Portal Gaming Podcast: Recent Episodes
Portal Gaming Podcast
A biweekly podcast about board games, card games, miniatures games and events at the Portal, a game store located at 60 Hilliard Street in Manchester, CT.
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Larry and Bryan as they drive home from GenCon 2022 and discuss the sights, the sounds, and most importantly... the games!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Bryan and Larry as they drive home from GenCon and discuss everything My Hero Academia Card Game from the weekend!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Eric Summerer and Steph Hodge, both of whom attended Dice Tower East. They chat about preconvention activities, getting back to normality, and of course, games! Enjoy, and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Larry and Bryan as they discuss a lot of the My Hero Academia Card Game and then talk about recent plays including, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Star Trek: Missions, Ark Nova, Gaia Project and more!
the brandt is back! In this episode, the brandt talks through a pile of games that he has gone back to play in the last two months and highlights a few new ones including: Foundations of Rome, Ascension Tactics, and SolForge Fusion. This episode was recorded live and so Brandt answers questions from the audience periodically throughout the episode!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Dan Hughes as they chat about the rollout of CoraQuest, review a pile of games including Merchants of Magick, Tinner's Trail, Vagrantsong, Batman: Shadow of the Bat, and Legends of Sleepy Hollow. They then discuss getting back to gaming and gaming groups. Thanks for listening and enjoy!
In this episode the brandt is joined by Steve from BeatDGame as they interview Caleb Grace and Michael Boggs, the designers of Marvel Champions from Fantasy Flight Games.
They discuss accessibility, design, reprints, plans for rules updates, achievements, and plans for future cards to help older heroes! The designers also give a solo hero challenge as well as a three hero challenge.
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Mason for another episode chock full of reviews including Ankh, Ark Nova, War of the Ring, Three Sisters, and more! They then discuss how games and game designs are changing in recent years. Thanks for listening and enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Curt Covert from Smirk and Dagger Games. First they discuss recent plays including a glowing review of Ark Nova coming soon from Capstone Games! They then discuss the 2021 convention season as well as current, upcoming, and future titles from Smirk and Dagger!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Ellen and Randy Kirby of We Game Together as they review Istanbul, wallet games from Buttonshy, Res Arcana, and Pocket Paragons. They then discuss gaming in Christmas present and Christmas past!
In this episode, the brandt, Kathy and Bryan are joined by special guest Eric Summerer as they ride home and discuss everything about their weekend in Philadelphia at PAX Unplugged! So many games, so many stories, so much fun all in one car recorded episode.
In this episode, the brandt is joined by BJ from Board Game Gumbo and they recount recent plays of Imperial Steam, Gutenberg, Bad Company and more. BJ then discusses the games he played and the experience he had at BGGCon!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Paula Deming! They recount recent plays of Master Word, Chronicles of Crime 2400, The Deadlies, and more. They then discuss theater and the joy of using acting in games. Enjoy and thank you for listening!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by game designer, Carl Van Ostrand as they recount recent plays of Enchanters, Parks, Anno 1800 and more! They then discuss Carl's most recent game Bardwood Grove which is on Kickstarter now! Thanks for listening!
Bardwood Grove KS can be found here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/512772051/bardwood-grove
In this episode, the brandt recounts a trip to GenCon 2021 as well as his 40th birthday VannerCon! He also reviews a pile of games including Anno 1800, The Loop, Arch Ravels, Cascadia, Ten and more! Thank you for listening and be sure to check out our YouTube channel, Step Into The Portal!
In this episode the brandt recounts recent plays of Descent: Legends in the Dark, Journeys in Middle Earth, Golden Ticket, and Summoner Wars: Second Edition. He then talks about a stack of old games that remain in his top 100 and continue to hold up after time. Thanks, as always, for listening!
In this episode, the brandt reviews a HUGE stack of games including: Jinja, Greece Lightning, Meadow, Juicy Fruits, Subastral, Embarcadero, Merchant's Cove and so many more!
In episode 169 of the Portal Gaming Podcast the brandt goes it alone! He reviews a stack of games including Happy Little Dinosaurs, Faiyum, Destinies, Paris, and more! He then answers any questions from the audience and discusses cleaning up games!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Dale from the YouTube Channel, Dale the Casual Gamer! They discuss gaming in general and then review a pile of games including: The Initiative, Warhammer: Labyrinth of the Necrons, Dungeon Alliance, Red Rising, Valor and Villainy and more! Thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by BJ Rozas from Board Game Gumbo. They reminisce about conventions of yore and then review a stack of games including: Caretos, My City, Renature, Honey Buzz, Beyond the Sun and more!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by the wonderful Crystal Dax from Board Game Blitz and the cohost of Dice Tower Tonight! They chat and then review seven games including: Queenz, Rosetta, Marvel United and more! Thank you so much for listening!
In this episode the brandt is joined by Mr. Matthew Jude from This Game is Broken and Watch It Played as they chat a bunch, review Caper: Europe, Riverboat and more! Then Brandt presents Matthew with a pile of games he thinks Matthew will enjoy and they run through the ones he has played or sound interesting. Thanks for listening!
In this episode the brandt is joined by Matt and Jenn the Board Game Librarian from The Literary Gamers channel! They chat about life and board gaming and then review a pile of games including: Disciple Detectives, Macro Micro Crime City, After the Empire, Hammer of the Scots, and many more! Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Steve from BeatDGame, Peter G from One Stop Coop Shop and Dale the Casual Gamer as they discuss everything Marvel Champions - from the game itself to content creation around the game. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Eric Summerer of the Dice Tower Podcast! They chat for a while to catch up and then they review Box One, Unlock! Mythic Adventures, Funfair, and more! Enjoy and thanks for listening.
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Jason Perez from the Shelf Stories YouTube channel and they review a pile of games including Etherfields, Adventure Tactics, Hallertau, Praga Caput Regni, CloudAge, Duffers, and so many more!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Papua, Red Cathedral, Under Falling Skies, Tekhenu, Bonfire, Gates of Mara, and more! He then discusses what he has learned about gaming in 2020. Happy New Year everyone!
In this very belated episode, the brandt reviews 21 games! What!? Oh, yeah, and many of them are top ten games of the year according to him. The Force is Strong With 2020! Enjoy.
In this episode, the brandt runs through all the games he played in Aug/Sept of 2020. What was good? What was meh? What was amazing!? Listen and find out!
In this episode, the brandt reviews Marvel Champions: Rise of Red Skull, Marvel United, Tiny Epic Dinosaurs, Truffle Shuffle, Divvy Dice, Pandemic: Hot Zone, and Stick 'Em. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode the brandt runs through 35 games he played in the month of July.
Also we announce our new YouTube Channel where we are streaming live playthroughs.
Check it out and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmAA9f_4bv7snlh8NGSodug
Join us for a three part episode where the brandt, Larry, and Bryan discuss games played over their Gen Can't gaming weekend!
Join us for a three part episode where the brandt, Larry, and Bryan discuss games played over their Gen Can't gaming weekend!
Join us for a three part episode where the brandt, Larry, and Bryan discuss games played over their Gen Can't gaming weekend!
Whew! CT got hammered by a storm and we have been without power and internet for a while so this episode got recorded in two pieces two weeks apart. We alluded to a discussion of used game but never got there.
In this episode, the brandt and kathy review Ship Shape, PAN-AM, Icons, KeyForge: Mass Mutation, After the Virus, Godzilla:Tokyo Clash, and Smartphone Inc.
Be on the lookout for our Gen Can't diaries coming out this week!
Thanks everyone!
In this episode the brandt ranks 30 games he played in the month of June 2020. Let the chaos commence!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Kathy and then Larry as they recount recent plays of Shadows of Kilforth, Tang Garden, Skytear, and Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion. Four big reviews in one episode, enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Forgotten Waters and Back to the Future: Back in Time. He then ranks 30 games played in May 2020. Enjoy and thanks as always for listening!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of seven new games! Liberation of Rietburg, EXIT: Stormy Flight, High Rise, Dungeon Alliance, Marvel Champions: Black Widow, Animal Kingdoms, and Unfair. He then discusses the Online Gaming Conventions in 2020. Enjoy and thanks!
In this brief episode, the brandt talks about The Portal reopening and then goes to a whole bunch of reviews including Castle Panic, L.L.A.M.A., Silver River, Claim, Chocolate Factory, Inner Compass and Adrenaline. Thanks, enjoy, and stay safe!
In this episode, the brandt takes a page out of the Book of Rahdo and runs through all the games he played in the month of April and ranks them... poorly! Thanks for listening and stay safe.
After six weeks, the podcast is back! Reviews, rambling, and talk about all the remodeling being done at the Portal. Enjoy everyone. Thanks so much for listening!
Updates for March 19 and March 20, 2020. New game room, the brandt going to distance learning and games, games, games, baby!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Proving Grounds, TMNT: Change is Constant, Isle of Cats, Stellar, Nemesis, Empires of the North: Roman Banners, and Aristocracy. He then goes through his other favorite games from 2019 that did not make his top ten list. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Mason as they run through his top ten games of 2019! They also discuss whether 2019 was a boom or a bust. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Fantastic Factories, Nine Tiles Panic, Castell, Cooper Island, Blitzkrieg! and Jaws. He then discusses what gaming can do for people. Enjoy and thank you for listening!
In this episode, the brandt, Bryan, and Larry give their list of the Top Ten games of 2019! Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by kathy as they review a pile of games and then discuss 2019 as a whole. Among the games reviewed are Maracaibo, Crystal Palace, Charmed and Dangerous, Silver and Gold, and more! Enjoy and thank you so much for listening!
The whole gang is here: Bryan, Larry, Kathy and the brandt bring you their review of PAX Unplugged on their drive home from the convention. They discuss the sights, the sounds, and the games they played. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt reviews a pile of games including: Pret-a-Porter, Edge of Darkness, Dice Hospital, Cities: Skylines, and more! He then discusses Star Wars Legion, the somewhat new miniatures game from Fantasy Flight Games. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Mason and they recount recent plays of Barrage, Jaws, Paladins of the West Kingdom, and some Winsome Train Games. They then have a surprise visit from Bryan and the three discuss Marvel Champions in depth. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt recaps two recent local gaming events: VannerCon, a four day all gaming event at his home and Extra Life Marathon, a 24 hour game day to raise money for the CT Children's Medical Center. He talks about the events and outlines games played at both. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy discuss playtesting the Three Sisters. They then recount recent plays of Skulk Hollow, Shipwreck Arcana, and Walking in Burano. Finally, they discuss board game storage! Enjoy.
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Shikoku, Irish Gauge, Tapestry, Amul, Copenhagen, and Walking in Burano. Enjoy the reviews and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of ArtSee, Foodies, Crown of Emara, Valley of the Kings: Premium Edition, and Omen: A Reign of War. He then discusses the Nintendo Switch! Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recount recent plays of Sierra West, Merchant's Cove, Sword and Sorcery, and Black Angel. They then discuss game distribution specifically in the style modeled by Stonemeier Games as of late. Enjoy!
In this episode, it's time to start reviewing a pile of GenCon games! the brandt recounts recent plays of Shards of Infinity coop expansion, Extraordinary Adventures: Pirates!, Unicorn Glitterluck: Cloud Stacking, Watergate, Imperial Settlers: Empires of the North, Quirky Circuits, Die Hard: Nakatomi Heist, Gem Hens, Draftosaurus, and Medium! Phew! All this and an interview with Panda Cult about their current Kickstarter Shovel Knights. Thanks and enjoy... more reviews are coming soon!
Here it is, our biggest and most exciting show of the year! Join Larry, Bryan, and the brandt as they drive home from GenCon 2019 and discuss it all from events, to happenings, to games played it's all in here! Enjoy and thanks so much for listening.
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Larry Plano as they recount recent plays of Inuit, Star Trek: Frontiers, Star Wars: Outer Rim, Harry Potter: Defence Against the Dark Arts, Space Explorers, Draftosaurus, Batman: Talisman, and Tuki. They then discuss their favorite games of 2019 (thus far). Enjoy and thanks as always for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recount recent plays of Trade on the Tigris, SteamRollers, Point Salad, Batman: Gotham Under Siege, and Tales of Glory. They then discuss their plans for GenCon, specifically, why an FLGS would go to there. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt runs through all the games he played at Dice Tower Con 2019! Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt recounts his travels to Orlando, FL for Dice Tower Con 2019. He then interviews Stephen from Stronghold Games, Tony from Arcane Wonders, AJ from Van Ryder Games, Hunter from Pandasaurus Games, Alex from Grey Fox Games, and Justin from Restoration Games. Thanks to all and enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Undaunted, Lanterns Dice, Revolution of 1828, Pipeline, and Imperial Settlers: Roll and Write. He then discusses some of his favorite strategy games for six players. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recap International Tabletop Day 2019 which was held at the Portal on June 1, 2019. They talk about events, games played, and more! Enjoy and happy gaming!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Alexandria, Thunderstone Quest Barricades Mode, KeyForge: Age of Ascension and more! He then combs through some initial reactions to the BGG Origins preview. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan discuss plans for International Tabletop Day on June 1! They then recount a bunch of recently played games including Escape Plan and Waters of Nereus. Enjoy and have a great International Tabletop Day 2019!
In this episode, the brandt presents the "State of the Podcast Address." Prior to that he recounts recent plays of Heroes of Land, Air and Sea, Journeys in Middle Earth, Shadowscape, Demon Worker, Batman: Gotham City Chronicles, Space Park, and Beta Colony. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy recount recent plays of Gentes, Welcome To... and Hail Hydra! Kathy tells us about her weekend away with friends and talks about playing Mysterium there. And then... SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER! they review Avengers: Endgame and give their opinions on the movie. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Magnastorm, Kapow!, Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle Earth, and Bumuntu. He then discusses the top 50 games on BoardGameGeek. Thanks for listening and enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recount recent plays of Heroes of Land, Air and Sea, Sprawlopolis, Tiny Towns, and Welcome to Centerville. They then discuss the BGG Top 100 - 51. Enjoy and thank you for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and Kathy recount recent plays of Concordia, Villainous: Wicked to the Core, Fine Sand, Res Arcana, Dice Forge: Rebellion, and more. the brandt then talks about a few upcoming Kickstarters: Nerd Words Science from Genius Games and Kingdom Rush from Lucky Duck Games. Finally, we discuss Losing Streaks in gaming. Thanks for listening and as always, enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt returns and recounts recent plays of SpaceCorp, Order of the Gilded Compass, Cerebria, Herbaceous Sprouts, Trekking the National Parks, and Raccoon Tycoon. We then hear from Larry and Bryan at GAMA. Enjoy!
In this episode, the whole gang goes to NY Toy Fair 2019! Kathy intros and recaps her experience, we have interviews with Breaking Games, Dude Games, and North Star Games, and Bryan gives his two cents on the event this year. Thanks for listening! (a bunch more episodes are coming soon including #117!)
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Gorus Maximus, Victorian Masterminds, Robin Hood and the Merry Men, Blackout: Hong Kong, and One Deck Dungeon: Forest of Shadows. He then runs through his impressions of the BGG #200 - #101. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan review a pile of games including: Wingspan, Key Flow, High Treason, Shards of Infinity expansion, and more. They then give their First Impressions on New Frontiers, Calimala, and Architects of the West. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt starts off with some solo reviews of Outlive, Gugong, and Vault of Dragons. He is then joined by Kathy to review Magic Maze Kids, Istanbul, and Wingspan. It's an all reviews episode. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt reviews a pile of games including: Duelosaur Island, Dice Throne, Fleet: The Dice Game, Liguria, Pandemic: Fall of Rome, Scorpius Freighter, and AuZtralia. He then discusses his other favorites from 2018. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt, Bryan, Kathy, and special guest Larry discuss 2018 as a whole: storewise, conventions, games, etc. They then present their top ten games of 2018 (well, sort of for Kathy). Enjoy and Happy 2019!
In this episode, the brandt is so crazy busy he records on the road (again) and the quality is a bit low. He reviews Quacks of Quedlinburg and Underwater Cities. He then discusses the fate of legacy games. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy recap their time at PAX Unplugged 2018 while driving home! They discuss the convention as a whole, the city of Philadelphia, and, of course, games played at the Con!
In this episode, the brandt is on the road and he recounts receny plays of Heroes of Terrinoth, Gingerbread House, Ghost Fightin' Treasure Hunters, Mutant: Chronicles, and Between Two Castles of Mad King Ludwig. He then discusses Mental Stimulation vs Social Aspect of Board Gaming. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan are joined by guest host Larry Plano and they spend an entire episode discussing and reviewing KeyForge! Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode the brandt recounts recent plays of Origami, Minute Realms, Ganymede, Kitchen Rush, Rescue Polar Bears, and Holding On: The Troubled Life of Billy Kerr. He is joined by Jimmy for quick thoughts on Rescue Polar Bears. Finally, the art of the review and negative reviews. Thanks!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan are joined by Harrison from the Game On Meetup to talk about the Extra Life Charity Auction and Game Day on November 3. They also recount recent plays of The Estates, Discovery: Unknown Lands, and Chronicles of Crime. Thanks and please consider stopping by or supporting the Extra Life Charity.
In this episode, the brandt and Mason, a local Portal patron discuss recent plays of John Company, Rising Sun, Spirit Island, and Fog of Love including the announcement of the LGBTQ expansion. They then run through a "primer" of strategies for various games and mechanisms. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy recap VannerCon 2018. Then the brandt and Bryan run through the games they played at the con. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt is joined by Kristian, a local Portal patron, and they recount recent plays of Vikings Gone Wild, Tiny Epic Zombies, Maiden's Quest, Hero's Crossing, and Cryptid. They then discuss two player "duel" games. Enjoy and thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recount recent plays of Sparkle Kitty, ION, Magical Treehouse, and Shifting Realms. They then discuss games and mechanisms that are both beloved and despised. Enjoy!
Boy howdy! Sit back and get ready as the brandt, Bryan, and Kathy review a whole pile of games: Villainous, Newton, Founders of Gloomhaven, Crosstalk, War Chest, and Expancity. They then talk about why they started a podcast about a store and what the goal of the podcast is. Enjoy and thanks for listening to 100 episodes!
In this episode, the brandt recalls recent plays of Fist of Dragonstones, GoTown, Hippo, Team Up!, Enchanters, Tiny Epic Defenders, and Oaxaca. Whew! He then bumbles through some things about video games... Hope you enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt and Bryan recount recent plays of Century: Eastern Wonders, Forbidden Sky, and Coimbra. They then discuss what to do when you get a rule wrong in a game. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy talk at length about Rise of Queensdale (no spoilers!), Catalyst, Piepmatz, and A(r)boretum. They also discuss the beautiful CT/RI shoreline area! the brandt finishes with a review of Loup Garou, a graphic novel adventure game from Van Ryder Games. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt is recovering from GenCon and he recounts recent plays of Raids, Jurassic Park: Danger!, Root, Villainous, and Maiden's Quest. He then discusses review and demo copies of games. Enjoy!
In this episode, we present our annual "driving home from GeonCon" format. Bryan, the brandt, Larry Plano, and Gary Pope (from latetothetable) tells us all about their GenCon 2018 experience and all the games they played. Enjoy or longest episode to date!
In this episode, the brandt recounts recent plays of Noxford, Prowler's Passage, and Hellapagos. He then discusses his "Don't miss! OK games." Enjoy and thank you so much for listening!
In this episode, the brandt and kathy recap their time at DTCon 2018. We then hear from some folk from across the pond, listen to interviews with publishers, and finally recount our time at Walt Disney World. Enjoy!
In this episode, the brandt, Bryan, and kathy are altogether and they recount recent plays of EXIT: Polar Station, Decrypto, Legendary Creatures, and Cuba Libre. kathy then asks questions about traveling to a convention. the brandt then does a short game of 'Name that DT Contributor'. Enjoy all the fun!
In this episode, the brandt and Kathy review Dragonsgate College. They then discuss the local Beer and Boardgames Night. Then the brandt is joined by Bryan and Jason Perez from the Every Night is Game Night podcast for a session report of Scythe. Enjoy!