With more than 550 games, choosing what to play should be easy. It is not.

Eventually, D.J. picks one, explains the rules at least twice, the snacks appear, and somebody develops a deeply personal grudge over cardboard.

From cozy campaigns and quick family favorites to strategy-heavy table hogs, here’s what we played, who won, what went sideways, and our completely honest opinion about whether the game deserves precious shelf space, or a one-way trip to the sell pile.