The Fifth Meeple Board Game Podcast

Join us for part 2 of our Origins 2026 coverage!  We explore 16 new to us games and give our opinions on all of them.  So come enjoy as we close out Origins 2026! Special Episode 106: Origins Recap Part 2 (16 Games Discussed) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:38 Origins 2026 Part 2 (16 games discussed!) Want to keep the conversation going? Reach out to us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com —we’d love to...

Join us for this special episode as we recap Origins 2026!  We explore 17 new to us games and give our opinions on all of them.  So buckle up as we bring you Origins 2026 from Columbus, OH.  Special Episode 105: Origins Recap Part 1 (17 Games Discussed) Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions 00:34 Origins 2026 Part 1 (17 games discussed!) Want to keep the conversation going? Reach out to us at thefifthme...

Welcome back to The Fifth Meeple! Today's showdown is a race unlike any other. One contender brings post-apocalyptic carnage, while the other delivers fantasy-fueled kart racing. Will Thunder Road Vendetta run its rival off the road, or will Dungeon Kart use a few magical shortcuts to claim the crown? Let's hit the track and find out! Episode 104: Raucous Racing: Thunder Road Vendetta vs Dungeon K...

Every kingdom needs a ruler, but only one can wield Excalibur. Today we're sharing our quick thoughts on this medieval-themed board game and whether it's a quest worth embarking on as we tell you what we loved, what we didn't, and whether it's worth your time. Episode 103 (Mini): Excalibur Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Excalibur 02:28 Excalibur: The Good 07:14 Excalibur: The Bad 11:03 Excal...

Episode 102: Classic Drafts: Azul vs Sagrada In today's episode the Goofy Noob Returns as we battle and review two modern classic board games. Both are masterpieces of color and design. One asks players to craft breathtaking mosaics for a Portuguese palace. The other challenges them to create stunning stained-glass windows worthy of a cathedral. Both have captivated millions of players around the...

Episode 101 (Mini): Ito In this bite-sized review, we break down Ito, a cooperative party game that turns simple numbers into creative conversations. Easy to teach, quick to play, and packed with laughs, we'll tell you who this game is best for and whether it deserves a spot at your next game night. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Ito 02:20 Ito: The Good 08:19 Ito: The Bad 13:32 Ito: The Coll...

Episode 100: Music to Our Ears: Luthier vs Lacrimosa Welcome to our 100th episode spectacular! We couldn’t think of a better theme than Music to Our Ears! Today’s contenders are two of the hobby’s most melodic heavy hitters: Lacrimosa and Luthier. Tune your instruments and shuffle your decks — it's time to see which performance earns the standing ovation!  Enjoy! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:...

Episode 99 (Mini): Avant Carde Today we’re diving into Avant Carde — the stylish card battler where every play feels like a duel between an art exhibit and a tactical mind game. We’ll talk about what makes it stand out, why people are buzzing about it, and whether this avant-garde experiment deserves a spot on your table. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Avant Carde 02:17 Avant Carde: The Good...

Episode 98: Living the Theme: Obsession vs Rock Hard 1977 Some board games have a theme pasted on top. Others pull you completely into their world. That’s what this week is all about. Today, we’re diving into two games that don’t just give you actions to take… they give you a life to live. In Rock Hard: 1977, you’re chasing fame, sleep deprivation, and your next big gig in the gritty world of late...

Special Episode 97 (Rating the Rankings): BGG 1-10 Ten games. Thousands of ratings. Endless arguments. Today, we enter the sacred list: BoardGameGeek’s top 10. Some of these are masterpieces… some might be a little overrated. Either way, we’re ranking, critiquing, and maybe stirring the pot just a bit.  Afterwards we do our first ever draft where each host picks what games they would take out of t...

Episode 96: Stars, Sweets, and Heavy Euros: Galactic Cruise vs Sweet Lands Welcome back! This week, we’ve got a showdown that pits cosmic elegance against confectionery chaos. Galactic Cruise promises five-star experiences in zero gravity, while Sweet Lands delivers a bright, candy-filled world of playful competition. We’re throwing them into the ring to see which one actually satisfies. Space lux...

Special Episode 95 (Trivia): Starting Player Rules Before the first move is made, before alliances are broken, before someone flips the table—there’s one critical question: who goes first? And apparently, board game designers have decided the answer should involve astrology, recent meals, or your proximity to a houseplant. Today’s trivia episode is all about starting player rules—the good, the bad...

Episode 94: Allies or Adversaries: Kinfire Council vs Archipelago In today's episode are friends working together… or secretly plotting against each other? This episode dives into Kinfire Council and Archipelago, two games that handle teamwork very differently. Expect laughs, tough choices, and a debate over which one creates the best game night chaos.  Only one can come out victorious as we battl...

Episode 93 (Mini): First in Flight Today we’re taking to the skies with First in Flight, a game all about pushing the limits of early aviation. It’s fast, it’s clever, and it might just surprise you with how tense those first few seconds off the ground can feel. Let’s see if this one soars… or stalls on the runway. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:03 First in Flight 02:36 First in Flight: The Goo...

Episode 92: Forever and Ever-dell: Everdell vs Everdell Silverfrost In today's episode we’re heading deep into the forest—but don’t forget your coat, because things are about to get cold. That’s right, we’re putting Everdell head-to-head with its frosty counterpart, Everdell: Silverfrost. This one’s more than just vibes—it’s a true test of design. We’re comparing the cozy, streamlined engine-build...

Episode 91: Meeple Madness 2026 Tournament (Part 2) We crown a champ! It's part 2 of our epic Meeple Madness Tournament with the Final 8 teams battling it out to see who shall come out on top!  Enjoy! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:06 Meeple Madness 2026 Tournament - Final 8 Games Thanks for listening! Want to keep the conversation going? Reach out to us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com —we’d love t...

Episode 90: Meeple Madness 2026 Tournament (Part 1) It’s March… which means chaos. Not on the court—but on the table. Inspired by March Madness, we’re seeding this past year's winners of our Battle of the Funnest Matches into one brutal bracket.  Upsets will happen, favorites will fall, and legacies are on the line. This is Meeple Madness 2026!  Want to fill out a bracket before you listen?  Print...

Special Episode 89: One and Done In this episode we're talking about games we're glad we played once ... but never want to play again. Plus, we're honored to be joined by Tim, one of the hosts of Board Game Hot Takes! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:58 Guest Host: Tim from Board Game Hot Takes 02:11 Interview with Tim 12:47 One and Done Board Games Thanks for listening! Want to keep the conversa...

Episode 88 (Mini): Take Time Today we’re taking a quick look at Take Time, a cooperative puzzle game from Libellud. In this one to four player experience, you’ll be placing cards around a clock face while trying to solve a series of increasingly tricky logic challenges.  See what our crew thinks about this unique co-op! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Take Time 02:34 Take Time: The Good 08:03...

Episode 87: Pfister Face-Off:  Great Western Trail vs Maracaibo Two heavy euros enter: Great Western Trail and Maracaibo. We compare route optimization and deck refinement against exploration and campaign progression. Only one can claim the Pfister crown. It’s cowboys versus captains in a cardboard clash for bragging rights. We argue over cows, ships, buildings, and bonus tiles like our reputation...

Episode 86 (Mini): Foolish Fool Today we’re spotlighting Foolish Fool, a fast-paced card game packed with quick turns and playful tension. Everyone’s trying to dodge becoming the round’s fool, which leads to light strategy, cheeky moves, and just enough chaos to keep the table buzzing. Listen in to see what we think about this small box game! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:54 Foolish Fool 02:07...

Episode 85: Battle of the Beards: Carnegie vs Darwin's Journey Welcome to Episode 85! Today we’re throwing down two heavyweight Euro titans — Carnegie vs Darwin’s Journey. Industrial empire building meets evolutionary exploration. Steel rails or sailing ships? Ruthless efficiency or carefully crafted engine growth? Both games bring deep strategy, tough decisions, and long-term planning to the tabl...

Episode 84 (Mini): For Sale In this mini review, we take a look at For Sale, the fast-paced auction card game that’s become a staple of the hobby. We break down its two-phase gameplay, why it works so well as a filler, and whether its simple design still holds up today. Quick, clever, and full of tense decisions — find out what we think about this classic game. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:56...

Episode 83: Dice, Engines, and Domination: Space Base vs Valeria: Card Kingdoms Both games promise satisfying engine-building and dice-driven decisions—but which does it better? We break down Space Base vs. Valeria: Card Kingdoms and see which system really earns its victory points in this battle of the funnest showdown. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Topic of the Day! 07:18 Space Base 17:11...

Special Episode 82 (Trivia): Board Game Mechanisms How well do you really know game mechanics? In this trivia-style episode, we dive into worker placement, design complexity, and the language gamers use—inviting listeners to play along as we break down what makes these systems tick.  Thanks for listening! Enjoy Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction 00:38 Chris's 15 Trivia Questions (Mechanisms) Play alo...