Shows / Pick Up and Deliver
Pick Up and Deliver
A brief podcast about hobby board games, recorded by English professor Brendan Riley on brief 15 minute walks around town. Join us for a stroll as we discuss mechanisms, gameplay, theory, and topics of the day.
Find show notes at RattleboxGames.com
Episodes
Pick Up and DeliverAction Selection (Mechanism Survey)
Brendan, inspired by plays of Electrify, talks about a few of his favorite Action Selection games. Join us, won’t you? Choose an action, varying strength…
Pick Up and DeliverMystery games redux (themestorm)
Brendan revisits the subject of mystery-themed games. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 242: Mystery Game Race Games Whitehall Mystery (2017)* Fury of…
Pick Up and DeliverHeroQuest; Apothebakery; Mysterium Park; The Big Book of Madness (revisited)
PU&D870: HeroQuest; Apothebakery; Mysterium Park; The Big Book of Madness (revisited)Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried recently for the first…
Pick Up and DeliverStefan Feld (Great Designers)
Brendan adds to his Great Designers series, talking about his experience with Stefan Feld games, and which ones he likes the best. Join us, won’t you?His four…
Pick Up and DeliverNight at the Zoo; The Emerald Flame; Elder Sign: Omens of the Pharaoh (expansion)
Brendan talks about three games he played for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Night at the Zoo (2026) The Emerald Flame (2021) Elder Sign: Omens…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, October 2026
Brendan explores his game plays in September and sets up his October plays. Join us, won’t you? September Top of the Stack New Game – Recall✓ Top 50 game –…
Pick Up and Deliver5 Things I Like About Trickerion (Message from the Deep)
Brendan does a deep dive into one of his favorite games: Trickerion. Join us, won’t you? Trickerion: Legends of Illusion (2015) Tactical Worker Placement…
Pick Up and DeliverEmptying the Dust Bin – June – August 2026
Brendan reflects on the games he dusted off in June, July, and August but didn’t have time to reflect upon. Join us, won’t you? Top 50 Dusted off Trickerion…
Pick Up and DeliverVirgo gamers (Astrology files)
Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Virgo might like best. Join us, won’t you? Previous Astrology Files episodes…
Pick Up and DeliverThe Game Makers; Wanted Wombats; Wandering Towers; The Downfall of Pompei (revisited)
Brendan gives his first impressions of three games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? The Game Makers (2026) Fromage (2024) Wanted Wombats (2022) Wandering…
Pick Up and DeliverMay, June, July ’26 Movie Roundup
Brendan shares his thoughts on the films he watched in May, June, and July of 2026. Join us, won’t you? The Sheep Detectives (2026) Three Bags Full by Leonie…
Pick Up and DeliverIntroducing the Hobby, part 2 – Mechanism Boot Camp
Fresh off his episode about crowd pleasing beginner games, Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby’s mechanisms. Join us for this…
Pick Up and DeliverPick Up & Deliver 860: Introducing the Hobby, part 1 – Crowd Pleasers
Brendan shares insights into how to introduce people to the hobby. Join us for this first of two parts, won’t you? Introducing the Hobby (episode 20) Wits &…
Pick Up and DeliverFit to Print; Destinies; Hex Effects; TTR Europe (revisited)
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Fit to Print (2023) Tiny Towns (2019) Galaxy…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, Sept '26
Brendan talks a bit about what games he played in August, and what games he wants to play in September. Join us, won’t you? August 2026 Top of the Stack New…
Pick Up and DeliverBack to School (Themestorm Redux)
Brendan revisits an old Themestorm, “Back to School,” and reflects on some ideas about it. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 259: Back to School (Board…
Pick Up and DeliverShelf of Opportunity Update
Brendan shares an update on the pile of games he owns but hasn’t played yet. Join us, won’t you? My Shelf of Opportunity Emptying The Dust Bin (reflections)…
Pick Up and DeliverEverdell: Emerland; Darwin’s Journey; Tranquility; Thunder Road: Vendetta (revisited)
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he tried recently, and one he revisited. Join us, won’t you? Everdell Emerland (2026) Everdell (2018)…
Pick Up and DeliverLook Back at 1996-2000
Brendan talks about his favorite games from 1996-2000. Join us, won’t you?Pick Up & Deliver 827: Look Back at 2001-2004Top 5 games from this era: Lost Cities…
Pick Up and DeliverTeaching Anachrony
Brendan talks a bit about teaching games, particularly the delightfully complex game Anachrony. Join us, won’t you? Teaching About Boardgames, Part 1 and Part…
Pick Up and DeliverGenCon 2026 Games (BG Espresso Flight)
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played for the first time at Gencon this year. Join us, won’t you? Trickarus (2024) Hey Hey Relay (2024)…
Pick Up and DeliverGenCon 2026 Wrap up
Brendan shares some highlights from GenCon 2026. Join us, won’t you? XYZ Game Labs Checking in with friends Azkadelia (All Play) Kervin Queliza (For Why Games)…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, August 2026
Brendan shares his game plays from July and his plans for August. Join us, won't you? Top of the Stack, July 2026 New Game - Liberté Top 50 game - Dungeon…
Pick Up and DeliverBury Me in the Rift; The Fox Experiment; Diplomacy: The Golden Blade; Sentinels of the Multiverse (revisited)
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played recently for the first time. Join us, won’t you? Bury Me in the Rift The Fox Experiment Regarding…
Pick Up and DeliverTeaching About Boardgames, part 2
Brendan continues his discussion of his boardgame class. Join us, won’t you? Pick Up & Deliver 847: Teaching About Boardgames, part 1 “Fail Faster” Playtesting…
Pick Up and DeliverTeaching About Boardgames, part 1
Brendan talks about his approach to teaching his class about Board Games and Community. (Well, he returns to this topic, really.) Join us, won’t you? Previous…
Pick Up and DeliverReading Roundup, Q2 2026
Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in April, May, and June of 2026. Join us, won’t you? Challenger The Kingdom of Gods Death of a Gentle Lady…
Pick Up and DeliverHaunted Mansion; Nestlings; Velonimo; Camel (C)up (revisited)
Brendan discusses three games he played for the first time recently, and one he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Disney: The Haunted Mansion – Call of the…
Pick Up and DeliverEmptying the Dust Bin, Mar-May 2026
Brendan talks about the games he got out of the dust in the last couple months but did talk about in the podcast. Join us, won’t you? March 2026 Axis & Allies…
Pick Up and DeliverAdaptations
Brendan talks about board games that have been adapted from published sources. Join us, won’t you? Previous episodes about this subject: Established Creative…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, July 2026
Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from June 2026, and looks ahead to July. Join us, won’t you? June 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Struggle of Empires…
Pick Up and DeliverVacation Games
Brendan shares some tales of his vacation to the Maritime provinces of Canada, shares the games he played there, and talks about what games the events he went…
Pick Up and DeliverBogencon ’26 – Dune; Struggle of Empires (BG Espresso special)
Brendan shares his experience at a home-con he attends yearly, Bogencon. Join us, won’t you? The Board Game Show Regular games for me: The Lord of the Rings…
Pick Up and DeliverReading Roundup, Q1 2026
Brendan shares his thoughts about the books he read in the first three months of 2026. Join us, won’t you? The Death of the Necromancer (Ile-Rien, #2) The…
Pick Up and DeliverGemini gamers (Astrology files)
Brendan talks a bit about what games people born under the zodiac sign Gemini might like best. Join us, won’t you? Previous Astrology Files episodes…
Pick Up and DeliverKing of the Dice; Level 7 Escape; Gold Ahoy!; Dog Park (revisited)
Brendan talks about three games he tried for the first time lately, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? King of the Dice (2017) Yahtzee (1956)…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, June 2026
Brendan shares his gameplay achievements from May 2026, and looks ahead to June. Join us, won’t you? May 2025 Top of the Stack New Game – AhoyX Top 50 game –…
Pick Up and DeliverBooks (Themestorm)
Brendan talks about games themed around books. Join us, won’t you? Games about Libraries Ex Libris (2017) The Big Book of Madness (2015) Mythic Mischief (2022)…
Pick Up and DeliverThe ‘geek Asks 14
Brendan examines the recent posts on boardgamegeek as though the threads are there as questions for him. Join us, won’t you? Negotiation in Games Spiel des…
Pick Up and DeliverPostcards; Leviathan Wilds; MANTIS; Fugitive (Revisited)
Brendan talks about three games he played for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Postcards (2025) Leviathan Wilds (2024) Episode 027: Shadow of the…
Pick Up and DeliverThe Beginning (of the Game)
Brendan shares his thoughts about what makes for a great beginning to a game. This follows up on the previous episode about ends of games. Join us, won’t you?…
Pick Up and DeliverThe End (of the game)
Brendan talks about how games end, and recommends five games with compelling endings. Join us, won’t you? Skull King (2013) Arkham Horror: The Card Game (2016)…
Pick Up and DeliverLight Speed Arena; Core Worlds; Verdant; Underwater Cities - Data Era
Brendan talks about three games he tried recently for the first time, and one game he dusted off. Join us, won’t you? Light Speed: Arena (2025) Core Worlds…
Pick Up and DeliverMarch / April ’26 Movie Roundup
Brendan shares the films he watched during March and April of 2026, and what he thought of them. Join us, won’t you? An Honest Liar Trickerion: Legends of…
Pick Up and DeliverLook Back at 2001-2004
Brendan examines the games that came out between 2001 and 2004 (inclusive), and shares his view of which games are best. Join us, won’t you? Top 5 games from…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, May 2026
Brendan shares his gameplay stats and experiences from April of 2026, and his plans for May. Join us, won’t you? Top of the Stack, April 2026 New Game – Light…
Pick Up and DeliverGnome Hollow; Horrified: Greek Monsters; Awkward Guests 2; Seasons (revisited)
Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried for the first time recently. Join us, won’t you? Gnome Hollow (2024) Horrified: Greek Monsters (2023)…
Pick Up and DeliverEarth Day (Themestorm)
Brendan talks a bit about Earth Day and games that reflect on the topics related to it. Environmental Activism Endeavor: Deep Sea (2024) Endangered (2020)…
Pick Up and DeliverJargon and Named Mechanisms in Game Design
Brendan shares a bit about how jargon and game design interact, and what they do for people outside the hobby. Join us, won’t you? WHAT IS THIS KIND OF GAME…
Pick Up and DeliverWilmot’s Warehouse; Istanbul – The Dice Game; Hanabi (revisited)
Brendan shares his first impression of three different games he tried recently. Join us, won’t you? Wilmot’s Warehouse (2024) Istanbul: The Dice Game (2017)…
Pick Up and Deliver7 Things I Like About Boardgamegeek
Brendan shares some of his favorite things about Boardgamegeek. Join us, won’t you? Ongoing contests or activities NAME….THAT….GAAAAYME!!! Out of the Dust…
Pick Up and DeliverStory in Games
Brendan talks about how five ways story and games interact. Join us, won’t you? A set narrative Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: The Thames Murders &…
Pick Up and DeliverEpona, Marshmallow Test, Finspan, Gizmos (revisited)
PU&D 819: Epona, Marshmallow Test, Finspan, Gizmos (revisited)Brendan shares his thoughts on three games he tried for the first time recently, and one he…
Pick Up and DeliverEmpire Records (themestorm)
Brendan shares some thoughts about the themes and ideas in the cult classic teen comedy, Empire Records. Join us, won’t you? Empire Records (1995) Running a…
Pick Up and DeliverSpring ’26 Chicago Area No Ship Math Trade Debrief
Brendan shares some quick observations about the games that went out and came in at the Chicago Area No Ship Math Trade last weekend. Join us, won’t you?Games…
Pick Up and DeliverHansa Teutonica; Kanban EV; Hot Streak; Via Nebula (revisited)
Brendan shares his first impressions of three games he played recently. Join us, won’t you? Hansa Teutonica (2009) Kanban EV (2020) Vinhos: Deluxe Edition…
Pick Up and DeliverTop of the Stack, April 2026
Brendan shares his thoughts on the games he played this month. Join us, won’t you? March 2026 Top of the Stack New Game – Hansa Teutonica Top 50 game – Lost…
Pick Up and DeliverReading Roundup, Q4 2025
Brendan shares his thoughts about books he read in October, November, and December of 2025. Join us, won’t you? The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1…
Pick Up and DeliverAdventuring in the Jungle (Themestorm)
Brendan shares some games that fit in the theme of “Adventuring in the Jungle.” Join us, won’t you? The Adventurers: The Temple of Chac (2009) The Adventurers…