Pandemic is one of the first board games we reviewed because it’s such a great family board game. It was the first cooperative board game we ever played and was an instant hit in our family. So when the expansion, Pandemic: On the Brink, came along, we didn’t wait long to buy a copy of the game. And we’re very happy to have it.

We caught a video segment today about board games from one of our family’s favorite internet sensations: Rhett and Link

They’ve talked about board games before on their YouTube show, “Good Mythical Morning”. But this recent video clip from “The Mythical Show” is called “Most Complicated Board Game Ever” and it’s just begging to be watched.

We’re still hooked on Descent: Journeys in the Dark 2nd Edition.

While we may not be playing it as regularly as we did in January after we first got the game and posted a video review on it, it’s still set up on a table in our basement – just begging us to play.

And since we bought the Conversion Kit, there’s even more fun with all the new heroes and monsters that are added to the game.

One of mom’s favorite games is 7 Wonders. In fact, she placed it 2nd on her recent list of favorite board games.

So is it any wonder that we’d pick up a copy of an expansion for 7 Wonders?

If mom loves a game, we’re definitely going to get it out often. Because when choosing what game to play, you need to select one that the players will enjoy. So if we want mom to sit down and play, then we need to pick one she’ll enjoy. And 7 Wonders is that kind of game.

King of Tokyo is a great party game and our copy has been used a TON. We’ve played it numerous times as a family, we play it regularly at Guys Game Night, and we’ve lent it out to neighbors and friends for some of their family gatherings.

So when we heard iello was working on an expansion for King of Tokyo, we quickly added it to our wish list.

Our 3rd, and last, Carcassonne expansion board game review is for the mini-expansion: Carcassonne The River.

And since it’s a mini-expansion, this will be a mini-review because there isn’t a lot to say about it.

However, just because it’s mini doesn’t mean it isn’t great – because we play with the River every time we play!

Carcassonne Traders & Builders is another great board game expansion for Carcassonne. There are even more ways to score points and additional elements to add to your strategy. It keeps this great family board game alive with more fun.

Carcassonne Inns & Cathedrals is a great first expansion for Carcassonne! It adds new land tiles, new ways to score, and pieces for a 6th player to join in.

It’s also an expansion that we include every time we play Carcassonne.

Board game expansions are becoming a much more common occurrence with modern board games. Look back just a decade and you won’t see many board game expansions. Sure Monopoly has spawned a ton of different versions, but they aren’t considered expansions. They’re just re-theming the same game and each game plays as a stand-alone.

Which board game expansions are worth getting?

Are you ready to find out what the best board games and card games are from 2012?
While we don’t quite have that answer for you yet, we do have the list of nominations. And it’s quite the list!

How on earth can we say which are the best?
There’s no way to play them all. So for that, we turn to game reviews and players around the world. And we’ve found the best compilation comes from The Dice Tower Awards.

Here’s the list of nominations for Best Board Games of 2012.