The Fifth Meeple Board Game Podcast

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 reputations depend on it. By the end, someone...

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 Foolish Fool: The Good

07:43 Fooli...

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 table — but which one delivers the tigh...

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 For Sale

02:16 For Sale: The Good

...

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 Space Base: Collector's Corner

17:...

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 along with us!

Have any great trivia q...

Episode 80: Don't Bet on It: Hot Streak vs Magical Athlete

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Topic of the Day!

04:24 Magical Athlete

13:35 Magical Athlete: Collector's Corner

14:40 Magical Athlete: Final Thoughts

16:22 Hot Streak

27:24 Hot Streak: Collector's Corner

27:51 Hot Streak: Final Thoughts

30:02 Battle of the Funnest Showdown

41:29 Bloopers

Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail....

Episode 77: What's the Buzz? Honey Buzz vs Apiary

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 Topic of the Day!

08:22 A Listener Review!

09:10 Honey Buzz

22:41 Honey Buzz: Collector's Corner

24:52 Honey Buzz: Final Thoughts

27:22 Apiary

41:37 Apiary: Collector's Corner

42:11 Apiary: Final Thoughts

44:24 Battle of the Funnest Showdown

58:51 Bloopers

Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthmeeple@gmail.com and as ...

Episode 75: The Enemy Within: Shadows over Camelot vs Nemesis

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:13 Topic of Discussion

04:49 Shadows over Camelot

18:17 Shadows over Camelot: Collector's Corner

18:53 Shadows over Camelot: Final Thoughts

21:34 Nemesis

39:22 Nemesis: Collector's Corner

39:51 Nemesis: Final Thoughts

42:35 Battle of the Funnest Showdown

55:40 Bloopers

Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at thefifthme...

Special Episode 73: You're the Best, Part 3: Top 15 Board Games of All Time (5-1)

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:45 Topic of the Day!

07:12 David's #5

09:13 Pete's #5

12:43 Chris's #5

15:15 Daniella's #5

17:56 David's #4

20:58 Pete's #4

24:16 Chris's #4

26:32 Daniella's #4

29:08 David's #3

33:13 Pete's #3

36:00 Chris's #3

38:57 Daniella's #3

41:20 David's #2

44:15 Pete's #2

47:40 Chris's #2

50:07 Daniella's #2

53:20 David's #1

5...

Special Episode 72: You're the Best, Part 2: Top 15 Board Games of All Time (10-6)

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Topic of the Day!

06:08 Chris's #10

09:36 David's #10

12:04 Pete's #10

15:14 Daniella's #10

18:03 Chris's #9

20:21 David's #9

23:48 Pete's #9

26:05 Daniella's #9

27:33 Chris's #8

30:09 David's #8

32:08 Pete's #8

34:36 Daniella's #8

37:23 Chris's #7

40:02 David's #7

41:09 Daniella's #7

42:54 Pete's #7

46:28 Chris's...

Special Episode 71: You're the Best, Part 1: Top 15 Board Games of All Time (15-11)

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:51 Topic of the Day!

05:14 Pete's #15

09:00 David's #15

12:16 Chris's #15

15:36 Daniella's #15

19:26 Pete's #14

21:58 David's #14

25:17 Chris's #14

27:07 Daniella's #14

29:11 Pete's #13

30:53 David's #13

32:31 Chris's #13

35:28 Daniella's #13

37:52 Pete's #12

39:43 David's #12

41:38 Chris's #12

43:51 Daniella's #12

...

Episode 69: Who Does Space Better?: SETI vs. Shackleton Base

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:11 What's new on our tables!

13:12 Leave us a review!

13:26 SETI

29:49 SETI: Collector's Corner

30:32 SETI: Final Thoughts

32:21 Shackleton Base

49:35 Shackleton Base: Collector's Corner

50:40 Shackleton Base: Final Thoughts

53:39 Battle of the Funnest Showdown

01:09:43 Bloopers

Thanks for listening! Want to connect with us? Email us at t...