I n c l u d i n g   s t r a t e g i e s ,  r e v i e w s ,  l i n k s , a n d  p u r c h a s i n g   l i n k s

Since my interests tend to fluctuate in cycles, I can't guarantee when I'll have the time AND desire to update this page. I have noticed that there is a basic lack of presence on the internet for most of these games, so I'm trying to at least include all of the links I can find until I can put my own pages up.

Recommended General Strategic Board Game Links Links
Boardgame Geek - The Unequivocal Internet Board Game Database (my profile on The Geek).
The Boardgame players Association - The Best organization devoted exclusively to board games.
The AccessDenied Gamer Database - Thousands of registered gamers in over a thousand different games. You can search for a local gaming group, online opponents, or even just others who have the same gaming interests. (my [dated] profile on AD)
Web-Grognards - The site for wargames on the web.
RPG's Milton Bradley Gamemaster Series - (pre Avalon Hill) Probably the best 5 minute page you can find for an intro to the MB series.
Boardgames at About.com (popup warning) - Though mostly mainstream, still has some good info.


Supremacy
Probably my all around favorite game here. Despite the many problems the gaming system itself has (if you add expansions it's almost unplayable without house rules) and the fact that it's creator seems to have totally abandoned it at this point (attempts to contact him by myself and dozens of other players to try and help to reissue the game have all failed), it still holds a special place in my heart. Incidentally, I was once one of the top ranked players in the country at this game. I was the tournament winner at the 1988 GenCon & Origins Con. And I had only played the game about a dozen times at that point.

The following purple game links go to the BBG game title page

Axis and Allies
The game on this page that I have played the most times (well over 1000 at this point, if you include all related A & A games). For a few years much of my spare time was spent on this game (about every single weekend and many free weekdays) and I have the most fond memories of this game. I even own a copy of the original Nova edition (before MB bought them out) There are quite a few Axis and Allies pages on the internet. It's a very mixed bag with a few very good ones, some okay ones and many bad ones.

Titan
Probably one of the most underrated board games ever IMHO. I've found though that most people either love or hate this game (those that hate it usually cite the downtime during other players turns - but I love to watch people play games, so I'm fine with it) This game has fallen on hard times though since the original Avalon Hill was bought out by Hasbro/Milton Bradley/WOTC. The game is now long out of print and relatively difficult to find. You can check eBay for copies of this game - copies usually go for anywhere from $50 to $100+, and with the game's current status and cult following those prices aren't coming down anytime soon. There are supposedly still plans for Avalon Hill to rework and re-issue the game (like Diplomacy / Cosmic Encounter / Acquire), but little has come of it, and since the Titan designers (who still hold the printing rights) seem to have fallen off the face of the planet, a reprint doesn't seem likely anytime soon from anyone. It'll be interesting to see what AH will do to it if they can get reissue rights since so far they seem to have simplified (i.e. dummied down) any/all of the previously mentioned re-releases at this point.

Update; The game was reprinted by Valley Games in 2009, and it is absolutely gorgeous! Quite simply, my favorite reprint of any game ever. Highly recommended.

 · Bruno's Titan Home page - Though not very pretty to look at this is not only the best Titan page on the net, but one of the best reference pages for ANY game.
· Cheewai's Titan Page - Runs pretty much dead even with Bruno's page for Titan info and links (look under those sections) - he has also gone to great lengths to archive old and long gone Titan pages - HIGHLY recommended.
· Warhorse Simulations - A few little Titan helper / add ons.
· Colossus  - A Java enabled on-line playable version of Titan
· "Titan Subpage" - Some strategies for Titan
· The Titan - A basic game overview.
· Get a copy of Titan on Ebay

Samurai Swords / Shogun
Probably the game I can consistently win at the most. I usually beat even my most hard core board game friends at this game. I don't think I was actually that good at the game, just that they couldn't figure out the best way to win. At 6 total, this is the game I own the most copies of.

· The Samurai Swords / Shogun Yahoo Discussion Group - pretty much the best/only place to discuss this game anymore (you have to sign up though [free] to do so).
· Shogun Battle Simulator Homepage - Not sure you can win that battle? Try it here first.
· Shogun PBEM Page - Limited page, not updated or current. Here because there just are not that many SG/SS pages around.
· Samurai Swords - Game Review
· Get a copy of Shogun on Ebay - It is good to note that unless you are a game collector and are prepared to pay a higher price, that Shogun is 99% identical to Samurai Swords (the difference being cosmetic changes to reflect the different name). I recommend you try to purchase a copy of Samurai Swords that is still more readily available, though also now out of print. Get a copy of Samurai Swords on E-Bay 
· Get a copy of Samurai Swords from Amazon.com - It's now out of print, and no longer available there - but the page is still up.

Fortress America
Bought at the height of my Axis and Allies addiction, this game became an instant favorite of mine. Two releases by MB (one printing with the "Saddam" cover, one with the same guy wearing sunglasses - neither is more rare than the other though, so collectors don't be fooled) this has been out of print for over a decade and is somewhat difficult to find now. Copies on e-bay did go for about $80-100 at one time, but now seem to have leveled off at about $35-50.

· The Fortress America Yahoo Discussion Group - pretty much the best/only place to discuss this game anymore (you have to sign up though [free] to do so).
· Fortress America PBEM Page - Limited page, not updated or current. Here because there just are not that many FA pages around.
· Get a copy of FA on E-Bay - Now long out of print, but the eBay prices are now not a whole lot higher than they were for the original game. 

Conquest of the Empire
One of the more sought after board games there is. It was available for a very brief time from MB in the early/mid 1980's. Like Axis & Allies this game was also based off of another game (Six Caesars) originally designed by Nova Games. I have seen mint copies of this game go for $200 or more on e-bay. Complete used copies (usually have broken pieces in them) average at least $100. Thouhg, in recent year prices have dropped on this classic because Eagle Games has redesigned and reprinted the game with designer Larry "Axis & Allies" Harris in 2007. Copies of the game can currently be acquired for an amazingly cheap 25 dollars on Funagain Games.

· Eagle Games COTE forum - a place to discuss the upcoming new COTE release.
· The Conquest of the Empire Yahoo Discussion Group - pretty much the best/only place to discuss this game anymore (you have to sign up though [free] to do so).
· Kulkmann´s Gamebox - Conquest of the Empire - A good overview of the game
· The Original Loop's Homepage -  This site has TIFF images of the MB game's rule book. However, the scanning is horrible with many pages cut off and info missing. Decent, but incomplete. Download at your own risk.
· Conquest of the Empire PBEM Page - Limited page, not updated or current. Here because there just are not that many COTE pages around.
· Get a copy of COTE on E-Bay

Civilization The original Avalon Hill version (NOT the Sid Meier version) 
Another Avalon Hill cult favorite, fans of this European civilization building game are among some of the most loyal fans to a single game around. Of course, as the classic AH games sob story goes, this game is ALSO now long out of print and copies on eBay, when combined with the Advanced Expansion, go for well over $100 - we won't even get into the completely nuts prices for the Western Expansion map (thank gawd I bought mine back in the 90's for retail). Thankfully though, due to on line resources, you can pretty much get the files that you need to print and play the game on your own, and more...

· Everything but the map can be found here, and a version of the original map can be found here.
· Civilization: The Expansion Project - A very excellent page that expands greatly on the AH Civilization game. Beautiful expansion maps (includes the north, west, and east all the way to India!) and new rules and five new civilizations. Highly recommended.
· Get a copy of (Advanced) Civilization on eBay

Rail Baron
 · Rail Baron Fanatics Site - Like it says. Includes a downloadable version for your computer.
 · Get a copy of Rail Baron from eBay - Copies typically go from $60-100. Now, long out of print (as are almost all old classic AH games), this is the only way to get it anymore. I don't expect this to ever be reprinted as I believe they would have a hard time reacquiring all of the railroad name/logo licenses (it was a lot different back then), so get it while it's "cheap".

World In Flames (including whole "In Flames" series)
Admittedly, I've only played this game a couple of times. It's long and drawn out and not really for the causal gamer. That said, it is probably one of the best looking and fun true board games (those that use traditional "counters" and rely more on strategy and unit strength than luck of the dice). The counters alone are well worth the price, covering just about every WWII unit and even units that were planned but not produced. If you have a free week and want to try something new, go for it. Unlike just about everything else on this page, this game is still in print. Buy the Deluxe set for ADG and save the money up front. Copies on Ebay can go for less than retail if you are willing to wait for one to come up.
· World in Flames / Australian Design Group official web page Like their high quality games (printing, maps, counters, etc) this is probably the best looking official web page of any game on this page.

Nuclear Armageddon
I played this game at GenCon in the late 80's and very much enjoyed it and regretted not buying a copy (purely my own fault, they sent me info and order forms for years). I finally acquired a copy several years back. Eventually, I'm going to put some files up for the game here. While it is very technically still in print, many people that have ordered in recent years report several months to receive their copies of the game, and they're usually incomplete. They usually come without the plaster hydrogen bomb clouds (though they're usually follow up supplied several months later) and, as far as I can tell, they only have "damaged" copies of the board left in stock (the board is made of plastic [I believe it's about 5-7mil thick], and is rather fragile and easy to damage).

The Star Trek Customizable Card Game (CCG)
Now in its "second edition" phase, the ST CCG is a very well thought out and playable card game. It takes elements, characters, and ships from the series (all 5, plus the movies), puts them onto beautiful cards and makes a game that's even fun to look at if you are not playing. Star Trek fans can also enjoy the cards even if they don't play the game.

· The Official Star Trek Customizable Card Game Site - Get all of the info you need about the game here
· Search for ST:CCG cards on Ebay - Use this link to browse. Type in a specific word after "Star Trek CCG" in the search box if you are looking for a specific card. Remove "CCG", or use fewer words (e.g. "Kirk", instead of "Captain Kirk", "James Kirk", "Mirror Kirk") for better results.

Mail me at boardgames@midnightmadness.org


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Last updated: April 25, 2004