Month: May 2021

Michael (175)

May 30, 2021

Google calls locking cells—”protecting” cells. And it’s really quite easy to lock a cell in Google Sheets.

What does it mean to lock a cell in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets lets you protect (lock) cells, so that data within the cell cannot be edited or changed. Even if you’ve already shared a Sheet with someone, they will not be able to change the data or information in the “protected” or locked cell.

Note: Did you know can optimize your workflow at the press of a button? Visit this guide to view the latest list of keyboard shortcuts in Google Sheets.

Google Workspace

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You can lock an individual cell or multiple. Once you’ve highlighted the cells you want to lock, right-click them.

Protect range is Google’s term for locking a cell.

You can choose a range of cells here, as well, if desired. You can also, optionally, add a description to the locked cell to explain why the cell is being locked.

You have a few options here.

You can set a warning on the cell, as opposed to actually locking it. This will let someone know to be careful with editing data in the cell.
You can restrict the editing of the cell to Only you or specific people.

Once you’ve decided how you want to lock the cell in Google Sheets, click Done.

The cell will now be highlighted to indicate that it is locked.

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Michael (175)

Jun 7, 2021

In this guide, we’ll show you how to freeze a row or column in Google Sheets. What does it mean to “freeze a row” in Google Sheets?

Follow @howchoo and learn cool things:

Are you a passionate writer? We’re hiring!

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Posted on May 27, 2021 by admin

Christina (41)

May 27, 2021

10 minutes

During many years of working in the tech industry, one of the biggest problems I dealt with was the dreaded and confusing: storage. Most of us have been there, you go to save a picture only to get a notification that your phone doesn’t have enough storage or a random popup appears telling you that you have no storage left, but you aren’t sure what that means or how to fix it.

More often than not, iPhone users are taking a lot of pictures, screenshots, and videos that are responsible for the bulk of their storage issues. In my experience, there is a lot of confusion between what could be defined as internal storage, meaning part of their physical phone’s storage capacity, and what was external storage, meaning in iCloud.

In this guide, I will demystify the difference between your iPhone’s internal storage and iCloud storage. I will also delve into how to fix internal storage issues on your iPhone, and clarify the purpose of iCloud storage.

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

The Difference Between iCloud and Internal Storage

While many iPhone users believe iCloud storage is additional storage, as in an extension of the iPhone’s already allotted storage, this is not the case. An iPhone’s storage capacity cannot be extended or increased. These two types of storage differ greatly, and here’s how:

Internal storage

Your iPhone’s internal storage is simply the amount of storage that came with your iPhone. If you bought an iPhone 11 with 64 GB, then the internal storage on your iPhone is 64 GB and that amount of storage is not something you will be able to alter in the future. This storage type is something to be extremely mindful of when purchasing an iPhone, because it isn’t extendable. If you are someone who takes a lot of pictures, and think this may not be enough storage for you, you might want to consider getting an iPhone with more storage.

When your iPhone’s internal storage is full, that cannot be fixed by using iCloud, unless you are getting creative and using features like optimizing the photo library or offloading data into iCloud when iCloud is not being used on the iPhone, so that it isn’t taking up physical space on the iPhone.

iCloud storage

iCloud is meant to act as an external storage facility for your data, not an extension of your internal storage. iCloud can be used for its intended purposes by backing up to iCloud or syncing different data types and apps to iCloud via wifi. iCloud is also there to create opportunities for continuity features like handoff, universal clipboard, text message forwarding, iPhone cellular calls, instant hotspot, and auto-unlock. If data is in iCloud, your products meet the continuity requirements, you are using the same Apple ID across your devices, and your settings are as required, you can access these features and data types across all your Apple devices.

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

iCloud is meant to store the data you personally choose to include within your iCloud settings. If you go to settings > click your name > and click iCloud, you will see that there is an entire list of data types and apps labeled “Apps Using iCloud.” Whatever is turned on in that list, is taking up space in your iCloud.

However, there are most likely other data types in iCloud that are not on this list. This list is specific to data that is syncing to iCloud via wifi instantaneously. If apps or data are on in this list, they are not being backed up to iCloud (even if you set up automatic backups); instead, that app and data are being synced to iCloud via wifi. If data is not in the “Apps Using iCloud” list and you back up to the cloud, it is backing up to the iCloud instead of syncing.

With iCloud, you are always either syncing your data or backing it up (you are never doing both consecutively). If you are not doing either, you need to consider setting up automatic backup or start doing manual backups to a Mac or PC using iTunes in order to avoid data loss.

Are you using iCloud?

In short, yes. Even if you decide you do not want to use the storage features and don’t back up to the iCloud, or put any data manually into the iCloud, your Apple ID is an iCloud account, which is there to be used to whatever capacity you would like. You do not have to back up your iPhone or store your app data in the iCloud. Alternatively, you can back up your phone to iTunes.

However, there are many features within your iPhone, and other Apple products for that matter, that require iCloud to some capacity, and if you are not using iCloud (maybe you aren’t even signed in to iCloud), you may not have access to those many features, including continuity features.

iCloud storage options

Whenever you set up an Apple ID for your Apple products, that Apple ID is allotted a free 5 GB of iCloud storage. If you plan on using the iCloud, this 5 GB will not be enough and you will eventually need to upgrade your storage to the 50 GB (.99 USD), 200 GB (2.99 USD), or 2 TB (9.99 USD) iCloud storage plans available.

If you are having a storage issue, the first thing you want to do is see what data is taking up space and where. Is it an internal storage issue, or an iCloud issue? What data is the bulk of the problem? Once you can answer these questions, you can fix the issue easily. To check your iPhone’s internal storage follow these steps:

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

Here you can see what is taking up space on the physical iPhone, what is getting you too close to the iPhone’s storage capacity. The golden rule is that you want to have a minimum of 500 GB available on your iPhone at all times. This is simply for your iPhone to be able to function properly. If you have less than 500 GB of space, you may experience extreme performance issues on your iPhone including unexpected shutdowns and the inability to open applications. You will want to have at least an additional 4 GB of space allotted for upcoming updates.

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Since an iPhone’s internal storage and iCloud storage need to be handled separately and have their separate homes within the settings app, here’s how to navigate to your iCloud storage settings so you can check out your iCloud storage and see if you’ve reached its capacity:

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

Here you can see what apps are taking up what space, if your iCloud is full, and what apps are syncing to iCloud. If iCloud is at the end of its capacity (or getting close), follow my guide for clearing up iCloud storage.

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Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Over 113 million smartphone users in the United States use iPhones. This makes up for close to 47% of smartphone users (just a little less than half).

Christina (41)

May 27, 2021

10 minutes

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Internal storage

iCloud storage

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

Are you using iCloud?

iCloud storage options

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

NEXT UP

Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Over 113 million smartphone users in the United States use iPhones. This makes up for close to 47% of smartphone users (just a little less than half).

Christina (41)

May 27, 2021

10 minutes

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Internal storage

iCloud storage

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

Are you using iCloud?

iCloud storage options

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

NEXT UP

Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Over 113 million smartphone users in the United States use iPhones. This makes up for close to 47% of smartphone users (just a little less than half).

Christina (41)

May 27, 2021

10 minutes

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Christina (41)

May 27, 2021

10 minutes

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

How to Free Up iPhone Storage Space

h/iphone • 46 guides

h/apple • 81 guides

h/ios • 37 guides

h/iphone • 46 guides

h/apple • 81 guides

h/ios • 37 guides

Internal storage

iCloud storage

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

Are you using iCloud?

iCloud storage options

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

NEXT UP

Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Over 113 million smartphone users in the United States use iPhones. This makes up for close to 47% of smartphone users (just a little less than half).

Internal storage

iCloud storage

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Internal storage

iCloud storage

If you are wondering, there are benefits to using iCloud storage versus backing up to iTunes, but I will get into those differences in another guide.

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

Are you using iCloud?

iCloud storage options

Main purpose of iCloud

What is the iCloud for if it isn’t to extend the iPhone’s internal storage?

Backing up manually to iCloud.
Automatic backups to iCloud.
Syncing data to iCloud such as pictures, app data, and more.
Providing convenient continuity features along with other convenient iCloud related features.

What’s in iCloud

Are you using iCloud?

iCloud storage options

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Open the settings app.
Navigate to “general.”
Click “iPhone Storage.”

If you have reached your iPhone’s storage capacity try the following:

Consider any of the “recommendations” listed (in this spot is usually: “review large attachments” and “optimize the photo library.”
Scroll through the list of apps below the recommendations. To the right of each app is how much space it’s taking up. Consider deleting any of those applications and their app data to create more space (the further down the list you go, the less space the app is taking up).
Follow our guide on how to free up iPhone storage space

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

Open the settings app.
Click on your name up top.
Select “iCloud.”

How To Clear Up iCloud StorageClear up your iCloud storage today!

NEXT UP

Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Over 113 million smartphone users in the United States use iPhones. This makes up for close to 47% of smartphone users (just a little less than half).

NEXT UP

Christina (41)

May 25, 2021

Joined in 2021 41 guides

Christina is a writer with a BFA in Creative Writing, years of experience working with technology, and a passion for all things creative. She has a wide array of interests in subjects such as cooking, knitting, DIY, literature, and technology. Currently, she’s still working as a freelance writer and book reviewer, writing a book, and excited to be exploring her many interests here at Howchoo.

@cgerard23

A simple walkthrough on how to screen record on your iPhone!

In these interests: ios apple iphone

How to Cancel Subscriptions on an iPhone

Cancel those pesky subscriptions you forgot about!

In these interests: technology apple iphone

For when you accidentally turned on the “live” feature.

In these interests: photography iphone

A simple walkthrough on how to screen record on your iPhone!

In these interests: ios apple iphone

In these interests: ios apple iphone

ios apple iphone

Cancel those pesky subscriptions you forgot about!

In these interests: technology apple iphone

In these interests: technology apple iphone

technology apple iphone

For when you accidentally turned on the “live” feature.

In these interests: photography iphone

In these interests: photography iphone

photography iphone

Some will amaze you; others are just plain useful to know!

You say “Hello, Siri.” We say, “Goodbye, Siri.”

Because you’ve been getting too many Captcha stops?

For when you don’t want to be seen…even by your iPhone.

Because we all need to change things up from time to time in our digital conversations!

Finding the text hard to read on your iPhone? This guide will help you out!

Hint…it’s NOT high definition resolution.

Some will amaze you; others are just plain useful to know!

You say “Hello, Siri.” We say, “Goodbye, Siri.”

Because you’ve been getting too many Captcha stops?

For when you don’t want to be seen…even by your iPhone.

Because we all need to change things up from time to time in our digital conversations!

Finding the text hard to read on your iPhone? This guide will help you out!

Hint…it’s NOT high definition resolution.

h/iphone • 46 guides

h/apple • 81 guides

Apple Computers is an American computer and consumer electronics company founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

h/ios • 37 guides

iOS is the mobile operating system used by the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

h/iphone • 46 guides

h/apple • 81 guides

Apple Computers is an American computer and consumer electronics company founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

h/ios • 37 guides

iOS is the mobile operating system used by the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Follow @howchoo and learn cool things:

Are you a passionate writer? We’re hiring!

Like what we do?

Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy DMCA requests Do not sell my personal information

Want to support Howchoo? When you buy a tool or material through one of our Amazon links, we earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate.

Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy DMCA requests Do not sell my personal information

Posted on May 27, 2021 by admin

May 27, 2021

1 hour

h/pi • 231 guides

h/technology • 21 guides

Mar 1, 2021

Joined in 2020 10 guides

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer from the United Kingdom. Previously a UK college lecturer, he now writes how-to guides and tutorials for sites like MakeUseOf, How-To Geek, and Help Desk Geek. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.

Tiny boards, big differences.

Ash View guide

In these interests: pico pi

Find out what microcontroller suits your project best.

Ash View guide

In these interests: arduino pico pi

Includes my own new minimal touchscreen stand!

Tyler View guide

In these interests: pi

Small board, massive potential!

Keep an eye on your temperatures.

Create your own budget-friendly Pi automated home!

With multiple ways to enter!

Sunfounder’s tablet for makers.

No need to measure your head for these HATs—just make sure they fit your Pi!

An awesome touchscreen > a standard monitor when it comes to Raspberry Pi.

Have some extra Pi this Holiday!

Our curated list of the best deals in all things Raspberry Pi!

h/pi • 231 guides

The Raspberry Pi is a small, inexpensive computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the United Kingdom.

h/technology • 21 guides

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Alan C. Clarke, science fiction writer, TV host, underwater explorer and inventor.

Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

John (304)

May 25, 2021

Sometimes we wind up with too many open tabs and a bit of house cleaning is in order. Fortunately, this can be done in Safari with one action.

Note: If you’re using Finder, you may want to check out our guide on how to close all Finder windows at once.

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

Hold down the tabs icon in the bottom right corner of Safari

Simply press and hold the tabs icon until a new menu pops up.

From here you can close all tabs with one click.

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John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

If you’re using a Mac and you’ve found yourself in a place where every Finder window is opening up with a different set of view options (that is icons, list, columns or Cover Flow), there’s a way to quickly remedy this. If your workspace is cluttered, it’s worth noting it’s also possible to close all Finder windows at once.

John (304)

May 25, 2021

Sometimes we wind up with too many open tabs and a bit of house cleaning is in order. Fortunately, this can be done in Safari with one action.

Note: If you’re using Finder, you may want to check out our guide on how to close all Finder windows at once.

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

Simply press and hold the tabs icon until a new menu pops up.

From here you can close all tabs with one click.

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

John (304)

May 25, 2021

Sometimes we wind up with too many open tabs and a bit of house cleaning is in order. Fortunately, this can be done in Safari with one action.

Note: If you’re using Finder, you may want to check out our guide on how to close all Finder windows at once.

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

Simply press and hold the tabs icon until a new menu pops up.

From here you can close all tabs with one click.

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

John (304)

May 25, 2021

Sometimes we wind up with too many open tabs and a bit of house cleaning is in order. Fortunately, this can be done in Safari with one action.

Note: If you’re using Finder, you may want to check out our guide on how to close all Finder windows at once.

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

John (304)

May 25, 2021

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

h/ios • 74 guides

h/safari • 3 guides

Simply press and hold the tabs icon until a new menu pops up.

From here you can close all tabs with one click.

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Joined in 2015 304 guides

Software Engineer and creator of howchoo.

How to Set the Default View Options for All Finder Windows in macOS

John View guide

In these interests: macos osx finder

How to Show Hidden (System) Files and Folders on Mac

This guide shows you how to show hidden system files (e.g. .htaccess) in Finder by default.

In these interests: mac

Press Command-Option-W.

In these interests: osx mac apple finder

John View guide

In these interests: macos osx finder

In these interests: macos osx finder

macos osx finder

This guide shows you how to show hidden system files (e.g. .htaccess) in Finder by default.

In these interests: mac

In these interests: mac

mac

Press Command-Option-W.

In these interests: osx mac apple finder

In these interests: osx mac apple finder

osx mac apple finder

Learn how to customize the view options for Finder.

Learn how to hide and show your Mac’s Menu Bar.

Not using TotalFinder? Let’s get rid of it.

Take yourself back to the time of summer camp, bonfires, and scary stories with The Quarry

Another incredible season for Witcher fans!

Overcome your fear of heights!

Free Game! Wolfenstein: The New Order on Epic Games Store

Wolfenstein: The New Order is free on Epic Games Store until June 9th 2022!

how to craft a recovery compass minecraft 1.19 wild update

Find your way back to death!

Win any battle.

Learn how to customize the view options for Finder.

Learn how to hide and show your Mac’s Menu Bar.

Not using TotalFinder? Let’s get rid of it.

Take yourself back to the time of summer camp, bonfires, and scary stories with The Quarry

Another incredible season for Witcher fans!

Overcome your fear of heights!

Wolfenstein: The New Order is free on Epic Games Store until June 9th 2022!

Find your way back to death!

Win any battle.

h/ios • 74 guides

iOS is the mobile operating system used by the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

h/safari • 3 guides

h/ios • 74 guides

iOS is the mobile operating system used by the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

h/safari • 3 guides

Follow @howchoo and learn cool things:

Are you a passionate writer? We’re hiring!

Like what we do?

Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy DMCA requests Do not sell my personal information

Want to support Howchoo? When you buy a tool or material through one of our Amazon links, we earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate.

Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy DMCA requests Do not sell my personal information

Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

John (304)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

If your workspace is cluttered, it’s worth noting it’s also possible to close all Finder windows at once.

h/macos • 87 guides

h/osx • 35 guides

h/finder • 3 guides

You may have seen a file in some of your folders called .DS_Store. The dot means this is a hidden file so it won’t usually show up in Finder. .DS_Store stands for Desktop Services Store and is used to store folder specific settings. If many of your folders have different view options, it’s because their unique .DS_Store files have different settings.

First, we want to set the default view options for all new Finder windows. To do so, open Finder and click on the view setting that you want to use. The settings are four icons and the top of your Finder window.

If you don’t see the Finder toolbar type:

cmd + option + t

After selecting the option you want, type:

cmd + j

to open the view options window.

Make sure you check the top two checkboxes that say Always open in list view and Browse in list view. Keep in mind it will reflect whichever view you’ve selected.

Now click the button at the bottom that says “Use as Defaults”.

Chances are you’ve opened some Finder windows in the past. Individual folder options will override this default setting that we just set.

In order reset your folder settings across the entire machine we have to delete all .DS_Store files. This will ensure that all folders start fresh. Open up the Terminal application (Applications/Utilities/Terminal), and type:

sudo find / -name .DS_Store -delete; killall Finder

You will then be prompted for your password. You won’t see your password as you type, so type carefully. This may take a minute or two because it’s going to search your entire computer for .DS_Store files.

If you’re worried about losing precious settings, you can simply change the view options for each folder individually. So whenever you navigate to a folder in Finder that doesn’t have your preferred layout, simply change it. This won’t be an instant fix, but it will ensure that you don’t lose any of your existing settings.

NEXT UP

John (304)

May 25, 2021

Sometimes we wind up with too many open tabs and a bit of house cleaning is in order. Fortunately, this can be done in Safari with one action.

Follow @howchoo and learn cool things:

Are you a passionate writer? We’re hiring!

Like what we do?

Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy DMCA requests Do not sell my personal information

Want to support Howchoo? When you buy a tool or material through one of our Amazon links, we earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate.

Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

Christina (47)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Everyone has been there, you look at your bank account and realize you have some charges you had no idea about, or long forgot about. Most of the time, the culprit is a subscription. Maybe it started as a free trial or an app you wanted to test out for a day or two and never canceled.

Either way, it can be frustrating to not know where your money is going and how to cancel subscriptions that are charging you weekly or monthly, and nobody wants to spend their free time on the phone with customer service if they can help it.

Take your finances into your own hands and cancel those pesky subscriptions and free trials by following the steps below!

Note: this guide is based on iOS 14 and later, since the setting organization changes with iOS updates. Also, note that iCloud storage is canceled in a different spot within your iCloud settings.

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

First things first! In order to find your active subscriptions, go to your home screen. Your home screen is the main screen on your iPhone where all the apps are at. Once you’re on the home screen try to following steps:

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

Here is where you need to make some decisions. Check out which subscriptions are “active” and “expired.” The “active” subscriptions are the ones that you are currently paying on or have upcoming billing dates. Free trials are also considered active subscriptions, even if the billing date is far off. If you don’t cancel a subscription over 24 hours before the billing date, it will charge you. If you cancel within 24 hours of the billing date, you will still be charged per Apple’s support site.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Here you can see the cost, if the subscription is monthly or weekly, and the subscription options. There may be different options than you can see in the screenshot above. To cancel your subscription, follow these steps:

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

You may have options to change the type of subscription you have. For example, if you have different, cheaper payment options, you can choose not the cancel the subscription, and change the subscription/payment type to a monthly or yearly or less-expensive option instead.

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Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

It’s not often that you will need to clear the cache on your iPhone or iPad, but there does come a time when it’s a good idea to clear all that old Safari data and cache.

Christina (47)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Take your finances into your own hands and cancel those pesky subscriptions and free trials by following the steps below!

Note: this guide is based on iOS 14 and later, since the setting organization changes with iOS updates. Also, note that iCloud storage is canceled in a different spot within your iCloud settings.

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

NEXT UP

Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

It’s not often that you will need to clear the cache on your iPhone or iPad, but there does come a time when it’s a good idea to clear all that old Safari data and cache.

Christina (47)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Take your finances into your own hands and cancel those pesky subscriptions and free trials by following the steps below!

Note: this guide is based on iOS 14 and later, since the setting organization changes with iOS updates. Also, note that iCloud storage is canceled in a different spot within your iCloud settings.

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

NEXT UP

Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

It’s not often that you will need to clear the cache on your iPhone or iPad, but there does come a time when it’s a good idea to clear all that old Safari data and cache.

Christina (47)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Take your finances into your own hands and cancel those pesky subscriptions and free trials by following the steps below!

Note: this guide is based on iOS 14 and later, since the setting organization changes with iOS updates. Also, note that iCloud storage is canceled in a different spot within your iCloud settings.

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Christina (47)

May 25, 2021

2 minutes

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

h/iphone • 49 guides

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h/technology • 23 guides

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h/apple • 86 guides

h/technology • 23 guides

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

NEXT UP

Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

It’s not often that you will need to clear the cache on your iPhone or iPad, but there does come a time when it’s a good idea to clear all that old Safari data and cache.

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Search for your settings app. It’s the one with the gear icon. Oftentimes, it is in the “utilities” folder.
Open the settings app.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

Now that you have your settings app open, you need to open up your Apple ID settings page. To do this try the following:

Click the tab where it says your name or nickname. It will have your profile image to the left.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

There are a ton of settings on your Apple ID settings page. Make sure to choose the correct setting.

Click “subscriptions.” In payment and shipping, you can edit your card and billing address, but you cannot edit your subscriptions there.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Click the subscription you want to cancel.

If it shows a billing date that corresponds to your recent charge, that’s the one you want to choose.

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

Click “cancel subscription,” “cancel renewal,” or “cancel free trial.”

The options you will have are dependent on that app and/or subscription type.

How to Free Up iPhone Storage Space

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Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

It’s not often that you will need to clear the cache on your iPhone or iPad, but there does come a time when it’s a good idea to clear all that old Safari data and cache.

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Christina (47)

Jun 16, 2021

1 minute

Joined in 2021 47 guides

@cgerard23

Find out how to clear cache on your iPhone or iPad in less than 30 seconds!

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How to Change A Product's Bluetooth Name on Your iPhone

Change your device’s Bluetooth name in these five simple steps!

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Find out how to clear cache on your iPhone or iPad in less than 30 seconds!

In these interests: apple ios iphone

In these interests: apple ios iphone

apple ios iphone

Change your iPhone’s name in seconds!

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In these interests: apple ios iphone

apple ios iphone

Change your device’s Bluetooth name in these five simple steps!

In these interests: apple ios iphone

In these interests: apple ios iphone

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Learn the different storage types and solve your storage problems!

A simple walkthrough on how to screen record on your iPhone!

For when you accidentally turned on the “live” feature.

Some will amaze you; others are just plain useful to know!

You say “Hello, Siri.” We say, “Goodbye, Siri.”

Because you’ve been getting too many Captcha stops?

For when you don’t want to be seen…even by your iPhone.

Because we all need to change things up from time to time in our digital conversations!

Learn the different storage types and solve your storage problems!

A simple walkthrough on how to screen record on your iPhone!

For when you accidentally turned on the “live” feature.

Some will amaze you; others are just plain useful to know!

You say “Hello, Siri.” We say, “Goodbye, Siri.”

Because you’ve been getting too many Captcha stops?

For when you don’t want to be seen…even by your iPhone.

Because we all need to change things up from time to time in our digital conversations!

h/iphone • 49 guides

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Apple Computers is an American computer and consumer electronics company founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

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“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Alan C. Clarke, science fiction writer, TV host, underwater explorer and inventor.

h/iphone • 49 guides

h/apple • 86 guides

Apple Computers is an American computer and consumer electronics company founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

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“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Alan C. Clarke, science fiction writer, TV host, underwater explorer and inventor.

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Posted on May 25, 2021 by admin

Michael (175)

May 25, 2021

Having lived in a major city (New York) for many years, I understand the meaning of small spaces. I also know just how precious that backyard space can be, even when it’s small. While the average home in the US has a backyard of about 10,000 square feet, even that “average” sized backyard would leave many drooling—particularly if you live in a major city or pretty much anywhere in California.

There’s good news for those with small backyards, however. It only takes one or two DIY or budget-friendly touches to really transform that small outdoor space into a place you’ll want to spend all of your time. Remember that these are just ideas, and we encourage you to bring your own personality outdoors to make it your own signature space. Without further ado, here are X budget-friendly ideas to help you with your next small backyard before-and-after transformation.

When decorating a backyard, it also helps to have methods handy for maintenance like weed removal—you may be interested in our guide on how to remove weeds between pavers and other small crevices.

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Because your space on the ground is so limited, you’ll want to try not to clutter it up with too many pots or outdoor items. Instead, think about innovative ways to place plants, planters, mini vegetable gardens, and other outdoor things—so that you won’t take up that valuable ground space.

Here are a few options to give you some ideas.

DIY verticle succulents box planter

Even if you don’t have room on the ground for lots of plants and flowers, you can hang a couple of these box planters filled with succulents for an easy-to-manage bit of green in your background. You make a DIY version using a shallow, wooden box or pick up a relatively inexpensive box planter to house your succulents. Just make sure to pack them tightly and spritz then water occasionally. They don’t need much.

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DIY children’s fence planters

We love DIY projects that can add a bit of personality to your overall backyard look. And better than that, these fence planters will make a great activity to do with kids. All you need to make these fence planters are small, plastic bottles with the bottoms cut out. Then, you can line them with some wrapping paper or colorful plastic wrap. Lastly, you’ll fill them with soil and plant your favorites to line your fence!

Family vacation DIY miles-to sign

Another great DIY project to do as a family is to keep track of your vacations and travels with these wooden signs that point toward your vacation spots. This project will take up a minimal amount of space in your yard. They can be mounted on a large wooden stake or simply hung on a wall or fence. Have fun making the signs with outdoor paint and some wooden arrows. The arrows can be purchased online or made from scratch.

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DIY verticle pallet planter

DIY pallet projects are all the rage! And for good reason. Pallets are premade wooden structures from which you can hang objects and other things. They’re also easy to paint and stain. We recommend that you weatherproof the wood if you’re keeping the pallet outside for a pallet planter. Some people hang plants from them, while others plant directly inside of the pallets.

Where to find a pallet?

Most stores that stock heavy items will have extra FREE pallets lying around. Try bars, furniture stores, pet stores, liquor stores, and grocery stores. Just ask if they have any extra pallets they’d be willing to give you for free.

Cinder block corner planters

We love the industrial feel of the cinder block planters and how easy they are to get set up. All you need are a few cinderblocks (which you may even have already), and you have a great planter that can fit even in the tiniest of spaces in your backyard or patio. Simply stack them to your liking, fill them with soil, and plant in them. Get creative by spray painting stencils on the side to add some color.

“Good fences make good neighbors,” Robert Frost said in a poem, and he was right that a good fence gives you a sense of comfort and security for your home. However, the problem with fences in a small backyard is that they can make it feel even smaller. In a tiny yard, they can make you feel boxed in, which is never good. Here are some ideas to make those fences do double-work to open up that boxy space a bit.

See-through fencing

Unless you desire total privacy, then consider keeping your fence see-through, at least partly. There are various ways to do this with widely-spaced pickets, for example or a combination of metal fencing with wood posts. It really will help to give you a sense of space when your sitting in your back yard and can see a distance greater than a few feet.

Hanging fence plants / fence planters

Add a few splashes of color to your fence by using hanging flowers and plants. You might choose to space them evenly across your entire backyard or just one wall. Haning plants run anywhere from $20-40, so consider how many you can afford before planning the design for these.

Fence stencils

If you’re feeling artistic, we challenge you to make your own unique stencil to give your backyard a personal and meaningful quality. Spray painting a stencil on your fence will add a nice sense of color and depth to it—and it is a really inexpensive design. If you’re not feeling artistic enough to create your own stencil, then there are a variety of great stencils online.

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Small fence with vintage items

Hit your local antique or vintage store to find some great items for your vintage fence. Of course, you could put anything of meaning to you and your family along the fence. Just make sure it will withstand the weather. You can dedicate a section of your perimeter fence to something like this or place a small piece of fencing to section off your yard.

Vintage door fence

We’re wondering where you even find this many vintage doors?! Okay. So maybe you won’t be making this vintage door fence, but we had to include it for all the ideas that it might spur in you. We’re wondering what other unique things can be used to create a perimeter in your small backyard!

Cozy and romantic! That’s how we like a backyard. And the best way to create romance in a backyard is with proper lighting for the evening. Think about it…if you’re only using your backyard in the daytime because you don’t have good lighting, then you’re only getting half the use out of your backyard. So get a good string of lights and set the mood for your next romantic evening or nighttime shindig!

Hang globe lights strategically

Globe lights make us think of romantic patios at a fancy restaurant. Why not create that cozy, romantic space right in your backyard! Use globe lights to highlight the best features of your backyard, even if it’s tiny. For example, if you have a nice brick wall, then hang globe lights to light that up. Or if you have a beautiful tree, use globe lights to draw attention to it at night.

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Porch lanterns

Lighting is even more important on your porch. Think of the many beautiful evening you can spend on your small porch and deck. Just make sure it’s properly lit for the occasion. We recommend using some old-school lanterns to create an old-world feel outdoors.

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Paper lanterns

If you took our advice earlier and added some bamboo to your backyard, then complete the style using paper lanterns for your backyard lighting. Just make sure that if you’re hanging these where they can be rained on, you use good weatherproof lanterns—not the cheap decorative kind. Either way, these might be best under an awning or porch.

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Repurpose those Christmas lights

Instead of taking down those white Christmas lights at the end of the holiday season, why not find an innovative way to use them for some backyard lighting? On idea is to fill glass mason jars with small sets of white lights and hang them with some twine from your porch, patio, or fence. But it’s all about finding ways to innovate sometimes with a small space.

Tiki torches

Even in a tiny yard, a tiki torch can set the festive mood! You can even fill them with mosquito-repellent oil to keep away the pests. Just be careful with the spacing of these and make sure that kids can’t get burnt by them. But the tiki torch is a must-have for small backyard parties and cookouts.

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In a small space, you absolutely want to consider the different kinds of textures you’re using when decorating. You’ll want to mix wood with stone, metal, cloth, rattan, etc., to create depth and texture in your backyard. Also, consider that materials like wood and cloth are more inviting than metal and stone, particularly in a small space.

DIY stone firepit

A firepit serves as a place of gathering for friends and family. Who doesn’t love a good fire and toasting marshmallows? Even in a small yard, a firepit can help centralize the space and make a gathering area. You’ll just have to get creative with how you store your firewood. Instead of spending lots of money on a firepit, take a look at our DIY firepit that you can make for only $75!

Wooden table on a stone patio

If you have a stone patio or landscape in your backyard, then wood is the best material to use for your table. We’d stay away from metal, as that can make your backyard feel too cold. If you live in a city and have a concrete backyard, then a colorful metal table and chair can be okay; just make sure it’s colorful!

Metal table and chairs

These look great set out right in the middle of the yard or on some brick or stone. If your backyard is REALLY small, then these may be your best option. For those living in cities, you can also put a set of metal tables and chairs on the roof of a building to create a romantic, hip space to have brunch on Sundays!

Use waterproof cushions and other soft materials

We can’t stress enough how inviting soft materials are in your backyard. They will work to create comfort and remain relatively cool, even in high heat. Make sure your soft cushions are waterproof, or they won’t last even one rainfall. And we recommend getting some that are light in color, so they won’t get too hot in the sun.

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Why is bamboo a stand-alone small backyard hack? Because bamboo is one of the easiest (and least expensive) plants to take care of and rugged enough to survive even in urban backyards. It’s a great addition to a backyard that is mostly concrete or stone, as bamboo needs only a little soil to grow quite large. It immediately adds a beautiful, lush feel to your garden-scape and serves to freshen the air, as well.

Bamboo backyard perimeter

Even with a decent fence around your yard, adding some green to your backyard’s surroundings will create the feel of a lush, tropical oasis. Bamboo creates a sense of tranquility. It also works to purify the air in your backyard by filtering some of the air coming in. And maybe you’d prefer a view of bamboo plants, as opposed to whatever houses surround your yard.

Bamboo fencing

Bamboo fencing holds up surprisingly well, and in some cases, is even stronger than a traditional fence. It’s also a much more natural way to separate a space like your backyard. If you’re going for a more exotic look to your backyard, then a few rolls of bamboo fencing will go a long way. It can even be used to separate parts of your backyard, as opposed to the perimeter.

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DIY bamboo trellis

Vines are some of the easiest plants to grow in your backyard, and they look beautiful—particularly if they flower. The most expensive part of growing vines or hanging flowers is the trellis, which can cost more than $100. But you can create your own DIY bamboo trellis with just some long bamboo stalks and strong twine. Map out how you want your trellis to look, and tie together the joints of the trellis with the twine tightly.

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Bamboo garden edging

Hiring a professional landscaper to create a retaining wall or garden edge will definitely be pricey. If you’re looking for a great way to highlight your landscaping patterns, then bamboo adds a nice natural look. It’s also very weather resistant and strong. Best of all, you don’t have to hire anyone to hammer the stakes into the ground. It’s quite easy. There are various premade bamboo garden edgings available if you don’t want to make your own.

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If there’s one thing we recommend investing in, it’s good seating for your backyard space—no matter how small it is. What’s the point of fixing up your backyard if you’re not going to have properly comfortable places to just plop down and relax. We’ll give you a few options to match how you prefer to relax in your backyard! So take a seat and enjoy!

Adirondack seating

Adirondack chairs might be the most comfortable and durable loungers you can have in an outdoor space like your backyard. They’re a classic for a good reason. The problem is that they are super expensive! But, if you’re okay with a resin or plastic Adirondack chair, then you can find a good one for a little more than $100. When you put two of these smack in the middle of a small backyard, you’ll find yourself sitting back there a lot more often.

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Benches

You might think that benches are only for parks and boulevards, but a bench is a really useful piece of seating to have in a small backyard. For one, you can put a bench along a fence or wall, keeping space in the center of your yard. A good bench also allows you to entertain couples without needing to take up space with extra chairs. However, they can be quite pricey, but you can find a good metal bench for under $100 online.

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Rattan furniture

Rattan furniture is naturally weather-resistant, inexpensive, and creates a light, natural look to your backyard or patio. Rattan furniture and chairs can be moved around easily when entertaining, and the natural lightness of the furniture helps to create a feeling of openness in your small backyard.

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Classic Picnic Table

If you plan on entertaining or grilling with friends, then you’ll want to make sure you have ample places to sit and eat. A good classic picnic table is all you need most of the time for your outdoor get-togethers. You can use tablecloths and paint to make the picnic table match your decor if you choose. You can find classic picnic tables at most hardware stores, or you can try to make one yourself!

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Contemporary Innovation

Think of your outdoor seating as a golden opportunity to make a statement. If you invest in just one thing to tie everything together in your backyard, why not make it a great piece of furniture and art. There are lots of great options at patio furniture stores, but you might even look online to find really unique pieces. Again, we recommend you go with something weather-resistant and light.

Adding even a few splashes of bright color to your backyard can help create a sense of depth and space amidst all of the other neutral colors in your backyard. There are hundreds of ways to add splashes of color to your outdoor color scheme. Just keep in mind the colors that are already in your backyard and try to find colors that contrast with them.

Backyard brick or stone mosaic

Laying down a proper brick or stone structure in the ground is definitely a project—but it’s worth it. The most expensive thing should be the cost of the stone itself. We recommend thoughtfully thinking about the design for your colorful stone mosaic or structure ahead of time to ensure you don’t overspend on brick or stone.

Use brightly colored flowers in your garden

This may sound obvious, but I can’t tell you how many backyards I’ve seen that are just green on green on green. That can be okay, but consider thoughtfully curating your flower and plant selection based on color. Go for some bright blues, yellows, and reds to add some nice contrast throughout your backyard, and consider flowering vines that blossom all year long.

DIY backyard graffiti project

Are you an artist? Are you an aspiring artist? Do you know someone who is? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then you have a great reason for creating an awesome backyard graffiti mural. This works well if you have a concrete wall or brick wall in your back yard that’s just asking for some sweet graphics of tags. Most graffiti artists use stencils nowadays, so consider designing a good stencil for your own artwork.

Colorful chair cushions

If the only bits of color you have are on the cushions of your chair, then that’s just fine. Most outdoor furniture comes in either a natural color or white, so consider the color of the cushions for your chairs. We recommend going for something solid, bright, or floral instead of a written design. And use that color to build around when planning the other pieces in your small backyard.

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Kids these days…all they want to do is stay in the house and play video games! But if you turn your backyard into an outdoor kid paradise, then you’ll certainly be doing your part to encourage them to get outside and get some all-natural Vitamin D. Won’t this make your backyard really just a kid’s backyard? Yup. But let’s face it…that’s what life is for parents!

Child’s veggie garden

If you have kids, then a wonderful project is creating a vegetable garden with them. You can teach them that sustained effort at a project like growing vegetables will have a reward. And kids will absolutely love eating and giving away their amazing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and more. Just make sure to make it a fun activity and teach the kids to water their plants regularly! Even in a small backyard, you probably have some space to make a small veggie garden.

Backyard playset

You might be thinking…a backyard playset…in a small backyard?! Absolutely. If the idea is to have a backyard that your children will want to play in, then feel free to take up almost all of the space with a dynamic playset for them. It will give them their own “room” in your backyard and encourage them to put the iPad down for a while.

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DIY tree swing

It’s a classic. If you don’t want to invest in a full-on playset and have a tree in your yard, then a good tree swing will be just fine. (It’s also great for photos of your child!)

To make a simple DIY tree swing, screw two heavy-duty eye hooks into a strong upper branch of your tree. Then, bore 4 holes in a strong, thick wooden board. Loop the string through the eye hooks and then through the bored holes. Tie thick knots to secure the rope so that it won’t pull through the holes. Space it evenly and at the right height.

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DIY sandbox

Kids love playing in the sand! And in a small backyard, you still have plenty of space to make a nice sandbox or sandpit for the kids. One bonus is that sand is very inexpensive to buy, and you don’t need a lot.

To make your own sandpit, dig about a 4×4 hole a few feet deep. Line the hole with some gravel and a piece of tarp. Fill it with sand. You might get creative by finding a way to hold the tarp down over the hole, maybe with some logs or pieces of wood, as pictured above.

Avoid the trampoline

Yes. They’re undoubtedly fun. But in a small backyard, they will likely take up the entire yard. And I can’t tell you how many families claim to have used the trampoline once and then never used it again. They’re also dangerous, with kids getting injured from trampoline-related accidents each year. So…hold off on the trampoline.

We tend to collect…things. Sometimes we don’t even notice these things until they’re preventing our drawers from closing or spilling out onto our floors. The same is true for our backyards. If you have a small backyard, then it’s extra important to keep it tidy and neat. That alone will add space to an already cramped situation. Here are some of our best ideas for storing those useful (and not so useful) things in your backyard!

Convert your shed or garage into a gazebo

Maybe you moved into a house with a shed in your already cramped backyard. Unless you really feel like you need to use that shed for storage, then why not turn it into a small gazebo where you can get some shade and relax. It creates a second little room in your house in your backyard! And it makes a small backyard a more inviting place to traverse.

Under deck storage

Make use of that space underneath your deck! We’ve seen whole tiny homes built underneath decks. We’ve seen large, pull-out drawers constructed underneath a deck. So there’s no limit to what you can do both beautify and make use of all that space.

Bicycle storage shed

Did you know that many trash and recycling storage containers are actually the perfect size for a couple of bikes? And if that’s all you really need outdoor storage for, then why invest in a full-size shed? These kinds of storage containers also tend to be relatively inexpensive and withstand the weather very well. You could even go all-out and get a really nice storage shed designed specifically for bicycles.

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Storage benches

You’ll have to think about every bit of unused space in tiny yards to store things like a hose and garden tools. We already mentioned how a bench is a great addition to a small backyard for entertaining guests, so why not use the space under the bench for storage. There are a variety of great-looking storage benches you can find online, or you can choose to build your own if you’re handy!

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Planters with storage

Just like with the storage bench, the storage planter makes sense when you have limited space. From planters that hide your hose to planters that can easily store your entire garden tool kit, it’s innovative things like these that can help give you the extra space you need and keep your small backyard tidy.

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There’s no rule that says a yard must have grass, as nice as it can be. There are beautiful backyards that combine stone with brick or brick with wood chips, for example. A small backyard actually benefits from rethinking the plain grass landscape. Creating a multi-textured landscape will add depth and a modern look to your backyard, so ditch the grass if you can stand to.

Combine different types of landscaping to create multiple spaces

Turning one larger small backyard into a series of smaller backyards will make it feel bigger by creating different feelings in different parts of the yard. The grass part, for example, could be for play, while the stone part would be for lounging and eating. Think about how you plan to use your backyard and landscape accordingly.

Paver stone walkways

Getting these paver stones professionally installed will be expensive, so that makes this suggestion the most expensive thing on our list. You can build this yourself, however, if you can spare the time and effort to do so. It will likely save you more than a thousand dollars. But they’re worth the effort. LIke varying textures, a walkway added depth to your yard, the way a road creates a sense of depth to a landscape.

Consider xeriscaping for a maintenance-free lawn

If you live in California, you know about xeriscaping a lawn because of the ban against watering lawns. But you don’t have to live in California or a drought-prone climate to xeriscape a lawn and lose the grass entirely. Combine stone gravel with sand and succulents to create a maintenance-free desert-style paradise in your backyard.

Woodchips and mulch

You might think that building garden beds and tree beds with mulch and wood chips would take away space from your backyard, but, like the walkways mentioned before, these kinds of lines create depth to the yard. They’re also just plain great for the plants and trees themselves, as the mulch helps trap moisture into the soil, preventing it from evaporating.

Use geometric shapes

Think squares and circles here. Using geometric shapes turns your backyard into an immediately more modern space to enjoy. Those shapes also tend to be calming and will help you relax while outside. Even in a small yard, they can signal how the space is meant to be enjoyed, with a circular fire pit in the center and a square patio to the side, for example.

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Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

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Michael (175)

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When decorating a backyard, it also helps to have methods handy for maintenance like weed removal—you may be interested in our guide on how to remove weeds between pavers and other small crevices.

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Here are a few options to give you some ideas.

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Tiki torches

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DIY stone firepit

Wooden table on a stone patio

Metal table and chairs

Use waterproof cushions and other soft materials

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Backyard brick or stone mosaic

Use brightly colored flowers in your garden

DIY sandbox

Avoid the trampoline

Convert your shed or garage into a gazebo

Combine different types of landscaping to create multiple spaces

Paver stone walkways

Consider xeriscaping for a maintenance-free lawn

Woodchips and mulch

Use geometric shapes

NEXT UP

Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

Budget doesn’t have to mean bad when it comes to 3D printers. You can find a great 3D printer for under $300.

Michael (175)

May 25, 2021

When decorating a backyard, it also helps to have methods handy for maintenance like weed removal—you may be interested in our guide on how to remove weeds between pavers and other small crevices.

h/outdoors • 5 guides

h/diy • 97 guides

Here are a few options to give you some ideas.

DIY verticle succulents box planter

Used here

DIY children’s fence planters

Family vacation DIY miles-to sign

Used here

DIY verticle pallet planter

Where to find a pallet?

Cinder block corner planters

See-through fencing

Hanging fence plants / fence planters

Fence stencils

Used here

Small fence with vintage items

Repurpose those Christmas lights

Tiki torches

Used here

DIY stone firepit

Wooden table on a stone patio

Metal table and chairs

Use waterproof cushions and other soft materials

Used here

Backyard brick or stone mosaic

Use brightly colored flowers in your garden

DIY sandbox

Avoid the trampoline

Convert your shed or garage into a gazebo

Combine different types of landscaping to create multiple spaces

Paver stone walkways

Consider xeriscaping for a maintenance-free lawn

Woodchips and mulch

Use geometric shapes

NEXT UP

Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

Budget doesn’t have to mean bad when it comes to 3D printers. You can find a great 3D printer for under $300.

Michael (175)

May 25, 2021

When decorating a backyard, it also helps to have methods handy for maintenance like weed removal—you may be interested in our guide on how to remove weeds between pavers and other small crevices.

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h/diy • 97 guides

Michael (175)

May 25, 2021

h/outdoors • 5 guides

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h/outdoors • 5 guides

h/diy • 97 guides

h/outdoors • 5 guides

h/diy • 97 guides

h/outdoors • 5 guides

h/diy • 97 guides

Here are a few options to give you some ideas.

DIY verticle succulents box planter

Used here

DIY children’s fence planters

Family vacation DIY miles-to sign

Used here

DIY verticle pallet planter

Where to find a pallet?

Cinder block corner planters

Here are a few options to give you some ideas.

DIY verticle succulents box planter

Used here

DIY children’s fence planters

Family vacation DIY miles-to sign

Used here

DIY verticle pallet planter

Where to find a pallet?

Cinder block corner planters

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

Check Price

See-through fencing

Hanging fence plants / fence planters

Fence stencils

Used here

Small fence with vintage items

Vintage door fence

See-through fencing

Hanging fence plants / fence planters

Fence stencils

Used here

Small fence with vintage items

Vintage door fence

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Hang globe lights strategically

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Porch lanterns

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Paper lanterns

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Tiki torches

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Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

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Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

Check Price

DIY stone firepit

Wooden table on a stone patio

Metal table and chairs

Use waterproof cushions and other soft materials

Used here

DIY stone firepit

Wooden table on a stone patio

Metal table and chairs

Use waterproof cushions and other soft materials

Used here

Vary your textures

My $75 DIY Fire Pit

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Used here

Bamboo fencing

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DIY bamboo trellis

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Bamboo garden edging

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Used here

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Adirondack seating

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Benches

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Rattan furniture

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Classic Picnic Table

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Used here

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Used here

Used here

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Used here

Used here

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Used here

Used here

Check Price

Backyard brick or stone mosaic

Use brightly colored flowers in your garden

DIY backyard graffiti project

Colorful chair cushions

Used here

Backyard brick or stone mosaic

Use brightly colored flowers in your garden

DIY backyard graffiti project

Colorful chair cushions

Used here

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Convert your shed or garage into a gazebo

Convert your shed or garage into a gazebo

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Used here

Used here

Check Price

Combine different types of landscaping to create multiple spaces

Paver stone walkways

Consider xeriscaping for a maintenance-free lawn

Woodchips and mulch

Use geometric shapes

Combine different types of landscaping to create multiple spaces

Paver stone walkways

Consider xeriscaping for a maintenance-free lawn

Woodchips and mulch

Use geometric shapes

NEXT UP

Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

Budget doesn’t have to mean bad when it comes to 3D printers. You can find a great 3D printer for under $300.

NEXT UP

Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

Budget doesn’t have to mean bad when it comes to 3D printers. You can find a great 3D printer for under $300.

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Michael (175)

Mar 19, 2021

Joined in 2020 175 guides

A maker at heart, Michael loves all things DIY. Michael is an award-winning poet, writer, and editor. He has published two books of poetry and has writing in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and many others. He has taught writing at colleges across the country, and managed many leading literary magazines to national prominence. Now, he’s excited to devote his energies full time to Howchoo. He currently resides in the Tampa-area with his wife and puppy.

@mavizsolyi

The best of the budget 3D printers.

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Geeetech E180 3D Printer Review: A Mini Budget 3D Printer

This tiny printer packs a lot of punch.

In these interests: 3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

Here’s what you need to make working from home feel just right.

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The best of the budget 3D printers.

In these interests: 3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

In these interests: 3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

This tiny printer packs a lot of punch.

In these interests: 3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

In these interests: 3dprinterreviews 3dprinting

Here’s what you need to make working from home feel just right.

In these interests: home remotework

In these interests: home remotework

home remotework

Private and Secure Cloud Storage Alternatives to Dropbox and Google Drive

Looking for a better cloud storage option? We got you covered.

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Small kitchens have never looked larger.

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Let your iPhone, iPad, or iOS device backup for you.

20 low-budget cult films and the things you never knew about them.

Time to nama-slay.

This app is way better than plain, old measuring tape!

How to install (and use) RetroPie!

Upgrade your Mac for Apple’s latest software!

Keep Reading to Pick Your Best Router From TP-Link vs Netgear!

h/outdoors • 5 guides

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

h/diy • 97 guides

“It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project.” – Napoleon Hill

h/outdoors • 5 guides

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

h/diy • 97 guides

“It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project.” – Napoleon Hill

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Posted on May 24, 2021 by admin

Odin (28)

May 24, 2021

There are many factors that make a board game especially sought-after by collectors, from how many copies of the game were first made, to how many are known to exist, and how unique or artistically superior the artwork and aesthetic happen to be. As with any other genre of collectibles, the condition of the board games is a major factor in terms of their financial worth, though this is certainly a secondary aspect of what makes a collection valuable for many collectors. After all, certain games might exist in such a small supply that even a poorer-quality copy is going to be highly sought after.

But don’t mistake me: recent games can become collectibles as well, not just those dusty with history. Any limited edition run, even the alpha builds of now-popular games, can become collectible items. This can also happen with games that have special editions released for some purpose (perhaps an anniversary edition, or an edition released to coincide with some historical event). The genre of game can also have a major impact, with war games being one of the classic categories that draw in collectors.

Plenty of collectors will even go so far as to purchase copies of games that they think might be collectibles in the future, and then store them, waiting to see if their hunch pans out a decade or two down the road.

Board game collecting terminology

Now, I’m not going to go too deep into the world of collectibles, but it’s important to know a couple of common terms before continuing forward.

OOP: Stands for “Out of Print”. Games that are OOP are generally considered collectible in their own right, since (at least for a time) new editions of the game are not being printed. Sometimes, as with the board game Dune, games will find a renewed life with fresh print runs years or decades after they originally went OOP, but even so, copies from the original runs are likely to be highly prized (if they’re in good condition).
P / UP (Punched or Unpunched): Traditionally used in reference to items being hung on retail pegs but for board games, it refers to whether or not the pieces of the game have been detached from their original cardboard sheets. This makes them valuable to both collectors and people looking to buy a used copy of the game who wish to ensure that all the original pieces are included (since it’s easy to see if there are any missing (“punched out”) from the sheets.
Mint: A bit more commonplace, this refers to games that are still shrink-wrapped. However, be aware that plenty of unscrupulous sellers exist. “Mint” alone is not enough to clarify the new and unopened state of the game, so look for clarifications. The abbreviations MISB (Mint in Sealed Box), or MIB/MIP (Mint in Box/Mint in Package) are better indicators for the condition.
NRFB (Never Removed From Box): this is a handy way for a seller to indicate that the item comes in original condition in all aspects save that it is no longer shrink-wrapped. It would have all its parts in their original unpunched condition, and all pieces in their original baggies or containers.

These are not by any means the only terms you’ll come across, but they are a couple of the more common as you begin your deep dive into the world of collectibles.

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Estimated market value: $75-$100

Designer: R. D. Lee, T.L. Simons

Artist: T.L. Simons

Publisher: Out of Order Games

A smashing Kickstarter success story, Bloc by Bloc: The Insurrection Game is a semi-cooperative game of social unrest and resistance inspired by the real-world uprisings of the Occupy and post-Occupy era. This one is actually looking at its 3rd edition release planned for spring of 2022, so it’s certainly not a discontinued or impossible to find game. But the limited run nature of the first edition definitely qualifies this one as a collector’s item, with a low enough price tag to appeal to novice collectors.

Bloc by Bloc also happens to be a really fun game, where the principal mechanic is area control: players try to hold back the riot cops and take control of the city by occupying specific sections of the city before the military arrives and quashes the rebellion. This one is a total favorite for me, with the historical linkage to real modern events, but without a specific tie to any single historical event — it explores the nature of rebellion in a really interesting way, and the frankly adorable artwork does a great job of creating a unified aesthetic.

It’s also a cooperative game, and y’all know I’m all about that..

Estimated market value: $200-$500

Designer: Martin Wallace

Artist: Peter Dennis, Paul Kidby, Ian Mitchell, Bernard Pearson

Publisher: Treefrog Games

If you are not yet aware of the sheer and incalculable brilliance that is Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, stop reading this review right now, go down to your local bookstore or library, and grab yourself every darned book in the series.

No. Seriously. Do it.

Discworld is easily one of my top-five book series ever, and for a good gosh-darned reason: Sir Terry Pratchett’s genius at storytelling was only rivaled by his genius at wit. The satirical humor of his books has had me cracking up more times than I could ever count, and so I naturally gravitated toward other avenues of connecting with this most beloved universe. Enter Discworld: Ankh-Morpork which, most sadly, is OOP now and rather difficult to find.

This is one game that I would happily shell out the $200 for simply because the design itself is drop-dead gorgeous. The artwork throughout the game is so totally and perfectly Discworld that it feels like it’s got a line straight to my imagination. But the fact that there will likely never be another run of this incredible game is a tough pill to swallow.

The game concentrates on the city of Ankh-Morpork where the city’s ruler, Lord Vetinari, has vanished. In his absence, the players take on the roles of the various factions vying for control. It’s a simple enough card-based game with rules that just about anyone can pick up in no time at all, so it’s just a matter of actually finding a copy and shelling out those hard-earned Morpork dollars to add it to the collection.

Estimated market value: $200

Designer: Eric M. Lang

Artist: Tim Arney-O’Neil, Kevin Childress, Andrew Navaro, Brian Schomburg, WiL Springer

Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games

Chaos game players had three ways to reshape the world to suit their twisted visions as they vied for dominance as one of the four gods from the Realm of Chaos. Players could kill, infest, change, and seduce their way to victory, unleashing hoards of demons and defending against not just the machinations of their fellow chaos gods, but also against those mortal denizens of the old world intent on forever banishing them back to the Realm of Chaos.

Okay, so this made a lot of waves in its early days but it eventually fell out of favor and many of the mechanics that were experimented with in Chaos were perfected later in other games such as Blood Rage. All that said, it’s still worth playing, but if a good playing experience is all you’re looking for there are other options around. No, what you want this game for is collecting purposes.

As a collectible, Chaos is not an impossible find, but getting a good quality copy (that isn’t in German) can be.

Estimated market value: $450

Designer: Roger Burten, Alan Coleman, Vincent A. A. J. Erato

Artist: Bob Pepper

Publisher: Milton Bradley

Easily one of the most delightfully ’80s games imaginable, Dark Tower combined “cutting edge” computer technology and a really nifty game design to provide players with a superb adventuring experience. Taking on the role of a knight, players led groups of warriors on an attack against the evil Dark Tower, moving and gathering gold, hiring troops, finding special items, and recruiting special characters along the way (while also encountering random events and enemy troops).

The Dark Tower itself sat in the middle of the game board and, via a digital number screen and several rotating slides, created the gaming experience. Players would push different button combinations on the tower to program the different moves they were making and to see what they would encounter along the way. There were a whole host of possible outcomes, each of which was accompanied by a uniquely ’80s special effect.

The game is one of those clear classics that just cannot be underestimated. Not only fun but innovative, combining early simple computing effects with an excellent aesthetic design. It’s a blast to play (luckily, you can find emulators that recreate the various conditions of the game without actually owning the original tower itself). As expected of something this unique and also fun, it’s extremely rare, with complete copies (opened and used, mind) going for nearly $500.

Estimated market value: $250

Designer: Chuck Kennedy, Bruce Lund

Artist: N/A

Publisher: Milton Bradley

I had a copy of this as a kid and by golly, I wish I’d held onto it. Alas, one move too many occurred and it vanished into the nether world (and probably the private collection of some overjoyed collector).

For such a simple game, Fireball Island was a massive amount of fun. The premise of reaching the top of the island, grabbing the ruby, and getting away to your waiting escape boat felt like being literally inside an Indiana Jones film.

Comprised of an awesome and massive 3D board game, where the outcome of the game got decided by the actual spewing of lava-centered fireballs! Or, well, red marbles anyway. Players worked their way up the sides of a 3D island map, ducking into caves, searching for shortcuts, and hoping not to have their explorer figurine dashed asunder by the sudden and unexpected release of one of the marbles from Vul-Kar’s maw.

There is a 2018 re-release of this game that’s apparently a blast to play, so anyone who’s excited by this doesn’t have to miss out. But if you have an old copy hanging around, especially one that still has all its parts, be aware that you’re holding one heck of a sought-after gem (and we’re not talking about Vul-Kar’s jewel).

Estimated market value: $200

Designer: Tom Waterman

Artist: Auguste Étienne François Mayer

Publisher: Action Games and Toys Ltd

An action war games classic, Trafalgar features exciting naval combat with a huge range (ha!) of tactical maneuvering that can take place between the opposing fleets that fought in the actual battle of Trafalgar in 1805. You could do everything with this game, including simulate hits to your ship’s masts by removing the functional mast from the ship model!

There are newer editions, and prettier editions, than the original, so there’s no reason why modern players who find themselves interested in this can’t go out and get some great naval combat on, but for the collector, this is the one to grab. Of course, it’s in notoriously short supply. It’s not in as high demand as some other collectible games, so it might be possible to find a copy under $100, but usually, the price hangs out at around double that (assuming a copy is available at all).

Capes & Cowls: The Superhero Board Game (2006)

Estimated market value: $230

Designer: Robin Spriggs

Artist: Kelly O’Neal, Robin Spriggs

Publisher: Wyrd House

Robin Spriggs is a fascinating guy, an actor and writer of horror-themed short fiction, and Kelly O’Neal, also an actor did some amazing work on this game. The design of the game is superb, providing a silver-age comic feel. This was an indie game but the design and production quality were extraordinarily high-quality, and the game features an entire mythos and in-game world experience. The scenarios and rulebook are both designed like comics, and the characters themselves all feel extremely unique.

Gameplay-wise, Capes & Cowls concentrates on tactical combat, doing away with much of the random factor often inherent in such games by highlighting the importance of placement on the game board. Different squares on the board provide different bonuses representing terrain differences, there are line-of-sight rules, and the various special abilities that the super-powered characters have creates dramatically unique play experiences.

Estimated market value: $600

Designer: Rob Daviau, Alan Roach, Craig Van Ness

Artist: Clark Mitchell (I)

Publisher: Avalon Hill Games, Inc., Hasbro

Whether you like or hate The Phantom Menace there were some undoubtedly epic scenes in that film, like the final chapter featuring the huge battles in space and on land, and the epic final light-saber battle between Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul (some great choreography there). And that’s the part of the film that The Queen’s Gambit attempts to recreate. The goal for the light-side folks is to capture the Viceroys, destroy all the battle droids, and kill Maul.

But to understand this game you really have to see how massive it is — it even recreates the palace of Theed in an epic three-story construct. With over a hundred and fifty plastic miniature, this game is not kidding around about giving you an epic Star Wars battle experience.

Unfortunately, the price isn’t kidding on this one, either, with copies going above $500 with relative frequency. Since Star Wars is such a notable field for collectibles, that sort of makes sense, though. Luckily, for those of you who are massively excited by the game and just want to play it, there’s a really cool mod for the great virtual tabletop Tabletop Simulator which recreates all of Queen’s Gambit in the virtual world

Estimated market value: $180

Designer: Richard Hamblen

Artist: Charles Kibler, George I. Parrish, Jr., Regina De Simone

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

Twenty-five years ago an absolutely brilliant little space game called Merchant of Venus, an epic space economy control game where players compete as space traders for total economic superiority in the galaxy by delivering cargo and discovering new worlds open to trade.

The basic move mechanic is pretty simple, but the complication comes from which items can be traded and purchased in different systems and what sort of upgrades can be made to the player’s ship. It reminds me a bit of the Firefly board game in this regard, actually, though the mechanics in Merchant of Venus are more complex.

Now, there was a 2012 2nd edition that featured almost an identical system of play, and I would love to be able to send excited players off to buy it… but, sadly, it too appears to be OOP, and nearly as expensive as the original in the few places I could find online. I guess this one really has become a permanent collector’s item!

Estimated market value: $300

Designer: Lauren Banerd, Jim Eliason, Jeff Groteboer, Bruce Harper

Artist: Rodger B. MacGowan**

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co**

An expansion for the original 1980 game Civilization, Advanced Civilizations provides players of the original game with a large number of enhancements for furthering play, like expanding the technology tree and a few convenient rule changes including some major alterations to victory conditions.

The whole point of the Civilization game is to develop an ancient culture from around 8000 B.C.E. to the middle of the 3rd century B.C.E., vying with other players to carve out a permanent niche for your unique ancient world culture. Still considered one of the best games of this type, the base game is actually still pretty easy to find at cheap prices and mostly intact. The expansion, however, of Advanced Civilization is a very different matter with the limited-run making this a very difficult and expensive game to find.

Estimated market value: $200

Designer: Bill Eberle, Jack Kittredge, Peter Olotka

Artist: Jean Baer, Linda Bound, Fabrice Lamy, Mick Uhl

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co.

So this is a bit like the great grandfather of the strategy game world. It is EPIC, and I really do mean that, but it’s also utterly unforgiving and incredibly intense. Players take control of one of the Great Houses of the Dune universe and attempt to exploit the heck out of Arrakis, with the Emperor presiding over everything but only gaining power from the acquiescence of the whole… I mean, there are just so many delightful and potent mechanics at work, building up a massively complex political network and an intense military mechanic where a military campaign can be made or broken by a sandstorm.

But this one is a bit of a doozy because, due to the forthcoming Dune film franchise reboot, there’s a whole new release of the game. That makes it great for people who want to just play it and have a great time, but really, really lousy for people who want to try and sift through to find a collectible copy (especially if you’re newer at the collecting game, or aren’t interesting in collecting for its own sake but just really want some collectible Dune memorabilia).

Estimated market value: $150-$900

Designer: Jason B. McAllister, David A. Trampier

Artist: Mike Doyle (I), Kurt Miller, Kenn Nishiuye, David A. Trampier, Chris White (I)

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

Titan is an absolute treat and happens to be such a great game, with so much dynamic range in the tactical approaches possible, that it maintains a dedicated player base even today, over forty years after its release.

More of a wargame than a fantasy adventuring game, Titan is all about… Titans. Players control a mythical Titan, recruit armies, and send those armies into battle against other players and their Titan avatars. The last Titan left standing (and, boy, are they hard to kill), is the winner.

There are a bunch of elements to Titan that I really love, like how players who have fewer points than others can win — because it’s last Titan standing rather than a score-based victory condition. The way the game is played, too, spread between two different map types (the master board and the battle boards) is excellent, and the battle boards vary depending on the location a fight begins on the master board, creating some great tactical range.

There was actually a re-release of the game by Valley Games in 2008, but it is now also an OOP collectible. Expect versions of the 1980 version to go from anywhere between $400-$900 depending on condition, while the 2008 version can be found in okay condition to MIB for $100-$250. Anyone who wants to play the game for fun and owns an iPad, however, can grab Titan from the iPad app store.

Estimated market value: $100-$300

Designer: Francis Tresham

Artist: Mike Atkinson, Jared Blando, Charles Kibler, James Talbot, Mark Zug

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

Take on the role of the villains of capitalist America’s 1800s in 1830, where the goal is to amass the greatest fortune by buying and selling the stocks of 19th-century companies in the Eastern United States. Maximize profits through private railways and vie for the greatest hoard while risking bankruptcy every step of the way.

An important entrant in the 18XX series of games, Railways & Robber Barons is still one of the most beloved games from the line, made especially interesting for its chanceless mechanics which, like with a game of chess, offers the same outcome for any move during any game — meaning that playing the same moves across different games will result in the same outcomes.

There have been a few different editions of this game, all of which now appear to be OOP, and all of which are worth a fair penny — depending on condition and edition.

Estimated market value: $200

Designer: Courtney F. Allen

Artist: Charles Kibler, Rodger B. MacGowan

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

One of the most famous and playable wargames around, Up Front offered an innovative card-based gaming mechanic that completely eschewed the use of a game mat in favor of “terrain cards” which provided the sense of being in the world, and “range chits” which did an incredible job of creative relative ranges between opposing sides without a single hexagon in sight.

I’m not often a fan of straight-up wargames on the tabletop, largely because of the massive amount of set-up time they can take and the relatively slow rate of play. Board games with wargame components, sure, but I’m more likely to go for Twilight Imperium than I am some of the others (TI being a game where trying to go the full military route isn’t likely to end well).

But Up Front changed all of that. The card system is ingenious, allowing set-up and play to take place in about the space of a lunch hour, but with campaigns and scenarios that can extend gameplay out to as much as a week. There’s even an international league of Up Front players that hold tournaments.

There have been a few different editions, but the Avalon Hill Game Co edition from 1983 will run a collector anywhere from $150-$250 depending on the condition.

Estimated market value: $100

Designer: Ed Beach

Artist: Rodger B. MacGowan, Mark Simonitch

Publisher: GMT Games

The game designers went out of their way on this one to create a system that could capture all the political intrigue and backstabbing machinations of the 16th century during the period of the Protestant Reformation… and they did a really fine job.

A point-to-point game, Here I Stand utilizes point values on cards to undertake actions, and various events provide a sense of narrative progression through the time period. It’s complex enough to give even hard-core players a run for their money, but the underlying mechanic is simple enough to allow for deep and engaging play once that initial learning curve has been overcome.

This is one of the games that integrate some classical wargame components with a truly detailed historical setting, placing diplomacy, finance, and political maneuvering just as high (if not higher) on the list than the ability to field troops.

There are a bunch of different editions floating around but the first edition of Here I Stand will look good on any collector’s shelf.

Estimated market value: $75

Designer: Martin Wallace

Artist: Michael Christopher, Peter Dennis, Richard Hanuschek

Publisher: Warfrog Games, Mercury Games

The Renaissance provides a great thematic background for game designers, given its inherent elements of war, intrigue, and economic and political upheaval. Players in Princes of the Renaissance enter this world as one of several rival condottieres (leaders) who are fighting to control the most stakes in a number of Italian cities and dominate the world.

The game is heavily biased toward the auction mechanic, and both money and influence are used to bid for different outcomes in the game. This combines with the intrigue mechanics to make for some great elements of political maneuvering.

There have been a couple of re-releases since the game’s initial 2003 release, so it’s possible to pick up a copy to play for fun relatively easily, but copies of the first edition are absolutely a collector’s item now. The price is low enough on both editions to make this a great introductory purchase for a collector just looking to start out.

Estimated market value: $150

Designer: Kenneth Clark

Artist: N/A

Publisher: Fusilier Games

A hex-grid-based wargame, Robert the Bruce is thematically centered in the late middle ages during the Scots Wars of Independence. A seriously classic game that drove straight at its battle-mechanics point, Robert the Bruce offered straightforward rules, quick and deadly combat, and some neat extras along for the ride like “The Fuzileer” an in-box accompanying magazine that provided additional historical information on the period.

It’s not easy to find copies of this little beauty around anymore, and there is no information on how many were produced in the first place. That said, used and even unpunched copies do emerge from time to time, always drifting back and forth between collectors (or at estate sales).

There are better wargames to play from modern designers that feature the same theme, so go elsewhere if you’re looking just for gameplay, but if you love the historical material or are a true collector then this is a good find.

Estimated market value: $$200-$400

Designer: Randall C. Reed

Artist: Rodger B. MacGowan, Randall C. Reed

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

Here is another war game for our list, and an absolutely massive one at that. The Longest Day depicts the first three months of the invasion of Normandy and provides two modes of play: a set of scenarios that are partially intended as primers to the rules and gameplay, and a campaign mode that can literally take months to play.

This is probably one of the largest games and most complex games ever produced by Avalon Hill, and it did a great job of capturing the total feel of the Normandy invasion and the slog that the allies had to grind through. It’s not the rarest of games, but copies in high condition can fetch a really solid price. However, considering that it has over 2,600 game pieces, finding a copy in good condition is probably not the easiest thing.

Risk: 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition (1999)

Estimated market value: $250-$550

Designer: Albert Lamorisse, Michael I. Levin

Artist: N/A

Publisher: Parker Brothers

Risk is one of the first games I played seriously as a kid and easily one of my favorites to this day, providing players with an immensely satisfying strategic war game experience simplified down to the bare basics. I remember being so totally addicted to this one that I’m certain I annoyed the heck out of all my friends with repeated arguments for spending the whole day playing it (while they were more interested in playing Battlefront II).

The game itself didn’t change for this one: the 40th edition of Risk is simply a special collector’s edition release, made intentionally in limited number and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. You could certainly play with one of these sets, and considering the incredible quality of the redrawn board and the die-cast minis, it would be easy to want to, but for the price of just one of these you could probably buy ten copies of a more basic version.

Estimated market value: $600

Designer: Dean Essig

Artist: Nicolás Eskubi, Dean Essig

Publisher: The Gamers, Multi-Man Publishing

Wargamers tend to think of this one as one of the big blockbusters of the genre, with enough complexity to be considered almost a simulation game more than a wargame. The content here is seriously massive and the basic rules are… well… complex and equally as massive as the game itself. We’re talking a combined rule book of over 60 pages, over a hundred pages of scenario booklets, and well over 3,000 counters.

The sort of game that gets set up in the basement (I mean… “command center”) and can last players many months, Case Blue takes the Nazi invasion of Russia to a whole new level of intricacy, allowing players to simulate the strategic level of the historical events to an unprecedented degree.

You can find copies of this game floating around, sure, but it was already expensive when released. Grabbing a full copy for anything less than $500 is a total miracle.

Estimated market value: $100

Designer: Don Greenwood, Jared Scarborough

Artist: Stephen Langmead, Kurt Miller

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co, Descartes Editeur

Age of Renaissance follows the same compelling concept as the Civilization game, with lots of trading, research, and territory control. Players encounter events, leaders, and various reward cards in a deck of cards, and the order of draw determines a massive amount of how the game plays.

One of the main reasons why the game likely never took off in the more mainstream range of play is due to the tracking complexity of the various component elements of gameplay. It’s not as easy a game to pick up and play as Civilization in other words, even if it does run off of some of the same themes.

Despite all that, it does have a dedicated following and there are certainly still plenty of playable copies in circulation. Copies that are in MIB condition, especially if still shrink-wrapped, can fetch a higher price, however, and it seems likely that picking one up now will lead to a real collector’s item in a couple of decades once fewer remaining copies are floating around.

Estimated market value: $250

Designer: Joseph M. Balkoski, Ed Beach

Artist: Charles Kibler, Keith Rocco

Publisher: The Avalon Hill Game Co

An operational war game, On to Richmond! covers the 1862 Peninsular Campaign from the American Civil War. It’s the 6th in the Great Campaigns of the American Civil War series, each of which concentrates on a different important operation from the Civil War.

The game does try to simulate the historical conflict accurately, while still allowing players to make new decisions and tackle the scenarios in innovative ways. This is pretty common with war games, where players are often looking for simulation-level material from real-world conflicts, but the Great Campaigns series overall does a good job of it.

It’s very possible to still find copies of this game that run only around $150, so it’s worthwhile even just for players who are looking for something from the era to play. But it’s also drifting into solid collectibles territory now as well.

Operation Typhoon: The German Assault on Moscow, 1941 (1978)

Estimated market value: $130

Designer: Joe Angiolillo, Joseph M. Balkoski

Artist: Redmond A. Simonsen

Publisher: Hobby Japan, SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.)

Yet another war game, this time one simulating a specific action from WWII — the Nazi attempt to take Moscow in 1941. There’s a lot of game to unpack here, and it’s rightly considered a “monster” game due to its sheer physical size, and it also happens to be the first game using this system to include variable unit strength based on size, moral, and fog of war.

This one never seemed to make it into the high-demand arena of some of the other war games from the late 1970s, but that makes it a good buy for collectors who love war games, or for anyone who really just wants to play a war game using this system since relatively intact copies aren’t liable to run out the wallet.

Do note that there’s a 2009 game of the same name floating around as well, and that one is absolutely not the same game (though it’s also OOP, so maybe not a bad purchase either).

Estimated market value: $200-$400

Designer: Jim Dunnigan

Artist: Redmond A. Simonsen

Publisher: Hobby Japan, SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.)

A monster wargame, War in Europe is now firmly in the realm of collectibles, unlike a fair few other similar games. This is partly because updated versions exist (many of which are themselves collectibles) and that other games concentrating on the same time period and concept have been designed. Still, this one could absorb players for days at a time as they dived deep into the initial conflict of the Second World War.

Finding the game in really good condition will run a collector around $200, with a mostly unheard of MIB copy possibly going for double that.

Estimated market value: $50

Designer: Alan R. Moon

Artist: Franz Vohwinkel

Publisher: AMIGO

I like trains and I’ve written a bit before about why trains are so cool](owzjnmrhzgu!), it’s likely not a surprise to anyone who reads my work that I’m also a fan of a board game centered on trains. There’s also a reason why the later version of this game (which ran essentially the same rules and re-implemented the theme as airlines did little to arouse my attention).

Union Pacific is a very simple money collection game, where players attempt to increase stock market shares in their train company and the winner is the one with the most money at the end of the game.

Decidedly OOP but with plenty of copies still floating around, UP is a great game for someone who likes train-related games and wants to find a copy to play, or for the discerning collector with an eye toward the future when fewer of these little gems are still intact and on the market.

Estimated market value: $1000-$2000

Designer: Thomas Fackler

Artist: Thomas Fackler

Publisher: Thomas Fackler

What a game, boy-howdy! Not an ordinary game by any means, Abtei der wandernden Bücher is a work of brilliant art, designed and personally created by the German visual artist Thomas Fackler. The premise of the game, where the abbot of a monastery hides the pieces of a word throughout many books, and the other players (the monks) have to hunt down the books and figure out the complete word. If they can’t, the player playing the abbot wins the game.

I love the idea of a word game married with a logistics enterprise. The books the players need to read can be blocked by the abbot, or only accessed at specific points in the game day, and there are additional elements that further complicate the game. This is one I’d personally love to own since the art is absolutely incredible, but auctions for it are very rare and the price is no poor man’s entry.

Estimated market value: $100-$800

Designer: Stephen Baker

Artist: Gary Chalk, Max Dunbar, Les Edwards

Publisher: Games Workshop Ltd., Milton Bradley

This has to be one of the most elementally classic board games around, taking the Dungeons and Dragons experience and implementing it on the board in a delightfully iconic and fun way. I love RPG games and games that are heavily themed, so this one is an absolute favorite of mine. I also contend that it remains highly playable despite all the modern alternatives, and since I’m also a sucker for nostalgia I think this wins out on some of its more modern and complex inheritors.

Now, this is a good example of a collectible game that can confuse early collectors, largely because there are so many different expansions and the difference between an open and used copy and one that’s MIB is pretty huge in terms of price.

It’s absolutely possible to pick up a copy in relatively good condition with all the parts for around $100, maybe even cheaper if you’re thrifting. An NRFB copy will run somewhere around $250 from what I’ve seen, and a MIB copy could run for double that. Start adding the expansion in and the price will just keep climbing.

Estimated market value: $100

Designer: Urs Hostettler, Hermann Wieland

Artist: N/A**

Publisher: Fata Morgana Spiele, Schweizer Hotelier-Verein**

Hotel Life has become something of a cult game among collectors. It’s a funny game, a surprising game, and a well-crafted game, though, so it makes sense that it would endear itself to players.

In the game, players take on the operation of different hotels, trying to sate the needs of their guests while dealing with increasingly complex interrelationships between those guests and the ever-present danger of a war breaking out someplace and creating cause for the army to billet its troops in your hotel rooms. Players need to maintain amenities and guest satisfaction in several ways.

Wonderfully complex, Hotel Life is a series of extended chain reactions set off by the arrival of new guests and can be a bit of a long play, but it remains a very fun and surprising game as well with both a theme and a quality of gameplay that a really surprisingly wide range of player personality types are sure to enjoy.

Estimated market value: $200

Designer: Wolfgang Kramer

Artist: Wolfgang Kramer, Franz Vohwinkel

Publisher: KOSMOS

A game of financial oneupmanship, Big Boss is all about investing and building – literally – a corporate dominion. One of the coolest aspects of the game is that, as a player invests more and more into their company, the skyline literally grows upward on the three-dimensional board, making the experience of winning a decidedly visceral one.

Big Boss is really easy to learn and play (players who aren’t as fast with maths as others can use a calculator when the deep game emerges), but the game also unfolds in a very similar way each play-through despite the limited randomization factors built in. Because of that and the fact that it’s hard to pick up a copy with all the pieces for a non-collector price, this one is pretty firmly in the collectibles-only category.

I have seen people do some pretty cool things though, like create their own boards and pieces, so if you’re really excited by the premise and have a 3D printer handy maybe Big Boss isn’t out of your reach.

War of the Ring: Collector's Edition (2010)

Estimated market value: $1,500

Designer: Roberto Di Meglio, Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello

Artist: Paolo Ciurli, John Howe, Matteo Macchi, Fabio Maiorana, Bob Naismith

Publisher: Nexus Editrice

A different take on the classic wargame, War of the Ring offers players the opportunity to take part in the grand and sprawling battlefield challenges presented by the Lord of the Rings canon… and it does this very, very well. War of the Ring is probably one of the best-known fantasy wargames for a reason: it excels at recreating the strategic experience that every Lord of the Rings fan has imagined.

That said, the game itself can be picked up for around $100 and is still in print (and the $100 is pretty good considering the literally massive size of the game). Here we are considering the special Collector’s Edition of the game, which ups the presentation and quality of the game to a really lovely artistic level.

Really this just highlights how the artificial scarcity of something works: you don’t need this edition to have blast playing War of the Ring so it only makes sense to keep an eye out for this if you are a massive collector who just totally loves Lord of the Rings. Otherwise, go pick it up from your local gaming store and make the store’s owner very happy with their daily sales goals.

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30 Board and Card Games Based on TV Series

Odin (28)

May 19, 2021

Who doesn’t like to binge a good television series?

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Posted on May 24, 2021 by admin

May 24, 2021

h/supernote • 3 guides

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h/e-ink • 3 guides

Mar 8, 2021

3 minutes

Joined in 2021 27 guides

Odin Hartshorn Halvorson is a writer, geek, and hopeful futurist. A graduate from Stonecoast MFA, his work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He is the founder of Round Table Writers, an organization dedicated to “writers helping writers.” Odin’s love of Roddenberrian and Straczynskian ideals leads him to contemplate technology’s role in our evolving philosophic landscape, a line of inquiry threaded through both his fiction and non-fiction writing. Learn more at OdinHalvorson.com

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The Supernote E-Ink device combines smoothly with Dropbox sync.

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In these interests: technology supernote e-ink

The Supernote is the best e-ink device around, this guide explains why.

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In these interests: e-ink technology supernote

h/supernote • 3 guides

The Ratta Supernote is one of our favorites when it comes to e-ink devices that are practical and easy to use.

h/technology • 17 guides

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Alan C. Clarke, science fiction writer, TV host, underwater explorer and inventor.

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Posted on May 19, 2021 by admin

Odin (28)

May 19, 2021

Who doesn’t like to binge a good television series? These days, binging shows has become synonymous with watching shows, and one of the best ways to relax after a hard day’s work is to kick back with four to fifty episodes of your favorite series. Heck, entertainment giants like Netflix are built on the model of making new series just for the purpose of being binged!

Board game designers have been making games themed off of our favorite television series for decades, and it’s easy to see why! However, if you’re like me, then you have a fair few classic shows that just mean something extra special to you — the sort of shows that you’ll go back to and re-binge, over and over, no matter how well you’ve memorized all the lines. When that happens, it’s time to find another way to access the flame of your fandom… and what better way is there than by finding a game themed off of your favorite show?

Board game designers have been making games themed off of our favorite television series for decades, and it’s easy to see why! Some of these board games are based on just one moment in an episode, or a particular aspect of a series; television shows offer so much range for game designers to work from. With so much great television content, there’s a whole range of delightful possibilities for fresh board games that allow fans to find renewed joy in all their favorite shows.

h/boardgames • 6 guides

h/popculture • 12 guides

Who Wants to be a Millionaire Board Game

Regardless of whether or not you’re a reality TV show fan, there’s little doubt that you’ve at least heard the name of this classic tension-filled game show before. How to Be a Millionaire is one of the debut ’90s shows that broke big across the international scene and helped define a number of the big reality trivia shows to come.

How it’s played

Like the TV series, the board game version of WWTBAM (as it’s known by its fans) is all about answering the hardest questions around, gaining more money, and strategically using your fellow player’s input to decide on the right answer. It does a great job recreating the vibe of the series, allowing for classic moves like calling on your “Lifeliners” to help remove incorrect answers or checking in with the “audience” (the other players) to see if they have suggestions for you (though there’s nothing to keep them from subtly misdirecting you!).

I’d say this is a fun party game even if you’re not a big fan of the series, simply because the format’s tried and true for trivia experiences, and the questions can be tricky enough to really allow people to show off their miscellaneous knowledge.

I loved Scooby-Doo as a kid and still go back as an adult sometimes for a Saturday morning cartoon fest with cereal to re-watch the old seasons. One of the best things about Scooby-Doo that I think is really awesome is how it provides kids with a fun and light introduction to the horror genre, offering a lot of the aesthetic and using many of the common tropes, but never going for the pure scare. It’s also a great introduction to mysteries for kids, with many of the episodes giving kids the experience of trying to figure out who might be behind the supernatural menace before the big reveal.

How it’s played

This kid’s mass-market Scooby-Doo game is a total blast that fits well with the classic cartoon because it’s a deductive game, which is so cool for kids. Players move their pieces around the board and pick up mystery tickets, which give you the clues you need to begin solving the mysteries. A monster is randomly chosen, and each monster has certain locations on the map where it is hiding. By using a dry-erase marker on the included map, in combination with the cards that are randomly drawn from the mystery ticket deck, players can figure out where the monsters are located.

Young children (the game says it can be for four-year-olds) might have a little difficulty getting into the game without adult help, but six-year-olds and up will be fine. Adults will end up having fun, too, though, because the mystery in the game will always be different. It’s a worthwhile game to pull out for anyone who is either a light game for parties or a fun game for those who really loved Scooby-Doo.

Friends is one of the most iconic TV series of all time, and even if viewer opinion has never completely aligned regarding whether Ross is a terrible person or not, the show as a whole has remained one of the most beloved and often-rewatched series of all time. Its cultural impact was huge, and it helped to launch more than a few big-name careers.

With such a popular series, there just had to be an accompanying board game. In this case, it’s a game of trivia, where players are rewarded for how deep down the fandom rabbit hole they’ve descended.

How it’s played

The game mechanics behind the trivia are simple: players roll dice, move around the board, and answer a different question. Really little more than a vehicle for the questions about the show, there’s not much here to satisfy a hard-core gamer, but conversely, there’s more than enough here to satisfy a hard-core Friends fan.

Sons of Anarchy lost some of my attention when the bike gangs started having full-on wars in the middle of town and nobody in the outside world seemed to notice, but the action-packed seasons certainly kept most viewers glued to their seats. With more than enough drama to satisfy anyone, Sons of Anarchy managed to provide a classical melodrama of Greek proportions and Roman violence, often delivered by a surprisingly superb cast of actors.

The board game takes a top-down view of the series’ premise and gives players a sense of what it’s like to control one of the big gangs vying for control of the town. This one could be fun for someone who’s never seen the show, too, and I think that’s a winner.

How it’s played

Each turn, the players try to gain control of different locations around the board and try to stay on top by managing different resources (including contraband and guns, of course). It’s a very back-stabby game, where success in some instances can only be claimed if two players team up to take down another one — but then the survivors are left facing off themselves. Friends can become enemies in an instant in this game, but, luckily, I think that the friends gathered around the game table will all walk away feeling pretty good about the experience.

Bob's Burgers: Belcher Family Food Fight

Bob’s Burgers is simply hilarious, there’s no way around it. In my home, every time Thanksgiving rolls around, a mighty chorus of “Pass the Turkey” bellows forth (much to the alarm of the neighbors). It provided enough quirky moments where it took life’s drama and offered back something relatable and funny that it couldn’t help but be a big hit.

The board game for the series is just about as quirky, and centers on… a food fight (what else?). This is a really easy game to learn and play and is good for kids (though we don’t recommend letting kids see Bob’s Burgers, it’s on Adult Swim for a reason!).

How it’s played

The mechanics of the game are incredibly simple: players just try to get rid of all the food tokens on their plates as quickly as possible. Special dice are rolled and food is moved either to someone else’s plate or into the center of the table and out of the game. Whoever gets rid of all their food first gets a golden spatula, and the person who gets three spatulas first wins!

King Robert Baratheon has died and, in the wake of his passing, all the lands of Westeros brace for war. Such is the thematic setting of A Game of Thrones: The Board Game, where three to six players take on the roles of the major Houses of Westeros as they vie for dominance and trickery in that most subtle of games, the game of thrones.

This game actually manages to be just as complex as you’d expect an original board game based on this IP to be. Combat alone will not lead a player to victor here, where diplomacy, trickery, and careful planning are really key.

How it’s played

The goal of the game is to control seven territories containing a castle or a stronghold. Each turn has three phases, including a random event phase based on cards drawn. In the planning phase, players give secret orders to their pieces while trying to predict the actions of their opponents. Then, in the action phase, all actions are revealed at the same time (in specific orders of operations). This mechanic is super cool because it goes far in recreating the sense of dramatic tension experienced in the show: you’re never quite sure what move anyone else is going to make and making the wrong tactical choice can cost you the game!

Star Trek is one of the most iconic and influential television series in all of history, and its vision of a socialist future guided by the principles of scientific exploration, peace, and diplomacy, remains just as poignant today as it did during the decades of its inception (perhaps even more so). Between the Star Trek reboot films and the new series, the show continues to capture the imagination of a new generation, boldly going where nobody has gone before.

How it’s played

Star Trek: Five-Year Mission is based on an old-school-flavor, that of the classic Star Trek series and from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It’s an awesome game for three to seven players who, in the role of different crew members from the Enterprise or the Enterprise-D, and work together to cooperatively solve different emergency alert scenarios. It’s a simple game, based on dice-rolling and card drawing, so mechanically there’s not much here, but the combinations of the different alerts can make complicated experiences for the players to solve.

The Big Bang Theory struck a powerful cultural chord, and though it evolved and morphed over time, the core concept of a bunch of socially inept geeky scientists interacting awkwardly with the “normal” world around them never ceased to bring audiences to tears (usually with laughter).

Given that the show features a wide variety of gaming references, it would seem silly for there not to be a unique game based on the series. In this case, we have a party trivia game that derives its humor from moments from the show. The Big Bang Theory: The Party Game is naturally all about answering geeky questions about the series, but it has some fun moments that are certain to make fans of the series happy.

How it’s played

Really this is just a simple trivia game, much in the same style as Cards Against Humanity. Each player takes a turn as the referee and flips over a red card on which there is a phrase that references some aspect of the show, such as, “Often leads to disaster” and the players play blue cards to provide the best or funniest answer, such as “killer robot.”

There are some other mechanics that help mix up the cards and create some random possibility, but it’s definitely a simple set-up. Still, for fans of the series, it has a lot of potential to be a fun way to take your next Big Bang Theory marathon to a whole new level.

Doctor Who is the longest-running series around, and for good reason. In all their various incarnations, Doctor Who has provided viewers with a delightful range of the impossible, the profound, the mysterious, and the heartfelt. I mean, who among us didn’t cry at the end of Rose’s arc? Who doesn’t love the way the fourth Doctor asks, “Would you like a jelly baby?”

The iconic series has been notoriously difficult to capture on the board, however, with some of the Doctor Who board games being ranked so low by fans that you’d have to dig them out with a spade. Into this strange dearth of Doctor Who board games steps Time of the Daleks, which manages to offer a good aesthetic and good game-play mechanics in one great package for two to four players.

How it’s played

Players take on the roles of one of the incarnations of the Doctor, who is up against the Daleks once more as they try to erase the Doctor from all of time and space. The game is semi-cooperative in that players do need to impede the Daleks and aid each other, but the end-game goal of reaching Gallifrey before the Daleks can only be accomplished by a single doctor (so there’s only one “winner” from a mechanics sense). Players collect companions in the form of companion cards, which help them achieve their goals, and use dice pools to overcome different adverse conditions.

This is a pretty average game in terms of difficulty, and players can pick it up quickly. The mechanics of the game are going to be interesting even for players who have never watched Doctor Who before, but this is ultimately a game that will be most enjoyable for those who are long-running fans. The more seasons of Who you’ve seen, the more fun easter eggs you’ll recognize.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was one of the first shows to properly capitalize on the “James Bond Phenomena”, arriving on the scene with only two Bond films released, U.N.C.L.E. immediately became the #1 spy show in the world and a cult favorite. The first two seasons, especially, received critical acclaim, before poor decisions by the producers turned the remaining two seasons into pure camp.

Board games back in the ’60s were, generally speaking, simpler than modern games — except for a few rare diamonds, many of which were firmly entrenched in the wargames genre. But this two to four person tie-in proved good material from which to draw. Though it is still simple in some regards, some nice mechanics allow for more subtle play than might be expected.

The artwork is also well done, providing a solid 1960s spy-noir vibe to the game.

Scheme, sneak, and prank your way to the top of the company chain and gain the position of Assistant to the Regional Manager! Complete challenges, win raffles, and get the most points. Every turn has three turns, the goal of which is to complete challenges (where the players actually compete against one another, say, with an arm-wrestling competition, or by telling three jokes in sixty seconds). Prank cards (like saying the grossest word you can think of aloud and forcing someone else to comment on it) make things even more fun.

Sometimes you just cannot wait around for the big guys to come along with something official. If there’s no official board game for your favorite IP then the only recourse is to make one!

Now, Farscape has long been one of my favorite television series. Gritty, deep, emotional, silly, and bizarre, it’s one of the best (and most frequently overlooked) series in the last thirty years. But, sadly, there was never a good board game set in the Farscape universe. A tie-in card game did get developed, but it didn’t quite meet fan expectations. So that’s where Reddit user wusashicat decided to take matters into their own hands with Farscape: War for the Uncharted Territories, a two to four player game set in the Farscape universe.

How it’s played

In this game, you will control the leader of a powerful faction trying to spread your influence across the Uncharted Territories and crush your opponent. While your influence spreads you are being harassed by the outlaw crew of Moya and their increasingly legendary exploits. Can you conquer the Uncharted Territories before your opponents do?

Players compete through multiple rounds, each with three distinct phases. The game incorporates research, deck building, and area-control (via the game board).

Now, since this is an unlicensed fan creation, you probably won’t ever be able to buy this in stores, but wusashicat hopes to make the rules and materials available for free online so people can print them out and put together their own set. Definitely an awesome DIY project!

Scrabble is one of the most loved classic games around and is the devoted passion hobby of a select group of people who take it pretty darned seriously. But what about specialty Scrabble?

Star Trek has long been considered one of the greatest classic science fiction series, and the show writers’ famously vague use of scientific-sounding words (or “treknobabble”) has been a staple joke of the fan community. So what happens when you take that treknobabble and make it all legal for Scrabble play? A madness that only a true Trekkie could excel at, that’s what.

How it’s played

The game doesn’t differ from classic Scrabble, save that it includes a cool Star Trek-themed mat and a dictionary of legal words from the Star Trek universe. Players can also get bonus points for spelling out “Klingon,” “Khan,” “Andoria,” or “Romulan”.

When a favorite IP has yet to release a board game, sometimes you need to design one yourself… but what if you’re a family that makes and markets board games as a professional hobby? That’s what we have in Master the Elements, a game that is so clearly inspired by Avatar that no fan could miss the connection— but which tastefully avoids any direct connection to the wonderful Avatar: The Last Airbender series.

It’s a very simple game, but for those who love Avatar and always wanted to play a board game set in that universe, it’s a worthy purchase.

How it’s played

This is a token-shifting game, where players attempt to stack their tokens in a specific order and relation to specific locations on the map, all while stealing tokens from other players and trying to defend their own. Element cards add a further dose of randomness to the gameplay.

The best thing about this game is the design and quality of the build, which is frankly quite gorgeous. The gameplay rules can be a little difficult to understand at first play, so looking up a playthrough video is a good idea. Overall, while a simple game, it makes a great addition to any Avatar fan’s collection.

Lost drew fans in with its clever mystery and mythology and led viewers on a wild ride for a total of 121 episodes. Given its premise (survivors of an aircraft crash trying to understand the strange and apparently supernatural mystery at the heart of the island they now call home), it always seemed like a board game tie-in would have plenty of opportunities to draw players into the mystery.

How it’s played

With a modular hex playing board, not unlike the one found in Settlers of Catan, Lost: The Game gives two to eight players the chance to compete with one another as one of 17 Lost characters through exploration, beating encounters, recruiting tribe members, and attempting to neutralize their opponents. Special rules exist for certain characters as well, and the game has plenty of easter eggs for die-hard Lost fans.

The X-Files was a huge part of my childhood, and I was obsessed with all things Mulder and Scully. Now, I happily re-watch my DVD copy of the X-Files Mythology collection (featuring just the core episodes of the alien plot) every couple of years. Getting to play a game in the X-Files world is a total dream, but trying to find one that played well and gave my true inner fan the search for truth he was looking for proved difficult in the face of other sub-standard tie-ins. So, when I discovered that Legendary Encounters had made an X-Files game, I knew I needed to grab it ASAP (after all, Legendary Encounters is responsible for turning another of my favorite IP, Alien, into an amazing game as well).

Gosh, I love deck-building games. There’s something truly wonderful about the huge range of options available to players in a deck-building game, where replay value is massive and the possibility for new tactics and situations appear with every game. I’m also a massive fan of cooperative games, which LE: X-Files also is! Playing with your friends instead of against them is one of the best ways to game, in my opinion.

How it’s played

Players take on the role of one of the classic X-Files characters (Mulder, Scully, Doggett, or Reyes), and investigate the X-Files and the greater conspiracy lurking in the background. Players begin with their own small deck and add cards to it through play. Players then play those cards during their turn, fighting enemies that they draw, uncovering mysteries, and recruiting new allied character cards to their deck for use during the next round of play. All the players need to work together to reach the “end game” and the conspiracy that awaits them there.

Stranger Things did everything right: it is one of those magic television series that had just the right random stuff in it to make a massive splash with audiences around the world. Part nostalgia trip into the ’70s and ’80s aesthetic of classics like E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, and part action-horror masterpiece, Stranger Things continues to deliver seasons that are fun, witty, and delightfully creepy, all with the sort of incredible acting from its young cast that cannot help but cement fan loyalty.

Until the Stranger Things: Eggo Card Game came along, we only had a couple of terrible tie-in games based on Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit. So what about Eggo? Well, unlike the IP that spawned it, this game doesn’t deliver anything especially new, so I can really only suggest it unless you’re a huge fan of the show. If you are a huge fan, however, grab a copy, because it’s a cute tie-in that at least pretends to a bit more originality than the other Stranger Things games out there.

How it’s played

It’s Uno. No, seriously. It’s Uno. There’s a feature that complicates the game wherein players must escape the Upsidedown by playing a certain card… but otherwise, it’s essentially just Uno with a Stranger Things facelift. If you love Uno and you love Stranger Things, this is absolutely the right game for you.

Battlestar Galactica broke the mold in so many ways. A powerful post 9-11 series with dark terrorist-haunted plots and a gritty, U-boat-in-space aesthetic, Battlestar Galactica also featured some incredible acting on the part of its principal cast. By taking the premise of the older and campier original series, the remake created a series that many modern viewers have come to identify with as the quintessential modern science fiction experience.

Given how many great twists and turns there are in the show, and how much range between grand military plots and tight conspiracy storylines, there was a huge amount of content for a game designer to draw from when constructing a tie-in.

How it’s played

One of the coolest factors here is that Battlestar Galactica is a cooperative game, where the players take on the roles of the crew of Battlestar Galactica who are trying to hold the ship together and reach the safety of Kobol in one piece. The complication? Not all of the characters are human! Some are Cylons in disguise and their goal is to stop Battlestar Galactia at any choice.

Nobody knows going in if they are, or are not, a human or a Cylon, which makes the game super fun and massively replayable, and makes great use of one of Battlestar’s most important plot points.

Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery

Shirtless men gleam as they spar in a desert arena. “Mmm,” you say, looking on from your leisure balcony while eating peeled grapes. “Mmmmm.”

Spartacus was one of those super-stylized and sorta lower-budget television series that pretended to be a historical show to mainly have a generic Roman aesthetic and lots of drama… but don’t think I’m coming down hard on it! This may have been its goal, but it’s a goal that Spartacus excelled at, gathering a huge cult following and delivering several seasons of bloody, action-packed drama with plenty of steamy sub-plot on the side.

Given the storylines focus on gladiators duking it out in an arena, it doesn’t take much to guess what the game tie-in, Spartacus: A Game of Blood and Treachery, concentrates on.

How it’s played

First off, be aware that the game is rated 17+, given some of the flavor text and the bloody graphics. It’s not actually that terribly over-the-top, but the rating makes sense given the 17+ content of the source material.

The game itself actually managed to break tie-in expectations by being really good. Every player starts with a player board and competes for different coins using a combination of special abilities, assets, and influence. Players take on the role of one of the leading Roman characters from the show and the play revolves around using gladiators to compete with other players, gaining slaves, and defending against the ever-present threat of intrigue. There is resource management in the game, backstabbery, and plenty of room for tactical decision-making. Honestly, it’s a blast.

With its 1920s English setting and an exceptional cast, Peaky Blinders struck gold with its post-WWI crime-drama aesthetic. Focused on the exploits of a Birmingham street gang fighting to survive despite the working class deprivations of the era, the series delivers the sort of gritty morality and harsh drama that fans of crime shows cannot help but fall in love with.

The board game uses not just the aesthetic of the series but also the thematic premise, and players take on the role of different gang members vying for control of the streets of Birmingham.

How it’s played

Players try to manage and expand their gang’s business, control henchmen, collect materials, and attack the turf of opposing games. By completing different missions, players steadily gain control of the town and edge out their opponents. By winning enough of these missions, victory is achieved and one gang survives to rule them all.

The period drama goodness of Call the Midwife grabbed the hearts of viewers as it told the stories of a group of midwives working in London’s East End in the 1950s and ’60s. Pregnancies, births, and the difficulties of human life are explored in all their difficulty… but compassion and hope still manage to burn surprisingly strong.

Given that the series is all about midwifery, it sort of makes sense that the bard game would be as well — but it’s never quite as easy as all that in the series, and the board game tie-in doesn’t make it easy either.

How it’s played

The game’s design is quite simple: a player wins by delivering the most babies. Players take on the roles of one of the four midwives from the show, and they travel around Poplar delivering babies. By drawing a delivery card, players are given instructions on the next address they need to get to for delivery, but things can come up and they might get called away for another more urgent delivery, or some other crisis, that might delay their getting to the original destination.

The game is simple but well thought out, and I’d be surprised if the designer wasn’t a huge fan of the show themselves, since it plays a lot like the episodes of the show’s run. If you’re a fan of Call the Midwife, this is a great buy.

SNL is one of the great cultural treasures of our TV-saturated culture, a powerhouse of comedic silliness and satirical genius, all rolled into one intensely funny package. Since Geroge Carlin hosted the first SNL series in 1975, Saturday Night Live has only grown in popularity, taking on every topic imaginable and launching the careers of many of the most famous comedic actors around today.

There have been a few board game tie-ins for SNL over the years, but this one concentrates on one of the best parts of SNL: the stand-In sketches!

How it’s played

Players play through a series of classic SNL sketches, with everyone in on the sketch except a single-player: the stand-in. The stand-in must try to improvise and keep up with the sketch, figuring it out for themselves and not letting any of the other players know that they’re not in on the joke! This is a great one for groups and small parties and allows players to laugh themselves silly as their friends act out the greatest sketch comedies of all time (or fail to).

Dexter, the dark and darkly-comedic crime drama series featuring everyone’s favorite serial killer-who-only-kills-serial killers, became a cult fan favorite in no time. The constant tension of Dexter’s day-job and “normal person” facade running up against his extracurricular activities (murder) made for a great premise, and as bad as Dexter ever seemed, he was always up against a character who was even worse.

Fans of the show will love this board-game tie-in, which delivers a great Dexter experience even despite some of its mechanical imperfections.

How it’s played

The game objective is to be the first player (or first “Dexter”) to collect a set of particular tools, nab a particular suspect (randomly received from the suspect card’s pile), kill your victim and dump their body in the marina. It’s a very simple roll to move mechanic and it achieves most of its playability from its tie-in nature. Fans of Dexter will absolutely enjoy this for its Dexter aesthetics, and the gameplay is enjoyable enough to keep everyone engaged, but it probably won’t turn the heads of experienced gamers looking for their next deep thrill.

Parks and Recreation is certainly in my top-five comedy series of all-time list, and might even be up in the top ten of all my favorite shows ever. I wasn’t a fan of The Office, so when I first encountered Parks and Rec, I dismissed it as just a repeat of something I wasn’t that interested in. Then I actually watched a few episodes in a row and found myself utterly hooked. Clever, witty, socially introspective, charming, and just plain excellent, Parks and Rec really blew all the comedic competition out of the water. I can’t say that I’ve found as perfect a comedy show since.

But how to take such a great series and gamify it? Well, in this case, the game focuses on the political themes of the series, drawing from Leslie Knope’s bid for a seat on the Pawnee Council as the setting for the action.

How it’s played

Knope for President Party Card Game is designed for three to six players and works a bit like a more complicated version of Apples to Apples. As different scenarios arise, players take quotes from drawn cards to try and form their own improvisational speeches. If you and your friends are fond of acting out scenarios and being way over the top, this game will delight you, but even if you’re just a bit quieter simply playing an Apples to Apples simplified version of the game is certain to make you want to re-watch Parks and Rec right there and then.

The Walking Dead capitalized on the intense drama and complex characterizations of the graphic novel series of the same name and delivered an epic and sprawling horror series that drew in all the tropes of the zombie genre. Despite the numerous spawned spin-off series, the original Walking Dead remains the true fan favorite, and it clearly cemented itself as a staple work in the zombie mythos.

How it’s played

There are plenty of more generic zombie games out there, some of them really excellent, but for fans of The Walking Dead not just any random game will do. That’s why I’ve got to recommend The Walking Dead: All Out War, a one to two person tactical game set in the Georgia countryside where players take on the task of keeping their group of survivors alive from the dangers of zombies and other survivors alike.

Players vie for resources and try not to make noise because noise attracts walkers, and walkers are bad for everyone. There’s a great AI mechanic built into the game to control the walkers, meaning that The Walking Dead: All Out War can be played and enjoyed by a single player, not a commonplace occurrence with tabletop games.

If you’ve yet to realize that I’m a huge Star Trek nerd, then you clearly need to read more of my articles. I love Trek, especially the classic ’90s shows and the films from the first two major incarnations. I even dug the more action-packed reboot films, which were really more akin to Star Wars than Star Trek, don’t get me started!

I’ve already placed a few other Star Trek games on this list, but this one deserves a spot not simply because it’s a Star Trek tie-in, but because it’s a darn fine strategy game with more than enough depth to give even the most seasoned gamers a run for their money.

How it’s played

Star Trek: Fleet Captains incorporates some of the best miniatures ever, so its massive price tag makes sense — the game really is beautifully designed. It takes players through an entire season of a Star Trek series, pulling together deep storylines with exceptional mechanics that make strategic and tactical play take a front seat. Players control several starships and attempt to complete science, influence, or combat missions drawn from a mission deck.

The locations on the deck are formed by placing hexagonal location cards down to form the “board” and there are a large number of such cards, giving each playthrough a huge range of different landscapes to play on. As players explore, they establish bases and solve random events (like Q showing up) and through this gain victory points.

Trust me, this is the ultimate Star Trek game for any fan of the series, and even if you’ve only watched a few episodes but love a really deep gaming experience Star Trek: Fleet Captains has what you desire.

Ah, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the TV show that stole my teenage heart and never gave it back. Joss Whedon’s masterpiece series had everything one could wish for: campiness, friendship, an evolving storyline, complex characters who changed over time, a bit of horror, a bit of action, plenty of romantic tension, and, with some of those episodes, enough feels to crack the toughest heart. Seriously, I haven’t cried so hard ever as I have during an episode of Buffy. If you’re a fan you know the one. Darn you, Joss. Darn, you straight to heck.

Okay, but what does a board game set in the Buffyverse look like?

How it’s played

Tie-In games can be hit or miss, but with Buffy The Vampire Slayer it’s hit all the way. It’s a little like a cross between Arkham Horror and Pandemic, where there are clues to find but a steadily-increasing hoard of monsters arriving to destroy Sunnydale and bring Armageddon to the world. What really gets me the most about this game is how clearly the designers absolutely love Buffy The Vampire Slayer and understand the show, and that passion shines through.

The game is pretty simple, but that simplicity serves the game well. Players take on the role of one of the heroes and fight off three “monsters of the week” that leave clues that lead up to the “big bad”. There are a lot of great secondary game mechanics that complicate things though and alter the town of Sunnydale, making this harder and more interesting as the game progresses.

Seriously, this one is pure magic. Buffy is one of the greats and this is absolutely the game to accompany it.

Firefly, forever in our hearts, your brilliance was snuffed out far too early. Firefly may have only run for a single season (and one film plus some cool graphic novel versions), but it left fans with the taste of something truly magical: a living breathing ‘verse, filled with all the space-cowboy drama that anyone could ever wish for. Seriously. Humor, drama, action, romance, horror, this show had it all.

I think it’s safe to say that I will never fully come to terms with Firefly’s untimely end, but in a certain sense that early demise allowed it to exist as a perfectly imperfect moment in time: it never had time to grow beyond itself or get swept up by bad Producer decisions (mainly because the producers decided to make a whole decade’s worth of bad marketing decisions before the show was even aired). It captured the hearts of its loyal Browncoat fans forever, and can safely be called one of the great masterpiece works of the genre.

Of course, for all that, I could not have imagined a board game that would do Firefly justice. And then my sister introduced me to the humbly named Firefly the Board Game, and a wonderful ‘verse of Firefly-themed play opened up before my very eyes.

How it’s played

Each game has a different set of win conditions as decided by a story card, and each player attempts to complete the goals on this card as the captain of a different smuggling ship floating through the ‘verse. Players assemble crews, add improvements to their ships, fend off reaver attacks, and try to outwit the ever-watchful alliance — all while competing with other players for resources and jobs.

I think that it just happens to be a darn-near perfect tie-in game, and has more than enough mechanical depth to provide players with play-through after play-through.

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Odin (28)

May 24, 2021

Board games may not be the first thing on your mind when you think of collectibles, and yet there is a deep and not-so-hidden world of board game hoarding, collecting, and trading as complex as that found within any other area of interest — perhaps deeper! There is a huge range of wonderful old games out there, limited edition runs, classics, and hidden gems that are worth their weight in gold to the right collector. There are many factors that make a board game especially sought-after by collectors, from how many copies of the game were first made, to how many are known to exist, and how unique or artistically superior the artwork and aesthetic happen to be. As with any other genre of collectibles, the condition of the board games is a major factor in terms of their financial worth, though this is certainly a secondary aspect of what makes a collection valuable for many collectors. After all, certain games might exist in such a small supply that even a poorer-quality copy is going to be highly sought after. But don’t mistake me: recent games can become collectibles as well, not just those dusty with history. Any limited edition run, even the alpha builds of now-popular games, can become collectible items. This can also happen with games that have special editions released for some purpose (perhaps an anniversary edition, or an edition released to coincide with some historical event). The genre of game can also have a major impact, with war games being one of the classic categories that draw in collectors. Plenty of collectors will even go so far as to purchase copies of games that they think might be collectibles in the future, and then store them, waiting to see if their hunch pans out a decade or two down the road. Board game collecting terminology Now, I’m not going to go too deep into the world of collectibles, but it’s important to know a couple of common terms before continuing forward. OOP: Stands for “Out of Print”. Games that are OOP are generally considered collectible in their own right, since (at least for a time) new editions of the game are not being printed. Sometimes, as with the board game Dune, games will find a renewed life with fresh print runs years or decades after they originally went OOP, but even so, copies from the original runs are likely to be highly prized (if they’re in good condition). P / UP (Punched or Unpunched): Traditionally used in reference to items being hung on retail pegs but for board games, it refers to whether or not the pieces of the game have been detached from their original cardboard sheets. This makes them valuable to both collectors and people looking to buy a used copy of the game who wish to ensure that all the original pieces are included (since it’s easy to see if there are any missing (“punched out”) from the sheets. Mint: A bit more commonplace, this refers to games that are still shrink-wrapped. However, be aware that plenty of unscrupulous sellers exist. “Mint” alone is not enough to clarify the new and unopened state of the game, so look for clarifications. The abbreviations MISB (Mint in Sealed Box), or MIB/MIP (Mint in Box/Mint in Package) are better indicators for the condition. NRFB (Never Removed From Box): this is a handy way for a seller to indicate that the item comes in original condition in all aspects save that it is no longer shrink-wrapped. It would have all its parts in their original unpunched condition, and all pieces in their original baggies or containers. These are not by any means the only terms you’ll come across, but they are a couple of the more common as you begin your deep dive into the world of collectibles.

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