The 2016 Spiel des Jahres nominees have been announced, so I thought I’d make another set of predictions since I was so good at it last year! 0 for 2 is an impressive prediction record, I think! Last year I didn’t make a prediction on the Kinderspiel des Jahres because I was not familiar with the games that were nominated in that category, those geared more towards children. This year, though, I’m making a prediction on that too! Let’s see how I do!

2016 Spiel des Jahres Nominees

Well, this one seems easy for two reasons. 1. Codenames swept through the board game world garnering a lot of praise. 2. I have never played the other 2 games, nor have I seen seen anyone else play them or heard anyone else talk about them.

Now, I’m sure they’re great games, but let’s look at the BGG Ranks as of the time of this posting. Imhotep is ranked #4555 overall. Karuba is a more impressive #912 overall. Codenames? It’s #17 overall! Not to take away from the other nominees, but come on!

Prediction – Codenames

2016 Kennerpiel des Jahres Nominees

As usual, I am way more interested in the Kennerspiel nominees as the category focuses on more mature games. This year I think that Isle of Skye, despite winning several awards, is the underdog, and Pandemic Legacy is the obvious favorite. They are ranked #250 overall, and #1 overall on BGG.

I wonder about T.I.M.E. Stories though… This game has garnered a lot of praise, and despite being ranked #28 overall (awesomely high but a good deal lower than #1 for comparative purposes) I think it has a good shot at winning.

I have not played Isle of Skye, but at this point it is the only one I can “safely” eliminate in my mind. Why? Because I have no other choice, I’ve never played it. I’m sure it’s a fantastic game. That leaves Pandemic Legacy and T.I.M.E. Stories…

Prediction – T.I.M.E. Stories

2016 Kinderspiel des Jahres Nominees

Well, I’m ALMOST as clueless as I was last year in the Kinderspiel des Jahres, but I can apply at least a little logic.

I’ve never heard of Leo so I’m going to go ahead and eliminate that one, despite once again being positive that it’s a fantastic entry. I’m simply not familiar with it. Stone Age Junior (My First Stone Age) I am familiar with, but only in passing. MMM! I have never heard of, but I DO know the name on the front of the box, Reiner Knizia. My money’s on Knizia!

Prediction – MMM!