Welcome Aboard >> Surprisingly Good Gateway Games
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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I know here on the Geek a lot of people use the term Gateway Game to indicate a game that seems well accepted as an "introduction" into the hobby, or more specifically, an introduction into European/German games.
In my opinion, to be a good gateway game, a game needs to:
1) Be relatively easy to teach and learn
2) Play quickly (not that it needs to be a short game -- but that there's little turn angst/downtime)
3) Offer an innovative mechanic (to introduce those elements we consider the "Euro" part of designer games)
4) Offer several decisions or options for your turn (which eventually become easier to evaluate/choose from with experience)
5) Offer nuance or strategic depth (important to replay value and the gameplay experience -- that it offers more than traditional, mainstream boardgames)
I've seen several games bandied about as excellent gateway games, including Transamerica, Bohnanza, Carcassonne and Ticket To Ride. While I agree that these games may be strong candidates to introduce players into Eurogaming titles and concepts, there are doznes of other games that seem to fly under the radar -- either they're not as immediately recognizable, no longer in print, or perhaps simply not thought of in that regard.
So with this GeekList, please help me list some games that you use as Gateway Games which may come as a bit of a surprise or a title that others should take note of as a possible entry game.
So what do you think?
What games have you used to introduce folks into the gaming hobby?
What games make surprisingly good Gateway Games that seem to get overlooked?
What are some of the reasons why some excellent games get overlooked as Gateway Games?
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Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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I can't say enough about how great Cartagena has been as a gateway game. I've been able to introduce my hobby to my young niece and nephew, my inlaws and many other gamers through Cartagena's simple gameplay.
While the rules are incredibly easy to teach and remember, there's enough decision making to make it engaging for adults, while being simple enough for younger players to play mechanically, then slowly understand strategies through repeated playings. Sturdy, colorful components and the (admittedly thin) pirate theme add to the appeal.
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Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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Another game I use to introduce people into gaming. It can appeal to card players familiar with trick-taking games, or wargamers familiar with controlling areas. The use of cards as your military strength, or the territories as what you "win" in a trick help make Condottiere easy to teach to a wide variety of players.
The special cards (Bishop, Surrender, Heroine, Winter and Scarecrows) add lots of depth to the game, and there's an element of outguessing your opponents as well as hand management and bluffing. A great game that's been well received as an introduction to the hobby.
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3.
Board Game: Canyon
[Average Rating:6.22 Overall Rank:1836]
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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Another game with simple rules and familiar mechanics for players used to more traditional trick taking card games -- but the beauty of Canyon is the addition of a "track" and the race element. It adds visual interest and a slightly more competitive atmosphere over pen and paper score keeping. And the positioning of your canoes along the river adds a small, but welcome, addition to the gameplay experience and strategies. Another game that goes well with the relatives who usually only play Hearts, Pitch or Spades.
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4.
Board Game: Ta Yü
[Average Rating:7.08 Overall Rank:466]
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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Tile placement games are a big part of the Euro-vasion of game design. While Carcassone, Ingenious, Alhambra and other titles offer interesting decisions and relatively easy access, I find that Ta Yu works especially well. Not only are the components wonderful and evoke a certain classic feel, but the ability to play as teams allows for kibitzing and a social atmosphere, which novice gamers tend to find comfortable and enjoyable. Ta Yu helps ease new gamers into the concept of managing positive and negative space on the board, which seems a common element of many other more complex or strategic games.
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5.
Board Game: Metro
[Average Rating:6.40 Overall Rank:925]
Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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I think Metro plays very well and has a nice brisk pace for a tile laying game. The discrete board space and the orientation of the tiles helps limit decisions and prevent novices from being overwhelmed with analysis paralysis. The rules again are very simple, and the components top notch.
The only downside Metro has as an introductory game, in my mind, is that it can be incredibly cut throat, and far easier to "screw over" opponents by finishing off their tracks for minimal gain, rather than work on expanding your own tracks -- which may be a bit too confrontational or frustrating for casual gamers looking for a light, friendly match.
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Jason Little
United States
Eden Prairie
Minnesota
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The rules for Formula De are light and quick, but with several layers of optional/advanced rules that can be introduced slowly. I think it's a very nice gateway game, as the bits are well produced and colorful, and each turn goes relatively quickly, so most games tend to have a fairly brisk pace.
Additionally, it helps introduce risk assessment and press your luck elements which are more and more common among Eurogames. As the mechanics click into place, you'll find they tend to make better informed decisions -- whether it's a high risk/high reward attempt to hit a curve in 4th gear so they can tear out of the turn in 5th gear the following turn, or playing it conservatively to bide their time. Plus, numerous maps help extend replay value, as casual gamers who enjoy Formula De can help chip in for the occassional extra race track.
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christopher smiley
United States
sacramento
California
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Power Grid is often overlooked but i would highly recommend people try this as a gateway game. the mechanics have a tendency to stick with you and will have them asking to play some more. i have heard people refer to elegant gameplay, but they tend to throw the term around loosely; here is a game befitting. makes for some interesting enviromental discussions as well.
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christopher smiley
United States
sacramento
California
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Modern Art is also a great gateway game. here is a game that even the toughest nuts to crack tend to gravitate towards. constantly switching between auction types and the scoring mechanism make this game one of the few in my collection that people go out of their way to let me know they would like to play again! a great gateway game that will show your converts how brilliant a simple card game can be, it will keep them on their chairs wondering what will be the next game you introduce them to!
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christopher smiley
United States
sacramento
California
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10.
Board Game: DVONN
[Average Rating:7.46 Overall Rank:138]
Jeremiah Lee
United States
Santa Clara
California
But please don't call me Jerry.
At one time, I didn't really like Power Grid so Ted made my piece a Power Grid piece.
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This might seem out of place as an abstract, but it's one of two games that I've had several friends purchase after playing a few times (TtR:E being the other). This was also the first game that I played with several of them (before getting really into the board game obsession/hobby).
This probably isn't one you can play with just anyone, I've generally felt people out for whether they like chess or go before I try to engage them in this game.
Simple rules, lots of decisions, good strategy. Frankly, for gateway games, I think the most important aspect is just to show people something different. Show them there are other games out there besides the ones they played as a kid or see at Walmart.
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Ryan Walter
Canada
Regina
SK
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I know, I know. You are looking for some less common gateway games. But Settlers of Catan, at least for me, meets all of your criteria. I have seen about 50 people (myself included) get addicted to European/German-style games just because of Settlers. I am continually surprised at the effect that Settlers produces when people play it for the first time--it's like their eyes are opened to a whole new plane of existence. I think that sometimes we overlook Settlers because we feel that we have evolved to a higher level of gaming and Settlers is just too passe.
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12.
Board Game: Oasis
[Average Rating:6.79 Overall Rank:551]
Huzonfirst
United States
Manassas
Virginia
For the second time in five years, the G-Men are Super Bowl champs! Woo hoo!!!!!
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Ticket to Ride is one of the first gateway games that comes to mind, but I've had good success with this concurrent Moon release. It's pretty easy to explain, has straightforward objectives, and looks great. The limited options also work well for casual players.
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Shingo Ishikawa
Australia
Isaacs
ACT
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I'm surprized at how good this game is as a gateway games.
Theme is familiar and interesting, captures atmosphere perfectly, choices are almost always tough and interesting, bit of chance, chaos, teaming up, ganging up on people.. it got everything gateway game has. And it scale well from 2 to 6. Perfect!!
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Jim Leesch
United States
Buffalo Grove
Illinois
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While this game is relatively new to me, I have already used it twice as a gateway game. It takes <5 minutes to teach, is easily graspable within the first 3 turns of play, and yet offers moderately deep choices with every turn. Also, a player who may drop out of the first race has only 20 or so minutes until the next one can start.
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Shingo Ishikawa
Australia
Isaacs
ACT
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Again from Alea small box series, this game did very well to introduce new people euro games. Rummy aspect is familiar to so many people already and with little twist it turn into something you want to play more and more. And sorry for my grammar, my previous post should read "gateway game should have!!". Don't know how to fix my previous post.
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Michelle Z
United States
Mesa
Arizona
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Maybe it's the festive zoo theme, but newbies (especially kids) are receptive to this game. It's not overly complicated, but it introduces classic Eurogame mechanics like blind bidding, multiple methods of earning victory points, and multiple scoring rounds. Both times I taught this game to a group of newbies everybody wanted to play again immediately, and most said that they wanted to try out a different strategy in the second game.
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17.
Board Game: Blokus
[Average Rating:7.15 Overall Rank:200]
Michelle Z
United States
Mesa
Arizona
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Yes, it's abstract, but the pieces look yummy and the rule explanation takes all of 30 seconds. It doesn't take people long to discover that it's really a vicious area control with tough decisions.
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Scott Tepper
United States
Chicago
Illinois
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I've been wanting to introduce my boyfriend's family to games for a while now. Last weekend, at their Memorial Day party I brought out Niagara.
I had carefully thought this out, figuring that if the first game flopped, I wouldn't get a second chance. I chose Nigara because the rules are relatively simple and really fit within the theme. The game moves along pretty quickly, the bits are extremely well done, and the game has a nice fun/tension level when the river moves. Most importantly, though, English is a 2nd language for many of his family, so I needed a game that was language independant.
When we started playing, the game literally drew a crowd. I thought my boyfriend's 10 year old nephew was going to wet his pants he was laughing so hard when, at one point, it was revealed that everyone had chosen either a 5 or a 6 oar card, and the weather was at +2, meaning the river moved 7 times.
Several people spoke up and said they wanted to play in the next game. Niagara ended up being played 3 times that day, and I was asked what other games I had brought. (Why, I just so happened to have Finstere Flure in my car as well...)
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Jim Patching
United Kingdom
Cardiff
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Might seem like a strange choice as a gateway game but it's the only boardgame I own that my girlfriend and my one female housemate will play.
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Steffan O'Sullivan
United States
Plymouth
NH
"There is one really important thing I must write which I have forgotten." (The final sentence in Henry Darger's Autobiograpy.)
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I've used this as a gateway game about half a dozen times and so far it's always worked. That is, they've enjoyed it, want to play it again, are curious about other games in my collection, and are ready for something meatier after a couple games of this.
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21.
Board Game: Grass
[Average Rating:5.96 Overall Rank:2538]
Brian Pool
United States
Portland
Oregon
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My parents always said this was a "gateway game" and that soon I would want to play 'Europe Engulfed'.
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Counting down to the London Marathon
United Kingdom
BRISTOL
but I'd rather live in the south of France
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We have found this one very good as a gateway game.
The theme is "light" and players are introduced to some of the mechanics of German games, the most important of which I would suggest are the following:
- movement without dice
- resource/card management
- plenty of player interaction
- limited choices
- scoring rounds
- every player almost always being in with a chance until the final round
And, there's Elfengold waiting round the corner for when the converted newbies want to move on.
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Needle
Australia
Leichhardt
NSW
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I have found this to work for a wide variety of ages. It is simple to teach and for newbies it has a couple of mechanics that are new to them. The first being the use of a deck instead of dice. The second being you cant play a six when you are in the lead.
The other advantage of this game is that it goes so quickly (30 minutes) that people don't mind losing.
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Hilary Hartman
United States
Wilmore
Kentucky
My avatar was cross-stitched by my wife, Robin! She's cool like that, not to mention being one helluva ASL opponent.
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Who doesn't love pirates? This is the game that I've pulled out to indoctrinate new geeks. It's pretty, has great pieces, just enough of a challenge between players, and by the end of the night everyone's talking like a pirate. What more can you ask for? Welcome aboard, indeed!
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Fraser
Australia
Melbourne
Yep that was 12 Power Grid maps back to back over two days. Worth doing, but possibly not in such a concentrated burst.
Ooh yes, now a little to the left - my nose is itchy. No, no the other left! Now what colour is 12 supporter badge going to be I wonder?
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Around the World in 80 Days (2004) We tried this out with Melissa's parents and it worked very well. At first it looks like a roll and move game, but the die is only used for balloon or elephant travel. It is quite simple and if you keep it under six players for the first game it is quite quick too.
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