There’s a special kind of excitement that comes with buying a new board game. You watch reviews, explore the mechanics, imagine your next game night, and eagerly wait for the box to arrive.
Then it finally does. You admire the artwork, find a place for it on your shelf, and promise yourself you’ll play it soon.
Three months later, it’s still there. Unplayed. And somehow, you’re already researching another game.
Sound familiar?
I’ve been there. I was genuinely excited to get Tiletum and the new edition of Gold West. Both seemed like games I’d love to explore. But finding the time wasn’t easy, and other games kept catching my attention. They stayed on my shelf much longer than I expected.
And here’s the strange part: once they arrived, some of that excitement simply disappeared.
It’s something I’ve noticed more than once. Sometimes, looking forward to a game feels almost as exciting as playing it. We fall in love with the possibilities, the reviews, and the idea of future game nights. But owning a game and actually wanting to play it aren’t always the same thing.
The board gaming community even has a name for those untouched boxes: the Shelf of Shame. But perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to feel guilty about them.
Let’s explore why we keep buying games we don’t play, and how to build a collection that fits the way we actually enjoy our hobby.
Why Do We Keep Buying Board Games We Don’t Play?
1. The Thrill of the Hunt
Sometimes, the fun begins long before a game reaches our table.
We discover an interesting title, watch reviews, compare opinions, and imagine how it might fit into our collection. By the time we click “buy,” we’ve already spent hours enjoying the idea of playing it.
Then the package arrives, and the anticipation is over.
Actually playing requires learning the rules, finding the right people, and making time. Meanwhile, discovering another exciting game takes only a few minutes.
That’s the curious thing about this hobby. Sometimes, we’re not just buying a game. We’re buying something to look forward to.
2. FOMO, New Releases, and Irresistible Deals
There’s always something new in board gaming.
A highly anticipated release. A beautiful deluxe edition. A crowdfunding campaign with exclusive components. Or a game we’ve been considering that suddenly appears at a tempting discount.
Discovering new titles is part of the fun. But excitement can turn into urgency when we start believing we must buy something now or miss our chance forever.
Sales are particularly convincing. A game at 40% off feels like a brilliant opportunity, even if we weren’t interested in buying it yesterday.
Before purchasing, ask yourself: Would I still want this game if it weren’t on sale?
If the answer is no, perhaps the discount is more appealing than the game.
3. Buying Games for Our Imaginary Future Selves
Somewhere in our imagination, there’s a version of us with unlimited free evenings, enthusiastic friends, and enough energy to learn a complicated rulebook after work.
That person has an incredible board game collection.
Unfortunately, that person doesn’t always share our actual schedule.
We buy lengthy strategy games for afternoons we rarely have. We pick up party games for gatherings we haven’t organized. We imagine regular game nights with friends who might only be available once every few months.
There’s nothing wrong with dreaming about future game nights. But it’s worth remembering that our shelves have limited space, even when our imaginary calendars don’t.
4. When Collecting Becomes Its Own Hobby
Playing board games and collecting board games can be two different hobbies.
Some people genuinely enjoy owning beautiful editions, discovering unusual titles, or building a collection that reflects their tastes. Organizing a shelf can be satisfying in its own right.
And that’s perfectly fine.
A large collection isn’t automatically a problem. Neither is owning a game you haven’t played yet. What matters is whether your collection brings you enjoyment or creates a growing sense of obligation.
If collecting makes you happy and fits your budget, there’s no reason to feel guilty. But if you’re regularly spending money on games you quickly lose interest in, it might be worth changing a few habits.
The goal isn’t necessarily to own fewer games. It’s to enjoy the games you choose to own.
How to Break the Cycle Without Losing the Fun
1. Give Your Wishlist a Waiting Period
The next time a game catches your attention, don’t buy it immediately.
Add it to your wishlist and wait two weeks, or even a month. When you return to it, ask whether you’re still interested in actually playing it.
Can you imagine getting it to the table soon? Do the mechanics genuinely appeal to you? Or has another shiny new release already taken its place?
A waiting period helps separate lasting interest from a temporary burst of excitement.
And sometimes, the best thing about a wishlist is discovering how many games you no longer want.
2. Buy for the Game Nights You Actually Have
Think about your real playing habits before adding another box to your collection.
Who do you usually play with? How often do you meet? How long do your game nights last? And how willing is your group to learn new rules?
A brilliant four-hour strategy game might not be the best purchase if most of your evenings last ninety minutes. Likewise, a six-player party game won’t see much action if you usually play with one other person.
Of course, special games can be worth keeping for special occasions. But most of your collection should suit the evenings you actually experience.
If you’re still figuring out what belongs on your shelves, our guide on How to Build Your First Board Game Collection explores how to choose games that fit your needs.
3. Shop Your Own Shelf First
Before opening another online store, take a proper look at what you already own.
Perhaps there’s a game you’ve played only once and always meant to revisit. Or an unopened box that has been waiting for exactly the kind of evening you’re planning.
Try treating your collection as a library of experiences rather than a list of purchases.
Choose one neglected game and make a specific plan to play it. Read the rules beforehand, invite the right people, and put a date on the calendar.
“I’ll play this someday” is easy to postpone.
“We’re trying this on Saturday” is much harder to ignore.
Your next favorite game might already be sitting on your shelf.
4. Try Before You Buy
Watching a review can tell you what a game is supposed to feel like. Playing it reveals whether you actually enjoy its decisions, pacing, and mechanics.
Board game cafés, friends’ collections, conventions, and digital platforms can all help you test games before buying them.
Sometimes, a game that looks incredible in a video feels surprisingly ordinary at the table. Other times, a title you barely noticed becomes an unexpected favorite.
Our guide on Try Board Games Online Before You Buy explores digital ways to discover whether a game deserves a place in your collection.
You won’t always have the opportunity to try first. But when you do, one play can be more useful than another evening of reviews.
5. Make Peace With Your Collection
Not every unplayed game is a mistake.
Some games are waiting for the right group. Others suit a particular mood or occasion. And sometimes, our tastes simply change.
If a game still excites you, keep it and look for an opportunity to play. If you’ve lost interest completely, consider selling, trading, or giving it to someone who might enjoy it more.
You don’t need to force yourself through a game simply because you paid for it. Turning your free time into an obligation won’t bring that money back.
The Shelf of Shame doesn’t have to be shameful. Sometimes it’s a shelf of possibilities. Other times, it’s a reminder that our interests have changed.
Both are okay.
The Quirky Tip: The Arrival Test
Here’s a little experiment for your next board game purchase.
Before ordering, imagine that the game has already arrived. The package is open, the box is on your table, and there’s no delivery to look forward to anymore.
Now ask yourself:
“Would I be excited to learn the rules and play this tomorrow?”
Not next summer. Not when you finally organize that perfect game night. Tomorrow, assuming you have the time and the right players.
If the answer is an enthusiastic yes, you might have found something worth buying.
If the answer is “Well, I’d definitely enjoy owning it,” that’s useful information too.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the collecting side of the hobby. But knowing which kind of excitement you’re paying for can make a surprising difference.
Final Thoughts
Buying board games is fun. Discovering new titles, exploring beautiful artwork, and imagining future game nights are all wonderful parts of this hobby.
But sometimes, the excitement of finding the next game distracts us from the games we already wanted so badly.
I still understand why Tiletum and Gold West caught my attention. And I don’t think leaving them unplayed for a while makes them bad purchases. But they’ve reminded me that wanting to own a game and feeling ready to play it are not always the same thing.
A good board game collection isn’t measured by how many boxes it contains or how quickly you manage to play everything.
It’s a collection that fits your life, your tastes, and the people you enjoy spending time with.
So the next time a new release catches your eye, enjoy the excitement. Read about it. Add it to your wishlist.
Just remember to look at your shelf occasionally.
There might already be a wonderful game waiting for its turn.
