.com/reviews/that... #boardgames #cardgames #partygames #reviews
Most board gaming accessories aren't worth it. These 5 are my keepers shelfgamer.com/best-board-g... #boardgames #gamenight #giftideas
Most Board Gaming Accessories Aren't Worth It. These 5 Are Keepers
Some accessories are game-changing. Others are a waste of money. Here are my favorites and regrets from over the years.
shelfgamer.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Most board gaming accessories aren't worth it. These 5 are my keepers shelfgamer.com/best-board-g... #boardgames #gamenight #giftideas
Why Board Games Make Bad Gifts (And What You Should Get Instead) shelfgamer.com/why-board-ga... #boardgames #cardgames #gifts #holidays #christmas
Stop giving board games as gifts. Here's why (and what to get instead)
There's only one scenario when it's okay to gift a board game. Otherwise, there are so many better gift ideas! Let me share a few.
shelfgamer.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Why Board Games Make Bad Gifts (And What You Should Get Instead) shelfgamer.com/why-board-ga... #boardgames #cardgames #gifts #holidays #christmas
Agent Avenue review: A great lightweight 2-player cat-and-mouse bluffing game shelfgamer.com/reviews/agen... #boardgames #cardgames #reviews #tabletop
This lightweight 2-player cat-and-mouse board game is my new favorite of the genre
Agent Avenue is an outstanding two-player cat-and-mouse card game that plays fast while dripping with tension, deception, and excitement.
shelfgamer.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Agent Avenue review: A great lightweight 2-player cat-and-mouse bluffing game shelfgamer.com/reviews/agen... #boardgames #cardgames #reviews #tabletop
Board game burnout—also called gaming fatigue—is a real thing. I know because I just went through it. shelfgamer.com/board-game-b... #BoardGames #CardGames #GameNight #Tabletop
I burned out on board games. Here's what I did to reignite that spark
Lost interest in board gaming? You aren't alone. Here's why it happens and what you can do to rediscover your love for it again.
shelfgamer.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Board game burnout—also called gaming fatigue—is a real thing. I know because I just went through it. shelfgamer.com/board-game-b... #BoardGames #CardGames #GameNight #Tabletop
Spots is an adorable little push-your-luck dice game that's sure to appeal. Unfortunately, it's less than the sum of its parts. shelfgamer.com/reviews/spots/ #boardgames #dicegames #reviews
Spots Review
Spots is an adorable little push-your-luck dice game that's sure to appeal. Unfortunately, it's less than the sum of its parts.
shelfgamer.com
June 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Spots is an adorable little push-your-luck dice game that's sure to appeal. Unfortunately, it's less than the sum of its parts. shelfgamer.com/reviews/spots/ #boardgames #dicegames #reviews
Diced Veggies is a nice change of pace when I want to have a chill, cozy time. If I want a little more bite, I play using my unofficial variant. shelfgamer.com/reviews/dice... #boardgames #dicegames #reviews
Diced Veggies Review
Diced Veggies is a casual dice drafting game about collecting veggies and cooking them into tasty dishes. Great to play with kids.
shelfgamer.com
June 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Diced Veggies is a nice change of pace when I want to have a chill, cozy time. If I want a little more bite, I play using my unofficial variant. shelfgamer.com/reviews/dice... #boardgames #dicegames #reviews
Vegas Strip mixes casinos, bluffing, cheating, and mind games together... in a way that somehow strips all the fun out of Vegas. shelfgamer.com/reviews/vega... #boardgames #reviews
Vegas Strip Review
Vegas Strip mixes casinos, bluffing, cheating, and mind games together... in a way that somehow strips all the fun out of Vegas.
shelfgamer.com
June 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Vegas Strip mixes casinos, bluffing, cheating, and mind games together... in a way that somehow strips all the fun out of Vegas. shelfgamer.com/reviews/vega... #boardgames #reviews
Captain Flip is push-your-luck done right. It's one of my weeknight favorites for when I just want to tune out and have fun. shelfgamer.com/reviews/capt... #boardgames #reviews
Captain Flip Review
Captain Flip is a quick and simple tile placement game where you have to push your luck if you want to come out ahead.
shelfgamer.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Captain Flip is push-your-luck done right. It's one of my weeknight favorites for when I just want to tune out and have fun. shelfgamer.com/reviews/capt... #boardgames #reviews
Alibis is a party-style word association game that succeeds as a small but welcome evolution on So Clover and Codenames. shelfgamer.com/reviews/alib... #boardgames #partygames #reviews
Alibis Review
Alibis is a party-style word association game that succeeds as a small but welcome evolution on So Clover and Codenames.
shelfgamer.com
May 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Alibis is a party-style word association game that succeeds as a small but welcome evolution on So Clover and Codenames. shelfgamer.com/reviews/alib... #boardgames #partygames #reviews
Mindbug is an excellent two-player dueling card that's fast and simple, with one special twist that elevates it to true greatness. shelfgamer.com/reviews/mind... #cardgames #boardgames #reviews
Mindbug Review
Mindbug is an excellent two-player dueling card that's fast and simple, with one special twist that elevates it to true greatness.
shelfgamer.com
May 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Mindbug is an excellent two-player dueling card that's fast and simple, with one special twist that elevates it to true greatness. shelfgamer.com/reviews/mind... #cardgames #boardgames #reviews
While I'm charmed by Sea Salt & Paper, it's ultimately too bland, lucky, and sloppy to be enjoyable. shelfgamer.com/reviews/sea-... #cardgames #boardgames #reviews
Sea Salt & Paper Review
Sea Salt and Paper is a quaint little card game that feels a lot like those messy homemade card games you might've come up with as a kid.
shelfgamer.com
May 13, 2025 at 8:10 PM
While I'm charmed by Sea Salt & Paper, it's ultimately too bland, lucky, and sloppy to be enjoyable. shelfgamer.com/reviews/sea-... #cardgames #boardgames #reviews