Pocho & Papa

Every year-end brings the inevitable ritual: looking back at what actually hit the table. This year’s list reveals something interesting—not a single game from my 2024 top 10 made it back into the 2025 top 10. Times change, tastes evolve, and new discoveries push old favorites aside.
But before we dive into the list, there’s an elephant in the room: my total play count dropped significantly this year, from 351 games in 2024 to just 223 in 2025. The reason? We spent considerably more time creating and testing our own games at Pocho & Papa. Turns out designing games takes time away from playing other people’s games.
That said, 216 plays still gave us plenty of favorites. Here’s what dominated our table in 2025:

1. Pocket Pennant Run
   The year started with a mission: reenact the entire 2024 MLB playoffs using Pocket Pennant Run. Spoiler alert—the Dodgers won, just like in real life. Baseball fans will appreciate that level of realism.
   What continues to amaze me about PPR is how such a simple system provides such a satisfying baseball experience. The mechanics are elegant and intuitive, but what really sets this game apart is its extraordinary database. Having access to historical teams and players transforms this from a nice dice game into a time machine for baseball history.
   Whether you’re replaying classic World Series matchups or simulating current season games, PPR delivers authentic baseball feel without drowning you in complexity. It’s become my go-to for quick baseball fixes.
2. Scythe
   After playing My Little Scythe several times with my son, he made a request that both thrilled and terrified me: “Dad, can we play the real Scythe?”
   I shouldn’t have been surprised by what happened next. He understood the game. He challenged me. And in our first match, he won. Our second game? I barely squeaked out a victory.
   There’s something humbling and wonderful about watching your child grasp a complex euro game’s interlocking systems and execute strategies that genuinely threaten your position. Scythe’s combination of asymmetric factions, area control, and engine building creates exactly the kind of puzzle we both love solving.
   I also logged several plays on Steam this year, which proved perfect for scratching the Scythe itch when we couldn’t set up the physical game.
3. Escape: The Curse of the Temple
   Let’s be honest—this is a silly real-time game. Frantic dice rolling, everyone shouting at once, desperate scrambles to get out of the temple before the doors close forever.
   And it’s an absolute blast with the whole family.
   Sometimes you don’t need deep strategy or careful planning. Sometimes you just need chaos, laughter, and the sound of dice hitting the table at maximum speed. Escape delivers all of that in spades. It’s the kind of game that gets everyone energized, creates memorable moments, and leaves you wanting “just one more round.”
4. Toy Battle
   This was our Christmas gift to ourselves, and it quickly became a favorite. Fast, furious, and surprisingly strategic—Toy Battle looks simple on the surface but hides deeper tactics in its different terrain types.
   What sold me on this game? Paolo Mori. The designer behind the solo modes of Blitzkrieg! and Caesar!, among other games, knows how to create games with hidden depth beneath accessible rules. Toy Battle is no exception.
   I have a feeling this game will see expansions in the future. The core system is solid enough to support additional content, and the different toy units beg for more variety. We’ll be watching this one closely.
5. Blitz Bowl
   I love this game. The problem has been getting it to the table as often as I’d like.
   This year, I posted a solo variant on BoardGameGeek that addresses exactly that issue. Now I can enjoy Blitz Bowl’s fast-paced fantasy football action even when I can’t find an opponent. I’m confident this will push the play count even higher in 2026.
6. Hispania
   When I’m in an Ancient Rome mood and want something solo, Hispania is my go-to. It’s not flashy, it’s not the newest hotness, but it’s a solid solo experience that scratches a very specific itch.
   Sometimes you just want to push wooden cubes around a map of ancient Iberia, making decisions about resource management and territory control. Hispania delivers exactly that, with enough challenge to keep it interesting without becoming overwhelming.
7. Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities
   Gorgeous. That’s the first word that comes to mind with any Chip Theory Games production, and Hoplomachus: The Lost Cities is no exception. The components, the art, the table presence—everything about this game is beautiful.
   I played it both solo and cooperatively with my son. The tactical combat and puzzle-like optimization create satisfying gameplay that looks spectacular on the table. It’s one of those games where you pause mid-play just to admire how good everything looks.
   Chip Theory continues to set the bar for production quality, and Hoplomachus showcases exactly why they have such a devoted following.
8. The King is Dead: Second Edition
   This game embodies my ideal of what a board game should be: deceivingly simple rules that hide deeper strategies. Area control distilled to its purest form, where every action matters and timing is everything.
   I was fortunate to find a solo variant, though I should mention I’ve never actually beaten it. Playing The King is Dead solo really exposes how much the game rewards careful planning and perfect execution.
   Last year, this game sat at an honorable 14th place in my most played games ranking. Its climb to the top 10 reflects how much its elegance and depth have grown on me with repeated plays.
9. 7th Inning Stretch
   I don’t usually back Kickstarters or Gamefounds. I’m generally skeptical of crowdfunding campaigns. But this one was about baseball and solitaire—two of my favorite things combined. I couldn’t resist.
   My first impressions were mixed. There’s something interesting here, but I need to spend more time with it to really form an opinion. The concept is solid, and the baseball card aesthetic is nostalgic and appealing, but the execution needs more exploration on my part.
   This is definitely one I need to return to in 2026 with fresh eyes and more dedicated play sessions.
10. Beacon Patrol
    Full transparency: the only reason this game made the top 10 is its availability on Steam and its appeal as a nice-looking filler. It’s perfectly pleasant, hits the table (or screen) when I want something quick and light, but it’s not setting the world on fire.
    Sometimes making the top 10 is less about being exceptional and more about being conveniently available at the right moments. Beacon Patrol occupies that space—a solid option when you need something approachable and attractive without major time investment.

Reflections on a Changing Year

Looking at this list compared to 2024 is revealing. Last year featured Baseball Highlights: The Dice Game and Hoplomachus: Origins. The King is Dead was knocking on the door at #14. Now we have completely different baseball games, a different Hoplomachus entry, and The King is Dead has risen significantly.
What hasn’t changed is my love for baseball simulations, strategic depth wrapped in elegant and simple rules, and games I can enjoy both solo and with my son.
The drop from 351 plays to 216 reflects our studio’s evolution. We’re not just playing games anymore—we’re creating them. Every hour spent testing Triple Six Baseball or refining Ballpark Skirmish is an hour not spent playing someone else’s design. That trade-off feels right for where Pocho & Papa is heading.
But these 216 plays represent quality over quantity. Every game on this list earned its spot through genuine enjoyment and repeated requests to hit the table. They’re the games that survived the competition of a crowded shelf and a busy design schedule.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Will any of these games make next year’s list? History suggests probably not—after all, none of 2024’s top 10 survived into 2025. But that’s part of the joy of this hobby. New discoveries, evolving tastes, and fresh experiences keep things interesting.
Plus, with our own games eventually moving from prototype to publication, there’s a good chance Pocho & Papa’s creations might start appearing on our own most-played lists. How’s that for eating your own cooking?
Here’s to another year of rolling dice, moving meeples, and finding new favorites.

What were your most-played games in 2025? Did any surprise you by claiming a top spot? Share your year-end lists with us—we’d love to see what hit your table most often!