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Gateway Board Games
Andrew Jaster
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Recommend
10
Welcome, fellow gamers on my ultimate quest for the best gateway games. For all of you who may not know what that is, it's a game that you can use to introduce non-gamers to the world of 'real' games.

Now think of your top 3 successful gateway games. If you don't see them on this list, please add them. Keep in mind the following rules.

1. Must have been successful more than once with newbies
2. Good replay value
3. Nice game components
4. Good for mixed age groups

And, don't forget to leave a comment or two!
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Popular Tags: gateway-game-...[+] [View All]
The items in this list are ordered by overall database rank
Posted On: 2005-08-25 18:28:09
Edited On: 2005-08-25 18:28:09

1. Power Grid [Average Rating:8.24 Overall Rank:3]
Jeff Digman
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I bought this after reading the first revies of it here on the geek. One week later (and after several plays on BSW) I introduced it to my friends, and it was a big hit. Went over better than Settlers did. We still break this out on a weekly basis.
1 Comment [Hide]
Posted On: 2005-08-26 11:35:40
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Bill Eldard
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I guess it depends on the level of complexity the newbies are ready for; your group apparently did okay with it. Power Grid doesn't come to my mind when I think of gateway games, because the rules are a bit fiddly, and first time players are likely to have little idea of how to formulate a strategy, or even why, until well after the game is over. This could cause some to abandon boardgames altogether.
2. Settlers of Catan, The [Average Rating:7.73 Overall Rank:31]
Andrew Jaster
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Of course, this one has to be on EVERY list, right?...
2 Comments [Hide]
Posted On: 2005-08-25 17:55:42
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Yoki Erdtman
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07
Definitely, it's a great gateway game.
3. Tichu [Average Rating:7.80 Overall Rank:32]
Morgan Dontanville
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0405060708
I've only known one person not to like this game.
0 Comments
Posted On: 2005-08-26 11:38:03
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4. Ticket to Ride [Average Rating:7.61 Overall Rank:42]
Arun Nayar
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0507
never fails to evoke a non-gamer's interest. I have had some pretty successful sessions with total non-gamers. One thing though, this game has not yet made any converts, in my case
8 Comments [Hide]
Posted On: 2005-08-25 18:07:07
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Andrew Jaster
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Shadows over Camelot might be another good one From Days of Wonder. I have it but it's still a bit too early for me to tell if it's a good gateway game.
Penny
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I have never played but once i was playing a game of Louis from knowing nothing and after about 1 hour of louis which include teaching and playing, the other group who started at the same time as us, are still in the process of teaching Camelot! =) If the rules are that long, I don't think it's a good gateway game.
Kevin H
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050607
My mom would always say "Let's play Scrabble!"

Now it's "Let's play Ticket to Ride!"
Karlo Gliha
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05060708
It's funny you mention that it hasn't lead to any converts; just last week my friend's wife said she bought it after one session at our house. To date, I've hooked 3 people with this one.
David Seddon
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05060708
I've hooked quite a few folks with this one too, and am tryig to talk the local toy shop owner into stcking it.
If you've lead people to the hobby with this game, what other real games are they playing?
I ask because my family likes it as well, and now I am looking for a rival.
Bill Eldard
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This is an excellent gateway game.
Arcadian Del Sol
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I'd say the next step after Ticket To Ride is Starfarers of Catan. A price leap, but the game is probably the next step if you're looking to bottle-feed your players into hardcore gamers.
5. Carcassonne [Average Rating:7.57 Overall Rank:51]
Andrew Jaster
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...And this one too