My Favorite Gateway Games

[Titus]

This is the first in a series of articles I’m planning to post entitled My Favorite…. Each article will list my favorite games in a certain category. Just for fun, I’ll use alliteration for each category (alliteration is the use of consecutive words starting with the same letter or sound).

Unless otherwise stated, I will only include games I own and have played. If there is a game I don’t own or have not played that I think might be a worthy addition to the list, I’ll include it in the Special Mention section.

A definition of gateway games
A gateway game is a game ideally suited to introducing nongamers, those who are potential gamers or enjoy the usual games like Monopoly or Pictionary or chess, to the kind of games we enjoy.

A gateway game should be easy to teach and easy for the players to understand. It should force players to make strategic or tactical decisions but should not overwhelm them with options or information. Each player turn should be quick; downtime is a no-no. Some randomness is good as that allows the less skilled or experienced players a chance to win. It should not take too long to play; 30 to 60 minutes is about right. On the weight scale, gateway games lie between fillers and middleweights, though some fillers can make good gateway games too.

My Favorites:



The aMAZEing Labyrinth (The new edition is simply called Labyrinth.)
This is a maze game for 2-4 players where you race to collect items in a labyrinth that shifts every turn. This is a classic example of a game that looks like it’s for kids but is actually quite challenging. Those who are spatially or visually acute will enjoy this. There is an advanced version called Master Labyrinth, which I’m tempted to pick up since I love the Labyrinth concept so much.




Royal Turf (There is a new edition of this called Winner’s Circle.)
This is a classic horseracing game from Reiner Knizia for 2-6 players. You and fellow players wager on seven horses, each with specific strengths and weaknesses, in a series of three races. Whoever wins the most money in the end wins. Just like other Knizia designs, the game has a solid mathematical foundation but can be exciting with players cheering for their respective horses. A variant with secret betting adds to the fun. The “gambling” theme may turn off some though.




Scotland Yard
This is a classic deduction game for 2-5 players where one player, Mr. X, attempts to escape from the four other detectives, acting as a team, through the streets of London. The elegant hidden movement mechanic for Mr. X is what makes this work so well. Fury of Dracula is obviously inspired from this classic.




Ticket to Ride
This is probably the most popular title on my list. You create railway connections throughout the United States in this 2-5 player game. The card drafting and set collection mechanics are elegant and the destination cards add an important planning element.




Thebes
This is a 2-4 player game where you go to various ancient Mediterranean sites excavating artifacts for exhibition. Of all the games on this list, this is my favorite in terms of theme and the graphic design is excellent. The mechanic that uses time units to determine turn order is innovative. There is a significant amount of luck though which may turn off some, but the game is fun, fast, and very thematic and most casual gamers don’t mind luck anyway.


Special mention

Carcassonne
In my experience as a game seller and demoer, Carcassonne is the most successful gateway game I’ve owned and played. I understand why it’s such a popular bestseller. It has all the hallmarks: easy to learn, nice bits, random factor, short playing time. However, I eventually tired of it and sold my own copy. The confusing farm scoring detracted from the elegance of the game. Also, it can get quite chaotic with multiple players; I think it plays best with 2 or 3 players. Others may love this game, and all its expansions and spinoffs, but it’s not my cup of tea.

Agricola (the family game)
I’ve only played this once but I suspect that the family game mode of Agricola could be a good gateway game. It has a friendly theme, nice components, and easy to learn mechanics. I’m not sure about the game length though but I’m sure the lack of Occupation and Minor Improvement cards should shorten it considerably. Anecdotes from those who own copies of this and have successfully introduced them to family members suggest that my suspicions are true.


Conclusion
So there you have it, my list of favorite gateway games. Of course, it’s likely that I’ll add or remove titles from this list over time, and as a gamer with a large collection I don’t think I’ll want too many gateway games. But this class of games is perhaps the most important as these are the ones that will enable us to grow our hobby.

So, what are your favorite gateway games?



---------------

Future articles in the series:

My Favorite…
- Brain Burners
- Meaty Middleweights
- Fun Fillers
- Thematic Thrillers

[viscoos]

nice list!
geeklist TabletopWars style

My favorite gateway games in my collection would be:

Zooloretto

Ticket to Ride

Guillotine

Metropolys

[maskmanjoe]

Oo nga, cool TTW-list Titus Since I regularly play at my office pantry (and most of my gaming mates are also my workmates), I get alot of chances to introduce my games to non-gamers at the office. I've got a mix of reactions with my games and my efforts to "spread the joy".

Here are my fave Gateway Games:

Bohnanza
Hands down the best gateway game I have on my bookcase so far. Its got my four important Q's: quick to setup, quick to teach, quick to play, quick to have fun. This is my second most played game in my office (first is still Race for the Galaxy ), and in almost every session we've got a new non-gamer joining us. The mad trading that happens in our games has caught alot of the onlooker's interest, and I've discovered alot of aggressive and mean been traders among them I think the chance to one-up each other a better deal is an innate to everyone.

Settlers of Catan
A game where you can benefit from someone else's effort always spells fun. At first glance, its the unusual board configuration that catches people's attention. But when they've sat next to us, its again the trading that really drives the fun. I've started to notice that alot of my non-gamer friends really like player interaction. The more of it the better. So add the Knight/Robber mechanic and you have a healthy balance of unreasonable trading and the chance to screw with your neighbor. The randomness brought by the dice rolling adds to some fun as well, but when you keep missing your numbers it quickly gets frustrating. 

Blue Moon City
Not as quick to setup or teach as Bohnanza but with the simple math and color matching mechanics, its an easy pick-up for several of my non-gamer friends as well. The quality card art and the dragon figures are also nice come ons. I haven't introduce this to alot of non-gamers but those who have tried it quickly had fun. Main difficulty is using some of the more complicated card powers. But after a few "learning mistakes", they quickly came back to beat us regulars

Some games I'd like to consider as gateway games but have not tested:

Princes of Florence
I really feel this can be a gateway game. With a simple goal and easy means to achieve it, adding the nice, tactile board pieces, I think this has promise to see significant non-gamer appreciation. The auction phase provides a good dose of player interaction (and neighbor-screwing, if you know how). The multiple ways to complete works (and thus gain points) provide for good strategizing, but nothing to cumbersome or complicated. I'll update this if every get a victim

[Brel]

What an excellent post Titus!  I like how you write, it's clear and pleasant to read.  I also like how you demo games as you've got a well-modulated voice and style that makes players easily understand the game you're teaching.  You've got natural talent appropriate for this hobby!    Can't wait to read your next article. 

[Titus]

What an excellent post Titus!  I like how you write, it's clear and pleasant to read.  I also like how you demo games as you've got a well-modulated voice and style that makes players easily understand the game you're teaching.  You've got natural talent appropriate for this hobby!    Can't wait to read your next article. 

Aw, you're making me blush, Brel!  Haha! Thanks for the very kind words.

As is obvious, I like talking about games and I write these articles to spark insightful and useful discussions. That's what a forum is for, right?

How about you, what are your favorite gateway games? I know that you play a lot with family members and other casual gamers. I'm curious about what games have been the most successful for you.

[Alger B C Lim]

The aMAZEing Labyrinth
^ i saw that in H&L serendra looks interesting and was gonna get it but not sure if its anygood. haha seems to have your vote Titus so should be a nice game

hmmm i wonder if its the same game as the one on your post here though... ill go check again

anyway my fave gateway games are:

Bang - surprisingly easy to teach once players get used to the symbols on the cards, and if you only use the basic set, its pretty easy to carry around as well.

Ugly Doll - i have a lot of younger cousins and this game really gives them a blast. its also an enjoyable slap happy time for drunk friends XD

Ticket to Ride - I dont have a copy of the game my self but it was one of the first that i played I have to to agree with Titus, and I beleive Brel likes this game as well.

Quelf - im not sure if this counts as a 'gateway' game but I have gotten a number of non gamer friends to try this out for the randomness and novelty of it

-alger

[Titus]

The aMAZEing Labyrinth
^ i saw that in H&L serendra looks interesting and was gonna get it but not sure if its anygood. haha seems to have your vote Titus so should be a nice game

hmmm i wonder if its the same game as the one on your post here though... ill go check again

What I saw at that branch was Master Labyrinth, which is supposed to be an advanced version. I'm considering buying. It has a blue box cover. This is different from the Master Labyrinth that was released in the '90s, though it's from the same designer and publisher.

At Fully Booked also in Bonifacio High Street they have Master Labyrinth, Labyrinth, and Disney Labyrinth. Labyrinth is the new edition of aMAZEing Labyrinth; only the name has changed, it's completely the same. The box cover is orange. The Disney version is the same game except with a Disney theme (I think this is the edition they have in GameCrab).

By all means pick up a copy of Labyrinth. It's a great game and the shifting maze corridors is quite innovative.

Bang - surprisingly easy to teach once players get used to the symbols on the cards, and if you only use the basic set, its pretty easy to carry around as well.

Quelf - im not sure if this counts as a 'gateway' game but I have gotten a number of non gamer friends to try this out for the randomness and novelty of it

I consider these more as party games, where the fun of the activity itself is more important. Yes, like fillers, these are designed to appeal to nongamers. But for me, a gateway game should also require enough thinking to exercise the brain. It's a gateway game because if the newbie finds that he or she likes the intellectual challenge, he or she will ask for more. And then we've got them hooked.

[Brel]

Saw the Master Labyrinth in H&L Universe last weekend too.  It's priced at almost PHP 2K.  Looks cool and this version has a dragon. 

[Alger B C Lim]

I consider these more as party games, where the fun of the activity itself is more important. Yes, like fillers, these are designed to appeal to nongamers. But for me, a gateway game should also require enough thinking to exercise the brain. It's a gateway game because if the newbie finds that he or she likes the intellectual challenge, he or she will ask for more. And then we've got them hooked.

hehe good point but id have to say that Bang has a good degree of strategy and is easy to teach so i wuldn't exactly put it as a party game unless drinks are involved... ^_^

although yes quelf is strictly a party game where people tend to embarrass themselves a lot and dont seem to care about it ...

hmmm btw thanks sa info on the maze games Titus ill probly pick up the one nasa fully book to have a feel for the original game or would you recomend the one in H&L instead?

-alger

[Titus]

hmmm btw thanks sa info on the maze games Titus ill probly pick up the one nasa fully book to have a feel for the original game or would you recomend the one in H&L instead?

I recommend getting the base Labyrinth game first. It's newbie friendly but still challenging for gamers, and also great for older kids (8 year olds and up).

I haven't played Master Labyrinth yet so can't really say if it's good and there's hardly any info on BGG. But I have downloaded the rules and it looks interesting. It adds an adventure element to the game. There are baddies that can attack you (including the dragon you can see in Brel's photo), dice for combat resolution and movement of the baddies, and treasure cards you can use to reroll dice and take double turns. I'm thinking of getting a copy myself.

[Titus]

Brel, I'm requesting that this thread be moved to the Exclusive Reviews & Articles section. I think it belongs there with my brain burners article.

[Brel]

Just moved it moved it na.    heehee

[catch8088]

I added the following games to my collection to fulfill this criterion:
Pandemic (with On the Brink)
Formula D

Right now, Formula D is consistently getting the spotlight.  Pandemic is nice because it's a cooperative game, which is a new concept for newcomers.

[Brel]

Here is my current top 3 favorite gateway games: 

[1] Finca
[2] Ticket To Ride: Europe
[3] Forbidden Island

But these may be replaced by new games soon.  I bought some interesting new titles and I'm now waiting to receive them.  Excited to play them all na!