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A Neverending – and fun – challenge: Reviewing every real board game app on the iPhone/iPad
Sebastian Blanco
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It's a fascinating thing, to play board games on a touchscreen. I don't view digital versions of BGG-friendly games to be a replacement for the real things, but I've having a lot of fun learning about the iPad/iPhone versions of some of our favorite games, and this Geeklist is where I'm sharing my reviews. It's only going to get more interesting as we move forward...



Original header:

So, I've been reviewing a lot of the apps available for the iPhone (and, soon, the iPad) for an Apple-centric website called TUAW. I wanted to share these reviews with the BGG community, so I'm going to create a running geeklist of links to those articles with the latest on top. I come at these reviews from the perspective of a guy who likes to play games with people, but there's a lot of value in having a small collection of board/card games in your pocket. I hope you find these useful, and if you've got any suggestions about what to renew next (Small World is most certainly on the list once i get an iPad), let me know.
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1. Board Game: Ticket to Ride [Average Rating:7.49 Overall Rank:74]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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Putting one of the most popular Eurogames into an iPad format is an obvious move, and having three expansions available at launch (Europe, Switzerland and 1910 - along with the U.S. base game) is just as obvious. Now, how long will we have to wait to play PvP on the same iPad? We know it's coming as a free upgrade, but when?


http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/28/ticket-to-ride-ipad-game-is-g...
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Mark Harding
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No asynchronous play.
 
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  • Posted Wed Jun 1, 2011 9:10 am
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Dh Bodhi
United Kingdom

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Looks great but no longer buy board games that don't have asynch multiplayer. I find after a learning a game by playing the AI the apps just languish unused.

Look forward to the day this functionality comes as standard.

Carcasonne and Samurai remain the standard.
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  • Posted Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:52 am
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2. Board Game: Tikal [Average Rating:7.40 Overall Rank:110]
Sebastian Blanco
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The 1999 classic bursts into the new century as a well-done iOS app. There are a few bugs here (expect quite a few crashes until the next update), but this is another welcome addition to your digital board game library.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/04/26/app-review-tikal-offers-jungl...
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3. Board Game: Neuroshima Hex! [Average Rating:7.44 Overall Rank:135]
Sebastian Blanco
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Wait, Neuroshima Hex, again? Sure, but this time we're talking about the puzzle version. A cheaper version of the game with no AI or way to play against and opponent. Just a series of 100 puzzles. Sound interesting?

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/04/16/app-review-neuroshima-hex-puz...
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4. Board Game: BattleLore [Average Rating:7.55 Overall Rank:77]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
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OK, it's not officially a BattleLore App for your iPad, but it's the next best thing – at least, until someone shuts down the app for, um, "copying" the mechanics so exactly.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/03/28/app-review-viking-lords-is-go...
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Gabe Alvaro
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Hey, you're back. I missed ya. Great choice for a review!
 
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  • Posted Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:22 pm
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Sebastian Blanco
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Thanks. It's been a crazy time, but things are back to "normal," and more reviews are coming in April.
 
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  • Posted Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:00 pm
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5. Board Game: Kamon [Average Rating:6.84 Overall Rank:3869]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
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TUAW readers don't like that I called the $2 app "pricey," but didn't seem to get that I meant $5 for the iPhone and iPad apps, when this should be a $2 universal program. Whatever. Kamon on your iDevice is worth it – as long as you don't feel the need for both versions (standard and HD).


http://www.tuaw.com/2011/02/28/app-review-kamon-is-a-great-t...
 
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Christopher Davis
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Cambridge
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It might have been clearer if you had criticized them for double-dipping rather than putting it purely in terms of price. (I wouldn't even mind a pricier Universal version, but I object to having to buy two separate apps if I want to use both my iPhone and iPad.)
 
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  • Posted Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:22 pm
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Sebastian Blanco
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good point. thought i had done so, but apparently not.
 
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  • Posted Tue Mar 1, 2011 4:41 am
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6. Board Game Designer: Reiner Knizia
Sebastian Blanco
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The most prolific designer in board game history (except for that Trad guy) is putting out some iOS-only games these days, and Labyrinth is one of the good ones.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/02/23/app-review-reiner-knizias-lab...
 
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Gabe Alvaro
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I'm not sure there is "real" card board version of this. I think it went straight to iOS.
 
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  • Posted Thu Feb 24, 2011 7:50 pm
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Sebastian Blanco
United States
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True, that's why I said it was iOS-only Also, with the changing values of the tiles, this wouldn't be possible on cardboard.
 
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  • Posted Fri Feb 25, 2011 5:00 am
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7. Board Game: Stratego [Average Rating:5.98 Overall Rank:1987]
Sebastian Blanco
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There are two versions of Stratego in the App Store, an official one and a decent clone. How good are they? Well, that's what you can click to find out:


http://www.tuaw.com/2011/02/06/app-reviews-stratego-vs-the-g...
 
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8. Board Game: Gold! [Average Rating:6.69 Overall Rank:2022]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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Here's a new thing: a game released for the iPhone and in real life on the same day. How's it work? Pretty damn simply (and this is a good thing).

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/02/03/app-review-michael-schachts-g...
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9. Board Game: Battle Line [Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:92]
Sebastian Blanco
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Great interface, solid graphics and under it all, a great little game. AI could be better, but the pass-n-play works wonderfully. Not a replacement for the real thing, but most certainly worth a download.


http://www.tuaw.com/2011/01/18/app-review-reiner-knizias-bat...
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10. Board Game: RoboRally [Average Rating:7.24 Overall Rank:162]
Sebastian Blanco
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Lansing
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Headline says it all: "Parcours.robo is like RoboRally... if you don't like RoboRally"


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/27/app-review-parcours-robo-is-l...
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11. Board Game: Through the Desert [Average Rating:7.15 Overall Rank:198]
Sebastian Blanco
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The app was just release two or three days ago, but we can see in this early build that it's got a lot of promise. Right now, I'd rate it a B+, and very close to an A-. Click to find out why.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/16/app-review-reiner-knizias-thr...
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12. Board Game: どうぶつしょうぎ - Let's Catch the Lion! [Average Rating:6.99 Overall Rank:2377]
Sebastian Blanco
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Lansing
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Here's a cute one. Looks like a kids game, acts like a kids game – is, actually, a kids game, but one that everyone can enjoy. Well worth the $2.99 (especially if you're playing against another person, not the meh AI)


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/07/app-review-lets-catch-the-lio...
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13. Board Game: OSKI [Average Rating:7.75 Unranked]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
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A small, self-published game makes it to the iPad. If you like brain-burning word games, you could spend 99 cents plenty of worse ways.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/11/29/app-review-oski-is-the-though...
 
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14. Board Game: Kingdoms [Average Rating:6.67 Overall Rank:629]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
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How does another Knizia number cruncher stand up to the iOS treatment? Quite well, but we're all waiting for multiplayer. Thankfully, the developer knows it and has promised us it's coming in the future.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/11/17/app-review-reiner-knizias-kin...
 
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15. Board Game: Ra [Average Rating:7.58 Overall Rank:52]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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There were high expectations for this one, a BGG classic. The good news: it works really well on the iPad, and updates are coming soon. Oh, and there isn't much bad news.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/11/13/app-review-reiner-knizias-ra/
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16. Board Game: Neuroshima Hex! [Average Rating:7.44 Overall Rank:135]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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Beautiful look, great game play. What more could you want? Plenty, according to people writing on the developer's website. Luckily, more improvements are coming.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/11/03/app-review-neuroshima-hex-is-...
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17. Board Game: Tantrix [Average Rating:6.46 Overall Rank:1192]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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A well-executed, pretty app that provides a lot of strategy for the money. AI value? Not so much.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/31/app-review-tantrix-strategy-c...
 
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18. Board Game: Pentago [Average Rating:6.47 Overall Rank:1139]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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The official Pentago app offers simple, deep gameplay with lots of replay value - as long as you're playing against another person and not the easily-duped AI.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/22/app-review-pentago-is-a-twist...
 
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19. Board Game: Kingsburg [Average Rating:7.25 Overall Rank:166]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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A surprise entry in the iPhone board game race, Kingsburg was released so suddenly that it was submitted to the App Store as Kinsburg. Good thing the game (and the app) are better than the typo would imply.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/19/app-review-kingsburg-nee-kins...
 
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Aaron Riggan
United States
Oklahoma City
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Such a FANTASTIC app! The only thing I wish is that I could see the whole board of 18 advisors instead of only the ones I am allowed to pick. My only complaint in an outstanding game and app.
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  • Posted Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:01 am
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Rob White
United States
Richmond
Virginia
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Cardshark1029 wrote:
Such a FANTASTIC app! The only thing I wish is that I could see the whole board of 18 advisors instead of only the ones I am allowed to pick. My only complaint in an outstanding game and app.


Definitely need the whole board. Can't believe that it wasn't doable with a full board. Also wish you could always see what resources you have. Maybe more pull up windows than "click to new" windows.

Rob
 
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  • Posted Tue Oct 26, 2010 12:02 am
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20. Board Game: Miscellaneous Game Accessory [Average Rating:6.86 Overall Rank:1820]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
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Your iPad or iPhone can now help you create and then easily display fantasy RPG maps with an app called Battle Map. What goes where is up to you, with lots of pizazz for GMs and players. A pricey but pretty incredible option for serious GMs.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/08/app-review-battle-map-lets-yo...
 
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21. Board Game: Wabash Cannonball [Average Rating:7.39 Overall Rank:1050]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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This new app is a wonderful port of the boardgame, but there are ways to make it better. So much potential and only part of it is tapped.


http://www.tuaw.com/2010/10/07/app-review-wabash-cannonball-...
 
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22. Board Game: Ex illis [Average Rating:6.65 Overall Rank:4412]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
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It's not really an iPhone-only game, but you do need some sort of digital device (PC, Mac or iPhone) to play it.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/24/app-review-send-fantastical-a...
 
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23. Board Game: Gobblet [Average Rating:6.60 Overall Rank:1085]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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It's not called Gobblet, but the gameplay is (almost) identical. StackEm works great with two humans – not so much when it's just you against the computer. For iPad and iPhone and just 99 cents.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/10/app-review-abstract-strategy-...
 
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24. Board Game: Tichu [Average Rating:7.72 Overall Rank:41]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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BGG's favorite card game becomes one of the best board game apps on the iPhone (and iPad). Like Tichu and playing games on your phone? Get it.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/04/app-review-tichu-card-game-up...
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25. Board Game: Crokinole [Average Rating:7.82 Overall Rank:33]
Sebastian Blanco
United States
Lansing
Michigan
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It's small and cheap and just not the real thing, but it is Crokinole on your iPhone.

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/03/flick-this-tuaw-reviews-croke...
 
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Jimmy Sorel
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Have you looked at the Ingenious app on the iphone?

I think it plays pretty well. It is limited to two players max. The AI is ok, but the pass and play and the solitaire versions are great.
 
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  • Posted Fri Apr 2, 2010 8:53 pm
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Gregory Swarthout
United States
Tooele
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Suck on this!



All in good fun

Greg
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  • Posted Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:02 am
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Sebastian Blanco
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Heh, that looks a lot like my game app screen. A review of Treasure Fleet is coming up soon, but I haven't yet downloaded Monumental, Roto, Ingenious (because I don't have a mic. WTF?) or ButtonMen. Instead, I have Bananagrams, Croke, Viva il Re and two Skat apps. Ah, this is fun.
 
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  • Edited Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:44 am
  • Posted Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:43 am
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Mark Slater
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I just found a version of Gipsy King on the iphone for 59p/99c

http://www.ycyclopgames.com/Gipsy-King.php
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  • Posted Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:37 pm
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Regional Man of Mystery
New Zealand
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Liggur wrote:
I just found a version of Gipsy King on the iphone for 59p/99c

http://www.ycyclopgames.com/Gipsy-King.php


Is it any good?
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  • Posted Sun Nov 7, 2010 6:04 am
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