Worst box inserts
Krzysztof Zięba
(Lord_Kristof)
Poland
Kraków
flag msg tools
designer
badge
Check out my first published board game: In the Name of Odin!
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2009 through 2013, 2015 through 2020
Microbadge: Offline from The Geek for a while
Recommend
7 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
There are some great box inserts out there, designed in such a way that everything fits perfectly and snuggly. You pack the game and you can do whatever you want with the box - the components will stay in place.
Then again, there are those that are either:
a) too big for the components, leaving a lot of free, unused space
b) too small for the components, which has to end with either throwing out the insert (which I don't like doing), or storing the components outside the original box
c) ok, but there's no logic in the design at all

Whine with me, add away.
Your Tags: Add tags
Popular Tags: [View All]
  • [+] Dice rolls
1. Board Game: Chaos in the Old World [Average Rating:7.68 Overall Rank:138]
Board Game: Chaos in the Old World
Krzysztof Zięba
(Lord_Kristof)
Poland
Kraków
flag msg tools
designer
badge
Check out my first published board game: In the Name of Odin!
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2009 through 2013, 2015 through 2020
Microbadge: Offline from The Geek for a while
The game that inspired this list.
Come on, the box designer had to be a genius to create a box which doesn't fit the figures after punching out all of the tokens and placing the board on top... There's sooooo much wasted space there, I'm very tempted to take out the insert and will probably do that when I buy a good storing solution for the figures...
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
2. Board Game: A Touch of Evil: Hero Pack 1 [Average Rating:7.50 Unranked] [Average Rating:7.50 Unranked]
Board Game: A Touch of Evil: Hero Pack 1
Krzysztof Zięba
(Lord_Kristof)
Poland
Kraków
flag msg tools
designer
badge
Check out my first published board game: In the Name of Odin!
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2009 through 2013, 2015 through 2020
Microbadge: Offline from The Geek for a while
Nice plastic insert that fits all the pieces of this expansion (not much of them) and... nothing else. After ditching it, you get a lot of space for all the Hero and Villain cards and other components...
And they haven't designed a different Encounter Sheet for the Necromancer, even though it would fit with no trouble at all...
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
3. Board Game: Kingsburg [Average Rating:7.19 Overall Rank:391]
Board Game: Kingsburg
Krzysztof Zięba
(Lord_Kristof)
Poland
Kraków
flag msg tools
designer
badge
Check out my first published board game: In the Name of Odin!
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2009 through 2013, 2015 through 2020
Microbadge: Offline from The Geek for a while
The components take up half of the box. At most. You could divide all of them and fill it up partially, but why bother? String bags for the win...
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
4. Board Game: Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game [Average Rating:6.91 Overall Rank:1377]
Board Game: Call of Cthulhu: The Card Game
William Collins
(willco)
United States
San Diego
California
flag msg tools
badge
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2007 through 2015, 2017 through 2018, 2020
Microbadge: Pittsburgh Penguins fanMicrobadge: Atomic Robo fanMicrobadge: 10 Year Geek VeteranMicrobadge: Kids on Bikes RPG fanMicrobadge: Belgian Beer lover
Man. I mean, man, this one is bad. The most useless of all inserts. Not even designed to hold the cards it comes with! And it has pretty printing on it, too!
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
5. Board Game: Maharaja: The Game of Palace Building in India [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:784]
Board Game: Maharaja: The Game of Palace Building in India
Tim Synge
(Tim Synge)
United Kingdom
TEIGNMOUTH
Devon
flag msg tools
Taunton Marathon 2009
badge
Go get 'em, Floyd.
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2004 through 2021
Microbadge: Scrabble fanMicrobadge: YINSH fanMicrobadge: Neuland fanMicrobadge: GIPF fanMicrobadge: 2.718 281 828 459 045 235 360 287 471 352 662 497 757 247 093 699 959 574 966 967 627 724 076 630 353 547 594 571 382 178 525 166 427 427 466 391 932 003 059 921 817 413 596 629 043 572 900 334 295 260 595 630 738 132 328 627 943 490 763 233 829 ...
Oddly enough, it all looks much better in this photo than it ever does in practice ...
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
6. Board Game: Dominion [Average Rating:7.61 Overall Rank:104] [Average Rating:7.61 Unranked]
Board Game: Dominion
Tim Synge
(Tim Synge)
United Kingdom
TEIGNMOUTH
Devon
flag msg tools
Taunton Marathon 2009
badge
Go get 'em, Floyd.
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2004 through 2021
Microbadge: Scrabble fanMicrobadge: YINSH fanMicrobadge: Neuland fanMicrobadge: GIPF fanMicrobadge: 2.718 281 828 459 045 235 360 287 471 352 662 497 757 247 093 699 959 574 966 967 627 724 076 630 353 547 594 571 382 178 525 166 427 427 466 391 932 003 059 921 817 413 596 629 043 572 900 334 295 260 595 630 738 132 328 627 943 490 763 233 829 ...
This one is well documented.

There *is* space for everything, but it's hard to see any logic in the design. And it was particularly difficult for those of us who purchased this before anyone thought of providing a labelled strip to put in the box ...
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
7. Board Game: Maharaja: The Game of Palace Building in India [Average Rating:7.11 Overall Rank:784]
Board Game: Maharaja: The Game of Palace Building in India
Philip von Doomula
(Quarashi)
United States
Hermon
ME
flag msg tools
"Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination."
badge
I got in everyone's hostile little face. Yes, these are wooden cubes from board gaming. Yes, I'm comfortable with that. I am enlightened.
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2007 through 2021
Microbadge: Audiobooks fanMicrobadge: Happily marriedMicrobadge: Parent of Two BoysMicrobadge: Devoted FatherMicrobadge: Maine
I know it was made for another game, I just don't know what.
2 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
8. Board Game: Britannia [Average Rating:7.20 Overall Rank:811]
 Missing Image
Andreas Johansson
(Orcoteuthis)
Sweden
Linköping
flag msg tools
I spent 200 GG and all I got was this lousy overtext!
badge
I spent 200 GG and all I got was this lousy overtext!
Avatar
Microbadge: LibraryThing userMicrobadge: Terraforming MarsMicrobadge: My Favorite Contribution to BGGMicrobadge: Ghost Stories fanMicrobadge: Oxford comma—the last vestige of civilized society
The FFG edition has an aggressively unhelpful insert with a number of compartments that don't correspond at all in size and shape to any of the components. It's apparently reused from another FFG game, but I don't recall which.
2 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
9. Board Game: Stone Age [Average Rating:7.55 Overall Rank:127] [Average Rating:7.55 Unranked]
Board Game: Stone Age
dustin boggs
(ramkitty)
Canada
Victoria
BC
flag msg tools
these are my overtexts and
badge
now I am without geek gold :(
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2008 through 2013
Microbadge: Parent of Two GirlsMicrobadge: Combat Commander: Europe fanMicrobadge: A Game of Thrones fanMicrobadge: Tea drinkerMicrobadge: Traditional Shaving fan - I use a super badger shaving brush
I thought it was cleverly designed for the box to fit tight post punch but the box fits equally poor after punching. There was a clever post about cutting a notch out of both sides of the insert to inlay the player boards allowing the box to shut tight. The dice cup requires squishing for the box to shut tight as well.
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
10. Board Game: Pandemic [Average Rating:7.59 Overall Rank:106]
Board Game: Pandemic
Murray C
(MrScaryMuffin)
Canada
Vancouver
British Colombia
flag msg tools
badge
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2009 through 2011
Microbadge: downMicrobadge: down/rightMicrobadge: rightMicrobadge: plusMicrobadge: Thumb Bomber
The cardboard insert has space for the cards, only it isn't stable enough to actually keep the cards in place. I ended up flipping the insert upside down to create a space between the insert and the gamebox that was a good size to keep cards in and ziploc bagged everything else.

Worse is when you get the On the Brink expansion, since it is impossible to stuff everything into one box. I ended up repurposing my Settlers of Catan box to hold everything (all Catan stuff was in the Seafarers box anyways).
6 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
11. Board Game: Trapper [Average Rating:6.11 Overall Rank:9361]
Board Game: Trapper
Brian Moore
(Hopalong)
United Kingdom
Bolton
Lancashire
flag msg tools
badge
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2006 through 2022
Microbadge: Gamer with Non-gamer SpouseMicrobadge: Herculean Board Game CollectorMicrobadge: Gaming since 1969Microbadge: 15 Year Geek VeteranMicrobadge: I play with yellow!
This one really is useless - whatever game the insert is for - it isn't this one!
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
12. Board Game: Qwirkle [Average Rating:6.78 Overall Rank:850]
Board Game: Qwirkle
William Hostman
(aramis)
United States
Alsea
OR
flag msg tools
designer
I've been Banished to Oregon... Gaming in Corvallis, living in Alsea... Need gamers willing to try new things...
badge
The Splattered Imperium
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2005 through 2021
Microbadge: I was here for the 100 millionth Geek forums thumb!Microbadge: Geek RegularMicrobadge: Game EvangelistMicrobadge: I love my Gamer SpouseMicrobadge: Roleplaying Since 1981
The insert is for the pallatized blocks. Unless you want to put it back neatly stacked, the bag-o-pieces won't fit with the insert in. But at least it has a hole for removing the insert.
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
13. Board Game: Roads & Boats [Average Rating:7.73 Overall Rank:456]
Board Game: Roads & Boats
Thomas Lang
(Junkfoot)
Germany
Lenggries
flag msg tools
badge
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2010 through 2021
Microbadge: It ain't over till the fat lady singsMicrobadge: Game ExplainerMicrobadge: 10 Year Geek VeteranMicrobadge: IT'S A TARP!Microbadge: Flaming Tulips!
Just. What the hell. No insert at all and a gazillion tiles? Wow that really sucks.

Then again, Splotter is a small company. Still... just terrible and other Splotter games aren't much better (and yes, I'm looking at you, Indonesia!)
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
14. Board Game: Escape: The Curse of the Temple [Average Rating:6.99 Overall Rank:588]
Board Game: Escape: The Curse of the Temple
Andrew
(aaj94)
United States
Kansas City
Missouri
flag msg tools
Let's Go Chiefs!
badge
Coração Brasileiro
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2016 through 2022
Microbadge: 2022 Copper SupporterMicrobadge: I'm part of the 2022 Mindful Spending ChallengeMicrobadge: Foster parentMicrobadge: Black Lives MatterMicrobadge: 'When playing a game, the goal is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning' - Dr. Reiner Knizia
Sorry, best picture I can find.

Apparently, Queen Games thought it would be a great idea to fill about half of the box with folded cardboard -- the two ridges on the side make the insert narrower than the width of the box. Ok, fine. The insert is split in two, and the narrower side of the insert just happens to be wide enough to fit the tiles in a stack. Ok, also fine.

Except there are more tiles than can fit in one stack, and because of the useless air on the sides, you can't fit two stacks of tiles adjacent to each other (hard to explain, but clear if you own the game)

To make matters worse, the larger half of the insert is ALSO too narrow to hold two stacks of tiles long-wise, because of the smaller half, so you're left with max, two stacks of tiles, one in each half, with the bagged components filling up the empty space. Huge waste of space, and forget about the expansions.

Escape is the first game on my list to get a custom foamboard insert. Can't stand the default one.
 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
15. Board Game: Coup: Rebellion G54 [Average Rating:7.01 Overall Rank:1300]
Board Game: Coup: Rebellion G54
Ben MacFarlane
(bmacfarlane)
United States
Cambridge
Massachusetts
flag msg tools
Avatar
Patron Badge for 2013 through 2017, 2019
Microbadge: Terraforming Mars fanMicrobadge: Race for the Galaxy fanMicrobadge: Innovation fanMicrobadge: Hanabi fanMicrobadge: Quartermaster General fan
The Indie Boards & Cards version of this game is one of the worst instances of an unnecessarily oversized box I've ever seen. Comparing it to the original, it has about 475% the volume!

IB&C version - Size: 9.84 x 7.87 x 3.15 inches or 25.0 x 20.0 x 8.0 cm
La Mame version - Size: 6.30 x 4.13 x 1.97 inches or 16.0 x 10.5 x 5.0 cm
1 
 Thumb up
 tip
 Hide
  • [+] Dice rolls
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
Loading... | Locked Hide Show Unlock Lock Comment     View Previous {{limitCount(numprevitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}
{{error.message}}
{{comment.error.message}}
    View More Comments {{limitCount(numnextitems_calculated,commentParams.showcount)}} / {{numnextitems_calculated}} 1 « Pg. {{commentParams.pageid}} » {{data.config.endpage}}