Board James (2009–2015) User Reviews

Great follow-up to AVGN

[jmanchak6 · 9/10 · 28 August 2010]

I'm going to try and make this review short and sweet, but please excuse me if I ramble. This show is to James Rolfe, what "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is to Larry David. A great follow up to an already great show.

This show started with an uncharacteristic review of a board game, Mouse Trap, by James Rolfe. Well, that video was very popular, so Rolfe created a new character that would specifically review board games. His good friend Mike Matei is given a bigger role than he usually has on AVGN (where he plays various characters) which is great because now, Rolfe finally has another character to interact with.

There are only eight episodes so far, and I look forward to more. The only criticism I have is that it isn't quite as good as AVGN, but that doesn't mean it's not great.

If the first seven episodes don't do it for you, I highly recommend the episode entitled "Mr. Bucket", which is, one, the most popular episode of the series, and two, one of the best films Mr. Rolfe has ever made.

The final word: Just terrific, informative and very funny! 9/10

Funny website show geared around playing board games.

[Aaron1375 · 9/10 · 5 June 2012]

This show is another creation of James Rolfe, better known as The Angry Video Game Nerd. This show, like that one, started out simply enough as Board James showed us the game Mouse Trap. As it has gone on it has basically kept this formula of James showing us a game, trying to discuss the rules and from time to time he invites Mike to come over to play. There are some shows that do things differently as the Mr. Bucket episode is completely out there and he also did one at a video game convention inviting others to play a simple board game in the midst of all the technology. It also introduced another character in Bad Luck Bootsy in later episodes, but he has not been in all that many episodes.

The first thing are the characters. All three characters seem to be like real life kids playing a game. You have Board James who hosts the show and appears in all the episodes. He is the friend who takes his game playing seriously, learns the rules and abides by all the rules. Then there is Motherf----r Mike. He is the guy that just wants to play, constantly cheats and is not as caring about the rules. Then Bad Luck Bootsy is the kid that wants attention and usually ends up getting hurt. I remember playing games and it did fall this way as I was basically like James, trying to play the games like they were meant too, and I tried playing with a Mike type character and the Bootsy character was the kid that always got forced on my friends and I. The one we did not want to play with, but the parents made us and we got in trouble when the dork got hurt usually by doing something stupid. So I think James did a really good job at recreating the typical 80's and 90's game playing session.

The games Board James reviews differ. The main thing they usually share is the fact that they are the type that have multiple pieces and a more 3-D environment. A lot of them also fall in a Dungeons and Dragons type category involving wizards and dungeons. A couple of these looked very fun to play such as Key to the Kingdom and Dragonstrike (though the accompanying video is extremely laughable). Though he does go off the beaten path a couple of times such as the Mr. Bucket episode where they basically make fun of the commercial where it states the balls come out of his mouth. Hilarity ensues, my favorite part when James is being attacked and he turns the things attention to poor Mike who only came over to help. There is also one where James shares with us a game of his own design that is insanely hard because nearly every square is a death square. Then Bootsy is introduced in the Tornado Rex edition and we find out why one should not wind the toy up more than three times. I do hope that once James is done with his Angry Video Game Nerd movie that he will make some more episodes of Board James, because it is almost as good and some of the episodes are better than AVGN.

In conclusion, this is a great show from our friends at Cinemassacre. It is a different beast than is AVGN, but that just makes it stand on its own. James and company do another show called, "You Know What's Bulls--t?" that is okay too, but it is a bit to much like AVGN and the episodes way to short. James Rolfe and Mike Matei though have a good thing going with this show. I would like to see more of it, and more with Bootsy as it is funny watching him get hurt. And it is also fun seeing some of the more obscure board games from earlier times.

Who knew that board game reviews could be this entertaining?

[peachcobly · 9/10 · 20 September 2017]

James Rolfe decided that it would be a good idea to do another AVGN-style web series, but this time he reviews board games. And it's absolutely awesome! These reviews are well written and it's clever how the episodes all intertwine and all reference back to each other. There are three main characters in this series, and in every episode, they either play a game in a montage, we watch them play it, or they just jump straight to a conclusion. They normally are followed by a comedy/horror sketch. Mostly comedy. Great examples are the "Mr. Bucket" review and the "Dream Phone" review. For those questioning if they should give it a shot, DO IT! Even though AVGN is better, the Cinemassacre style is written all over it, and it's (surprisingly) a very good time.

RIP to the last great series from Cinemassacre.

[therskybznuiss · 8/10 · 9 June 2021]

I've spent so much time disliking, resenting everything bad one of my former favorite channels and creator's has become, I'm writing this as a reminder of my grattitude for the intricate lulz Cinemassacre once brought me!

The first season is a -true- masterpiece, before thing's get too cerebral, but James sure is a fan of psychological horror and sci-fi elements, and the exuberance the creator(s) had for the content, the character's, the all around good-times bled through to create art which vastly exceeds the sum of it's (modest) parts.

RIP Bootsy, Kyle, now EMM EFFER Mike, and James is as good as dead to me, in his current state.

Board James, you will be missed.

Just As Good As AVGN That Doesn't Disappoint!

[cmayle-27244 · 9/10 · 21 February 2021]

I mean wow, who knew board game reviews could be done in such a fun way! I'm disappointed Cinemassacre stopped this series. Hopefully they bring it back cause I enjoy them. Check it out if you're a fan of AVGN, you won't be disappointed.

Board James = Entertained me

[Darkside-Reviewer · 10/10 · 6 May 2019]

Being a big AVGN fan I thought James Rolfe had struck comedy gold with his series so how do you meet that level of hilarity again the answer was reviewing board games.

This Web series is genius as James reviews old board games from our past he brings his friends along as how can you play board games without your friends.

The sketchs are amazing some crazy with a crazy toy bucket attacking them a toy phone stalker and more this series doesn't just review board games it brings them to life.

With a great cast lots of swearing and antics you'll laugh hysterically add this Web series to your favourite playlists

AVGN ON CRACK

[JamesIsHere5 · 9/10 · 16 January 2023]

Board James is one of the most interesting web series' of all time. It's technically a spin-off to AVGN. Instead of video games, it's board games, and instead being angry all the time, for the most part Board James loves the board games he reviews.

The series starts off very basic, just normal board game reviews. Then, it gets darker, and darker, starting with the "Mr. Bucket" episode, and then continuing with "Dream Phone"

The cast, despite being really small, is really fun. Obviously James is the straight man, who turns insane. Mike, as the kid who always cheats. And Bootsy, who messes everything up all the time.

Make sure to watch the series in order, to get the full experience.